Abu Dhabi Golf Club (ADGC), managed by Troon Golf, has registered for the Audubon Co-Operative Sanctuary Programme (ACSP).

ACSP an award-winning education and certification programme that helps golf courses worldwide protect their environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf.

The club – home to the annual European-Tour Abu Dhabi Golf Championship - says the move is in line with the environmental stewardship ethos of its owner Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), which manages the tourism assets of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

``ACSP’s eco-friendly standard provides protection to the environment by governing water quality, conserving natural resources and providing wildlife habitats,” said Mark Chapleski, area managing director, Troon Golf, Middle East.

“Troon Golf is highly committed to the environment along with the creation and preservation of natural habitat for wildlife,” said Chapleski.

“The Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s recent Audubon registration is a tribute to the commitment of the facility and its owners in maintaining an environment that supports such a significant number of bird species here in the UAE.

“This is a quite an honour and one that only a percentage of golf courses get selected for every year” said Chapleski.

ADGC will now have to complete five key environment management practices to achieve full registration.

The five key environment practices being Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management , Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation and Water Quality Management

“Our next step is to take stock of our environmental resources and potential liabilities and develop an environmental plan that fits the unique setting, goals and staff allocation times of this course. Our goal is to have all the club’s facilities registered over the next few months and achieve certification in all categories by the end of 2008.” TradeArabia News Service