Leisure World of Maryland is a Rossmoor active adult urban community (ages 55+) with more than 8,500 residents found in Silver Spring, within 12 miles of Washington, D.C. The Leisure World Golf Course, designed in 1966 by Desmond Muirhead, has matured into a beautiful, heavily wooded 18-hole, par 71 course with three sets of tees, accommodating all levels of golf. An 18-hole course renovation was completed in 2024 by top golf/build company McDonald and Sons, featuring sparkling “Number One White Augusta Sand” bunkers designed by Joel Weiman, with cart paths by Band B Paving. The course also boasts a driving range, putting green, full golf lounge, club storage, and showers, plus a well-stocked Pro Shop.

Frank McLaughlin, Golf Course Superintendent GCSAA
Frank McLaughlin also hails from Montgomery County, Maryland. He first became familiar with working at golf courses at age 15 and had a summer job at Leisure World Golf Course, raking bunkers, filling water coolers, and repairing tee divots. He worked for six consecutive summers here. McLaughlijn attended Rutgers University and received a certificate in Golf and Sports Field Management. After college he worked at a variety of different golf courses as an Assistant Superintendent in training, including the Olympic Club (San Francisco) for the 2012 U.S. Open and Caves Valley in Owings Mill, Md. He then became Assistant Superintendent at Leisure World, then at Falls Road Golf Course. When the Leisure World Superintendent retired in 2018, McLaughlin returned to take on Superintendent duties. Under his direction, the course has seen an amazing transformation with complete renovation and new golf cart paths. In addition, Frank was instrumental in the course achieving Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Certfication.

1. What motivated your course to join the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) for Golf?
The Leisure World Golf Course opened its doors in 1966 as the centerpiece of the planned Over 55 Active Adult Community. Over the past almost 60 years, the golf course, residential living, habitat and environment have grown to true maturity. We wanted to be recognized for our golfers, and residents.
Chair of Leisure World Golf and Greens Committee, Brenda Curtis-Heiken, encouraged the initiation of talks with Audubon International to apply for and complete certification in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

2. What did it take to achieve ACSP certification – how long was the process and what steps were involved?
The Golf and Greens Committee assigned Leisure World resident Alan Nelson as Project Manager to work with me. Audubon International team– Frank LaVardera, Director of Golf Programs, and Scott Turner, Audubon Manager Environmental Programs– provided support and advice as we proceeded.
While we achieved certification in less than three years, Alan and I worked hand in hand and methodically to tackle each of the six certification criteria:
- Implementation of environmental management practices
- Wildlife and Habitat Management
- Chemical Use Reduction and Safety
- Water Conservation
- Water Quality Management
- Outreach and Education

3. What was most inspiring and/or surprising about the certification process for you and your crew?
My work alongside our “Resource Advisory Team” was, without a doubt, the most inspiring.
Efforts kicked off with a call for volunteers to support the Resource Advisory Team to develop
and implement projects supporting certification. The team included representatives of the National Audubon Society, Audubon Naturalist Society, University of Maryland – Extension Service, Montgomery County Wildlife Rescue, Educators, Landscape Architect, Environmental Engineer, Garden Club members, Birding Associations, Leisure World Golfers, Photographers, and Leisure World Residents. We benefitted greatly by having some world-class experts on the team.

We began by holding detailed discussions of the six certification criteria. Next, we asked each member of the Advisory Team to share what they thought they could contribute to help us achieve these criteria. We were especially concerned with creating top-notch teams to support Wildlife and Habitat Management and Outreach and Education. To get the work done, we identified small groups to take on assignments along with documenting their work.

4. What were /are the most challenging aspects of being certified and maintaining the standards required to achieve and retain that status?
One challenging aspect was coming up with locations to designate as naturalized no-mow areas as protection for wildlife habitat and water. This was a difficult task because much of our golf course is wooded. Naturalized areas thrive on links style golf courses or golf courses that don’t have many trees. There is not much spare land to leave unmaintained due to all the trees, but we were able to create several areas to choose as naturalized that also did not significantly affect play or make the golf course more challenging. We are also trying to come up with additional methods to enhance the wildlife on our Par 3 water hole, to make it more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

5. How has Certification been shared with your members/customers/community, and what benefits has such exposure brought your way?
Leisure World of Maryland is a nationally well-known active community for adults ages 55+. The universe of golf courses in the state of Maryland is about 160 golf courses, and our certified course is one of 21in Maryland. Certification has bought enormous recognition through our education outreach program to golfers, residents and clubs. The Leisure World Biweekly News has published many articles as we grew with the program and final certification.

The increased value is huge! We are seeing enhancement of the value of Leisure World real estate and the Leisure World of Maryland brand due to the beauty, green space, landscaping, environmental improvements, wildlife and water enhancements, quality improvements, and improved storm drainage. It’s much greater than many people realize. Our Audubon International LWGC Environmental Sanctuary Certification enhances the value of our community.
After renovations were completed, we recorded a record year of 25,000 rounds in 2024 – 67% growth compared with the 15,000 rounds recorded in 2017.

6. What would you share with other superintendents and course managers who are considering joining the Audubon International ACSP program?
Use as many resources as possible to complete the certification. Certification is a difficult feat for a Superintendent to carry out while keeping up with all daily maintenance requirements as well as other projects both short-term and long-term. If you can find someone with environmental experience who is willing to help manage the project like Alan Nelson did for us at Leisure World, it’s a huge weight off the shoulders of the golf course superintendent. It’s also helpful to identify a skilled project manager who can help coordinate with other interested individuals who would like to contribute to the project. A project manager can also be of big assistance in the outreach aspect of the project.

7.What is the best guidance or tip(s) you have received pertaining to being a superintendent and overseeing this project?
If something does not look right, chances are there is something wrong. Start diagnosing the problem and come up with solutions. The maintenance of a golf course is a team effort. Like a living organism, each part and job are important, so learn to be a great team player and learn to get along with everybody.
I’m gratified to share some comments from Scott Turner after his site visit. “My time at Leisure World was truly one of the most memorable site visits I have completed to date. Frank, Alan, and Brenda were all so hospitable and welcoming. It was such a joy dealing with these individuals. I cannot thank them enough for their time and commitment to the ACSP for Golf program.
“Yes, Leisure World Golf Course excels at all levels of the ACSP Program. The Club and community’s commitment to environmental stewardship and outreach does not go unnoticed. Well done and keep up the fantastic work!”
