THE Fairmont Southampton's golf course has been recognised by a leading golf industry magazine for its efforts to "green" its greens.

International publication Golf Inc. awarded the 18-hole course the Green Award, along with other courses from South Carolina and Hawaii, in recognition of the proactive steps taken to adopt a philosophy of environmental stewardship. The awards spotlight those who utilise the most innovative, technologically advanced and cost-effective methods to achieve that goal.

"Our judges praised the Fairmont Southampton's comprehensive, creative approach to getting the public involved in the total environmental package," Golf Inc. associate publisher Chase Peckham said.

"They especially liked the 'Leave-It-Green' programme. The Fairmont Southampton is a great example of an environmentally self-sufficient golf course."

Along with the hotel's signature Leave-It-Green reforestation programme, which has overseen the planting of more than 200 Bermuda cedars throughout the hotel's par-three golf course and property, the judging panel also noted its Audubon certification, which first earned the status in 2006 and is the only course in Bermuda to have such standing.

"The Fairmont Southampton invested in an upgraded, computer-controlled irrigation system that allows us to use reclaimed water to irrigate our golf course," said Jason Pick, the resort's golf course assistant superintendent and environmental chairman.

"The environmental benefits to that are significant, but it has also reduced the labour involved and, as a result, our costs. Our environmental team also sought out new methods for managing water processing, which have the benefit of dramatically reducing The Fairmont Southampton's dependence on chlorine."

According to Shelley Meszoly, regional sales and marketing director for Fairmont Bermuda, the resort is looking to reduce its carbon footprint in all areas.

"There's no question that today's guests are increasingly environmentally savvy, which dovetails with Fairmont's commitment to environmental stewardship," she said.

"To stay at the forefront of a competitive business, we are extending this stewardship focus into programmes like Eco-Meet, which offers our conference clients choices – such as disposable-free food and beverage services – that allow them to reduce the environmental impact of their meetings and conventions."

The winners in the Golf Inc. enviro-competition will be spotlighted in a special feature story in September's issue of Golf Inc. Representatives of the Fairmont Southampton head to Scottsdale, Arizona next week to receive their Green Award at a ceremony to be held at a Golf Inc. conference.