Monarch Butterfly Program Adds Drought Tolerance To Temecula Course

TEMECULA, CA — It's a "rough life" for butterflies in Temecula and the Temecula Creek Golf Club and the new landscape and habitats created along the 27-hole, 150-acre golf course are giving them a much needed Mulligan.

The club spokesperson says conditions are just right for the flightiest of guests.

The Monarchs in the Rough program helps with drought-tolerant plant design focused on attracting and restoring pollinator habitats in out-of-play parts of the course. Brett Wininger, Temecula Creek Golf Club’s superintendent, learned of the program and attained swift approval to plant areas along the fairways and beyond the greens at TCGC.

"Wininger and his team designed the butterfly habitat in the shape of a butterfly," a spokesperson for the club said in a recent news release. The butterfly shape can be seen by guests staying on the second floor of Temecula Creek Inn.

The butterfly habitat also aids in saving both water and costs of greening up those out of play areas. Wininger says they are saving over 250,000 gallons per year with the butterfly-friendly landscaping.

Landscapers replaced several acres of unused golf turf with drought-tolerant plants and a dedicated drip irrigation system.

“As the superintendent here at Temecula Creek, I have an obligation to manage this property responsibly and with the wellbeing of the environment in mind,” Wininger said. “We had the ability to help increase the Monarchs’ population and this team was ready to take that on. My team and I tend to the butterfly habitat nearly every day, ensuring it’s as inviting for the insects as possible.”

Temecula Creek Inn’s executive chef, Matt Steffen, sees additional benefits to the butterfly program. The butterfly-attracting plants are just part of the resort's 300-acres of natural beauty and mountain views.

A cross-benefit of increasing the butterfly population in Temecula Valley is the cross-pollination of the Inn's 4,000 square-foot herbs, vegetable and fruit garden which Steffen uses both in and to garnish the creations he serves guests.

Temecula Creek Golf Club is the only golf course in the region currently partnering with Monarchs in the Rough.