Monthly Feature Hosted By:
	Matthew J. Ceplo, CGCS, at Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, N.Y

Reviewing case studies has given me the opportunity to learn about the many great efforts that talented superintendents and other golf professionals have been doing throughout the country. I have to admit that reading about projects that nearby golf courses are working on makes them even more special. One such story is from Joe Alonzi, CGCS at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y.

Anyone in the area knows Joe and what he has done for golf and superintendents everywhere. Joe has been the president of our local GCSAA chapter, hosted an annual PGA event, helped write the drought management codes for Westchester County, and continues to serve on many committees. Joe actually introduced me to the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program during a seminar he hosted back in 1993. It is no surprise that he submitted a case study about a geothermal installation that is making a positive impact at his facility.

Joe's story speaks volumes about what golf and country clubs are doing to become sustainable. It brings forth an important aspect about sustainable golf operations. What I read in this case study and what has happened to me is that when you practice sustainability – saving money, and promoting environmental programs – it becomes "second nature". When problems do arise you always have the environment and sustainability in the back of your mind as a starting point to finding solutions. You view problems as opportunities to practice sustainability and enhance the programs you may already have in place.

Joe provides the details of how the staff at Westchester County Club viewed the replacement of their heating and cooling system as one of those opportunities. Instead of just putting in a new boiler or air conditioner they looked at a geothermal system as a way to expand their stewardship efforts. Their solution improved their bottom line and helps to protect the environment.

September's Guest:
	Robert C. James, CHE, CCE, Executive Director, Westchester Country Club

Savings of upwards of 25 percent on our HVAC energy costs was an appealing pitch by the National Geothermal Consortium when we first considered the options available for a renovation to our existing heating and cooling systems in 1999. A geothermal heat pump system would cost from 10 to 15 percent more than a traditional boiler and chiller system, but the return on this additional investment could be less than three years. It was an appealing inducement, and after doing a thorough due diligence on the technology, existing installations and our preferred contractor, we moved ahead. Two years later the system was fully installed and from the first day fulfilling its promise. Within the first three full years of operation we realized a full return on the additional investment for the geothermal system. Today, at current energy costs, our annual energy savings are calculated to be $500,000 per year; 8 percent of the original full cost of the geothermal HVAC system (12.5 year ROI).

But this is not the full extent of the savings. Westchester Country Club reduced its electric energy demand by 777,000 kilowatt hours per year. Omissions of .6 tons of nitrogen oxide, 1.2 tons of sulfur dioxide and 345 tons of carbon dioxide were further realized from reductions in fuel oil consumption. But the savings to our environment and to the club's bottom line are even greater than that.

As we became comfortable with the system fully meeting our year round heating and air conditioning needs, we slowly began connecting our 12 main water cooled ice machines and walk-in box compressors to the circulation water of the geothermal system. Today we do not cool any of our refrigeration with domestic water, saving 16.5 million gallons of water per year. The value of this savings is $33,000 per year and equally important is that they run more efficiently using less electricity and having less down time, fewer repairs and extended lives.

While Westchester was a bit of a pioneer on the use of geothermal at a country club just 10 years ago, the application is more relevant today than ever. The technology continues to improve, the return on investment grows greater as the cost of energy continues to escalate, and the golf facilities can show some leadership in preserving our environment.