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Golfclub Markgräflerland

Golfclub Markgräflerland

Kandern, Switzerland

Sustainable Golf Pledge

We are committed to social and environmental responsibility, in and through golf.

We recognize the importance of playing our part to protect and restore nature, conserve resources, take climate action and strengthen communities.

We will seek to use our reach to raise awareness and positive action amongst golfers, partners and the wider public.

We will make an important difference, and help golf become a valued leader in sustainability.

GEO Certified

Through becoming GEO Certified we have achieved the most widely regarded and credible sustainability distinction in golf.  The international certification was earned after successfully meeting the industry-standard best practices and demonstrating our commitment to make sustainability of central importance to our golf facility.  We're proud of our social and environmental value - and looking forward to doing even more on our sustainability journey.

2022, 2025, for renewal 2030

Notable Observations

  • Extensive Zero-Input Meadows Large areas of wild grass meadow roughs are maintained with no inputs at all, cut only once or twice a year. This reduces resource use and creates broad habitat for wildlife.
  • Traditional Orchards Restored The club has established and expanded orchards with old fruit varieties, and the harvested fruit is made into juice sold in the clubhouse. This reintroduces the area’s historic land use and adds ecological diversity.
  • Beehives Producing Over 40kg of Honey A local beekeeper manages hives in the orchard and wildflower areas, producing over 40kg of honey last year. These hives strengthen pollination and link the course with local food production.
  • Solar Thermal Hot Water System The clubhouse uses solar thermal collectors to supply hot water for showers, reducing energy demand from conventional heating.
  • Plastic Bottles Removed from the Site Reusable plastic bottles and bags have been fully removed, supported by new drinking water refill stations at the halfway house and (soon) the first tee.
  • Green Waste Composted by Local Farmer All green waste and clippings are taken to a neighbouring local farmer for composting, keeping nutrients in the local cycle and eliminating disposal impact.
  • Walking and Sledding Routes Through the Course Local residents use the course’s walking paths year-round, including sledding in winter, making the site an important shared green space.
  • Lessons Provided to Local International School The club actively supports a local international school by offering lessons to students, strengthening community links and youth engagement.
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“The Golfclub Markgräflerland demonstrates solid sustainable practices across the golf course and clubhouse management. The course maintains extensive zero-input grass meadows and numerous fruit trees throughout the property as well as a number of interesting small landscape structures which offer good habitats for local bird and animal species. They have also recently installed some insect hotels and bee hives to support pollination and produce some honey for local consumption. The greenkeeper uses solid cultural practices and very minimal chemical input in the maintenance of the turfgrass surfaces. Some solar thermal production reduces their electricity consumption considerably and their waste separation has improved in recent years with the introduction of divided bins throughout the course. I look forward to seeing a more detailed biodiversity survey at some point as well as ongoing energy and waste reduction projects."

David Bily (GEO accredited independent verifier)
GEO Certified Reports
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