Golf & Environment

Golf & Environment Guidance for National Golf Federations Golf & Environment EGA Think of the environment - please do not print this report. 1.0 Foreword 3 2.0 Background 4 3.0 Golf & Environment 6 4.0 Relevant Policy Areas 9 5.0 Strategic Programmes Supporting Federations and Facilities 15 6.0 Guidance for the Role of National Golf Federations 19 6.1 Structuring and Coordinating Activity 22 6.2 Action Areas and Practical Activities 26 7.0 Conclusions 32 8.0 Appendix 34 Researched and prepared by the Golf Environment Organisation and the European Golf Association, in collaboration with The R&A 2 Golf & Environment EGA The European Golf Association is proud to present The R&A is delighted to support the work that has The Golf Environment Organisation supports golf this landmark environmental report, which aims to been done to produce this report on the progress and recognises its role in the global environmental provide member federations with practical guidance that EGA members are making on environmental movement. This report is part of that work, and we on how to best engage with environmental issues. matters. are honoured to work with both the EGA and The R&A in its preparation. The EGA Ecology Unit, launched in 1994, was one of Currently there is a strong move in Europe to ensure We would like to acknowledge the support received the first concerted environmental efforts in European that the environment, and its management, are taken from golf federations across Europe who supplied golf. This legacy is continued through the more seriously, and The R&A is fully supportive of information and examples of practical action to progressive work of the non-profit body GEO. those within the golf community who are compliment the central guidance. participating in this development. GEO are the authors of this report, and we are We feel this is an important document and presents delighted to have worked with them in its Our role is to safeguard the future of golf, and to this a model for national golf federations to take a preparation. We are also very pleased to have end we believe that the use of environmental best proactive and positive lead on environmental collaborated with The R&A Golf Course Committee, practice will go a very long way to ensure golf sustainability. It also sets out what we believe to be to ensure that the messages herein are consistent courses are sustainable, and seen to be adding to the benefits of such action. with their own pioneering the heritage and culture of all efforts in the game. European nations. John C. Storjohann Peter Greenhough Bjorn Nordberg President Chairman Chairman European Golf Association R&A Golf Course Committee Golf Environment Organisation 1.0 Forewword 3 Golf & Environment EGA This report has been researched and prepared by the Golf Environment Organisation and the European Golf Association, in collaboration with The R&A. Report Objectives It aims to offer guidance on the role of National Golf Offer constructive and practical Federations in addressing the increasingly influential environmental guidance to national golf issues of environmental sustainability. federations Provide an overview of environmental The report stems from ongoing collaboration between activity in European golf the EGA and the Golf Environment Organisation, to Facilitate sharing of experiences look at how environmental issues were affecting between countries National Golf Federations, and to gather information on the actions being undertaken in different countries. The role of the EGA on environmental issues was also considered during this collaboration. It was felt that the EGA could play a limited, but none the less useful role activities could complement those of The R&A and in supporting the environmental activities of national GEO, as all three bodies strive to improve the federations, particularly in encouraging practical and environmental stewardship of the game, and the wider political action by federations, and in sharing recognition of the role golf plays in environmental information between countries. It was felt that such protection. 2.0 Backggrounu d 4 Flemish Environmental Planning Environment and Planning are core areas of operation for the Golf Union in Flanders (VVG). A dedicated committee has been addressing key environmental issues since the inception of the federation in 2001. The committee is comprised of greenkeepers, golf managers and experienced volunteers from golf clubs. It manages a small budget that is funded by the incomes of the members of the federation. There is one staff member (with a Masters degree in Biology and Environmental Impact Assessment) working on this topic about 50% of their time. In total the VVG has 5 full time staff members. Golf & Environment EGA Issues of environmental quality and protection, environment, and with the resources it needs, to sustain sustainability, resource consumption, climate change the quality of life we have come to expect. and pollution are now at the heart of how society functions. The environmental agenda has grown to become one of “environmental damage the highest profile and most influential aspects of government policy and public opinion. The pressing and exploitation of need to conserve resources, avoid pollution of water and air, control climate change and protect biodiversity will resources affects people drive policy, regulation and expectation for generations to come. The significance of the environmental and sustainability Closely linked to this are the concepts of social justice agendas can no longer be doubted, nor should it be Figure One: Simple representation of how society functions within the and social responsibility, where environmental damage under-estimated by any business interest. environment, benefiting from its natural and exploitation of resources effects people – both in resources and ecosystem services, and the immediate locale, but also around the world. Every part of society, every sector, every land use, every individual is affected, and each has a role to play in how the economy, in turn is a function of society. These are not a passing fad, but are issues that cut right ensuring that we live sustainably in a resource rich and to the heart of how society can function within an healthy environment. 3.0 Golf ana d tht e Ennviror nment 6 Golf & Environment EGA “ the leadership role of National Golf Federations on The emergence of the Golf Environment environmental issues is vitally important Organisation in 2005, as a partnership focussed body, independent from golf, which can support and report on golf’s activities, has also helped to In recent years, environmental debate within golf stimulate new action from many golfing has switched away from why should we do it?, to organisations, research bodies, and form new what do we do? Danish Environmental partnerships with government and environmental agencies. This process of increased awareness and Policy understanding within golf was initiated by the EGA Over the same period, many National Golf itself with the establishment in 1994 of the EGA Federations have been taking a lead in their Ecology Unit. This was supported by the activities Golf courses must be planned with respect to existing landscapes and seek to emphasise respective countries and regions. At the forefront of the European Tour, Ryder Cup and The R&A. the existing qualities of a site. Development of this were the Scottish, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, The Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers must result in a neutral environmental impact Flemish and Danish Federations who all appointed Associations also played an important early role. and endeavour to promote native species. full time environmental specialists to work with The Ecology Unit’s work was taken on by the member clubs / facilities. The French, English, Committed to Green Foundation, which undertook Large advantages for nature and environment Welsh, Irish, German, Finnish, Portugese and considerable developmental work on the issue of can be secured through sensitive and careful Spanish have all undertaken a variety of very environmental certification. More recently The planning. Initiatives to enhance nature on the credible projects, some of which are highlighted as R&A Golf Course Committee has taken up the golf course are useful for flora and fauna and short case studies within this report. baton, stimulating valuable debate into the issues improve the overall experience. In this way a of sustainable turfgrass management, and the golf course can provide greater stimulation to both frequent players and visitors alike. What has become obvious is that the leadership relationship with other issues such as water role of National Golf Federations on environmental conservation and pollution prevention. issues is vitally important. 3.0 Golf ana d tht e Ennviror nment 7 French Water Charter In 2005, a 3 year agreement was reached on the sustainable use of water between the French Golf Federation, the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Management. It was supported by the French Golf Course Owners Association and AGREF (the French Greenkeepers Association). The Charter aims to create a general guideline for the sustainable use of water resources in golf, and the progressive reduction of the environmental impact of water use within the sector. Within the agreement the golf sector has committed to: undertake an audit and aim to reduce consumption at all courses using public water by 30%; report transparently on the amount of water consumed; create a water reduction plan and register with the government; take actions to preserve water quality, including reducing fertilisers and pesticides, and documenting turf management programmes; undertake best management practices on re-use of rain water and grey water; evaluate the need for water for vegetation, nature and soil to have the best irrigation system possible; use the best techniques and the best vegetation to economise water; promote education on water use.

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