Lochem, Netherlands
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.
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.
2011, 2015, 2020, 2025, for renewal 2030
“In 1987, the Lochemse Golf & Country Club ‘De Graafschap’ golf course was laid out on former farmland. The course covers 74 hectares and consists of open woodland with a park-like appearance. The high natural values are connected to open forest edges, heather with juniper and gorse, and open water with riparian vegetation and gale thickets. The Grounds Management Committee is responsible for GEO and has carefully documented all necessary information in a number of professional basic documents and supporting documents. Golf and nature are inextricably linked here to the complex water system that is being studied for the entire area in collaboration with other parties involved. The trick is to find a balance between retaining water (especially in the summer) and draining it (especially in the spring and winter). This is complicated given the complex soil structure, the weather extremes and the various interests involved. The coming years will also be dominated by the construction of a new clubhouse, in which sustainability, comfort and use of space go hand in hand. The design will be in keeping with the atmosphere and proportions of the current farmhouse, with plenty of space for solar panels on the roof. Finally, heather management will receive a great deal of attention and will be tackled in a very professional manner. Heather is truly the calling card of this club that manages almost everything itself: maintenance, machinery, tree management, nature management, building management and supervision of new construction. The fact that the course is completely enclosed by a nature reserve (NNN) is a wonderful opportunity that will be maximally utilised in the design and management of the rough. I have every confidence in the further sustainability of this beautiful, natural course.”
Paul Van Kan (GEO accredited independent verifier)
