When we heard that Justin Timberlake was going to be creating a ‘green’ golf course called ‘Mirimichi’, we were skeptical. Golf courses aren’t exactly known for being environmentally friendly in any capacity, particularly because of all the water and chemicals generally used to keep that grass green and lush. Then there’s the fact that golf courses usually displace wildlife.
According to Ecorazzi, Timberlake’s golf course – which had its grand opening over the weekend- is actually quite an impressive effort.
Since the grand opening over the weekend, even more has been revealed regarding the extent of the 28-year-old singer’s mission to create a site where “golf and nature exist in harmony.” For instance, only 85 of the 200 acres are ever mowed — leaving the rest to transition over to “native grasses”. Also, if you’re on the staff, prepare to love weeding — by hand. To limit the use of chemicals, a large portion of the weeds that do grow are pulled out using manual labor.
And speaking of chemicals — as Mirimichi is the first in the nation to be designated as a certified Audubon International Classic Sanctuary – its use of synthetic fertilizers is strictly limited. Surrounding each water feature is an invisible 25-foot barrier where Audubon rules ban the use of chemical fertilizers or herbicides. Where they are needed, the course uses organic or slow-release products to cut down on runoff throughout the property.
According to a Memphis paper, Mirimichi will use a mix of 80 percent native plants and 20 percent exotics.
All that, and it’s still got all of the features that golfers want in a course – deep pit bunkers, elevated greens, lakes and creeks on 7,400 yards of land. We gotta hand it to Timberlake – he pulled it off. Mirimichi is the greenest golf course we’ve ever heard of.
Link [Ecorazzi]
