Two Pennsylvania Courses Qualify for Audubon Sanctuary Status

Ed Lach, CGCS at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo, Pa., and Mike DeLeonibus, superintendent at Westwood Golf Club in West Mifflin, Pa., have qualified their courses as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries by Audubon International. Westwood Golf Club is the 16th and Willowbrook the 17th course in Pennsylvania to receive the honors.

The courses are part of ValleyCrest Golf Course maintenance. Vince Gilmartin, the company's regional superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status for these courses and is being recognized for environmental stewardship by Audubon International.

"We would like to recognize the support shown by the clubs and their members, the personal commitment demonstrated by Ed Lach and Mike DeLeonibus and the overall collective effort of everyone involved in this significant accomplishment," Gilmartin said.

"Westwood and Willowbrook have shown a strong commitment to their environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jeremy Taylor, staff ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. "To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas."