The grass is always greener at the TPC at River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio, thanks to the tireless efforts of Golf Course Superintendent Dave Faucher and his dedicated team of maintenance and agronomy professionals.  In addition to ensuring members and guests enjoy outstanding playing conditions, Faucher and his team strive to preserve natural wildlife habitats and protect the environment.  In recognition for the Club’s environmental excellence, Faucher was recently awarded National Private Club honors in the annual Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards.

An independent panel of judges representing national environmental groups, turf-grass experts, university researchers and members of the golf community conducted the award selection.  Superintendents and their courses were judged on overall course management excellence in the areas of resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife/habitat management and education/outreach.  Additionally, these categories were judged on sustainability, criticality, originality and technology implementation/use.

“We are very proud of Dave and his exceptional team, who continue to demonstrate a sincere and unwavering commitment to preserve the natural character of the golf course and the wildlife habitats they support, while at the same time provide members and guests with a PGA TOUR experience,” said TPC at River’s Bend General Manager and PGA Director of Golf Chris Wood.

Judges selected one winner in each of three National categories (Public, Private and Resort) and an International winner.  Chapter Awards were given to the top entry from each GCSAA affiliated Chapter, while Merit Awards were bestowed upon those who did not earn National or Chapter honors, but in the opinion of the judges, deserved special recognition. 

In addition to Faucher and the TPC at River’s Bend, 10 other TPCs earned Chapter or Merit recognition for their environmental excellence.  Underscoring the PGA TOUR’s commitment to environmental leadership and stewardship, 21 of the 24 Clubs in the TPC Network are Certified by Audubon International as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Systems.  In the spring of 2002, the TPC at River’s Bend became only the third course in Ohio and the 377^th course in the world to earn this distinction.

Faucher earned his Turfgrass Degree in 1990 from Michigan State University.  He served as Superintendent of Cedar River Golf Club and The Legend course at Shanty Creek Resort in Northern Michigan prior to joining the TPC at River’s Bend in 2001, where he was charged with overseeing the initial grow-in during the course’s development.  Since that time, Faucher has won numerous environmental and golf maintenance awards, and has helped to develop the TPC at River’s Bend into one of the top golf courses in the Tri-State.

Named by Golf Digest as one of the “Top 10 Best New Private Courses in America” when it debuted in 2002, the TPC at River’s Bend’s spectacular par-72, 7,196-yard Arnold Palmer designed championship layout serves as the magnificent centerpiece for a master-planned golf and residential community located about 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati.  Spread over 220 acres in the hills overlooking the scenic, historic Little Miami River, the course meanders through plentiful hardwood trees and picturesque creeks, with winding playing routes and gentle elevation changes affording panoramic vistas that stretch for miles.  Arnold Palmer said of the course, “The TPC at River’s Bend is one of the finest golf courses that anyone will ever want to play.”

The TPC at River’s Bend’s extraordinary golf course is complemented by an array of upscale amenities including a superb 12-acre practice facility and an elegantly appointed 32,000 square-foot full-service clubhouse featuring a state-of-the-art golf shop and outstanding meeting, banquet and dining facilities.

The TPC at River’s Bend is located at 316 Winding River Blvd in Maineville, Ohio.  The Club offers a variety of attractive membership opportunities, including Corporate and Charter memberships.  For membership information, please call (513) 677-0550.  For more information on the TPC at River’s Bend and the TPC Network, please visit www.tpc.com.

- contributed by TPC at River's Bend