January 7, 2009
Marriott Golf "IS" Green
Marrriott Golf "IS" Green - All North American Courses Acheive Audubon Certification with Completion of Successful Environmental Program
Camelback Golf Club In Scottsdale, AZ -- Marriott Golf’s Original Property -- Becomes Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary; All Marriott Managed Golf Properties Throughout North America And One Signature Caribbean Property Join Company Wide
Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today announced the successful completion of the Company’s 2008 environmental program, as Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ – the original Marriott Golf managed property – became Marriott’s 25th golf property to become a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
The Marriott Golf environmental program, which was announced in March of 2008 and now includes all golf properties throughout North America and one signature property in the Caribbean, further positions the Company as the industry’s premier "green"golf management organization, while reinforcing Marriott International’s worldwide commitment to environmental consciousness.
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. (MAR:NYSE) 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 many areas including Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach & Education, Chemical Use Reduction & Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
For a look behind the scenes at the Audubon Certification process and the vision behind the program, click here.
"It is only fitting that our original golf property, Camelback Golf Club, is the final location to achieve certification, completing our environmental program goal for 2008,"said Robert Waller, Senior Director of Grounds, Marriott Golf. "We are extremely proud to be part of Marriott’s worldwide green initiative, and equally excited about our leadership position in promoting golf and the environment."
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries for golf courses, which are endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provide information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Each of these properties have achieved certification through a variety of methods, including the development of water conservation plans; converting formerly managed turf into wildlife habitat; constructing nesting boxes for native birds; the creation of butterfly gardens, and much more.
"Marriott Golf’s success with this Audubon Certification mandate program is unprecedented in the golf industry and speaks to the level of commitment that the Company is making to help preserve and protect the environment,"said Kevin Fletcher, executive director of Audubon International. "This program directly enables golf courses to protect the environment by improving the quality of land, water, and air, along with conserving natural resources and protecting wildlife habitats. These proven environmental management practices will help preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf for many generations to come."
As a result, the following Marriott Golf properties are now Audubon Certified:
| Camelback Golf Club | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Cattails Golf Club | Kingsport, TN |
| Crane’s Landing Golf Club | Lincolnshire, IL |
| Desert Springs Golf Resort | Palm Desert, CA |
| Doral Golf Resort & Spa | Miami, FL |
| The Frog Golf Club | Villa Rica, GA |
| Grande Pines Golf Club | Orlando, FL |
| Grande Vista Golf Club | Orlando, FL |
| Griffin Gate Golf Club | Lexington, KY |
| Hawk’s Landing Golf Club | Orlando, FL |
| Renaissance Vinoy Resort | St. Petersburg, FL |
| The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms | Aldie, VA |
| The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes, Orlando | Orlando, FL |
| The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Jupiter | Jupiter, FL |
| The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, Sarasota | Sarasota, FL |
| The Rock Golf Club | Ontario, Canada |
| The Rookery at Marco | Naples, FL |
| Royal St. Kitts Golf Club | Basseterre, St. Kitts |
| Seaview Resort & Spa | Galloway, NJ |
| Shadow Ridge Golf Club | Palm Desert, CA |
| Starr Pass Country Club | Tucson, AZ |
| Stone Mountain Golf Club | Stone Mountain, GA |
| Westfields Golf Club | Clifton, VA |
| Wildfire Golf Club | Phoenix, AZ |
| Willow Crest Golf Club | Oak Brook, IL |
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with about 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.