Ron Dodson, President of Audubon International (AI) and the International Sustainability Council (ISC) and well-regarded advocate for sustainable development in golf, has been chosen to receive the 2009 Donald Ross Award. The award will be presented on May 3, 2009 at the Donald Ross Banquet during the 63rd ASGCA Annual Meeting in Seattle, Wash.

“With the continued and increasing emphasis on environmental stewardship that surrounds golf development, it was time for ASGCA to again choose a long-time leader in the movement for our highest honor,” notes Bruce Charlton, ASGCA President. “Ron joins Michael Hurdzan, ASGCA, who won the award in 2007, as a reasoned, expert voice in the environmental realm. I’ll be personally honored to present this award to Ron in light of all he’s done to educate the world about how golf complements a healthy ecosystem.”

One of the most noteworthy projects Dodson oversaw at AI was the creation of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Charlton adds, “This certification often functions as a ‘seal of approval’ to help educate the public about how golf that is properly sited, designed and managed can be one of the lowest impact forms of development, and can provide wildlife habitat, protect natural resources and offer community and recreational values.”

Dodson serves on numerous environmentally-focused committees, including The USGA Turf and Environmental Research Committee, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Links Research Committee and the Urban Land Institute Sustainable Development Committee. He is a prolific writer on the topic of environmentally-sensitive golf, and is the author of the books Sustainable Golf and Managing Wildlife Habitat on Golf Courses. He has written numerous articles and reports on the topics of best management practices, facility audits and water quality management at golf facilities. He is also a frequent presenter to state and federal agencies on the topics of hazardous waste assessments and audits, water quality assessment, ecological studies, restoration planning, Environmental Impact Statements and community planning.

The Donald Ross Award was established by the ASGCA Board of Governors in 1976 and is given annually to an individual who has made a positive impact on golf and golf course architecture. Its first recipient was one of ASGCA’s Founding Fathers, Robert Trent Jones. ASGCA’s Donald Ross Award Committee is led by Past President Rees Jones, ASGCA. For a complete listing of previous Donald Ross Award winners, click HERE.

ASGCA Background
Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of experienced golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members have completed a rigorous two-year long application process that includes the peer review of four representative golf courses. ASGCA members are experienced golf course architects, able to counsel in all aspects of golf course design and remodeling.

Media Contact
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phone: (262) 786-5960, fax: (262) 786-5919