Four golf course superintendents – including the director of golf course operations for TPC Sawgrass – have been named winners of the 2021 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards (ELGA), which are presented annually by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and Golf Digest in partnership with Syngenta.
Eight runners-up also received recognition for their environmental efforts.
The awards have recognized superintendents and golf courses around the world for their commitment to environmental stewardship since 1993, but in 2018 the ELGAs were updated to recognize more superintendents in more focused areas of environmental sustainability.
Instead of offering national awards based on facility type, the newer version of the ELGAs is based on the environmental best management practices and honor specific areas of focus.
The Innovative Conservation Award, which recognizes unique and innovative strategies for conservation, went to Jeff Plotts, director of golf course operations for TPC Sawgrass.
Each year, the golf world’s eyes are focused on TPC Sawgrass and Plotts’ work during THE PLAYERS Championship. The 27-year association member has been at TPC Sawgrass since 2015.
Flowers have played a big role in aesthetic value of the landscape during television broadcasts of THE PLAYERS. By developing a wildflower initiative with native seeds, Plotts and his staff have been able grow large numbers of flowers that can be used throughout the property.
Previously annual flowers would have to be changed out 3-4 times per year. The native wildflowers are hardier, require fewer inputs and can be maintained through multiple seasons or years. The savings related to flowers of $75,000 a year is then used for ongoing reforestation of property after hurricanes damaged trees in 2017 and 2018.
In all, more than 1,500 trees have been planted at TPC Sawgrass in the last three years as part of the reforestation project. Like the wildflowers, the tree species are native to the area and include oak, pine and magnolia trees. The success of the wildflowers has also resulted in the planting of native grass species to accompany the wildflower plantings.
