New Edition of Sustainable Golf Development Guidelines
First released in 2010, this updated edition of the guidelines brings together over 55 innovative examples and compelling insights from leading figures in golf development from across the globe demonstrating why golf continues to be more than a game.In recent years, the sport has shown that it is adapting to address future challenges, and new projects are pushing the boundaries of conventional golf course design. The examples within this new edition have come about to meet challenges faced, such as resource availability, personal time constraints, tighter land restrictions and increasing social challenges. This next generation of golf developments are delivering greater benefits for their social and natural environments whilst providing multiuse recreational facilities for all generations.Endorsed by many of the major industry associations in golf development and sustainability, the guidelines examine the process of realising a golf development from site selection right through the design and construction process to opening day and beyond. The guidelines compliment the OnCourse® Developments programme’s ethos by being open and applicable to every kind of proposed golf course from large resort developments to smaller scale golf facilities.Sam Thomas, Manager of Golf Development at GEO explained: ‘Since 2010, the industry has moved forward at pace and there have been so many great examples of sustainable golf development. The guidelines have been refreshed to include these new real-world examples and also to more closely align with the current dialogue in the sustainability world; along with last year’s release of the International Voluntary Standard and OnCourse®Developments programme for golf developments.’In this publication are examples of river restoration in the South of Portugal; Zero chemical construction and maintenance in the Caribbean and Scandinavia; renovation with 33% reduction in resource consumption in the U.S. and support for local communities and education in South America. This whole world view of sustainable golf development and the alignment with the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals is vital to the continued growth and prosperity of the sustainable golf development movement.View the full story and download the guidelines here.