March 19, 2008 - Marriott is requiring 34 of its North American golf courses to earn green certification from the Audubon Society. The golf courses, including high-profile properties such as Miami's Doral Golf Resort & Spa and California's Shadow Ridge Golf Club, must achieve certification by the end of the year.

To achieve Audubon certification, a golf facility must demonstrate superior performance in environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, chemical reduction, and water conservation and quality management, among other areas. (For a behind-the-scenes look into the certification process, click here.)

Doral, site of the 2008 WGC-CA Championship March 20-23, will become the first Audubon-certified golf course in North America to host a World Golf Championships event.