Goal. To improve the ecological health of an existing golf course by applying principles of landscape ecology. To take advantage of ecological enhancements to improve the challenge and aesthetics of the course while maintaining its integrity. To evaluate the environmental and economic benefits of such improvements. Objective. (1) To critically consider the design of an existing golf course to determine opportunities for improving its ecological health through the application of landscape ecological principles. (2) To determine appropriate landscape elements for the study area and the appropriate methods fo their introduction. (3) To apply principles of landscape ecology in the synthesis of an alternative golf course design that will utilize appropriate landscape elements and enhance the challenge and aesthetics of the course. (4) To evaluate the expected environmental and economic benefits of the proposed design. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)