Greate Bay Country Club Employs Goats As Earth-Friendly Method to Clear Underbrush

Aug. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Greate Bay Country Club's three newest staff members have an appetite for poison ivy, and they're not worried about picking their way through the golf course’s sometimes heavy underbrush to find one of their favorite snacks.

"I brought three goats on staff to keep down the underbrush at Greate Bay as an alternative to using herbicides," said Ken Thompson, golf course superintendent at Greate Bay Country Club, the region's favorite private golf and lifestyle facility. "Some chemicals can be harmful to trees and plants, as well as the wildlife that lives on the golf course. In certain circumstances, I believe the goats are a good alternative to those chemicals."

Robert Damiani, general manager, said the goats are a welcome addition to Greate Bay. “Exploring natural ways of managing areas of the golf course makes good ecological sense,” he said.

The three newest members of Greate Bay's family - affectionately known as Irene, Francis and Mary - are 3 month old Boer goats, Thompson said. “The breed is hardy in all types of climates and environments, and these goats in particular are docile animals who quickly adapt to people in their surroundings.”

Initially, Thompson plans to use the goats in the naturalized areas between holes eight, nine, and ten.  Next, Irene, Francis and Mary will spend their time in the wooded and brush areas along holes seven and eight. Temporary movable fencing will be used to contain the animals. Thompson said that the goats will spend evenings at his farm in Tuckahoe and that he will transport them daily to Greate Bay to ensure their safety.

Damiani said: "The goats are peaceful, natural additions to our serene environment and we believe that our members will enjoy having them around.”


Thompson requests that everyone avoid giving treats to the animals, or climbing into the fenced area with the goats.

Employing the goats to control the underbrush fits in with Greate Bay's ongoing efforts to be a good steward of the environment.  Greate Bay Country Club currently holds the designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.  The program was the culmination of a six-year effort to obtain sanctuary status.  Greate Bay Country Club is the 27th course in New Jersey and the 794th in the world to receive the honor; only 2% of golf courses in the world hold this designation.  

Greate Bay Country Club is one of South Jersey’s favorite private golf and lifestyle facilities. In providing the full country club experience, Greate Bay Country Club offers members championship golf, private dining, a complete racquet and fitness club and excellent facilities for corporate events and private parties, including weddings. The golf course at Greate Bay is fully equipped with a classic award-winning 18-hole design by the legendary Willie Park, Jr., a driving range, and short-game practice facilities. For more information on our current limited membership offerings please call 609.927.5071, or visit http://www.greatebay.com.