London, England: The R&A has become a lead partner of the Golf Environment Awards (GEA).
The R&A will work alongside STRI (formerly known as the Sports Turf Research Institute) to bring greater credibility and recognition to what recognised as one of the most valued and established award programmes that directly promotes golf’s positive environmental standing.
The GEA provide the platform from which the golf industry can demonstrate environmental excellence in all its forms. This has been demonstrated by past finalists and can range from relatively simple but effective projects, to grand scale schemes.
The environment forms a key part of The R&A’s sustainability drive (forming an important element of its GreenLinks initiative for The Open), FEGGA’s statement on Responsible Golf Course Management, the OnCourse platform and the Golf Environment Organisation’s certification programme, GEO Certified.
Bob Taylor, Head of Ecology at STRI, said: “There is no better time to become involved in the Golf Environment Awards now that The R&A has come on board. They will bring fresh ideas, and enhanced recognition that will elevate environmental awareness and excellence at golf club level.”
Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability at The R&A, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Golf Environment Awards and celebrating the success of initiatives which have sustainability in golf as a primary consideration.”
STRI also thanked its existing sponsors for their continued support, including Ransomes Jacobson and Syngenta, both Executive Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.