Perhaps among sports all over the world, golf is often singled out for criticism for its negative impacts on the living environment. Maintenance costs of a beautiful golf course is normally enormous incurred from the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides. In US only, the total area of golf courses is equal to Costa Rica’s area, and each golf course consume about 50 million gallon of water each year, equivalent to water consumption of a village with 1,400 residents!
However, as sustainability activities have gained in popularity all over the globe, golf courses are becoming “greener and greener”. These sustainable golf courses will make major
contribution to adaptability to future challenges regarding nature, community and business factors. A non-profit organization named Golf Environment Organization (GEO) was even established to support and recognize its sustainability. According to Jonathan Smith, CEO of GEO, golf courses are now attempting to implement comprehensive sustainability schemes by managing golf training courses organically, reducing carbon dioxide emission and saving water resources. Ecological and environment-friendly development and management of golf courses are arousing interests among experts in field and golfers as well. Especially, high-net-worth golfers have their possession needs replaced by spiritual needs such as safety, social status, respect, self-assertion and self-ego. High-net-worth golfers are now more concerned over sustainability of their living environment than anyone else on the understanding that sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, according to the World Commission on Environment and Development in their article in Our common future, a book by the Oxford University Press published in 1987.
Bond Club would like to introduce the Top 5 environment-friendly golf courses gaining in popularity among successful golfers.
Belas Clube de Campo is a residential golf complex with an 18-hole golf course, designed by William “Rocky” Roquemore in 1998. The golf course, 18 holes of 6,380 metres in length, par 72, incorporates an excellent layout with fairways and greens situated in deep valleys providing golfers exceptional views of the local landscape. Especially, the golf course always pioneers in its sustainability initiatives to bring golfers a green and clean environment, and memorable experience.
In addition to initiative in water management to reuse water used for irrigation in drought areas, Belas plants a low-water-use grass to reduce water sprayer use and thoroughly monitors water uses. The maintenance and operational levels are subject to strict
environmental control from Planbelas (golf course Management Company), which keeps a Quality and Environment Integrated Management System in accordance with NP EN ISO 9001 and NP EN ISO 14001 standards.
The golf course gained a good reputation and has hosted many important national and international golf events, particularly the Senior Open de Portugal in 2011. Various sustainable initiatives were taken during the Senior Open de Portugal. In partnership with CAOS and Sociedade Ponto verde, the complete supply chain was analyzed on sustainable aspects. With all partners implementing a green strategy, the tournament was certified as a 100R (100% recycling) event. In addition to reducing waste and carbon footprint, water
management, sustainability in the entire supply chain and strong local community
involvement were strong proof points for the first sustainable golf event in Portugal.
Established in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong’s most famous organizations with a wide range of high-class sports entertainments and fund-raising charity schemes to support the community. It is regarded as one of symbols of Hong Kong’s prosperity, and developed to enhance the life quality of the future generations.
Since 1995, the exclusive club has added a golf course with view to turning it into a destination for high-net-worth golfers in Asia and Australia with not only perfect services but also ideal natural scenery in line with GEO’s criteria related to nature, scenery, water resource, vegetation, waste system, energy, training and knowledge sharing, and management program planning.
Staffs working at the golf courses are all trained in effective water management, living environment maintenance, waste reduction, pesticide treatment, energy use and
environment planning. The golf course also approaches the community to sponsor and develop sustainable projects such as solar power golf carts and solar-hybrid ferry. Moreover, the golf course implements a periodic environment news and releases environment document to improve golfers’ awareness.
Owned by the pop star pop Justin Timberlake, the par-72 golf courses is within only 15-minute distance from Memphis. Golfers will have a chance to experience the natural beauty of 4 waterfalls, winding creeks and 6 lakes.
Reopened in 2009, the golf course is incorporated with various sustainability initiatives such as an attempt to introduce local creatures and improve the living environment, a contributing factor to reduction of fertiliser use and maintentance. Wetlands are built and attract natural insects while drought-tolerant grasses are added. Furthermore, aquatic vegetation along the stream and ponds helps to protect water quality while irrigation system helps to filter pollutants from parking areas to cart ways. The sustainable approach helps the golf course to receive certification of Golf Environmental Organization.
With three golf courses with overview to Rockies Mountains and computer-controlled irritation system for water reuse, the five-star resort is awarded with Audubon
Sanctuaries certification for developing a diverse ecology system. Not only enjoying unique golf experience but golfers could also see wild animals in person from deer, rabbits to wolf, fox, bear and hawk.
Conversion from a mount for snow-skiers along with redesign of scenery in which half of total area is used for golf and the other half remains unchanged, 9-hole golf courses in Graubünden is one of favorite destination of high-net-worth golfers in Europe.
To preserve the beauty of a mountainous area with perfect natural scenery, Golf Klosters has co-operated with non-profit organizations WWF and Pro Natura. A group of environmental experts including stakeholders such as CEO, golf courses managers, local authorities and community representatives and other committee members are certified by the Golf
Environment Organization (GEO) to carry out environment management plans covering scenery, water resource, waste, energy, training courses to convey awareness among golfers. Sloping hillsides of the golf courses are planted with grass traditionally at the season end to preserve and open up opportunities for various rare plants, insects and animals.