Golf and sustainability: One with nature
Golf as an outdoor sport shows a strong connection to the far-reaching and important topic of sustainability, which Golf Sustainable highlights. Golf, in particular, is one of the sports that have a close relationship to this complex of topics. Golf Sustainable highlights and evaluates this socially relevant, far-reaching and topical subject area of increasing importance and places it in an international framework in its regular and cross-national reporting. Classic ecological issues such as environmental protection, nature conservation and animal welfare, as well as the effects of climate change on golf, are just as much the focus of attention at the golf courses scattered around the world as economic and social aspects.
Symbiosis of golf and nature
On the one hand, golf requires and consumes natural resources on the courses, which on the other hand can also have positive effects in many ways. Especially between the golf course itself and its natural environment with grasses, water, earth, wind and weather, the causality between golf and nature can be seen particularly clearly. If the environment is changed, the conditions on the golf course also change, such as the issue of water consumption or the appearance of the grass. The same is done in the opposite direction.
With its extensive and diverse range of topics, the magazine looks far beyond regional and national events in golf and focuses on a global and international golf market. In particular, this gives rise to the following questions relating to the ecological, economic and social aspects of sustainability, which are addressed by Golf Sustainable:
- How does golf use resources?
- What influence does golf or a golf course have on the people and society around it?
- How is golf reacting to the challenges and new circumstances resulting from climate change?
- To what extent does a golf course, tournament or golf project take account of gender, age or racial equality?
- What are the best practices?
Ecological sustainability
In addition to the efficient and responsible use of resources as well as moderate land consumption and efficient water management, there is a broad ecological remit in the golf market that is being promoted, for example, in European initiatives such as that of the R& A. Accordingly, sustainable agronomy with turfgrass management and greenkeeping education and training programs are equally important to perceive and meet perceived challenges of climate change, legislative changes and declining resource availability.
Sustainability standards on golf courses in conjunction with certificates (Golf & Nature, Golf Environment Organization, GEO, Audubon Society) must be strived for in the ecological aspects, as well as climate-neutral facilities with the smallest possible CO₂ footprint and the preservation and increase of biodiversity.
Economic sustainability
Economic variables include fair, durable as well as ecological working environments and products in the golf market around the key sectors of industry/equipment and tourism. An important role in this context is played by municipalities, public authorities, science with its research institutions and programs, politics and (sports) associations, which should create suitable framework conditions for golf and sustainability in the form of cooperation, initiatives, funding.
Professional sports in particular must also be measured in terms of sustainability at their events and tournaments together with their sponsors, and in this context they must launch and promote activities such as GreenLinks, The Open Water Initiative and The Open Legacy Fund in the UK. In addition, the media market should meet the increased need for information on the topic of sustainability.
Social sustainability
In the area of social and socioeconomic components, just as many prerequisites play a role in the implementation of sustainability in golf. Equal rights for both genders, races, cultures and age groups are just as much a part of this as the topic of inclusion.
Education within the framework of suitable training and further education opportunities, including scholarships in the area of sustainable fields of activity, extends the portfolio. And the topic of health with rehabilitation and prevention programs also occupies an important position in golf as an outdoor sport.
Further development and discourse as a goal
In summary, the goal of Golf Sustainable is that the online medium with its newsletters and social media channels should be seen as an international yardstick for assessing the status quo of sustainability in golf. On the other hand, Golf Sustainable would like to shed light on this very comprehensive and far-reaching field and classify it in front of a global golf market.
The exchange of information and the communication of this medium, which is based in southern Germany, become essential factors here, which would like to promote a further development of the topic and which should serve as a basis for discussion for future events around the topic of sustainability in golf. All according to the motto: golf and sustainability: one with nature.
