Editor, The Spotlight:
Since 1998, the (Colonial Acres Golf) Course has been in environmental programs such as Audubon International, Governor Pataki’s Pollution Prevention and Unit, EPA Performance Track, and NYS Environmental Leaders, to help in maintaining an environmental co-existent property while reducing maintenance costs. In 1997 the course spent just over $10,000 in fertilizers, plants protectants and Category III pesticides. This was when the course was at a 70 percent synthetic pesticide to a 30 percent biological-natural organic-plant protectant product use. Since that time the products used have been reversed to a 90 percent biological-natural organic base-plant protectant and 10 percent synthetic pesticide product use.
Since 1997 product costs have increased 52 percent. Over the last 4 years the course has averaged a $2,800 savings per year. Other savings of note are a reduction in turf care by naturalizing 3 acres of in play areas which have led to an annual savings of $1,053. A reduction in energy use has also been in place and our NYSEL goal was achieved this past year with a reduction from 10,408 kWh to 7,823 kWh use. This was in result to a reduction in irrigation use, which is 100 percent runoff water, over a 4-year period by running the pumps less and an improved heating system in the maintenance shop. These are just a few of the on going environmental projects that go on at the course.
So it is not Audubon, or EPA or NYS Environmental Leaders programs that has hurt us. It has been a lack of amenities such as bathrooms and a few minor adjustments that can help us get out of last year’s loss. Remember last year there were 77 days of rain that equaled out to 33” of rainfall.
I’ve been in the golf course maintenance all my life. I can’t remember a season weather-wise as bad as 2011. The previous 3 years we either turned a profit or broke even. Things are looking better this year. I was told that March and April were good months for the course.
There isn’t much out there that’s self sustaining. That’s why there is taxes. The Town of Bethlehem is one of the best base amenity towns around. The truth is the town has a great road system and clean streets because of the Highway Department, a very sound water and sewer infrastructure because of the DPW, and the broad recreational activities and quality parks of the Parks and Rec Dept. All this puts Bethlehem above and beyond so many other towns.
Just know that it’s not just an average golf course in an average town with average people. It is a town that is above the norm because of the variety of great things here. The golf course is one of the highest environmental award winning golf courses in the U.S. and has won over 12 National and State Awards. Including Pataki’s Pollution Prevention Award and the National EPA P-Track Outreach Award. The only golf course ever to win these. It has been written about in 25 different articles including National Parks and Rec Magazine, Golf Digest, and Wall Street Journal.
Last year was tough for all courses not just ours. My crew and myself are working hard to reverse this. You might be saying to yourself that all this is to keep my crews and my jobs and you’ve got a point. But all this is still the truth.
Let me make one thing clear. If closing the golf course saves the Town of Bethlehem and peoples’ jobs and eases the taxpayer’s burden than I can’t argue against it. It would be selfish and wrong for me to do that and that’s not my way. I just hope there is a better way somewhere, somehow, that we can keep it all including the ice rink for people to enjoy. I am sorry for the down year last year. Thank you for your time and take care.
Patrick Blum
Colonial Acres Golf Course Superintendent
