2010-04-22 14:40:08 -

MEMPHIS, TN -- (Marketwire) -- 04/22/10 -- Mirimichi, a world-class golf facility, has become the first golf course in North, South or Central America to receive Golf Environment Organization (GEO) Certified status. The designation signifies that Mirimichi has met comprehensive and advanced sustainability requirements, and uses them to both drive continual improvement, and communicate the back-story behind their success. With GEO Certification Mirimichi becomes one of just 10 courses world-wide to receive the prestigious designation.



The Golf Environmental Organization is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening ties between people, golf and the environment. The international organization recognizes that opportunities for enhancing social and environmental quality abound in golf development and management, and works through a global community of partners to develop and deliver innovative, practical programs within a coordinated sustainable golf movement.





"Receiving GEO Certification, especially on this 40th anniversary of Earth Day, is a very proud moment for all of us associated with Mirimichi," said Justin Timberlake, owner of Mirimichi. "Environmental sustainability at Mirimichi is about more than what we can do at our course. It is about taking a leadership role and encouraging other golf courses, and organizations of all kinds around the country and around the globe to emulate our commitment toward making a positive impact on the world we live in."



The full details of Mirimichi's certification can be found on the GEO website at: www.golfenvironment.org/mirimichi : .



"What we see here is a model example of sustainability in golf," said Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive of the Golf Environment Organization. "Mirimichi is well integrated into the community, and has focused on maximizing the site's ecological value while minimizing resource consumption. Mirimichi highlights that, with the engagement of skilled and motivated staff who are actively encouraged to explore common sense opportunities to enhance the facility's environmental and social value, golf really can deliver a diverse range of benefits to local people and as ecosystems."



To achieve GEO Certification, Mirimichi had to publicly represent and have independently verified a high level of performance in a wide variety of environmental and conservation areas. Some of the particular strengths noted during the site's verification included: enhancing nature protection by increasing the size and connection of natural habitats; placing an emphasis on entirely native planting, enhancing landscape and cultural heritage; minimizing water consumption; protecting and enhancing water quality; minimizing pesticide use; reducing resource and energy consumption and waste; providing comprehensive internal and external environmental communications and maintaining a challenging Environmental Management Plan. Progress is continually re-assessed and reported on a three-year basis.



The GEO Certification compliments Mirimichi's existing environmental award as the first golf course in the U.S. to be designated as a Certified Audubon International Classic Sanctuary. To achieve both these certifications, Mirimichi has worked closely with sustainability consultants including accredited GEO Sustainability Advisers on creating responsible procedures and policies, the long-term environmental management of the golf course and comprehensive employee training.



About Mirimichi: Mirimichi, meaning "place of happy retreat" is a public golf course located just 15 minutes north of Downtown Memphis. Family owned by Justin Timberlake and co-founders, Lynn and Paul Harless, Mirimichi's rolling grass mounds, meandering creeks and scenic vistas provide a natural ambience that creates a haven for both golfer and nature. At Mirimichi, golf, nature and people exist in harmony. For more information, visit www.mirimichi.com : or call Mirimichi at 901-259-3800.



About the Golf Environment Organization: The Golf Environment Organization (GEO) is an international non-governmental organization working to enhance the economic, social and environmental benefits of golf. GEO is supported by a global network of partners, patrons, scientists, thought leaders, industry representatives and major organizations such as The European Tour, European Golf Association, WWF, UNEP, and the Golf Club Managers Associations of Europe, America and China.




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