New R&A Golf Course website spearheading drive towards sustainability

The R&A has launched a new website, targeted at decision makers in golf facilities with the executive power to initiate and drive change, which focuses on the sustainable management and development of golf courses.

“The launch of the new The Golf Course website is a natural evolution of The R&A’s continuing commitment to improving the sustainability of the game’s playing environment” said Peter Dawson, The R&A’s Chief Executive.

“As golf’s environmental credentials come under ever-increasing legislative scrutiny, The R&A remains dedicated to providing front-line support and guidance to assist golf courses in developing a relationship of positive interaction with the environment.” 

With guidance on sustainable practices and a database of international case studies, features and news bulletins, the website will provide decision makers at golf facilities with practical help, so that they can realise the benefits of adopting the principles of sustainable management.

Adherence to the core principles detailed on the The Golf Course website promises:

• increased revenue through the development of greater year round playability
• reduced costs through more efficient practices and reductions in unnecessary inputs
• enhanced nature on the course, which has been shown to be a draw to potential customers
• improved relations with the community, through promotion of social responsibility, local co-operation and by broadening the potential market for golf.

Golf’s intimate relationship with its environment requires courses around the world to build resilience into their future operations.  The new website encourages a four-fold process of developing and maintaining high standards of playing performance, building financial security, protecting and enhancing natural ecosystems and promoting the game’s environmental benefits to wider, non-golfing audiences.

The Open Championship provides a showcase for nature conservation.  Royal St George’s Golf Club, the venue for The Open 2011, is renowned not only for the quality of its golf course but also for the importance of its sand dune and coastal grassland ecosystems.  The sensitivity of this land is taken into account both in the preparation for, and throughout, golf’s oldest Major.  The R&A produces a booklet, which is available throughout the week of the Championship, detailing the nature and ecology, and the steps taken to protect and preserve it, throughout the hosting of an Open.

For more about how golf courses can become more profitable, for the business, the environment and the community, and to find out how The R&A employs environmental best practice at The Open each year, please visit www.randa.org/TheGolfCourse