Golf du Rhin

Notable Observations

• Habitat-Rich Riverside Setting Golf du Rhin sits on an island between the Rhine River and Grand Canal d’Alsace, offering a safe haven for orchids, wildflower meadows, lakes, and woodland biotopes. Expert-led monitoring and partnerships with Natura groups ensure these habitats are protected and enhanced
• Redesigning Play for Conservation The club has integrated biodiversity directly into course design: Hole 16’s bunker was replaced with a natural area, and tee redesigns removed sprinklers and reduced irrigated fairway by a hectare. These changes save resources and boost habitat diversity
• Innovative Irrigation and Water Saving The club combines forecast-based irrigation decisions, granular moisture retainers, and a French Water Agency project testing drought-tolerant seed varieties. Connected drainage and lakes improve efficiency, making irrigation highly adaptive and sustainable
• Phytobac Water Treatment System A state-of-the-art Phytobac system at the maintenance facility biologically degrades pesticide residues in wash water, preventing contamination and showcasing advanced pollution control
• Composting and Circular Practices Members built and manage a composter to fertilize a vegetable garden by the practice area, while the greenkeeping team composts branches and prunings for habitat creation. These projects close material loops and engage the community
• Research Nursery for Grass Varieties Golf du Rhin is working with the French Golf Federation to test new turfgrass species in on-site nursery plots. This research helps identify resilient, sustainable varieties for golf courses across France
• Member-Led Ecological Stewardship Members regularly join knife-weeding days, habitat creation, and ecological monitoring. This hands-on involvement fosters a strong community culture of sustainability and environmental care
• Education and Knowledge Exchange Golf du Rhin hosts students, greenkeeping apprentices, and international visitors to share best practices in sustainable golf course management, cementing its role as a leader in ecological education

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“Golf du Rhin is one of the pioneers of sustainability in France, with a passionate head greenkeeper who leads an amazing sustainability group. They are aware of the need to do things better each and every day. Proof of this is that the facility has been transformed over the past number of years, significantly improving their environmental credentials. Trees, new naturalized roughs and maintained turf are professionally managed, along with creating awareness of the local habitat and biodiversity. The club is creating durable awareness and education within the community, staff, membership and should be a good example to follow for other golf courses in France. 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 these will bring numerous advances in sustainability and energy efficiency. All of the above is creating awareness and education within the community, staff and membership.”

Hector Forcen (GEO accredited independent verifier)