Environmental Media Awards Oneida Indian Nation
Oneida Nation’s Eco-Friendly Event Historic PGA TOUR First

For a people who believe their mandate from the Creator is to care for Mother Earth, “going green” is nothing new. For the PGA TOUR, the Oneida Nation’s 2007 Turning Stone Resort Championship set a new standard on the professional golf landscape by being the first eco-friendly tournament in PGA TOUR history.

Hosted on Oneida homelands in Central New York at the Nation’s magnificent Atunyote® Golf Club, the Turning Stone Resort Championship came quite naturally by its objective of being as environmentally friendly as possible. As the Championship’s title sponsor, the Oneida Nation/Turning Stone has a commitment to preserve and protect the environment. Their belief is that “Mother Earth provides for us, and in turn we must provide for it by keeping it clean and healthy.” Over the years, as the Nation developed its businesses and enhanced its lands, it purposely maintained the highest in environmental standards. Three of its golf courses (Shenendoah, Kaluhyat and Sandstone Hollow) have earned Audubon Certified Signature Sanctuary status.

For the Championship, however, the Oneidas took things a step further and officially partnered with the Environmental Media Association. The organization, founded by some of the biggest names in film and television (including Ted Turner, Pierce Brosnan, Daryl Hannah, Laura Dern, Norman Lear, Ed Begley, Jr., Michael King, and Leigh Steinberg), serves as a link between the entertainment industry and the environmental community.

Tournament components where environmental impact could be reduced were identified. This included placing dozens of recycling bins where they could be accessed and used throughout tournament operations; using recycled paper and soy-based ink for tournament printed materials (purchasing pencils, merchandise bags, trash can liners, biodegradable meal trays and plates, and beverage cups made from corn) and banning Styrofoam. Also used were environmentally friendly cleansers in catering operations, E-85 ethanol to fuel generators, and electric golf carts. The extensive effort extended beyond the setting and into TOUR play itself, too, since biodegradable tees from Eco Golf were used. We are proud to be going for the green again!
Going Green at the Turning Stone Resort Championship Sep 29 - Oct 5, 2008