This is the year zero waste golf was born. It started out as idea being tossed around by a few buddies. Nurtured by optimists, luckily presented to an interested and capable decision maker, joined by enthusiastic associates, adopted by government agencies and opened to the public at Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo California.
This is a year to remember. As zero waste becomes the norm at golf courses worldwide in the next few years, remember this blogspot as the beginning of a global movement using golf courses as community environmental and educational assets. It's just not cool to trash the environment any more, and businesses that promote zero waste next year are going to be the next generation of environmental leaders.
Zero waste is a concept reserved for leaders. Anyone promoting zero waste in their community IS a leader, and then those who are adopt zero waste become the next generation of leaders, and so on. The funny thing about zero waste is that it's hard to define in it's entirety. Zero waste is huge. Zero waste is almost too big to be defined, but yet, it is applicable to most every action and transaction. Heck, zero waste is applicable to future actions. As example, BEFORE you buy products, if you're a zero waster, you'll think about the impact of the product or its packaging will eventually impact the waste stream...precycling.
Once we start defining zero waste for ourselves, we find ourselves sharing the definition with others. Next thing you know they are repeating their versions of the zero waste concept to their friends and coworkers...and then the idea goes viral on social media...and then the world is changed forever. In future years, when all golf courses adopt zero waste protocols as every day best management practices, I will always remember that 2011 was the first year of zero waste golf.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
When I die put my ashes inside one of those exploding golf balls
I love Dairy Creek Golf Course / Zero Waste Park. It's unbelievably beautiful, nestled among the raptor flown grasslands, ocean breezes and ancient volcanos. I told my golf partner that when I die I want my ashes spread on the course. But I was thinking that I could multitask by playing a prank if my ashes were stuffed into an exploding golf ball. Maybe my remains could be stuffed down the shaft of my buddy's driver, then I could hack and shank my way into the afterlife.
But seriously, when I die I plan to leave some of my assets to support Dairy Creek and the important environmental leadership that is taking place there. I imagine that there are a lot of golfers that could help save the planet for their grandchildren by supporting environmental improvements at their local golf course. Whatever we care about, whether it's golf, football, fishing...whatever, think about giving support to those in that sport or industry that are using their facility or visibility to promote environmental best management practices.
That money isn't going to do you any good when you're dead and gone, so why not not call the lawyer and change your will today, before you forget about it. For that matter, you probably have too much money even now, so why not make a charitable donation to your course or environmental non-profit before years end. Your donation could start a whole environmental movement within your course and community.
But seriously, when I die I plan to leave some of my assets to support Dairy Creek and the important environmental leadership that is taking place there. I imagine that there are a lot of golfers that could help save the planet for their grandchildren by supporting environmental improvements at their local golf course. Whatever we care about, whether it's golf, football, fishing...whatever, think about giving support to those in that sport or industry that are using their facility or visibility to promote environmental best management practices.
That money isn't going to do you any good when you're dead and gone, so why not not call the lawyer and change your will today, before you forget about it. For that matter, you probably have too much money even now, so why not make a charitable donation to your course or environmental non-profit before years end. Your donation could start a whole environmental movement within your course and community.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Leadership is always risky for cowards...but who's scared now?
Surfers have a mantra..."No Fear", because when you look down the face of a huge ocean wave, you either chicken out or drop in for fun. You can't have the surfing experience if you don't overcome the fear of being crushed by tons of water if you screw up.
Overcoming the fear of failure is the secret to success, and that's the same whether you're dropping in on a wave or taking a leadership position in the highly controlled and conservative golf industry. Try to change golf's direction in almost any area and you risk being crushed by the weight of tradition and global corporations that "control" golf, golf apparel, golf equipment, golf ideas ...you get the idea. Anybody with any brains at all would walk away from the challenge of changing golf's environmental protocols.
Dude, surfers aren't brain surgeons when they drop in on 20 footers, but they are very brave. It's the same with zero wasters at the golf course. We may not be geniuses, but we're not afraid to challenge the industry to make fundamental changes that all other modern industries are being forced to make to save potable water, to reduce the use of poisons, and to reduce landfilled waste. In fact, we're enboldened by the positive response from our community, from our local integrated waste management authorities, county supervisors and other interested environmental groups, our club members and the public at large..
For me, this golf environmental leadership thing is all new, and in the beginning it seemed like the golf industry was a looming wave waiting to crush us under it's enormous weight...but you know, once we just threw fear aside and just dropped in on zero waste golf , we found ourselves on one of the most exciting, thrilling and fun rides ever.
Overcoming the fear of failure is the secret to success, and that's the same whether you're dropping in on a wave or taking a leadership position in the highly controlled and conservative golf industry. Try to change golf's direction in almost any area and you risk being crushed by the weight of tradition and global corporations that "control" golf, golf apparel, golf equipment, golf ideas ...you get the idea. Anybody with any brains at all would walk away from the challenge of changing golf's environmental protocols.
Dude, surfers aren't brain surgeons when they drop in on 20 footers, but they are very brave. It's the same with zero wasters at the golf course. We may not be geniuses, but we're not afraid to challenge the industry to make fundamental changes that all other modern industries are being forced to make to save potable water, to reduce the use of poisons, and to reduce landfilled waste. In fact, we're enboldened by the positive response from our community, from our local integrated waste management authorities, county supervisors and other interested environmental groups, our club members and the public at large..
For me, this golf environmental leadership thing is all new, and in the beginning it seemed like the golf industry was a looming wave waiting to crush us under it's enormous weight...but you know, once we just threw fear aside and just dropped in on zero waste golf , we found ourselves on one of the most exciting, thrilling and fun rides ever.
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