Wild Herons crown jewel awarded 'Silver Signature Sanctuary status from Audubon International Sharks Tooth only 18-hole, private golf course to win

The Greg Norman--designed Sharks Tooth Golf Course, located within the Wild Heron community, a 734-acre coastal sanctuary, is now one of only 40 courses in the world, and the only 18-hole, private golf course in Florida to gain Silver Signature Sanctuary status from Audubon International.

(PRWEB) July 4, 2003 -- The Greg Norman--designed Sharks Tooth Golf Course, located within the Wild Heron community, a 734-acre coastal sanctuary, is now one of only 40 courses in the world, and the only 18-hole, private golf course in Florida to gain Silver Signature Sanctuary status from Audubon International.

We are honored to receive the Silver Signature Status because we have made every effort to design and develop a golf club and community which harmonizes with nature, but does not affect the delicate ecosystem and environmental balance of this unique piece of land," Jim Morgan, golf course superintendent, explained.

The coveted Silver Signature Status is awarded to developments which are designed, constructed, and maintained according to strict planning and environmental standards.

It is a partnership between Audubon International and the golf course developers," said Morgan. From day one, Greg Norman, acting as both a golf course designer and real estate developer through his development company, Medallist Developments, worked in unison with Audubon to assure the course was constructed to the highest standards."

Sharks Tooth is located at the heart of Wild Heron, a secluded, rental-restricted community nestled along the shores of Lake Powell, Florida largest coastal dune lake. This award-winning championship golf course winds throughout the coastal sanctuary according to the natural layout of the land, using existing pine trees and native oaks to frame the course.

Many of the golf course developments you see today move millions of cubic yards of dirt for their courses, but Greg Normans goal was to manipulate the land as little as possible because of its natural beauty. His goal was accomplished by only moving 135,000 cubic yards of dirt. When you have a piece of land as beautiful as this, the last thing you want to do is disturb it," Morgan said.

The goal of the Audubon Signature Program is to combine wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, resource conservation, and environmental improvement with the economic agenda of the development by working closely with planners, architects, managers and key stakeholders. We took a minimalist approach to the development of Sharks Tooth, by working within the natural resources of the land to create a very natural golf course," Greg Norman said. I consider Sharks Tooth one of my top three designs in the world."
    
The Audubon Signature Program gives Audubon International and the landowner a common frame of reference by which a project can be planned, constructed, and managed, with a primary focus on environmental quality and sustainability. The environmental planning experts at the Audubon International Institute prepare a Natural Resource Management Plan to address issues pertinent to development and sustainable resource management. In addition, the Audubon International Institute provides consultation, training, and education to further successful implementation of, and long-term commitment to, the NRMP.

Environmental elements of the plan include site assessment, wildlife habitat enhancement and management, waste management, energy efficiency, water quality and conservation, and integrated pest management.
Not only did we host several site visits during the construction of the project, but we also successfully passed an on-site environmental audit when it was completed. We will continue to work with Audubon International by providing periodic reports and additional site audits, because this is a lifestyle of conservation that we are developing, rather than simply a means to an award," said Morgan.    

Wild Heron is a secluded, rental-restricted residential community located east of Destin, along the shores of Lake Powell, Floridas largest coastal dune lake. Within the next five years the 734-acre coastal sanctuary will be home to fewer than 600 privileged families.

The Greg Norman-designed Sharks Tooth Golf Club is the centerpiece of Wild Heron, and has been ranked one of Americas best new private golf courses by Golf Digest and was awarded a coveted Silver Signature Sanctuary status from Audubon International, making it the only18-hole, private golf course in Florida to carry the signature status.

Wild Herons developers include Medallist Developments, a joint venture between Greg Normans Great White Shark Enterprises and Macquarie Bank of Australia, in partnership with Hillman Properties of Pittsburgh, PA. The partnership has appointed Head Companies of Point Clear, AL to act as project manager for new development. Intrawest Golf was selected to operate Wild Herons golf course.

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