The Indonesian Golf and Environment Forum was held on May 28 & 29 at Damai Indah Golf's BSD facility. This forum was conducted by the Asosiasi Pemilik Lapangan Golf Indonesia (APLGI, the Indonesian Golf Course Owners Association) and the International Golf and Life Foundation (IGOLF). I was invited to give a presentation and spoke about Reducing Chemicals: Five easy steps to identify turfgrass problems and solve them using a minimum of chemicals. The program focus was on Managing Golf for Nature and People, and much like the golf course operation and management conference at Taiwan the previous week, this forum at Indonesia was a well-organized event with high attendance and seminar content that provided applicable information to the delegates.
The presentations at this forum covered a range of topics, from turfgrass management, hybrid mowing equipment that reduces oil use, sustainable energy practices for golf facilities, governmental regulations in Indonesia, to managing a golf facility to increase bird and wildlife populations.
I was able to have a quick look at the Nicklaus-designed BSD course at Damai Indah Golf during the afternoon break, where there are new Miniverde bermudagrass greens after a recent renovation. If you have a chance, I suggest attending one of these IGOLF events in the future, as the information provided can help in the improved operations of any golf facility. I personally learned a lot at this forum. Golf courses must be sustainable if they are to be successful, and this type of event is a great opportunity to gather the information and contacts necessary to move in that direction.