Georgia’s Flat Creek Country Club Puts Stewardship Front and Center After nearly 37 years
as Superintendent at Flat Creek Country Club in Peachtree City, Georgia, Harold Ammons knows the land, water, and sky–and the richness of life they sustain–as well as anyone. He and his crew work hard to make sure their golf course is complementary to its natural environment possible. It’s a philosophy that led to Flat Creek’s first Audubon Certified Sanctuary Program Certification in October 2017, its recertification every three years since–-and to Ammons himself earning an Environmental Leader award by the Georgia Golf
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Environmental Foundation. Operated by Invited Clubs–a strong Audubon International partner, with more than 140 ACSP for Golf-certified courses– Flat Creek Country Club initially opened with 18 holes in 1968. Nine more were added in the early 1980s. One of five courses in the Clubs of Peachtree City & Newnan collection, it hosts tens of thousands of rounds a year and treats members not only to a solid Joe Lee-designed layout, but an exemplary “in nature” experience on every hole. As the son of a golf course superintendent, Ammons spent much of his childhood working summers on the course doing small jobs. “I never envisioned
making the golf course my career at that point,” he says. “But as I got older it became for evident this is what I was supposed to do.” He applied for the assistant superintendent position at Flat Creek in 1987 and in June 1988 was appointed superintendent. He’s been a tireless advocate for environmental stewardship ever since, with Flat Creek living proof that golf is indeed a force for good. “We need people to see golf superintendents as people who care about the land,” he says. “It’s good to be able to prove that and show that through Audubon International certification.” Ammons acknowledges the rigor of attaining and maintaining certification, but just as quickly touts its value. “It’s pretty entailed and detailed, which is fine. That’s why we carry the certification. If it was that easy, everybody would have it. And there’s the prestige also–[Invited] is very well thought of as an environmental leader.” As with all certified courses, Flat Creek employs best practices in every core area of concern, from turf and water management to wildlife habitat. “We’ve always been water conscious because Georgia goes through drought at different times,” Ammons says. “Over the years, the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association has implemented BMPs for golf courses. When we are in severe drought, that may include watering just greens.” Golf Central • Volume 25, Issue 3