10 great places to go for the green and be green
— -- It's undeniably hip to be green nowadays — and nowhere is that more true than on golf courses, many of which are taking a leadership role in environmental stewardship. With the U.S Open scheduled to tee off next week, Joe Passov, senior editor for travel and course rankings at GOLF Magazine, shares his picks for top eco-friendly resort courses with Tim Smight for USA TODAY.
Amelia Island Plantation Amelia Island, Fla.
Bracketed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, this island resort sits just 30 miles north of Jacksonville. A master plan that dates to the resort's opening in 1971 includes protections for tidal marshes, oceanfront dunes, native grasslands and savannahs. "Amelia Island's four courses aren't long, but they're incredibly scenic," Passov says. "Aside from the great golf, guided environmental tours with staff naturalists are available to guests." 888-261-6161; aipfl.com
Barton Creek Resort & SpaAustin
This rambling, 4,000-acre spread rests in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Thanks to the resort's efforts to preserve and protect native wildlife and vegetation, all four Barton Creek golf courses are Certified Audubon Sanctuaries. "Barton Creek's back-to-nature appeal stems from a plethora of stout live oaks, tall cedars, waterfalls and rock outcroppings," Passov says. "The par-five 18th hole at the Fazio Foothills course, which plays over and around a natural limestone cave, is unforgettable." 866-572-7369; bartoncreek.com
The BroadmoorColorado Springs
Located one hour south of Denver, with a head-on view of the Rocky Mountains, the 90-year-old Broadmoor is one of the USA's grandest resort properties. In addition to a resort-wide recycling program, The Broadmoor uses innovative water-use reduction methods for its three golf courses, including drip irrigation and a high-tech rain monitoring system. "The resort has also converted 50 acres of golf turfgrass to native grasslands and wildflower areas," Passov says. 866-837-9520; broadmoor.com
