Dairy Creek Golf Course in El Chorro Regional Park now features two large composters where dumpsters once stood. These machines have kept more than 60,000 pounds of food waste out of landfills over three years, signaling a major change in how San Luis Obispo County golf courses handle their environmental responsibilities. Dairy Creek joins Morro Bay and Chalk Mountain as county-run courses adopting sustainability measures. The area also includes private clubs like Avila Beach Golf Resort, which has launched its own rebranding and reinvestment efforts, as covered by the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Josh Heptig, who directs golf course operations for San Luis Obispo County Parks & Recreation, manages Dairy Creek, Morro Bay, and Chalk Mountain. He focuses on cutting consumption, reducing waste, and boosting recycling. The "Zero Waste Park" program at Dairy Creek started in 2011, bringing in vermiculture composting and compost tea brewing to produce nutrient-rich fertilizers for the grounds. While these environmental steps are in place at public courses, the wider San Luis Obispo County community also gains from educational programs on food-system resilience and sustainability, as noted by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Innovative environmental practices
Heptig’s approach goes further than composting. Birds of prey and sheep help with pest control and land care, which cuts down on chemical use and lowers equipment emissions. Recycling and biodiesel technology also support the courses’ sustainability targets. Educational outreach plays a role in changing public views about golf’s environmental impact. These actions fit with a countywide push for environmental stewardship and community involvement in public spaces.
Heptig’s work earned national attention when he received the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s 2017 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship. The award was given in Orlando at the Golf Industry Show’s Opening Night Celebration.
Background and community impact
Heptig holds a degree in natural history biology and moved from zoology into golf course management, with experience at Paragould Country Club and Coyote Crossing Golf Course before his current role. He lives in San Luis Obispo with his wife, Christiane Schroeter, an associate professor at California Polytechnic State University, and their two daughters.
Heptig focuses on community engagement and sustainable operations, aiming to offer affordable, enjoyable golf while protecting natural resources. His work shows that golf courses can run with environmental awareness and social responsibility, pushing back against the idea that the sport is always wasteful or exclusive.
