Coto De Caza Golf & Racquet Club, CA

“I’ve got all kinds of pictures of bluebirds. Almost every bluebird house has babies and eggs in it,” he says with pride. These birdhouses, scattered across the course, symbolize the harmony between human activity and wildlife conservation.” 

Roger Goettsch

Coto De Caza Golf & Racquet Club

Trabuco Canyon, California

Private Course

Where the Bluebirds Thrive

In the early hours of the morning, as mist rises over the greens, Roger Goettsch walks his course, reflecting on the balance between golf and the environment. As a superintendent of an Audubon-certified golf course, he has woven sustainability into every facet of his work, proving that courses can be more than manicured landscapes—they can be thriving ecosystems. Through partnerships, innovative practices, and a philosophy of responsibility, Goettsch demonstrates what environmental stewardship looks like on the green.

Bluebirds and Boy Scouts: A Community Collaboration

One of Goettsch’s most impactful initiatives involves local Boy Scouts. Together, they’re building birdhouses that have become home to a thriving population of bluebirds. “We’ve reached out to the local Boy Scout crew,” Goettsch explains. “Right now, we’re in the middle of the Boy Scouts building birdhouses. It’s mutually beneficial because they achieve their goals as a troop, and we benefit by providing homes for the birds.”

Bluebirds are small yet striking birds that thrive in oak woodlands and grasslands, where their role as insect predators quietly balance ecosystems.

The results are undeniable. “In the last two or three years, I’ve got all kinds of pictures of bluebirds. Almost every bluebird house has babies and eggs in it,” he says with pride. These birdhouses, scattered across the course, symbolize the harmony between human activity and wildlife conservation.

Bats: Nature’s Pest Control Solution

Another project on Goettsch’s radar involves installing bat houses to manage mosquitoes naturally. The course’s mitigation areas, designed to filter out pesticides and fertilizers, sometimes create standing water, which can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Bats love mosquitoes,” he says. “We’re trying to get about three or four bat houses, and we’re going to strategically place them in areas where homeowners have called me and said, ‘Hey, can you do something about the mosquitoes here?’ Instead of using chemicals, we think the bats will actually be more efficient.”

California is home to over 25 species of bats, from insect-eating Mexican free-tailed bats to nectar-feeding pollinators like the lesser long-nosed bat. These nocturnal guardians play a vital role in ecosystems, consuming thousands of insects each night and supporting plant pollination.

Goettsch envisions creating a sustainable bat colony over time. “Once the bats become accustomed to these houses, we can expand and create a larger colony. Bats are not harmful to humans; they’re natural predators to insects, and they’re good for the environment.”

The Audubon Certification: A Commitment to Conservation

Goettsch’s course holds the prestigious Audubon certification, a recognition of its dedication to protecting the environment. This certification doesn’t happen by accident; it reflects deliberate, consistent efforts to integrate conservation into the course’s operations.

“We have a Resource Committee,” he explains, “and one of the guys on the committee is actually one of our members, and he’s extremely knowledgeable. He walks the course early in the mornings, taking pictures of the different types of birds and animals. He even publishes these on YouTube.” The work of this passionate member helps document the rich biodiversity on the course, from birds to plants, showing the tangible impact of the team’s efforts.

Water Management: Treated Water for a Sustainable Course

Water is critical to any golf course, and Goettsch has developed innovative strategies to manage this resource responsibly. The course partners with the Santa Margarita Water District to irrigate with treated water. “We are already a huge partner in helping them dispose of their treated water,” he explains. “If the golf course wasn’t here, they would have to dump that into the stream channel, and eventually it would go straight into the ocean. By taking that water to irrigate the golf course, we cut down tremendously on environmental impact.”

However, treated water comes with challenges, such as high sodium and chlorine levels. Goettsch uses a specialized chemical product to address this issue. “The product helps make the water more plant-friendly, and it reduces water consumption because the turf absorbs it better. That leads to lower energy and fertilizer costs,” he explains.

Healthy Turf, Good Cultural Practices

Goettsch’s approach to turf management is rooted in creating healthy grass through proactive, sustainable practices. “One of the things that we try to do is develop healthy turf,” he says. “Good cultural practices—like good solid aerification, good watering practices, and sharp mowers—make a big difference.”

Sharp mowers, for instance, prevent disease by cleanly cutting the grass, reducing the need for chemical treatments. “If you have dull mowers, it opens up the leaf surface to certain diseases,” he explains. With healthier turf, there’s less need for fungicides and pesticides, further minimizing the environmental impact. “If you’ve got good, healthy turf, you’re going to have less chemistry going into it.”

Golf Courses as Environmental Stewards

Goettsch is passionate about challenging the stereotype that golf courses are bad for the environment. He believes they are often better stewards of the land than other industries. “Golf course superintendents undergo rigorous pesticide certification,” he says. “We apply pesticides according to the label, which is a key component of being responsible.”

The course has also invested in a new chemical storage facility to ensure safety and compliance. “It’s all those little details that play into the big picture of environmental stewardship,” Goettsch adds.

He also highlights the benefits that well-managed golf courses provide, including the natural filtration properties of grass. “We’re not just maintaining a course; we’re mitigating environmental issues and adding value to the community.”

A Philosophy of Responsibility

At the heart of Goettsch’s work is a personal philosophy that drives his commitment to sustainability. “My philosophy is that you’ve got to do things that other people aren’t willing to do,” he says. “Do more than what everybody else is doing. Be thorough in your approach.”

For Goettsch, this philosophy is more than just words—it’s evident in every birdhouse built, every bat house installed, and every drop of treated water recycled. His story serves as an inspiring example of how golf courses can be transformed into sanctuaries for wildlife and champions of sustainability, proving that responsible land management and recreation can go hand in hand.

By Andi Hayes and David Santos