England Golf drives new sustainability commitment

England Golf has announced a new partnership with the GEO Foundation, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting sustainability in and through golf.

The partnership will promote the business benefits of good environmental management to England Golf’s 1900+ affiliated clubs. This includes a 25% discount on the subscription to OnCourse®, a custom made, web based programme for sustainable club and course management.

OnCourse® is part of a package of support and recognition being offered to help clubs meet their environmental and social responsibilities, and create strong, sustainable businesses.

Nick Pink, England Golf Chief Executive said: “Our goal is to help clubs unlock a range of new business opportunities by providing high quality guidance and tools and sharing best practice across the sport. We believe that OnCourse® will help clubs to embed sustainability into their operations, to discover new efficiencies and ways to enhance their courses.

“At the same time it will enable us to better measure and promote the real social and environmental value of golf in England.”

The partnership has developed from the GB&I Sustainability Group, made up of England Golf, Wales Golf, Scottish Golf, The R&A, the greenkeepers’ organisation BIGGA, GEO and Environmental Solutions International (ESi).

Details of the partnership and much more help around the topic can be found in theGreener Golf section of the England Golf website. The recently refreshed content has been compiled by England Golf in conjunction with ESi to offer simple guidance to help golf clubs to improve their environmental management and sustainability practices.

Steve Isaac, Director of Sustainability at The R&A, supported the new partnership: “This is exactly the kind of proactive leadership that The R&A is encouraging and supporting around the world of golf. It’s vital that we all embrace sustainability now, and that golf associations and clubs participate in practical, custom built programmes like this. It will help strengthen clubs themselves and the sport as a whole.”

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of the GEO Foundation, added: “We are extremely proud to partner with England Golf in the support of grass roots clubs and the sharing and promotion of results. The programme is also about helping golf champion its leadership role in the community.”

Clubs can sign up and be part of the sustainability drive at www.getoncourse.golf. All revenues from the modest OnCourse subscription are reinvested back into further club support, sharing and promotion of results.

Other forms of support and recognition include encouraging clubs to:
• enter the annual STRI Environmental Awards
• utilise the wealth of education available through partners such as BIGGA and the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA)
• engage with the high quality advisory support that is available to help in devising and delivering projects across specific themes such as ecology and habitat management, sustainable drainage, energy, water and waste management, and community engagement

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As an avid golfer since the age of eleven Dan lives and breathes all things golf.  With a current handicap of eleven he gets out and plays as often as his work life (and girlfriend) allows. Dan confesses to still being like a kid at Christmas when it comes to seeing the latest golf equipment. Having served as GolfPunk’s Deputy Editor, and resident golf geek for the past 13 years and working for golf's oldest brand, John Letters Dan brings to GOLF RETAILING an excellent understanding of the sector.