Sterling National Country Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Sterling, MA - Sterling National Country Club has retained its designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International Program. Participation is designed to help course personnel plan, organize, implement, and document a comprehensive environmental management program and receive recognition for their efforts.

"Sterling National Country Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist at Audubon International.

Sterling National Country Club is one of 10 courses in Massachusetts and 663 courses in the world to receive the honor. The golf course was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1998. After designation, courses go through redefinition process every two years.

This year, the recertification process, coordinated by Greg Tower, Superintendent at Sterling National Country Club, and required a visit by a local community representative. Joe Choiniere, Property Manager for Mass Audubon, was given a tour of the course and sent his observations to Audubon International. Tower has been pleased with the results of his course's involvement in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program stating, "At Sterling National we strive to provide every member and guest with an extraordinary golf experience. We achieve this by providing exceptional course conditions on a championship layout that takes each golfer through an array of environmental areas that range from wetlands to woodlands. Members and guests at our facility are amazed at the abundance of wildlife on the course and really enjoy the variety of birds they see on a daily basis."

Audubon International is an environmental organization dedicated to educating, assisting, and inspiring millions of people form all walks of life to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them. In addition to golf courses, Audubon International also provides programs for schools, businesses, communities, and individuals. www.auduboninternational.org