Opening Golf to the World
The R&A is committed to delivering more sustainable Championships across the amateur and professional game. Working with venues, partners and local communities, we seek to reduce environmental impact, create social value and leave a positive legacy in places that host our events. This work is delivered through a range of initiatives and partnerships, including Greenlinks, The Open Water Initiative and The Open Legacy Fund.
GreenLinks
Greenlinks is the Sustainability Programme of The R&A’s Championships, including The Open, The AIG Women’s Open, and Amateur Championships held around the world.
It is a collective endeavour involving Patrons, Official Suppliers, contractors, venues, staff, volunteers, fans and local communities.
Together, we continue to innovate, share knowledge, and make progress each year, guided by our ambition to reduce our impact and leave a lasting legacy at every Championship.
It is a collective endeavour involving Patrons, Official Suppliers, contractors, venues, staff, volunteers, fans and local communities.
Together, we continue to innovate, share knowledge, and make progress each year, guided by our ambition to reduce our impact and leave a lasting legacy at every Championship.
The Open Water Initiative
The Open Water Initiative, delivered in partnership with Mastercard and the Priceless Planet Coalition, was launched in 2019 and has become a key part of how sustainability is brough to life across The R&A’s Championships.
Water Walls are available at Championship, providing unlimited free refills of chilled, purified local water. Reusable water bottles are available for purchase, with £1 from every sale supporting global forest restoration projects through the Priceless Planet Coalition.
Since its launch, the initiative has prevented the equivalent of more than 750,000, single-use plastic bottles from being used across Championships.
Water Walls are available at Championship, providing unlimited free refills of chilled, purified local water. Reusable water bottles are available for purchase, with £1 from every sale supporting global forest restoration projects through the Priceless Planet Coalition.
Since its launch, the initiative has prevented the equivalent of more than 750,000, single-use plastic bottles from being used across Championships.
The Open Legacy Fund
The Open Legacy Fund is an initiative run by The R&A to leave a positive and lasting impact on the local environment and communities in which The Open is staged.
Each year, we invite local community groups to apply for funding, which they think will have a beneficial impact on the local area, and the associated community groups.
Since its launch, we have funded projects meeting a wide range of community needs, both within and outside of sport.
Notable projects include:
Each year, we invite local community groups to apply for funding, which they think will have a beneficial impact on the local area, and the associated community groups.
Since its launch, we have funded projects meeting a wide range of community needs, both within and outside of sport.
Notable projects include:
- Funding the training of coaches, so that Portrush FC could launch their first disability football team
- Facilitating the expansion of environmental science education at Fife Council
- Developing a community walking tour around Portrush
- Purchase of a van for the St Andrews Community Reuse scheme
- Supporting biodiversity projects in Liverpool, Fife, Portrush and beyond
- Re-flooring the sports hall in two primary schools.
