Billy Casper Golf Launches BCGreen Environmental Program

(VIENNA, VA) - Billy Casper Golf (BCG) - owner and operator of more than 140 golf courses, country clubs and resorts - has launched BCGreen to reduce the carbon footprint at all its properties across America.

Further bolstering the company's industry-leading environmental standing, BCGreen builds on participation in Audubon International's Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses in four key areas: gasoline and diesel consumption, electricity and water reduction, heating and cooling efficiencies, and recycling.

Each BCG course is performing an audit to determine its carbon footprint. Upon establishing a baseline, agronomy teams will further reduce carbon impact on the environment by installing low-flow faucets, compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting, and creating on-site compost piles.

To oversee BCGreen, Mark Murphy - Superintendent at BCG-managed General's Ridge Golf Course (Manassas Park, VA) - has been named Director of Environmental Programs. Murphy directed Audubon certification at multiple BCG-managed courses in Northern Virginia and introduced additional agronomic initiatives benefitting the ecosystem.

"Billy Casper Golf's commitment to leading-edge environmental stewardship is unmatched in the industry," says Bryan Bielecki, Vice President of Agronomy of BCG. "We are dedicated to understanding our impact and creating ecologically-friendly sanctuaries within our communities."

In 2009, BCG began registering courses in the Audubon International program and has 100 percent of courses enrolled. In attaining certification, BCG courses successfully maintain sound environmental practices in six disciplines: environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, and water quality management.

BCG has long been lauded by golfers and industry pundits for conditioning courses to high standards with many winning best-in-kind honors from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine and Golfweek. An industry leader in maintenance best practices combined with business prudency, several BCG superintendents have joined the company from PGA Tour and "major" tournament venues, and other top-ranked courses nationwide.

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