Baltimore Municipal Golf Corporation (BMGC), also known as Baltimore’s Classic Five, recently celebrated a new environmental partnership with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC), unveiling an initiative to plant 100 – 125 new native trees at Pine Ridge Golf Course and install microbioretention practices and rain gardens near the clubhouse and driving range to control stormwater runoff from the buildings, helping to make a difference in the health of the forests surrounding Pine Ridge.

Maroon PR worked alongside BMGC and GVC to develop a strategic plan in partnership that brings together environmental causes for the future with the maintaining of some of the area’s best golfing facilities.

“We are very proud to partner with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy on this important project for Pine Ridge Golf Course,” said Tom Pierce, Interim Executive Director of Baltimore’s Classic Five. “What we are looking to do is not about golf; it’s really about improving the green spaces that BMGC manages and maintains. With the guidance of Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, we are making improvements that will benefit the Pine Ridge for golfers and the overall environment for a long time.”

This partnership with GVC will extend into the future as BMGC plans to implement this at the other four courses they manage (Carroll Park, Clifton Park, Forest Park and Mount Pleasant).

Maroon PR led publicity efforts for the project, which centered around a press event aimed at showcasing the partnership and tree planting. Through compelling media materials and proactive media pitching, our team successfully secured day-of coverage from Baltimore news outlets including two local TV stations (FOX, CBS) and The Baltimore Sun. MPR also assisted with social media coverage of the day’s events on Classic Five’s social channels and MPR’s videographer was on hand, capturing b-roll footage for news stations to use and for future social media content.

It’s been a great morning as we announce an environmental partnership with @GunpowderValley, which will help us plant 100 to 125 native trees at Pine Ridge Golf Course over the next 18 months. pic.twitter.com/x0dGHsiBJp

— Classic 5 Golf (@classic5golf) September 12, 2020

 The beautiful morning started with a brief ceremony to announce the project, led by Pierce and Gunpowder Valley Conservancy’s Executive Director, Lou Etgen, who both spoke about the program and goals for the future. After the short speeches, the group posed for pictures and volunteers from both Gunpowder Valley Conservancy and Pine Ridge Golf Course’s Junior Golf program began planting trees along the ninth fairway.

“The GVC is very excited to formalize this partnership with BMGC to improve water quality in Loch Raven and set an example for others to be engaged in cleaning up the local waters around Baltimore City golf courses,” said Etgen.

Pine Ridge Golf Course opened to the public in 1956 and boasts one of the most picturesque courses in the area, with majestic views of Loch Raven Reservoir. One of the most popular public courses in the region, Pine Ridge has hosted PGA and LPGA events, and was the site of Nancy Lopez’s second LPGA win.