16 Sep 2021
Celebrating sustainable golf
GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf has launched a range of new and upgraded resources designed to help golf embrace sustainability and climate action – and also to help golf represent its collective efforts.
The actions reflect the wider momentum and sense of urgency across society and business – linked to the UN Decades of Action and Restoration, and the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report which outlines the urgency for climate action ahead of the COP26 Summit in Glasgow this November.
Some of the key evolutions include:
Image © Monina Gilbey
Jonathan Smith, Founder and Executive Director, GEO Foundation said: “The world is facing serious social, ecological and climate challenges, and there is a powerful sense of urgency to address these. The expectation is that everyone should play their part, from individuals to companies to entire sectors. A large, influential and high-profile global sport such as golf has a tremendous opportunity, and responsibility to step forward.
“Our future generations need golf to redouble its efforts to foster nature, conserve resources, strive for net-zero emissions and strengthen communities. The good news is that this is almost entirely a win-win for a land and community-based sport, where sustainability, great golf and vibrant business are synonymous.
“The suite of actions outlined today represents our dedication to support golf on this journey, and we are grateful to every partner and participant who is helping make sustainable golf a reality around the world.”
Partners and supporters who have helped enable the ongoing development and provision of these non-commercial resources for golf include The R&A, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, Toro, Dow and Vidauban Foundation as well as a number of national golf federations.
Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer, The R&A said: “One of the key issues is the golf industry recognising that the risks of not acting now to tackle the issues created by climate change and legislation will hinder the sport in the years to come. Dealing with resource shortages and the impact of flooding, drought and coastal erosion need to be addressed now. That is why The R&A is also pursuing Golf Course 2030 to work with partners in the industry to find practical solutions and to encourage facilities to make the changes they can make now.”
The desire and action for a more sustainable sport is taking place right across golf, including professional tours and tournaments.
Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament Business Officer, the European Tour added: “We completely recognize the need for individual leadership and action in sustainability, within a wider collective approach across the sport. That’s why this year we have renewed and strengthened our own Green Drive and wider CSR strategy; invested in new capacity; are activating across our operations and partnerships, and seeking to align closely with others in golf. We have received some valuable support from GEO Foundation in doing so, and congratulate them and other partners on helping bring it all together around this strengthened sustainable golf platform.”
Sam Barratt, Chief, Youth, Education and Advocacy at the United Nations Environment Programme commented: “As we set out on this Decade of Restoration, it is critical that we protect and expand the natural habitats and ecosystems on our planet. We need everyone in charge of a green space to find a home for nature. Perhaps more than any other sport in the world, golf has a huge opportunity to restore biodiversity to courses. We’ll be watching progress closely.”
You can read perspectives from more partners and supporters below and hear from just some of the people and organizations driving sustainable golf
Additional thoughts from across the industry:
"The Decade of Ecosystem Restoration was launched by the UN on World Environment Day in June this year. To maintain and restore the ecological services on which we all depend (think: pollination, clean air, or water storage and supply) it is essential that managers of green spaces in urban and rural areas protect and expand natural habitats to the maximum possible. Fortunately for golf this is a natural fit and is often a win-win, as enhancing nature can reduce costs while enhancing the experience for golfers of all levels. So let's get competitive and see who can score best in fostering nature and conserving our precious natural resources.”
Richard Holland, Director of Operations and Network Development, Wetlands International
“Golf may be an individual sport, but it takes a team-oriented approach to enact change. By partnering with like-minded organizations including GEO, LET and the LPGA, we’re furthering Dow’s belief that sports, including golf, provide an incredible global platform to catalyze sustainability action. Our ambition combines sport with Dow’s materials science expertise and knowledge of sustainable operations to reduce the carbon impact of the golf tournaments, innovate next-gen product technology solutions, spark important conversations, and amplify diverse voices in the fight against climate change.”
Chris Chandler, Executive Director of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational and Dow Sports Marketing Solutions
"The environment and the landscape is very much what we’re involved with and it’s in everybody’s interest to do our part to support their efforts. Society is better for having an environment which people like to be in, whether it’s for sport and recreation or just the pure enjoyment of being in an open space. We just need to be sensible and balance it with all the other pressures that are there and are coming, climate change being the obvious one."
Andy Brown, Senior Manager - Global Business Development and Relationships, The Toro Company
“Golf has huge potential to become a sustainability leader. Golf courses feature rich biodiversity, which makes them local ecosystem sanctuaries, especially around arid or urban areas, where it is tough for them to develop. There is also a very interesting opportunity in managing natural resources properly, such as water. To optimize and reduce water use can help reduce costs in the long term. Also, golfers should look around them when they play a round. To be amazed by the landscape and wildlife is already the first form of action to protect ecosystems.”
Camille Chevalier, LET Professional and Sustainable Golf Champion
“In the Netherlands, we have embraced sustainable golf at a very early stage. The programmes provided by GEO are a tool to make every part of golf course management sustainable, and to engage everyone involved. It has helped us to become one of the leading countries in sustainable golf. It also helped us to become a leader by example – to inspire other sports to join us on our sustainability journey.
“Sustainable golf is important to us for other reasons as well. Thanks to sustainable action, we have developed a close relationship with our national government and local authorities. We recommend everyone to have a look at the GEO programmes because they really help you – the board of directors or the greenkeeping staff – to make your golf course more sustainable.”
Jeroen Stevens, director of the Netherlands Golf Federation (NGF)
“The aim of Swiss Golf is to be CO2 neutral (or better) by 2030. In a recent study, we identified low hanging fruit and long-term action plans to improve on the carbon footprint of golf, which includes lesser use of resources in various types of application.
“The ecosystem-service study that Swiss Golf undertakes will show and prove in a monetized way why golf is important to society at large, how golf helps the larger community and what type of actions will help to contribute towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
“A recent partnership with Swiss Tourism underlines the support function of golf towards sustainable tourism in Switzerland, which is covered by www.swisstainable.ch. All golf courses that are GEO Certified® are endorsed as ‘Leading’ (Level 3) within the perspective of sustainable tourism.”
Jan Driessens, Chairman Golf Courses & Sustainability Committee, Swiss Golf
“Effective communication that golf courses are a positive, safe and appropriate use of land is of key importance to the future of the sport. So much good work is being done by clubs and greenkeepers in both turf and wider landscape management to minimise resource use and create biodiversity and habitat for endangered species and their stories need to be told in an engaging way. Many golf courses are now being managed as genuine extensions of the wider environment proving that golf and the environment in which it is played can co-exist effectively and for the good of nature, communities and the climate.”
Alistair Beggs, Head of Agronomy, The R&A
“In my role with BIGGA, I’ve visited over 400 courses to advise on the flora, fauna and environmental issues a course may have, and then to guide them towards becoming more sustainable. We hold numerous webinars, section events and of course BTME where there is always an industry expert undertaking an eco workshop or two.”
James Hutchinson, Membership Services Manager for Sustainability and Ecology, BIGGA
“At England Golf, we are acutely aware of the need to prioritise sustainability and conservation within the sport. One of the key pillars in our Course Planner (2021-2025 strategic direction) is to advocate and inform the English golfing community on all elements of sustainability.
"We were delighted to see more nominations than ever for the sustainability award at the England Golf awards last year and we are currently recruiting for a Sustainability Manager to drive forward our ambitions in the next few years, which will see us lead by example through our own facility at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa and at our championship events.
"We are also encouraging our clubs and golfers to take pride and ownership in the role that golf can play in society’s wider efforts towards reducing our carbon footprint.”
Richard Flint, Chief Operating Officer, England Golf
“The standards, certification and reporting system that underpins sustainable golf is a leading example amongst Olympic sport, and potentially a very useful model for others to explore.”
Julie Duffus, Sustainability Senior Manager, International Olympic Committee
