Lost Key blends golf with the environment
PERDIDO KEY, Fla. - While they may lose a ball or two, golfers at Lost Key Golf Club here are likely to find thousands of varieties of plants, countless species of birds and the occasional alligator during a round at this Audubon International Signature course.
"Players see a lot more of nature here than they would at other courses. They notice and appreciate the natural setting. It's unique and enhances their round," said Director of Golf Matt Vitt. Lost Key is a member of the Gulf Shores Golf Association (GSGA), which promotes golf in the Gulf Shores (Ala.)/Orange Beach (Fla.) area and is located just a six-hour drive from Atlanta.
Lost Key is one of just 41 courses nationwide to achieve the prestigious Audubon International (AI) Signature designation and is the type of model facility that will be discussed during AIs first-ever Environmental Summit. The summit is scheduled for Feb. 12 and coincides with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America International Conference and Show in Atlanta. The summit will take place at Cateechee Golf Club located in nearby Hartwell, Ga., and marks the official launch of AI's "Fifty in Five" initiative to enroll 50 percent of U.S. golf courses in its environmental programs within the next five years.
Lost Key and AI are long-time partners, having worked together since the course started construction in the mid-1990s. The Signature Program provides AI and Lost Key Plantation a common frame of reference, guidance and direction so the course and associated development can be environmentally designed, constructed, managed and evaluated. AI scientists worked with Lost Key Plantation to develop and implement design criteria and management strategies for the land using sustainable resource management practices. A Natural Resource Management Plan was prepared and implemented that integrates agronomic and environmental sciences to produce an environmentally sensitive approach to golf course development and management.
Much of the developers' work went into obtaining the Signature designation before Arnold Palmer-designed Lost Key opened in April of 1997. Signature status is only granted to newly constructed facilities.
"We preserved the wetlands with the help of Audubon International and did a lot of grading to enhance what was already here," Vint explained. "The abundance of wetlands makes this a very challenging course, but a beautiful one as well. We have four sets of tees and do everything we can to encourage golfers to play from the appropriate set. Our championship tees are 6,800 yards. The regular men's tees are 6,300. It's not a course that forces you to hit the ball a long way. Accuracy is the key out here.
Lost Key is one of 10 top-notch GSGA courses. In addition to designs by such noted course architects as Arnold Palmer, Larry Nelson, Bruce Devlin, Jerry Pate, Earl Stone and Robert Von Hagge, Gulf Shores also boasts resort accommodations, 32 miles of sugar-sand beaches, critically acclaimed fresh-seafood restaurants, and one of the country's largest charter boat fishing fleets. GSGA's lodging partners offer more than 15,000 rooms, including world-class resorts, affordable national-chain hotels, on-site golf villas and luxury beach-front condominiums. Stay-and-play packages start at $88 per night.
For more information about stay-and-play programs in Gulf Shores, call (888) 815-1902 or visit alabamagolfcoast.com.
October 8, 2003