Bray’s Island

Brays Island Recognized for Environmental Leadership With Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certification

About an hour north of Hilton Head

Island, tucked into the verdant lowlands of South Carolina, is Brays Island — a private golf and lifestyle development born and bred with environmental conservation in its DNA.

When developer Sumner Pingree conceived Brays Island in the 1980s, he put nature over profit, developing just 325 of his property’s 5,500 total acres. More than four decades later, Brays Island has only increased its commitment to uphold those seminal ideas, with renowned, Florida-based maintenance partner International Golf Maintenance (IGM) leading the way.

In November, Brays Island earned certification in Audubon International’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Courses, joining an elite group of more than 900 courses worldwide. In concert with a truly dedicated and involved resource group comprised of owners, consultants and other stakeholders, IGM Regional Manager Tyler Minamyer and Director of Golf Course Maintenance Jeff Miller made a plan to get it done in just a year’s time. And they did.

“IGM at Brays Island has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property,” said Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International.

Added Annick Wadsworth, a Brays owner and Resource Committee member, “The Audubon international certification of our golf course confirms Brays Island’s

Photo by Dottie Tison used with permission Photo by Dottie Tison used with permission

commitment to preserve the beauty and character of the land we, the owners, all so cherish and care for.”

To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they maintain a high degree of environmental quality in environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, water quality management. Brays Island met these challenges by reducing irrigated areas, establishing buffers around water features, providing excellent wildlife habitat, and conducting water quality testing.

Photo by Dottie Tison used with permission

Photo by Dottie Tison used with permission

“What’s different about Brays is that in concept it was developed to be an environmentally friendly sporting community,” Minamyer said. “The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program was a perfect fit for our overall goals. Getting it done in a year was a challenge, but at the end of the day we had a really great group of Owners who supported us through the Resource Committee. We had a great staff including naturalists for Brays Island who were very helpful. We were lucky to find people with expertise in a variety of areas.”

Minamyer also thanked Audubon International’s Frank LaVardara, Director of Environmental Programs for Golf, and Scott Turner Environmental Program Manager, for their expertise in coming up with a plan that fit Brays’ committeedriven certification goals to a tee.

Going forward, the certification will require that the golf course maintain and implement environmental projects and educational efforts. Minamyer assured that he and the Brays Island team are ahead of the game.

“There have been very quantifiable results to the process for us. Not just the achievement of certification, but to ability to continue to ride that train — the messaging, the packaging, the talent group that worked on this, is still available to push with the next improvement project.”

To learn more about how your local golf course can gain recognition for your environmental efforts and learn how to expand your initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications, visit www.auduboninternational.org.

Photo by Dottie Tison used with permission

Audubon International, an environmentally focused non-profit organization, offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we live, work, and play. Their certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both their members and their communities.

Brays Island offers a golfing experience like no other. The 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course designed by Ron Garl is highlighted by impeccable greens and natural hazards. Sprawling over 300 acres, the course fits naturally into the existing beauty of the plantation. The Golf program at Brays Island suits the most experienced golfers, as well as those just looking to get into the game. With several PGA professionals on staff, an in-house golf school, and extensive practice facilities, anyone can improve their game here on the plantation.