Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: Al Hamra Golf Club, the leading golf club in the Northern Emirates, has become the first golf club in the Middle East region to go fully plastic-free.

The golf course development owned by Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah’s premier developer, has eliminated all single-use plastic items from its premises, underlining its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Joining the global movement to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics and conserve the environment, Al Hamra Golf Club has partnered with the UAE-based ‘No More Bottles’ and eliminated all plastic bottles in addition to introducing high-quality water filtration solutions across the premises.

Featuring a par-72, 18-hole course, Al Hamra Golf Club, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, has replaced all plastic water bottles with branded glass alternatives for members and guests to use. These glass bottles will be cleaned, sterilised and refilled with the help of advanced environmentally friendly filtration units.

As part of greener and more sustainable introductions, the golf club has also eliminated the use of plastic across its operations including single-use plastic straws, stirrers and take away containers.

This follows the recent lead by the R&A who removed single-use plastic bottles at the 2019 Open Championship.

“At Al Hamra, we are committed to preserving the environment and promoting environmental best practices. The decision by Al Hamra Golf Club to eliminate single-use plastic, thereby becoming the first golf club in the region to do so, serves as a role model on how positive sustainability initiatives can be integrated,” said Christopher Hewett, Vice President-Hospitality and Leisure, Al Hamra Group.

“The move is even more laudable as it underlines the commitment of the club to conserve its eco-system, given its location by the Arabian Gulf and the Al Hamra Lagoon. The decision makes Al Hamra Golf Club a true pioneer in championing environmental sustainability,” he said.

Benoy Kurien, Group Chief Executive Officer of Al Hamra Group, added: “This new sustainable initiative is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who has urged to protect the natural beauty and environment of the Emirate. This is the first phase of our plastic-free initiative which will soon extend to our hotels, food and beverage outlets and marina.”

Carol Fraser, Managing Director of No More Bottles, said: “No More Bottles are delighted to announce our partnership with Al Hamra Golf Club as they work to achieve their sustainability goals. It is always great to see another organisation supporting a cause so close to our own.

“We are working towards reducing plastic bottles by distributing high-quality filtration systems across the UAE and we are proud that Al Hamra Golf Club has joined us in our efforts.”

Mark Chapleski, President of Troon International, who manage the club, said: “Al Hamra Golf Club has started a new sustainable initiative by being the first golf club to go plastic-free in the Middle East region. We commend the leadership at Al Hamra for supporting this environmentally positive initiative.”