Vero Beach, FL (November 20, 2024) – Windsor, the 472-acre private sporting and residential community on the barrier island of Vero Beach along Florida’s Treasure Coast, today announced that its 18-hole championship golf course designed by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. has been certified an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, joining an elite group of the world’s most sustainable golf clubs. The designation follows a comprehensive evaluation of Windsor’s environmental standards for the golf course and reflects the club’s dedication to enhancing the area’s natural surroundings and strengthening the local wildlife habitat. The course is now one of only 900 courses in the world to hold this certification.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, developed by Audubon International, guides golf courses in protecting the environment and preserving golf’s natural heritage. The path to certification includes a review of environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction, water conservation, and water quality management. The club’s accomplishments include expanding native vegetation, removing invasive plant species, providing quality water habitat, and conducting water quality testing.
“We are honored to receive recognition as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary,” said Betsy Hanley, CEO and President of Torwest, Inc., and President of Windsor Real Estate, Inc. “This certification directly aligns with Windsor’s mission to incorporate innovative sustainable practices into our residential community, and we look forward to launching new programming initiatives in line with Audubon International.”
“Windsor Florida 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.
Leading sustainability efforts at the golf course is Windsor’s newly appointed Director of Agronomy, Jared Nemitz. Coming to Windsor from The Ford Field & River Club, Nemitz brings a wealth of experience and a passion for excellence in golf course management. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Agronomy from Purdue University, and has 25 years of experience at premier courses including St. Andrews Links, the Honors Course, and Chevy Chase Club.
Nemitz has led certification efforts with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf designation at several courses, was recognized by the USGA Green Section for putting green management and served as an annual presenter at industry education conferences including the American Society of Agronomy, Georgia Environmental Conference, USGA Regional meetings, GCSAA Golf Industry Show and other state association meetings.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jared Nemitz to our team at Windsor,” said Ryan Skipton, Windsor’s Director of Golf. “With his extensive background and dedication to maintaining top-tier playing conditions, we are confident that he will make significant contributions to the already outstanding golf program at Windsor.”
Windsor’s 18-hole golf course designed by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. initially opened in 1991. In 2019, Jones Jr. returned with his team to carry out an extensive renovation of the 120-acre course that recaptured the original design intent and updated golf holes in concert with today’s game. To reduce the golf club’s carbon footprint, the renovation introduced various environmentally conscious features including a more drought-tolerant variety of Bermuda grass, a reduction in the areas needing mowing, and the installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system. The Windsor course allows all members to play at their own pace, as golfers enjoy a no-tee time policy.
The storied seaside community of Windsor is also known for its enviable real estate. The club recently launched its final phase of development, the North Village, which will marry Windsor’s beloved Anglo-Caribbean aesthetic with a heightened commitment to sustainability. Stretching 47 acres alongside the Indian River Lagoon, the North Village offers 34 homesites and six row houses and features 26.5 acres of natural area and 9.7 acres of lake and estuary.
For more information on Windsor, please visit www.windsorflorida.com or call (772) 388 8400.
