Golf Business News – Future-proofing golf courses to support the sustainability agenda
Kay Griffiths, Director, Leisure and Commercial at Savills, and Marylis Ramos, Director of Savills Earth Advisory, discuss ways golf operators can incorporate sustainability practices into their operations to ensure their long-term performance
Last year, we saw a huge increase in the number of rounds of golf played, with BRS Golf and GolfNow recording 25.6 million from 1,500 clubs, a 90% increase on pre-Covid levels. Amidst the continued popularity of golf, there is increasing pressure and a growing need for golfers to factor in sustainability practices in their operations to ensure long-term performance. So, how can the golf industry support the sustainability agenda?
Water management
It's no secret that climate change is causing severe weather all over the world. According to the United Nations, climate change is primarily a water problem characterized by worsening floods, rising sea levels, shrinking glaciers, wildfires and an increasing number of droughts.
These extreme weather events threaten sustainable development and biodiversity. Given these climate changes, the golf industry is exploring how to better understand its environmental impact and make changes to benefit society and the environment alike.
In accordance with R&A Golf Course 2030 Water Reportgolf courses have relied heavily on artificial irrigation over the past 40-50 years to maintain and improve turfgrass quality, which can lead to depleting water resources. Sustainable water management can reduce these effects and build resilience in communities and ecosystems.
To implement sustainable water use practices at golf clubs, the R&A Golf Course 2030 Water recommends the implementation of an on-site water action and management plan to monitor current water use and identify areas that would benefit from improved use through measures such as these. such as drainage, irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
A variety of living things, plants and animals
Golf course landscaping often comes with the use of chemical fertilizers and land washing, which can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and species loss, directly impacting biodiversity. This is where BNG's mandate plays a major role in ensuring that golf clubs improve the world they are in.
It's a very good practice
The golf industry is presented with opportunities and challenges in terms of environmental impact and land use. To be consistent with the UK's net zero goals, golf courses must enhance biodiversity and improve water management.
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