Golf Club Villars

Notable Observations

• Alpine Landscape Rich in Wildlife Set at 1,660 metres above sea level, the 90-hectare course is integrated into the surrounding Alpine landscape. Alpine wildflower meadows, meltwater streams and biotopes provide habitat for birds, amphibians, mammals and insects, with deer, marmots, foxes and hares regularly seen on the course.
• Naturalised Rough Managed with Local Farmers Large areas of rough have been naturalised into wildflower meadows and grasslands. Local farmers graze cattle in these areas, reducing maintenance while helping to manage the landscape.
• Biodiversity Through Local Partnerships The club works closely with local authorities and environmental organisations to support biodiversity. Beehives produce organic honey, invasive plant removal days are organised with environmental groups, and roughs, ponds and biotopes are managed to protect Alpine flora and wildlife.
• Ultra-Low Input Turf Management The course has adopted a low-input maintenance philosophy, reducing fertiliser applications to a minimum while increasing mechanical maintenance. Manual weeding, careful turf selection and preventative management have enabled the club to operate with zero fungicide treatments as part of its disease prevention strategy.
• Highly Targeted Water Use Irrigation is applied only to greens and only when required, using hoses rather than a permanent sprinkler system. Watering decisions combine the Course Manager’s experience with weather forecasts, helping maximise water efficiency.
• Renewable Alpine Hydropower The club's electricity is supplied by a local provider, with energy coming almost entirely from hydroelectric generation due to the Alpine location. Energy-saving measures throughout the clubhouse include LED lighting and motion sensors.
• Golf Integrated with Alpine Tourism The club works with local hotels and the tourist office to introduce visitors to golf through taster sessions and discounted access. Public walking trails cross the property, while skiing and winter golf take place on the course during the snow season.
• Community Conservation Initiatives Members and visitors take part in annual volunteer days to prepare the course for the season. The club also works with local environmental associations to remove invasive plants and involves local schools and residents through golf open days and introductory sessions.

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“Golf Club Villars is a beautiful course seamlessly integrated into the surrounding Alpine landscape. The passionate Course Manager leads sustainability in a golf course that makes a great contribution to the Alpine community. The Club is aware of the need to do things better every day and proof of this is that the facility has been transformed over the past years improving the environmental credentials. New trees, naturalized roughs and maintained turf are professionally managed, along with creating awareness of the local habitat and biodiversity. I look forward to seeing the results of the efforts that will be made to improve the facility in the coming years, I am sure they will bring numerous advances in sustainability and energy efficiency"

Hector Forcen (GEO accredited independent verifier)