GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING

            i)        What provision for environmental aspects is there in the existing golf course management programme?

            ii)       Does the club have any stated policies, written or otherwise, regarding environment and conservation?

            iii)      Do these cover the whole site or just particular areas or management activities?  For how long have they been in operation?

            iv)      What, procedures, controls and review periods are in operation?  Who is responsible for environmental programme and how is it communicated to other staff?

            v)       Are there any regulatory constraints operating with respect to environmental matters: e.g. protected habitats or species, limits on water use, prohibited use of pesticides, planning conditions etc.?

            vi)      Is there any control on the management of the golf course by outside agencies: e.g. planning authorities, water authorities, environmental protection agencies etc.?

            NATURE CONSERVATION

            i)        Wildlife habitats found within the site: location, distribution and areas

            ii)       Local context; surrounding habitats and landuses, biogeographical situation, soils, hydrology, climate, site history: e.g. previous land use

            iii)      Flora and fauna; key groups/species present; what information sources are available?  Scope for further study/monitoring; are there any members or local specialists, or conservation groups, who could carry out species surveys?

            iv)      Habitat/species management measures already undertaken, or being planned

            LANDSCAPE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

            i)        Presence of archaeological or historical features on or near the site

            ii)       Landscape characteristics of site and local context

            iii)      Style, type and function of buildings on the site

            iv)      Details of programme for planting trees, shrubs and flowers - use of native species

            v)       Style, placing and materials of golf course furniture and signs

            WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

            i)        Irrigation programme; aims and objectives, controls, recording and review process

            ii)       Technical details; source and quality of water, storage facilities, quantities used, areas watered, methods and controls (timing, frequency, flow checks, coverage efficiency, equipment maintenance), use of wetting agents, monitoring rootzone moisture content

            iii)      Conservation measures planned or already undertaken; potential for use of recycled water, increased storage, reduction in quantities used, relating to weather conditions, more efficient application methods and controls

            iv)      Water quality monitoring procedures for surface water bodies and groundwater; chemical analyses, use of bio-indicators

            v)       Water quality safeguards: e.g. buffer strips, no-spray zones, drainage, filtration areas, holding ponds, closed systems

            TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT

            i)        Turfgrass Varieties (appropriate selection for different uses soils, climate and maintenance procedures)

            ii)       Cultural Management (physical activities - mowing, aeration, top dressing etc.)

            iii)      Turfgrass Nutrition (fertiliser: application programme, quantities and types used, methods, frequencies and areas of application)

            iv)      Turfgrass Health (disease and pest control: scouting, threshold levels, cultural, biological and chemical strategies employed)

            WASTE MANAGEMENT

            i)        Legal compliance with environmental protection regulations

            ii)       Containment and disposal of hazardous products; turf chemicals, fuels, waste products (washings, grass clippings)

            iii)      Re-using and recycling policies: e.g. composting grass clippings

            ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND PURCHASING POLICIES

            i)        Fuel saving measures

            ii)       Heating, lighting, air-conditioning

            iii)      Equipment maintenance and cleaning

            iv)      Use of environmentally friendly paper and printing processes

            v)       Sourcing environmentally preferred materials

            vi)      Packaging

            vii)     Transportation policies - reducing vehicle movements to and from the golf course; local provenance of supplies

            EDUCATION AND THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

            i)        What professional qualifications are required of greenstaff?

            ii)       What provision is made for in-house environmental management training of employees: i.e. greenstaff plus other employees?

            iii)      Use of external professional advisers

            iv)      Continuing professional development programmes - e.g. sending staff on training courses, distance learning facilities, use of Internet facilities, library of reference material

            v)       Working environment: condition of maintenance and greenkeepers’ facilities, health and safety measures

            COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS

            i)        What information or interpretative material is available concerning environmental issues related to the golf club?

            ii)       How is this information made available to staff, club members, other visitors, local community, local authority, local environmental groups?

A number of these categories may cover more than just the golf course.  Aspects such as waste management, energy efficiency, purchasing policies and the working environment, are highly relevant to the operation of the club house, pro-shop, restaurant and other buildings on the property.  As you progress with the environmental review, try to make it as comprehensive as possible.  Not only will this make it more interesting, as you come to appreciate the wider environmental aspects of golf course management, but it will also provide a much sounder basis for developing a properly integrated management programme.

6          AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Once the Environmental Review has been completed you will be able to go on to defining a specific management programme. The Environmental Management Plan should aim to fulfil the overall environmental goals of the “Committed to Green” programme in a context appropriate to the site in question and compatible with the normal operational management of the golf course.  The way in which this is structured will lead clubs towards achieving “Committed to Green” recognition. 

Recommended format for an Integrated Management Plan

It is important to document your management programme.  Written management policies, targets and records of implementation are vital to long-term, efficient management.

1             Define overall management objectives to place environmental targets within golf course context

2             Define management Zones around the golf course.

3            Identify appropriate Best Management Practices for each Management Zone.  These should include:

n    Measures to reduce any harmful environmental effects highlighted by the Environmental Review

n    Potential environmental enhancement measures and a suitable programme for implementation

4             Define performance targets within given timescales.

5             Identify personnel to be responsible for particular management operations, ensuring that they are appropriately qualified for the tasks required, or that sufficient prior training will be provided.

6             Devise regular monitoring programme, with defined baseline parameters on which to determine progress and effectiveness of management operations.

7             Establish efficient recording system.  This must be simple and repeatable, so that like-for-like measurements can be taken in subsequent years to record actual progress.

Auditing and review

Environmental improvements do not happen overnight.  If you are starting from scratch, we suggest you allow three years to get your programme up and running before you carry out your first full progress review.  Certainly, during this period there should be regular monitoring to ensure things are kept on track.  However, three years is a reasonable average timescale over which to measure significant improvements in environmental performance.

7          ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

This section looks at some of the practical points to consider and possible measures you may wish to implement.  It is not realistic to envisage all the environmental enhancement opportunities likely to occur on golf courses across Europe, so this is just a selection of ideas to give a flavour of the scope of the programme.  Some are simple, introductory measures, others will be more appropriate for clubs which are already operating some form of environmental management programme.  

Detailed technical guidance can be found in a number of existing publications in the general environmental literature.   Much of this can be applied to golf courses and there are some references aimed more specifically at course managers - see Appendix I.  It is also worth checking with your National Ecology Officer for recommended publications.   Guidelines covering each of the technical categories for “Committed to Green” will be published by the EGA Ecology Unit in due course.

To those new to this subject, the range of possible environmental measures may seem overwhelming, even frightening.  This is not the intention.  Every golf course has its own particular circumstances and the environmental programme has to be tailored accordingly.  We want the exercise to be challenging and environmentally worthwhile, but the specific requirements must always be realistic, attainable and appropriate to the golf course in question.

The best approach is likely to build up the programme in phases.  Start with the categories of most immediate interest, or where you feel you can make most progress.  Once the first objectives have been attained, you can set new goals.  In this way you will be committing to continual improvement. 

Although the following management points are presented under separate category headings, in reality there is considerable overlap.  For example, a measure to improve waste management may also benefit water quality and in turn nature conservation.  A truly integrated approach to golf course management will recognise these interactions, and bind seemingly different actions into a unified programme.

Nature conservation

There are many ways of encouraging wildlife on golf courses.  Quite often this is best done through relaxing management on certain areas, rather than engaging on complex intervention measures.  Regeneration and succession are natural processes.  They do not need to be designed or forced, they will occur according to the prevailing conditions.  The best general conservation policy is to think first in terms of managing people rather than wildlife.  Only when you have a more detailed understanding of the ecology of your golf course, should you contemplate more direct actions, such as creating new habitats, or modifying existing ones.

·       Wildlife sanctuaries:  Identify suitable out-of-play areas which can be designated as wildlife sanctuaries.  These core, undisturbed areas will provide valuable sources of cover, food and nesting habitat.  The priority management should be to ensure that the habitats are adequately protected from disturbance, fire or rubbish dumping.  It may also be necessary to control the spread of invasive, non-native plants if they threaten to smother the natural vegetation.

·       Corridors:  Most of the mobile species inhabiting sanctuary areas will also utilise the golf course proper, as well as habitats on neighbouring properties.  Sanctuaries are not self-contained islands.  Their effectiveness can be considerably enhanced by ‘support’ habitats in the form of inter-connecting corridors: e.g.  a tree line, hedgerow, ditch, or strip of uncut grass.  It may not be practicable to establish continuous corridors but a series of small habitat ‘stepping stones’ can serve a useful function.

·       Buffer zones:  The effectiveness of wildlife sanctuaries and other habitat features, such as lakes and ponds, will be improved by a protecting buffer zone.  This is an intermediate area which is not of high ecological interest in itself, but is less intensively managed that the in-play areas.  Buffer zones help to cushion the core area from disturbance, or in the case of rough grass strips around lake margins, they help prevent chemical run-off into water bodies.

·       Wetlands:  Water bodies on golf courses are often among the most important habitat features.  Their effectiveness can be greatly improved by providing shallow, sloping edges and allowing a band of marginal vegetation to grow.  If this is not suitable for the entire water’s edge, because a water body comes into play, try to leave at least part of the pond or lake edge in a more natural condition.  It should at least be possible to establish some floating-leaved and submerged aquatic plants. 

·       Nest-boxes:  On golf courses where there are relatively few natural nesting sites, nest-boxes can be a considerable benefit to several small bird species - and bats.  But even on courses where more suitable habitat exists, nest-boxes can serve a useful purpose in building awareness of your conservation programme among members and visitors.  A few sited close to the club house, perhaps complemented in winter with a feeding station, can be a point of added interest.  Checking the numbers and species using nest-boxes is a simple and effective means of monitoring your conservation programme over the years.

Landscape and cultural heritage

The environment is more than simply clean air and clean water.  It is a question of being in harmony with nature, using natural materials such as stone, slate and wood.  It is also good environmental thinking to create a harmonious visual environment and show respect for aesthetic values, good design and choice of colour and textures.  Indeed, where it has been long-established, golf itself is part of the cultural heritage, and old golf courses are an integral component of the local landscape.

·       Structure and pattern:  Take a look at your golf course in its wider setting.  Does it blend into the local environment, or are there incongruous features which clash with the background structure and pattern of the landscape?  This assessment could give you an appreciation of planting or screening requirements, or the need to remove unsightly or inappropriate features.

·       Colours and textures:  In the selection of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses, it is important to ensure they are as complementary as possible to the existing vegetation.  Indigenous species are preferable to exotic ones.  Ideally you should choose species that would naturally occur in your particular locality.  In choosing sand for bunkers, it is better to select a type which does not contrast glaringly with the natural ground colour.

·       Materials:  Golf course furniture, built structures and paths can be visually jarring and add to the sense of an artificially created landscape .  Wherever possible these should use natural materials and colours which blend into their setting.   On open sites, try to locate signs, bins, ball-washers and the like, so that they do not protrude above skylines, or clutter long views.

·       Cultural heritage:  Recorded archaeology represents only a fraction of the sites and features likely to exist in the countryside.  Most golf courses are likely to contain features of historical interest.  A starting point is to carry out a heritage survey to identify the precise limits and nature of archaeological sites or historic landscape features.  This will provide a valuable basis for reviewing management and development options.  Even below ground features can be damaged by compression from heavy machinery, or from earth moving or planting.

Water resource management

To have an effective water management programme should be the priority goal for all golf clubs.  For most it is a question of conserving water resources and reducing quantities used.  Not only is this a responsible approach to an issue of major public concern, it is also the most sensible economically and for the golf course itself.  Inefficient irrigation, especially over-watering, is probably the primary cause of poor turf management on European golf courses.  Invasive weeds, disease problems and then reliance on chemical treatments, often stem from bad irrigation management.  This can lead to risks of surface or ground water contamination and potentially regulatory infringements.   Where water supply is not a problem, drainage often is.  To manage water correctly is, therefore, vital to successful golf course management and environmental protection.

·       Water conservation:  The first step should be to know how your irrigation system is set up and exactly how much water is used.  Although there will be variations year on year depending on weather, you should have enough data to establish normal levels of use.  This will be your base-line for checking future progress.  Consider the following points:

n    Are you using the best adapted turf cultivars for the climatic region in which your golf course is situated?  Advances in turfgrass breeding are producing many more drought-resistant cultivars suitable for golf courses.

n    Is irrigation confined only to crucial playing areas?  Set water priority areas, to identify those requiring little or no supplementary irrigation.

n    Introduce a regular checking and repair system for leaks, faulty sprinkler heads etc.

n    Assess opportunities for using alternative water sources that have the least impact on local water supplies and water quality.

n    Investigate possibilities for increasing water storage provision.

n    Fine tune irrigation practices to maximise efficiency: regularly monitor soil moisture levels, avoid irrigating in windy conditions or during day time, check pump performance, use half-circle sprinklers where applicable and ensure that configuration of sprinkler heads and nozzle sizes provide uniform coverage.

n    Check that products and irrigation system are suited to the locality and soil type.

n    Ensure that appropriate personnel are properly trained to operate your irrigation system.

n    Seek advice from professional, independent irrigation and drainage specialists.

n    Use Evapo-transpiration rates and weather data to adjust irrigation programme.

n    Hand water small dry areas to prevent over-watering adjacent areas.

n    Use drought-tolerant plants and mulch in landscaping areas.

n    Create screens and windbreaks in exposed places to reduce evaporation losses.

·       Water quality management:  It is quite common to see turbid and algae-choked water bodies on golf courses.  However, with careful management these problems can be avoided and high water purity levels achieved.  This is good aesthetically, for wildlife and for the wider environment.  A key principle is to aim to minimise nutrient input to aquatic systems.  Points to consider include:

n    Create vegetative buffers around water bodies to filter run-off and reduce erosion.

n    Determine no-spray zones around water bodies.

n    If mowing close to water’s edge, ensure clippings do not spill onto the water body - this is a frequent, unnecessary source of additional nutrient input.

n    Ensure that water outflow is filtered before entering off-site water courses

n    Set up regular monitoring system for surface water and groundwater.  This should consider sampling methods, frequency, locations and the variables to be tested.

n    Monitor populations of aquatic invertebrates and amphibians inhabiting the water bodies - these serve as bio-indicators of water quality.

Turfgrass management

The essentials of turfgrass management are to maintain minimum but adequate soil fertility, apply plenty of mechanical treatments and to control soil moisture levels through good drainage, adequate irrigation and appropriate top dressing.  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecologically based programme to prevent, or to limit, unacceptable levels of pest damage, using a combination of cultural, biological and chemical controls.  IPM first takes a preventative approach, using sound cultural practices, regular scouting and monitoring of turf and environmental conditions, and the setting of damage thresholds.  Chemical management practices are normally then used on a curative basis, and only where necessary.

·       Turfgrass varieties: 

n    Select turf species appropriate for the climate and soils, and which are least demanding for water

·       Cultural practices: 

n    Employ cultural practices to increase turf health and deal with underlying problems or conditions

n    Reduce turf stress by  traffic management and avoiding too low mowing heights

·       Turfgrass nutrition: 

n    Use slow release or natural-organic fertilisers

·       Pest monitoring and management:

n    Identify local disease, insect and weed  problems

n    Establish a regular scouting and monitoring programme to check turf quality, moisture levels, soil fertility and for signs of pests and diseases

n    Set threshold levels

n    Keep written records of monitoring activities, control measures used and results

n    Choose least toxic pest controls

n    Limit pesticide applications by treating affected areas only; spot treatment rather than spraying and using non-chemical methods whenever possible.

Waste management

Good golf course management does not end with turf care.  It is important to review the complete cycle of operations involved.  There is an important legal dimension here, with the need for compliance with Environmental Protection and Health and Safety Regulations.  Waste management is a vital topic and one which many golf courses need to examine more closely.  Poor attention to detail here can undo good work done on the turf management side.

·       Maintenance facility and pesticide safety: 

n    Store and handle chemicals in accordance with all legal and label requirements

n    Ensure adequate containment facilities for spills and leaks and that mopping up and safety equipment is close to hand

n    Properly care for and store equipment

n    Keep maintenance facility in an orderly appearance and good repair

·       Equipment cleaning:  It is best to use first compressed air and then low pressure water hoses for cleaning mowers and other machinery.  This reduces the likelihood of grease and oil being washed off, as well as saving on water use.

·       Wash water:  Waste water from maintenance facility washpads, containing a mixture of clippings, oil, fuel and pesticides needs careful treatment.  Simple oil-separators can be used to good effect.  Basket filters can remove much of the solid waste.  Remaining water should be passed through a filtration area and detention pond before eventual discharge.

·       Grass clippings:  These are a major waste product from golf courses.  They should not be dumped in natural habitat areas, nor allowed to enter aquatic systems.  Arrange a system to collect and store clippings in a designated site, which will not lead to ground water contamination.  Several golf clubs have experimented with composting clippings.  The end products can be used successfully on landscaped areas, either on the golf course, or on local properties but are usually too coarse for use as top dressing on playing surfaces.

·       Reusing and waste sorting:  Golf course maintenance yards are often like untidy farm yards and building sites - strewn with discarded material and equipment, much of which could be serviceable if collected and properly stored.  Genuine waste should be gathered, sorted and disposed at official sites.  Chemical containers should be disposed as per label instructions.

Energy efficiency and purchasing policies

Energy efficiency and purchasing policies are other areas which may at first seem remote from golf course management, but which have the potential to offer substantial cost benefits and environmental improvements.  There are many innovative opportunities here.  For example, Ljunghusens Golf Club in Sweden provides extra golf bag storage space during the school holiday periods, so junior players can cycle to and from the golf course rather than relying on being taken and collected in their parents’ cars.  This simple measure saves a large number of car journeys over the summer.

·       Fuel and energy consumption can be made more efficient through regular maintenance and checking of equipment and machinery, as well as heating, lighting and air-conditioning systems.

·       When replacing, or upgrading golf course equipment and machinery, specify models which are more fuel-efficient and which run on more environmentally friendly fuels.

·       Consider electric-powered golf carts rather than petrol driven ones.

·       In all purchasing decisions, from golf course equipment to office stationery, try to find environmentally preferred alternatives from local suppliers.  It may not always appear practical or cost-effective to choose the greener option, but in most cases the medium- and long-term savings will far outweigh any additional costs.  There is no harm in putting all purchasing decisions through a green filter.  If nothing else it alerts suppliers to environmental issues.

Education and the working environment

Central to good management is to have properly trained and motivated greenstaff.  All aspects of golf course management are evolving at a rapid rate and it is imperative that greenstaff are provided sufficient opportunities for continuing professional development.  

·       Training  Great strides have been made in recent years in the provision of training and education facilities for the greenkeeping profession.  There are many training options now available to golf clubs and greenkeepers, including open learning packages, as well as more structured courses and seminar programmes.  Training is an investment, vital for the industry as a whole as well as the individual employers.  It is a vital component of Best Management Practice and must be treated with the same degree of concern as all the other factors highlighted in this review.

·       The working environment  Having secured higher levels of competence, it is clearly necessary to ensure that the facilities and resources back at the golf course, enable this improved expertise to be used.    In many respects the quality of a golf course will be related to the working conditions and status of the greenkeeping staff.  Poor, run-down maintenance facilities and equipment are inefficient, potentially damaging to the environment (through spillages and discharges) and a disincentive to staff.

·       Safety on the golf course  compliance with Health and Safety legislation for employees, together with adequate safeguards and awareness for public and players on the golf course.

Communications and public awareness

By adopting an environmental policy statement and setting up your “Committed to Green Team” you have taken the first important steps in communicating your environmental commitment.  This is a vital topic: it is essential to keep people informed and interested in your programme, to coordinate between those most closely involved and to make sure the initiative is understood both within and outside the club.  There are many possible ways of building up awareness and some of these should be among your first actions in the “Committed to Green” programme.  All of the following suggestions have been done on golf courses around Europe, in some cases in a very simple, low key way, while others have produced extremely sophisticated material.

·       Include regular features on your environmental project in the club newsletter.

·       Use the notice board to announce particular management projects, or inform about recent wildlife sightings.

·       Produce a poster or leaflet, or even a small book about the natural heritage of the golf course.

·       Make “Committed to Green” a theme for a members’ evening and invite local environmental specialists to talk about the findings of your golf course environmental review.

·       Inform the local press about conservation projects taking place on the golf course.

·       Name each golf hole after wildlife species found on the golf course.

·       Commission a series of interpretative plaques to be located at strategic points around the golf course.

·       Erect signs to mark sanctuary boundaries or highlight points of interest. 

It can be especially valuable to place signs or other information where public rights of way cross, or abut onto the golf course.  Environmental actions should be highlighted and augmented for participants and spectators at tournaments and other special events.  These extra initiatives can help raise public awareness that your golf club is actively helping to protect the environment.

8          GOING FOR RECOGNITION

All the way along, “Committed to Green” is a voluntary programme under the control of the participating golf clubs.  As long as environmental improvements are taking place, the initiative is working.  However, we hope you will not stop just there.  A vital part of “Committed to Green” is to improve public awareness about the environmental attributes of golf, and hopefully to encourage others to become environmental stewards.

We also believe that clubs which are doing good environmental work, should receive public recognition for their efforts.  This will be good for golf and an incentive for those taking part.  In the USA, the certification programme of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System has proved very popular.  It is not easy to be come fully certified as a Cooperative Golf Course Sanctuary but over 100 US golf clubs have reached this point.  It is a respected mark of achievement. 

In a similar vein, European golf clubs now have the opportunity to become recognised through “Committed to Green”.   This will be a European level award.  Although conceptually akin to fully certified status under the Audubon system, “Committed to Green” recognition includes a number of points specifically designed for European acceptance.  There are three principal elements:

Environmental Statement:  When satisfactory progress has been attained in implementing the Environmental Management Programme (normally after the first three-year audit), an Environmental Statement should be prepared.  This should incorporate the following information:

n         description of environmental attributes of the golf course;

            n         details of the club's environmental policies and management programme;

            n         results obtained

            n         new targets for next reporting period (typically 3 years)

            Effectively this is an amended version of the management plan, incorporating results and analysis.  It need not be a sophisticated document in terms of production, but it should be set out clearly and thorough in its content. 

            Verification:  The Environmental Statement will need to be submitted for independent verification.  This is an important concept.  If the recognition process is to have any real credibility it must be open for independent review.  Verification can be done by any professionally qualified environmental consultant, or independent environmental organisation, provided they have not previously been involved in advising the golf club on its environmental programme.

            Publication:  Once the Environmental Statement has been officially verified, it should be made publicly available as the final condition for the award of full “Committed to Green” status. 

To apply, clubs should submit their candidature via their national golf federation, who will forward the application to the EGA Ecology Unit. A panel of international experts from golfing and environmental organisations will review all applications and confirm the final  “Committed to Green” awards for environmental excellence.  Deadline dates will be announced each year.

This is not the end of the road.  Remember, a pivotal feature of “Committed to Green” is continual improvement.  You cannot be “Committed to Green” through a one-off effort.  Hopefully, once you are up and running, it will only seem natural to continue the programme and to build on your initial success. 

Please note: “Committed to Green” recognition has an expiry date.  Three years after receiving formal recognition, clubs will be asked to reapply to maintain their “Committed to Green” status.  Provided the Environmental Management Programme is still on track and stated targets are being met, then renewal will be no problem.  However, it is vital for the long-term credibility of the campaign that clubs which fail to maintain and improve their environmental performance, can lose their “Committed to Green” recognition.

9          NEW GOLF COURSES

A particular area of concern for environmentalists in recent years has been the impact of new golf course developments.  This has been the primary focus of much of the opposition to golf.  In 1992 the European Golf Association produced a report, Environmental Guidelines for Golf Course Development in Europe.  This has since been updated and is currently under further review in collaboration with the Federation of European Golf Course Architects and leading environmental organisations through the European Habitats Forum.

The application of these guidelines will form a basis for new golf course projects to lead into the “Committed to Green” programme.  This should be a powerful means for ensuring that promised environmental measures are properly implemented.

“Committed to Green” recognition can only be awarded to existing facilities on the basis of confirmed achievements.  In the case of new golf courses this would be at the time of the course opening provided the following requirements are met:

·       Environmental factors (notably nature conservation, landscape protection and water resources) to be taken fully into account in site selection, design and construction.

·       An Environmental Assessment to be undertaken for the entire project, to identify potential environmental constraints (and enhancement opportunities), to predict the nature and magnitude of impacts, and to propose appropriate mitigation and compensation measures.  This equates to the environmental review stage for existing golf clubs participating in “Committed to Green”.

·       A fully integrated management plan to be devised, in line with the “Committed to Green” format.

·       The project team to include a professionally qualified golf architect and environmental consultant.

The project submission for “Committed to Green” recognition will be subject to the normal verification requirements, as for existing golf clubs.   No recognition will be awarded at the planning stage - this system only works on the basis of real, validated achievements, not aspirations.  “Committed to Green” will, therefore, not be a tool to justify controversial development proposals.  Instead it will help to ensure that new projects that do go ahead, are developed in a sustainable manner.

10        MAJOR TOURNAMENTS

Major televised events are the principal focus of public attention towards golf.  They attract far greater audiences than just the golf playing population.  The way the host courses are presented has a massive bearing on perceptions of what makes a ‘good’ golf course.  This is a key part of the image of golf.

If the venues for major tournaments are seen to be managed with due consideration for the environment, this could be a powerful influencing force to encourage other clubs to think green.  Presentation of this environmental dimension through the strong media presence at such events, should further help build public awareness of golf’s concern for the environment.

Events are also potential sources of environmental impact.  Crowd control, transportation, use of resources, waste management, are all key issues.  Priority measures should be:

·       To ensure that environmental aspects are fully integrated into the planning and operation of the event.

·       To manage the golf course according to Best Management Practice principles.

·       To protect and, where possible, enhance natural heritage value.

·       To control the use of natural resources (water, energy, materials) in the most environmentally efficient way possible

·       To communicate the environmental initiative to staff, officials, competitors, sponsors, suppliers, contractors, spectators, media and the viewing public.

A tournament cannot be “Committed to Green” in the same sense as a golf club can be recognised for its environmental performance.  An event is not a tangible entity and it lasts for only a brief period of time - even if it has taken years to prepare.  But major tournaments can make a significant contribution to the “Committed to Green” campaign, through promoting good environmental practice.  For this message to be credible, it will be important for the event organisers to work closely with environmental specialists, to address the key points listed above.

The 1997 Ryder Cup Matches at Valderrama       [box feature]

Not only did the 1997 Ryder Cup provide the launch occasion for “Committed to Green”, it was also the first attempt at implementing an environmental approach across a wide range of activities.  Measures to ‘green’ the event formed an important part of the Ryder Cup, and ran in tandem with the environmental initiatives for Valderrama Golf Course.  The following aspects were addressed in an environmental context.

Transportation

The use of shuttle buses and coaches to transport 8,000 visitors to and from their hotels, plus a park and ride scheme, considerably reduced the amount of private car use in the vicinity of the golf course, thereby limiting congestion, noise and air pollution.

Waste management

The focus of this was a recycling operation sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company through their Good Sports Always Recycle campaign.  This identified PET plastic materials for cups and bottles, which can most effectively be recycled. The recycled cups and bottles, made from Eastapak ® Polymer, were recycled again for use in new applications, such as clothing and packaging.  Anticipated volumes, preferred collection container designs, locations and emptying schedules were all taken into account.  Limpiasol, the appointed cleaning and waste management company coordinated the collection and sorting of waste.

Materials management

Consuming less resources and materials offers environmental and cost benefits.  This theme embraced purchasing policies for environmentally preferred materials, with the emphasis on reducing where possible and then seeking materials which can either be reused or recycled.  This covered items such as stationery, printing processes, signs, souvenirs, merchandise, etc.

Infrastructure and construction

As an existing facility, relatively little new construction was required at Valderrama.  New car parking facilities were built on sites already designated for future development.  Catering and hospitality centres were all temporary structures, sited to avoid removing mature trees. 

Energy efficiency

Additional mains power was brought to Valderrama by Sevillana de Electricidad S.A. using electricity generated at the new clean-burn natural gas power plant at Tarifa.  This meant less reliance on the usual diesel generators, and at the same time local electricity services were upgraded, thereby benefiting the wider community.  On the golf course,  many quieter, less polluting vehicles were used for official use: Toro “Workmen” and Club Car electric golf carts.

Communications and public awareness

Feature articles on “Committed to Green” were published in the official Ryder Cup Programme and the Daily Magazine.  Six interpretative panels on Valderrama’s wildlife and local ecology were on display around the course, and additional display panels at key entrance points announced the initiative.  A special Valderrama Environmental Statement was also published.  Environmental briefing notes were distributed to TV and radio commentators, and “Committed to Green” was formally launched at a press conference by EC President Jacques Santer.

11        HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED

Having read this handbook, we hope you now understand “Committed to Green”, what it involves, why it is important and the advantages, both for golf and for the environment.  The next step is to participate. 

Becoming a participating club

Environmental commitment is a result of positive action.  In order to receive the benefits and support services you will first need to adopt a “Committed to Green” policy statement and to formulate your initial “Committed to Green Team” - see First Steps, page 12.  At this point you are ready to apply to register as a participating club.

Support services

Your first line of contact is the Ecology Officer nominated by your national golf federation.  Contact addresses of each EGA member federation are given in Appendix II.  In countries where there is no Ecology Officer, the federation may pass your enquiry on to us at the EGA Ecology Unit.  Our contact details can be found on the back cover.

In addition to this handbook, as a registered participating golf club you will receive:

·       Draft media release announcing your involvement in the programme

·       A certificate of participation to display in the club house

·       Advisory support from the National Ecology Officer where applicable

·       Educational fact sheets concerning wildlife and environmental management issues

Regular news and information updates will be posted on the Ecology Unit’s web site.

What will it cost?

“Committed to Green” is not a subscription programme.  The key principles are participation and commitment. For clubs intending to follow the programme all the way through to recognition, there will certainly be some cost implications - as well as potential savings.  The actual amounts will vary considerably according to circumstances and it will be up to each participating club to decide in which way it wishes to implement the programme. 

Major cost items such as upgrading irrigation systems, replacing or investing in new machinery, staff training etc., should be part of the essential golf course maintenance programme, irrespective of whether you are participating in “Committed to Green”.  What we hope is that the environmental dimension will influence priorities and the selection of materials and systems.

Costs directly attributable to “Committed to Green” are most likely to be in the form of communications and interpretation materials, and fees for professional consultants.  Again these are a matter of choice for the clubs concerned.  If you can achieve your environmental targets using in-house expertise and materials, so much the better.  The process of Independent verification will normally involve professional fees.  However, this will be a one-off charge every three years for clubs wishing to apply for European level recognition. 

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The EGA Ecology Unit and the “Committed to Green” initiative are supported by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, PGA European Tour and European Golf Association.  The development of the project has been co-financed by the European Commission.

“Committed to Green” was launched on Sunday 28 September 1997 during the Ryder Cup matches at Valderrama Golf Club in Spain.  Accordingly we would like to thank Valderrama Golf Club, Ryder Cup Limited and the Royal Spanish Golf Federation.

Many individuals have contributed to the practical and technical development of this initiative and  have provided strong support and encouragement throughout.  Our thanks go to:

Jacques Santer, Marcelino Oreja, Tom Garvey, David Wright (European Commission)

Emma Villaceiros, Fernando Doussinague (Royal Spanish Golf Federation)

Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, Ramon Davilla, James Stewart, Jaime Olano, Eva Seitz-Kolm, Joy Lopez, Bill Bengeyfield, Albert Dorma, Martin Jacoby (Valderrama Golf Club)

Richard Hills, Scott Kelly, Edward Kitson, Barbara Seward (PGA European Tour and Ryder Cup Ltd)

Michael Bonallack, Tim Taylor (Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews)

Jim Snow, Kimberley Erusha, Mike Kenna (United States Golf Association Green Section)

Ron Dodson, Charles Peacock, Max Terman (Audubon International).

Jeremy Pern (Federation of European Golf Course Architects)

Tomas Spjuth (Swedish Golf Federation)

David Chernushenko (Delphi Group, Canada)

Dr James Watson (The Toro Company)

Mel Pyatt (Volvo)

Participants in the technical working meetings held on 26 February 1997 in Paris, and 26-27 June 1997 in Copenhagen:  Jöel de Montalier, Oshani Perera, Tim Richman (Atelier Vert), Pascal Barktowski (Golf National), Kim Sintorn, (Swedish Golf Federation), Paolo Croce (Italian Golf Federation), António Gonçalves Henriques (Portuguese Golf Federation), Bob Taylor (STRI), Jonathan Smith (Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Project), Jan Van de Made (Netherlands Golf Federation/University Wageningen), Gunther Hardt (German Golf Federation), Hanne Jespersen, Mette Pedersen, Torben Søndergaard (Danish Golf Union).

APPENDIX I

FURTHER READING

Audubon International (1996)

A Guide to Environmental Stewardship on the Golf Course - Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System.  Audubon International, Selkirk NY.

Brennan A-M (1996)

Living Together - Golf and Nature in Partnership.  English Golf Union.

Chernushenko D. (1994)

Greening our Games - running sports events and facilities that won’t cost the earth. The Delphi Group, Ottawa.

European Golf Association Ecology Unit (1995)
An Environmental Strategy for Golf in Europe. Pisces Publications, Newbury.

European Golf Association Ecology Unit (1995)
Environmental Guidelines for Golf Course Development in Europe: Revised edition. European Golf Association

European Golf Association Ecology Unit (1996)

An Environmental Management Programme for Golf Courses.  Pisces Publications, Newbury.

European Golf Association Ecology Unit (1997)

Valderrama Environmental Statement. European Golf Association

Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and European Golf Association (1997)

A Course for All Seasons .  R&A St Andrews.

Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Group (1997)

Golf’s Natural Heritage: An Introduction to Environmental Stewardship on the Golf Course (revised edition). Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Group.

Taylor R S (1995)

A Practical Guide to Ecological Management of the Golf Course.  British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association and the Sports Turf Research Institute.

APPENDIX II

ADDRESSES OF EGA MEMBER FEDERATIONS

Österreichischer Golf-Verband
Haus des Sports
Prinz-Eugen Strasse 12
A-1040 Wien
AUSTRIA

Tel          +43 1 505 32 45

Fax         +43 1 505 49 62

Fédération Royale Belge de Golf
Chaussée de la Hulpe 110
B-1000 Bruxelles
BELGIUM

Tel          +32 2 672 23 89

Fax         +32 2 672 08 97

Croation Golf Association
(Hrvatski Golf Savez)
Hotel Esplanade
Mihanoviceva 1
HR-10000 Zagreb
CROATIA

Tel          +385 1 45 66 631

Fax         +385 1 45 77 907

Czech Golf Federation
Erpet Golf Center
Strakonickà 510
15 000 Prague 5 - Smichov
CZECH REPUBLIC

Tel          +42 2 544 586

Fax         +42 2 544 586

Dansk Golf Union
Idraettens Hus
Brondby Stadion 20
DK-2605 Brondby
DENMARK

Tel          +45 43 26 27 00

Fax         +45 43 26 27 01

English Golf Union
The National Golf Centre
The Broadway
Woodhall Spa
Lincolnshire LN10 6PU
UNITED KINGDOM

Tel          +44 1526 354 500

Fax         +44 1526 354 020

Estonian Golf Association
Mustamäe tee 165-10
EE0029 - Tallinn
ESTONIA

Tel          +372 6 466 090

Fax         +372 6 410 479

Finnish Golf Union
Radiokatu 20
FIN-00093 SLU
FINLAND

Tel          +358 9 348 122 44

Fax         +358 9 147 145

Fédération Française de Golf
69 avenue Victor-Hugo
F-75783 Paris Cedex 16
FRANCE

Tel          +33 1 44 17 63 00

Fax         +33 1 44 17 63 63

Minitel     3615 FFGOLF

Deutscher Golf Verband e.V.
Postfach 2106
D-65011 Wiesbaden
GERMANY

Tel          +49 611 99 02 00

Fax         +49 611 99 02 040

Hellenic Golf Federation
PO Box 70003
GR-166 10 Glyfada
Athens
GREECE

Tel          +30 1 89 41 933

Fax         +30 1 89 43 721

Hungarian Golf Association
c/o Mr Tibor Aracs
Pellérdi u. 55
H-7634 Pecs
HUNGARY

Tel          +36 72 252 844 x 125

Fax         +36 72 252 844 x 173

Golfsamband Islands
Sport Center
Laugardal
IS-104 Reykjavik
ICELAND

APPENDIX III

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS

Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations

Umbrella group for greenkeepers' associations of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom

Secretariat
PO Box 42
13921 Varmde
SWEDEN

Tel          +46 8 570 19610

Fax         +46 8 570 19810

Federation of European Golf Course Architects

Umbrella group for British Institute of Golf Course Architects, Association Française d'Architects de Golf and European Society of Golf Course Architects

c/o British Institute of Golf Course Architects
Merrist Wood House
Worplesdon
Guildford
Surrey GU3 3PE
UNITED KINGDOM

Tel          +44 1483 236035

Fax         +44 1483 236037

Sports Turf Research Institute

Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 1AU
UNITED KINGDOM

Tel          +44 1274 565 131

Fax         +44 1274 561 891

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