U.S. Kids Venice Open earns GEO Certified label for Sustainable Golf Tournaments for fourth time

U.S. Kids Venice Open earns GEO Certified label for Sustainable Golf Tournaments for fourth time

The U.S Kids Venice Open continues to shine a spotlight on sustainability and inspiring the next generation, earning the GEO Certified label for Sustainable Golf Tournaments for the fourth consecutive year.

The tournament extends its own record with a fourth internationally recognized GEO Certified® award, administered by the non-profit GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, reflecting the continued commitment towards environmental and social issues. 

Hosted annually at PlayGolf54 encompassing Golf della Montecchia, Golf Frassanelle, Terme di Galzignano Course and Albarella Links , the tournament is organized by U.S Kids Golf, the largest children’s golf foundation in the world.

The 2021 event demonstrated best practice across a range of sustainability indicators and meet international criteria while continually improving and innovating to keep sustainability at the heart of the event across staging, communications and legacies.

Among the highlights from the 2021 event are:

• A new formal sustainability plan endorsed by all suppliers and partners, reinforcing the collaborative approach towards accelerating sustainability
• A close relationship with the clubs supporting each other with their shared sustainability commitments
• Successful implementation of continual improvement points suggested from previous years
• Recognition for partners and suppliers implementing sustainability initiatives through their operations
• Organic vegetables grown on site were used in tournament catering, alongside home-produced honey. highlighting ways events and venues can support each other in their sustainability journey

Jonathan Smith, Founder and Executive Director of GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, said: “The U.S. Kids Venice Open stands as a shining example of a sustainable golf event and the positive impact this can have on partners, participants and all who attend. To be successfully awarded GEO Certified Tournament status for a fourth time is a true credit to all involved and demonstrates tournaments of all sizes can play a key role in accelerating sustainability.”

Paolo Casati, President of Golf della Montecchia and of PlayGolf54 Group said: “This is a significant achievement for all involved and we are proud to be able to play our part in supporting the U.S. Kids Venice Open on this journey over many years. We are committed to protecting the environment and raising awareness and inspiring the younger generations is a key driver for this event."

Dan Van Horn, Founder and Chief Executive of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation said: “We are exceptionally proud to achieve this award and recognition for our commitment to sustainability. The young golfers and families who attend this event are always fully engaged with the initiatives and we will continue to strive to inspire all who attend this wonderful event.” 

Verifier Libi Newell, of LVN Sustainability, was full of praise for the event. “The U.S. Kids Golf Venice Open is strongly committed to advancing sustainability across all aspects of the event and the collaboration across the board is an example for all events regardless of their size. To have sustainability running through the heart of the event is a credit to the team and this fuels an ambition to continually improve and explore more actions which is to be applauded.”