Environmental Media Association lends support to PGA's first green golf tournament

ONEIDA NATION-The Oneida Indian Nation is partnering with the prestigious Environmental Media Association (EMA) to ensure the inaugural Turning Stone Resort Championship, an official PGA Tour event to be held at the Nation's Atunyote Golf Course, is as environmentally friendly as possible.

As many as 100,000 people are expected to attend the Turning Stone Resort Championship scheduled for Sept. 17-23. In an effort to "go for the green," the Oneida Indian Nation, owners of Turning Stone Resort, has sought the advice and practical input of EMA, whose mission is to serve as a link between the entertainment industry and the environmental community.

"All courses at Turning Stone, including Atunyote, have been developed and maintained to strict environmental standards, and we at the Oneida Indian Nation are proud of what has been achieved here," says Ray Halbritter, Nation representative and CEO. "Our friends at EMA are helping us to lead by example. Their profound practical knowledge of all things 'green' and their skill at communicating that environmental information to the media and the general public have been invaluable."

Halbritter sits on EMA's Board of Directors along with such leaders in the entertainment and environmental arenas as Ted Turner, Pierce Brosnan, Daryl Hannah, Laura Dern, Norman Lear, Ed Begley Jr., Michael King, and Leigh Steinberg.

According to Debbie Levin, EMA's President, "Historically, the Oneidas have made sound decisions about every aspect of developing and maintaining their golf courses to minimize the impact on the environment - from wildlife and habitat preservation, to water conservation and recycling, to the minimization of chemical use. So we were delighted when they asked us for advice about making the Turning Stone Resort Championship event an environmental model for the entire golf industry."

Printed materials, such as the tournament's credentials, parking tags, and employee and volunteer handbooks are printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink. The same goes for other printed items, including the daily pairings panel, the fan guide, the media guide, and the pro-am guide.

Pencils, merchandise bags, and even the liners in the trash cans around the course are made from recycled materials. And there are dozens of recycling bins on the course to encourage fans, volunteers and tournament staff to do their part in keeping the event green.

Staff members are using electric golf carts, and the fuel used to power the generators is E-85 - an ethanol-gas blend that contains up to 85 percent ethanol, made from renewable sources like corn.

Snacks will be served on biodegradable, disposable plates and trays and cups are made from Nebraska corn, a 100 percent renewable resource. And the catering compound is using an environmentally responsible cleanser from EcoLab.

Since Turning Stone was built in 1993, the Nation has had a policy of pursuing sustainable development. That has meant ensuring that its environmental policies meet or exceed the goals of the state and federal standards and looking for ways to incorporate reusable resources into its everyday practices.

Since 1999, the Nation has maintained strict environmental policies that are aimed at controlling waste production, reducing pollution and promoting the wise use of natural resources in the design and construction of any facility on Nation lands.

Three of the five courses associated with Turning Stone - Shenendoah, Kaluhyat and the nine-hole executive course Sandstone Hollow - carry the prestigious Certified Signature Sanctuary designation from Audubon International. All three courses were designed and built to incorporate the existing ecosystems of the sites, ensuring that wetlands, native plant life, and wildlife habitats remain undisturbed. A diverse population of wildlife, including deer, foxes and nearly 100 species of birds, peacefully reside in natural buffer zones separating their dwellings from fairways and greens. The courses are irrigated with treated effluent, which prevents wastewater from being discharged into local waterways and precludes the need to draw fresh water.

To maintain their Certified Signature Sanctuary status, the courses must be maintained in environmentally sensitive and friendly ways. Everything from pesticide use and chemical storage to water usage is covered in the program's standards for sustainable development.

Only 64 golf operations in the world have been certified under this program, and Turning Stone's courses are among only three locations in New York State to carry the designation.

"The PGA Tour is excited to kick off its Fall Series at the Turning Stone Resort Championship at Atunyote Golf Club," said Henry Hughes, executive vice president and chief of operations for the PGA Tour. "We welcome Turning Stone Resort and extend our appreciation for its contributions to the success of this event and its willingness last year to serve as host of the B.C.

Open when floods made it impossible to play in Endicott. It will be exciting to watch as the PGA Tour Fall Series unfolds. Featuring nearly two months of exciting golf, the Fall Series also plays a key role in determining eligibility for the following season, and it all starts at Turning Stone."

For more information on the Turning Stone Resort Championship, log on to www.turningstonechampionship.com. For more information on EMA, log on to

www.ema-online.org.

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