Roanoke, W.Va. - The Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course at Stonewall Resort near Weston, W.Va., has been recognized as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program of Audubon International. This is the second time Stonewall Resort’s golf course has been so designated. The course is one of 693 golf courses in the world to receive the honor.
“We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious designation from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary,” said Mike Hager, the resort’s general manager. “I’d especially like to recognize Chad Clovis, CGCS, director of resort facilities, and Phil Curran, golf course superintendent, and their team who led this effort and have been instrumental in maintaining the sanctuary status for the resort’s Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course.”
"The Palmer Course at Stonewall Resort has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program,” said Jim Sluiter, staff ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. “[and the team there] are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property.”
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. To be certified, golf courses must demonstrate that they maintain a high degree of environmental quality in a number of categories, including Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. Golf courses go through a recertification process every two years. Courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Mexico, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program.
About Audubon International
Audubon International is a not-for-profit, environmental education organization dedicated to educating, assisting, and inspiring millions of people from all walks of life to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them. Its award-winning education and certification programs have helped more than 5,800 businesses, golf courses, schools, communities, and new developments improve environmental performance and manage natural resources responsibly on more than one million acres of land.
About Stonewall Resort
The Four Diamond-rated Stonewall Resort is a 208-guestroom property with a lakeside lodge and lakeside cottages, a conference center, restaurants, complete fitness center and swimming pool, spa and an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course. The resort is located at Stonewall Resort State Park near Weston, W.Va. at Exit 91 off of US 79. Stonewall Resort is a joint private/public development between McCabe-Henley LP and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Benchmark Hospitality International operates Stonewall Resort. For more information about Stonewall Resort call 304-269-7400 or online at www.stonewallresort.com.