Cahoon Plantation achieves Audubon certification

Golf Course News, Jun 2002

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - The Isles Golf Club at Cahoon Plantation, maintained by International Golf Maintenance, has achieved designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System.

"For integrated pest management, our focus was to improve soil and turf health, which produces a plant that is better able to withstand stress," said Tyler Minamyer, superintendent. "To do this, we instituted the use of slow-release fertilizers and created no-spray zones."

To meet the other Audubon requirements, Minamyer reduced irrigated turf area by installing part-circle heads and using wetting agents; reduced run-off by installing vegetative buffers; increased wildlife habitat by naturalizing a 10-acre area; and started an education program with Tidewater Community College.

Cahoon Plantation, a public course designed Ault, Clark and Associates, Ltd. of Kensington, Md., is the eighth course in Virginia and the 376th course in the world to receive certification.