St Andrews, Scotland: This year’s Sustainable Golf Week is taking place between November 11-15 and again provides a chance for people and organisations across the sport to celebrate the good that golf does in society.
This time, the week spotlights another key aspect of golf’s responsibility and its value in sustainable development, focusing on how golf serves, supports and strengthens communities.
With previous editions exploring other priority topics such as climate (#DrivingNetZero) and nature (#BetterwithNature), for 2024 the emphasis is on #GolfforCommunities.
Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation – the international non-profit that helps facilitate and co-ordinate the week, said: “Golf is not just a game. It’s a sector with the power to make a real difference in people’s lives.
“Serving and supporting people from a wide diversity of ages, backgrounds, and cultures in a wide variety of ways – that are often not well recognised. When it comes to sustainability, where equity is a central pillar, it’s not only about saving the planet, it’s about giving everyone a fair shot.
“And as much as golf gives people access to healthy lifestyles in fresh air and nature, there’s still open space for the sport to benefit more people in more ways.”
Alan Grant, Director of Partnerships at the Foundation, added: “Sustainable Golf Week is a time to celebrate, and also to stop and think about how golf can go even further to build fairer, greener communities – not just on the course, but in cities and towns everywhere. It’s about taking big swings for a better world!
“We invite everyone, no matter how large or small they think their contribution, to share stories and ideas about golf’s relationship with diverse communities around the world.
“To offer perspectives on the game’s strengths and weaknesses around such key topics, and to help inspire and guide the next key steps we can all take to maximise the sport’s positive impact. The more we all share, the more the world will know golf cares, and the more ideas and inspiration will be provided to others.”
During the week content will cover a raft of ways golf can and already does, contribute to society, including touch points on:
• Lifelong health, well-being and social interaction.
• Employment, investment and skilled careers.
• Volunteering and life-long education.
• Community outreach and charitable initiatives.
• Multi-functional use of land.
• Local environmental protection, nature restoration and nature-based solutions.
• Influence in low carbon, nature rich and circular economies.
• Golf as a source of inspiration for billions of people.
*Getting involved: You can find out more about the agenda for the week and access the Sustainable Golf Week Toolkit HERE.