Willow Crest Golf Club Earns Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Status

(ORLANDO, Fla.) - Marriott Golf announced that Willow Crest Golf Club at Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort in Oak Brook, Ill., is the most recent property to achieve certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. This marks the 17th Marriott Golf managed property to achieve Audubon Certification, as part of the Company's green initiatives. By the end of 2008, 25 managed golf properties in North America and the Caribbean will become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.

Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, which enable golf facilities to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats, are part of a systemwide commitment by Marriott International, Inc.to promote environmental stewardship. In order to achieve Audubon Certification, a golf facility is required to demonstrate that it is maintaining the highest degree of environmental quality in several areas including Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

As part of the property's environmental efforts to become certified, Willow Crest Golf Club converted 14 acres of manicured turf to natural, un-mowed environmentally sensitive areas, which included all banks along its lake edges. With the taller grasses and emerging plants, the banks have become stabilized and have reduced erosion and aquatic weeds, while connecting habitats. Additionally, the increase of shoreline species has provided nesting areas, shelter, and a food source for wildlife.

Further, the golf team at Willow Crest Golf Club partnered with students at the Westmont Junior High School for the Audubon Adopt-A-School program, which educates students on the importance of protecting and preserving the environment, at school and within their own communities. Willow Crest Golf Club also contributed to its certification process by building, installing, and monitoring several bird houses throughout the property.

Located on the 150-acre estate of Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort, the Dick Nugent-designed course at Willow Crest Golf Club features gently rolling bent grass contoured fairways, quick rolling and well-bunkered greens, along with an abundance of water challenges. The par 70 golf course layout is very challenging, yet enjoyable for golfers of every skill level.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program.

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