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Ostschweizerischer Golf Club

Ostschweizerischer Golf Club

Niederbüren, 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.

Certified 2021, 2024 - 2026, for renewal 2027

  • Habitat Diversity: The golf course features diverse habitats, including floodplain areas, ponds, and streams, which are home to rare species such as the Beaver, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, and Tree Frog. These areas are managed with a focus on promoting biodiversity and enhancing habitats for amphibians and dragonflies​.
  • Naturalisation Opportunities: Opportunities were identified to further naturalise maintained roughs to support biodiversity. This includes optimizing mowing practices to encourage native vegetation and maintaining 20% of standing vegetation at each cut​.
  • Water Efficiency: The golf club enhances water efficiency by installing low-flow toilets and showers with stop functions while regularly monitoring consumption through utility bills.
  • Energy Improvements: A photovoltaic system was recently installed on the clubhouse terrace, and further renewable energy projects are planned.
  • Local Engagement: OSGC actively collaborates with municipal authorities, local ornithologists, and environmental groups like Respect Insects. These partnerships focus on preserving biodiversity and promoting community-driven sustainability initiatives​.
  • Inclusivity and Well-Being: The club fosters inclusivity with a female-majority membership and governance. It also emphasizes employee well-being through team events, discounts for golf training, and tick vaccinations for staff working in natural areas​.
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In recent years, the Ostschweizerischer Golf Club has taken further steps towards sustainable golf. The focus has primarily been on improvements in the maintenance buildings, on the irrigation system, purchasing a new GPS-controlled spraying machine, and the self-production of solar electricity. Despite an intensification of turf management on maintained roughs and fairways, OSCG is still well on its way and shows exemplary behaviour in many areas. There are particular opportunities to improve the quality of care in the natural areas and to reduce irrigation, fertiliser and energy inputs from intensive maintenance. I am looking forward to the implementation of further planned steps and the proposed CIP's.

Dominik Scheibler (GEO accredited independent verifier)
GEO Certified Reports
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