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Golf Sustainable is an independent news platform, founded by Petra Himmel.

A crazy idea? Maybe. But now it is a global instit

A crazy idea? Maybe. But now it is a global institution in golf: The Amundi Evian Championship

32 years ago, the idea seemed almost impossible. A small Ladies European Tour event on the shores of Lake Geneva. Most industry experts believed the project would fail. Instead, it became one of the greatest success stories in global sports as one of the five majors in women's golf.

1️⃣ A long-term vision instead of short-term returns
From the very beginning, the ambition was to create a tournament that would still matter decades later.

2️⃣ Putting athletes before the event
Many tournaments are designed around sponsors. Evian was designed around the players. Exceptional hospitality, attention to every detail, support for caddies, coaches and media created a tournament family.

3️⃣ Excellence is found in the details
The Amundi Evian Championship is famous for its spectacular setting. Every element contributes to one coherent experience.

4️⃣ Investing in women's sport before it became fashionable
Long before gender equality became mainstream, Riboud and Bungert believed in the commercial and sporting potential of women's golf. The arrival of Amundi as title partner accelerated that commitment. Prize money has grown from US$4.5 million in 2021 to US$9.1 million in 2026.

5️⃣ Building an ecosystem, not just a tournament
The road to Evian begins long before players reach the major. The Amundi Evian Kids Cup and Juniors Cup introduce the world's best young golfers to the venue. Haeran Ryu is the perfect example. She won the Evian Juniors Cup in 2015. Eleven years later, she returned to set a new women's major championship scoring record with a brilliant 60 before lifting the trophy. Childhood dreams are connected with professional success.

For me The Amundi Evian Championship has become much more than a golf tournament. It demonstrates what is possible when leadership is guided by vision, consistency, excellence and genuine belief in women.

📷 Philippe Millereau
#Golf #WomensGolf #Leadership #SportsBusiness #SportsMarketing #EventManagement #WomenInSport #Diversity #BrandBuilding #GolfSustainable

⚡️ Can a world-class golf tournament run without d

⚡️ Can a world-class golf tournament run without diesel? The 2026 Genesis Scottish Open is proving that it can.

The DP World Tour is taking one of its biggest steps yet towards decarbonising tournament operations by replacing conventional diesel-powered infrastructure with an integrated renewable energy system at The Renaissance Club.

Here's how it works:

🔋 Two 250 kWh Green Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs), each equipped with an integrated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), form the heart of the tournament's new energy infrastructure. Positioned between the 1st and 15th holes, they provide reliable power for one of the busiest areas of the championship site.

📺 The hydrogen units supply electricity for the hospitality facilities around the 15th hole, the Genesis Public Lounge, the merchandise area and the large LED video screens—critical infrastructure that has traditionally relied on diesel generators.

☀️ For the first time, the Fan Village's main stage and the merchandise shop are powered entirely by solar energy, demonstrating how temporary event infrastructure can successfully transition to renewable electricity.

🔋 The integrated battery storage balances demand peaks, stores excess renewable energy and ensures a stable electricity supply throughout the tournament while reducing the need for backup generators.

🌍 The impact is measurable:
• Approximately 16,200 kg of CO₂e are saved compared with a conventional diesel-powered energy system.
• Even compared with the tournament's 2025 setup, emissions are expected to be reduced by around 600 kg CO₂e.
• At the point of use, green hydrogen produces zero carbon emissions—its only by-product is water.

The Genesis Scottish Open is demonstrating that renewable energy is no longer a concept for the future—it is ready to power major international sporting events today.
Foto: DP World Tour

#GolfSustainable #GenesisScottishOpen #DPWorldTour #GreenHydrogen #HydrogenPower #BatteryStorage #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Decarbonisation #SportsSustainability #ClimateAction #NetZero #Innovation #VisitScotland #GolfIndustry #FutureOfGolf

From groundwater to reclaimed water: Since July 8,

From groundwater to reclaimed water: Since July 8, the Evian Golf Resort has been completely self-sufficient when it comes to water management.

Through a partnership with Danone’s Evian bottling plant, treated industrial water is pumped via a five-kilometer pipeline to the Golf Academy and the golf resort, where it is used for irrigation.

“We made this decision 18 months ago,” explains Franck Riboud, Honorary President of the Danone Group, which also owns the Evian Golf Resort. “We wanted freedom, and now we have it.” When Riboud speaks of freedom, he is referring to the increasingly strict French regulations governing the use of groundwater for irrigating sports fields.

By installing a completely closed-loop system—which ensures full self-sufficiency for the golf courses—the golf club is no longer dependent on government regulations.

Fotos: The Amundi Evian Championship /Philippe Millereau, Petra Himmel
#amundi #evian #eviangolfresort #amundievianchampionship #lpga #let #professionalgolf #golfsustainable #SustainableGolf #watermanagement #greenkeeping #golf #golfer #womeningolf #resilience #innovation #water

The overall project is called “REUT” (Réutilisation des Eaux Usées Traitées)

At the Amundi Evian Championship meadows create ha

At the Amundi Evian Championship meadows create habitats for insects between the playing area. This is the backdrop of hole No. 18.

This is history: A winner's cheque worth 1,950.000

This is history: A winner's cheque worth 1,950.0000 US dollars for Hae-Ran Ryu. The KPMG Women's PGA Championship has made a statement: Equal pay and gender equality are relevant topics in golf.

Yes, there are still differences between the payouts for male and female golfers, but especially at the Majors, the gaps are closing. The KPMG Women's PGA Championship is the most recent striking example.

🔹 For the 2026 season, the prize money for the KPMG Women's PGA Championship has surged to $13.1 million. For context, the purse was just $10.4 million in 2025.

🔹 Narrowing the Divide: The men's PGA Championship currently sits at $20.5 million. While a gap still exists, it is shrinking at a record pace. At $13.1 million, the pay gap has been reduced to approximately 1.56x.

🔹 Equality by Exception: Unlike the regular tour, where the structural gap remains wider, these Majors are closing the gap massively. The Amundi Evian Championship has also increased the prize money to $ 9,1 million.

#Golf #KPMGWomensPGA #PGAChampionship #SportsBusiness #EqualPay #Leadership #LPGA #GenderEquality #womeningolf #femalegolfer #golf #prizemoney #golfsustainable

Foto: Scott Taetsch/PGA of America

#Golf #KPMGWomensPGA #PGAChampionship #SportsBusiness #EqualPay #Leadership #LPGA #GenderEquality

Prepared for extreme heat? Here’s what’s really ha

Prepared for extreme heat? Here’s what’s really happening out here - some personal impressions from the last days in Munich:

🤣 During my fitting session, the portable TrackMan keeps breaking down. At one point, we’re cooling it down with a wet towel just to get through. Poor thing.

😉 The early morning round starts at 6:30. The temperature is perfect, and the course is surprisingly busy. But once you finish, don’t expect coffee—like always, the club restaurant doesn’t open until ten.

😅 Wednesday’s tournament? The organisers wisely moved the start-up to 11 am instead of noon. That hour makes really all the difference in beating the heat.

🙁 The club secretary’s phone won’t stop ringing with buggy requests. The only snag: most of the clubs don't have enough buggies to go around.

😩 Water stations on the course are another story. On most courses, you only find a refill station after nine holes. If you want more, you’d better pack an extra bottle or two.

Conclusion: Extreme heat isn't just a health issue but also a management question. Clubs in cooler countries, which aren't used to heat, have to adapt to different playing times and consumer needs in the future.
Yes: This is also a business opportunity.

📷 Generated by AI

#golf #golfmanagement #transformation #adaptation #extremeheat #golfer #golfinglife #golfclub #extremeheat #golfplatz

What happens when world-class links golf meets a p

What happens when world-class links golf meets a perfectly closed ecological cycle? 🌿⛳️🌊

At Prince’s Golf Club on the Kent coast, they aren't just maintaining a stunning 27-hole Open Qualifying course—they are developing new dune habitats.

Course Manager Aaron Launchbury and his team excavate and reuse sand directly from the site. By removing invasive species, they create moist microhabitats in the winter and nutrient-poor havens in the summer. The result? An ecosystem where 100 of their 134 hectares are reserved entirely for nature, welcoming rare orchids and specialized wildlife. 🌸🦅

👉 Link in the first comment: Read the full story on Golf Sustainable!
📺 Watch the breakdown: Head over to our YouTube channel for more expert insights on the future of sustainable golf, and make sure to subscribe!
Fotos: Prince's Golf Club, Petra Himmel
#golfinengland #linksgolf #greatgolfcourses #golfsustainable #sustainablegolf #naturalengland #golfandnature #golf #golfclub #golftravel

Is your golf course ready for the climate of tomor

Is your golf course ready for the climate of tomorrow? 🌡️⛳️ TV weather expert Karsten Schwanke shares a clear forecast – and concrete solutions.

In an exclusive interview with leading sustainability consultant and golf strategist Petra Himmel, Schwanke breaks down exactly what changing weather patterns mean for the sport. With 2027 projected to be the hottest year on record globally, the DACH region needs to prepare for a Mediterranean climate: significantly drier summers, more intense thunderstorms, and much higher evaporation rates.

For regions like the Berlin area , which are already experiencing enormous drought stress, it is high time to act. Schwanke strongly warns against letting drainage water simply flow into the sewage system – calling it the "greatest sin." Instead, clubs need intelligent water retention strategies, fully in the spirit of the Sponge City concept, to capture heavy winter rainfall in storage ponds for the dry months. Furthermore, we must protect existing, often older tree populations from unprecedented heat.

The good news? The solutions for climate adaptation are already here; we just need to implement them much faster. 🌍💧

Read the full interview on Golf Sustainable to find out how to future-proof your course. Link in bio! 🔗

Foto: Ralf Wilschewski

#GolfSustainable #ClimateAdaptation #WaterManagement #SpongeCity #Greenkeeping #SustainableGolf #KarstenSchwanke #FutureOfGolf #GolfCourseManagement #GolfStrategy

Get on your bike for the Solheim Cup 😃 With fewer

Get on your bike for the Solheim Cup 😃

With fewer than 90 days to go until the 2026 Solheim Cup, European PING Junior Solheim Cup Captain and Solheim Cup Vice Captain Anne van Dam completed the fan cycle route today in The Netherlands.

The Dutch star is back on home soil this week for the Dutch Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour (LET) taking place at Goyer Golf & Country Club .
Get on your bike for the Solheim Cup

Van Dam cycled from ’s-Hertogenbosch (known as Den Bosch) station to Bernardus Golf alongside Eva-Lotta Strömlid, Head of Client Partnerships at the LET, to replicate the scenic 9km route that fans will be completing in September.

Van Dam said: “As we get closer to the 2026 Solheim Cup, it’s great to be back in the Netherlands this week and to visit Bernardus. Cycling is such a key part of Dutch culture, I love being on my bike and I hope fans will take the option to cycle to Bernardus from Den Bosch station. It’s going to be an unforgettable week, and I can’t wait to have you all there with us.”

This journey is also a follow-up ride to the Road to Bernardus, which saw Strömlid complete a 1,000km journey from her home in Sweden to Bernardus Golf to mark one year until the 2026 Solheim Cup and showcase smarter eco-friendly travel options, as part of the LET Sustainability Initiative (LETSI).

#sustainabletravel #golfsustainable #SustainableGolf #SolheimCup #Bernardus #fantravel #sustainableevents

🏌️‍♀️ Elite Sports and Climate Action – An Unsolva

🏌️‍♀️ Elite Sports and Climate Action – An Unsolvable Conflict? 🌍

"I see myself as a bridge builder," says German professional golfer Celina Sattelkau in her new interview with Golf Sustainable. As an EcoAthlete she proves that high-performance golf and environmental awareness don't have to be a contradiction. 🌱

From offsetting her travel emissions through wind power projects in India to driving an EV on the Ladies European Tour – Celina is leading the way. But she also addresses the hard truth: our sport is already feeling the massive impacts of climate change, particularly through extreme weather. We simply can't afford to ignore this topic!

👉 Read the full, in-depth interview with fascinating insights now on golfsustainable.com! (Link in Bio 🔗)

Fotos: LET / Tristan Jones

#GolfSustainable #NachhaltigkeitimSport #GolfundNatur #SustainableGolf #WomeninGolf #Frauengolf #Wassermanagement

Which golf club knows its carbon footprint? In gen

Which golf club knows its carbon footprint? In general, the topic of the golf industry's carbon footprint is difficult, as there are few published numbers and only a few event hosts, federations, or tour officials have developed strategies to reduce their emissions.

GC Kitzeberg in Germany is a well-known but not very big club whose board members decided to act positively: They commissioned a report from a credible external consultancy, realised that "we have to become better," and started working on the first projects. Buying some new electric mowers is one of the steps. Communication with the membership was important, but successful.

The journey isn't finished; many projects remain for the future. But what we like is the commitment to improve. Good luck for the next steps.
#golf #greenkeeping #golfer #co2 #carbonemissions

☀️ Golf in extreme heat is becoming the new realit

☀️ Golf in extreme heat is becoming the new reality.
Yesterday, London recorded its hottest May day ever with temperatures reaching 34.8°C — a dramatic new heat record for the British capital.

For golfers, greenkeepers and wildlife on the course, rising heat means much more than just “summer weather”:
🏌️ Increased health risks for players
🌱 Heat stress and drought damage on turf
🐝 Pressure on biodiversity and ecosystems

Our latest article explores how climate change is already reshaping golf — and why adaptation is becoming essential for the future of the game.

Read more via Golf Sustainable

#Golf #ClimateChange #Sustainability #GolfCourseManagement #Heatwave #London #GolfSustainable #SportsAndClimate #Greenkeeping #ExtremeHeat #Biodiversity #SustainableGolf

One glance across the fairway, and it’s clear: Nat

One glance across the fairway, and it’s clear: Nature thrives here! 🌿✨

GC Feldafing, situated in historic Lennè Park, beautifully demonstrates that golf courses are far more than just sports venues—they are intricate mosaics of vital ecosystems. What looks like a pristine playing surface at first glance is actually a network of crucial habitats:

🪵 Deadwood providing shelter for insects & small mammals
🦅 Perches designed for birds of prey
🌸 Species-rich meadows bustling with pollinators
💧 Natural waterways serving as thriving aquatic habitats
🌳 And the ultimate highlight: A true natural monument – the majestic oak tree!

Today, sustainability and modern golf course management go hand in hand. Want to bring this expertise to your home club? The Golf Sustainable Academy offers webinars for free 🎓⛳️

🔗 Link to the Academy & website is waiting for you in our bio! (@golfsustainable)

What does your home course look like? Do you have designated eco-zones or natural monuments on your fairways? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

#golfsustainable #biodiversity #golfing #sustainability #greenkeeping #naturelovers #sustainablegolf #growthegame #ecoheritage #biotope #creatureconservation #gcfeldafing #reels

🌿✨ **Bois d’Arlon – Europe’s Living Lab for Next-G

🌿✨ **Bois d’Arlon – Europe’s Living Lab for Next-Gen Golf Resorts** ✨🌿

Nestled across 220 hectares of untouched nature in Belgian Luxembourg, the Bois d’Arlon Golf & Resort is more than just a golf destination – it is emerging as a future blueprint for sustainable, high-end golf resorts in Europe.

We visited the project, which was opened in 2024, to talk with the greenkeeping team and the investor Robert Schintgen about their vision of a high-end golf resort in Wallonie, where pesticides aren't allowed, and the rules for irrigation only allowed the use of collected rainwater and recycled water from the hotel.

With two distinct courses – a challenging 18-hole Heathland layout and a scenic 9-hole Parkland course – the resort combines **world-class design, biodiversity-rich landscapes, and year-round playability on sandy soil**. The vision blends sport and nature seamlessly, creating an immersive experience for golfers of all levels. ⛳🌱

But Bois d’Arlon goes far beyond golf. The 4-star château hotel with 64 rooms, spa, restaurant, and event spaces positions the estate as a **fully integrated luxury ecosystem** where hospitality, wellness, and outdoor sports meet. 🏨🌳

What makes it stand out is its positioning as a future laboratory for sustainable resort development – demonstrating how modern golf destinations can evolve with nature rather than against it, while still delivering premium guest experiences.

Bois d’Arlon isn’t just a resort. It’s a model for how European golf destinations can redefine luxury through sustainability, landscape design, and long-term environmental thinking.

📍 Belgium | Luxembourg province
⛳ Golf | 🌿 Nature | 🏨 Luxury | ♻️ Sustainability

#BoisDArlon #GolfSustainable #SustainableGolf #LuxuryResort #GolfArchitecture #EcoTourism #GolfCourseDesign #SustainableTourism #FutureOfGolf #BelgiumGolf #GreenResorts #HospitalityInnovation

What happens when a golf club completely stops usi

What happens when a golf club completely stops using fungicides over the winter? 🚫🍄 The result might surprise you.
With pesticide regulations tightening across Europe (including strict bans in Switzerland, France, and Belgium), the question for greenkeepers is no longer if chemical restrictions are coming, but when.

Michael Scheffold, Head Greenkeeper at GC Wörthsee (Germany), decided to do a real-world test run. This past winter, he completely dispensed with fungicides on his greens to see how they would react.

The verdict? Better than expected! Despite a little more snow mold, the greens recovered beautifully and by mid-May, they were almost as good as usual. 🌿

This success didn't happen by accident. It is the result of years of prioritizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and mechanical measures to build robust, naturally resilient soil and grass. Supported fully by Club Managing Director Sven Hilgenberg, GC Wörthsee is actively future-proofing its course.

Proactive greenkeeping beats waiting for the ban! 📈⛳️

Call to Actions:
🔗 Read the full case study: Tap the link in our bio to read the detailed interview on Golf Sustainable.
🎓 Learn Sustainable Management: Want to implement pesticide-free strategies at your club? Explore our advanced courses at the Golf Sustainable Akademie (Link in Bio!).
📺 Subscribe for more insights: Check out our YouTube Channel for expert talks on the future of greenkeeping and eco-friendly golf operations!

Foto: Nicolas Martin Beaumont

#GolfSustainable #SustainableGolf #Greenkeeping #GCWörthsee #PesticideFree #IntegratedPest Management #GolfCourseManagement #EcoGolf #TurfManagement #SustainableTurf #GolfManager #GolfAkademie #GolfInspiration #GolfEnvironment #SnowMold #EcoFriendlySports

🚨 What does Donald Trump's new ballroom have to do

🚨 What does Donald Trump's new ballroom have to do with the environmental problems of East Potomac Golf Links?

A growing environmental controversy is unfolding at East Potomac Golf Links: according to reports by the New York Times and the U.S. National Park Service, thousands of cubic meters of soil and construction debris from the demolition work at the White House East Wing were deposited on the public golf course — including material reportedly contaminated with lead, chromium, pesticides, and other hazardous substances.

The site is planned to become part of a future championship golf course redevelopment. Environmental groups and local residents, however, are raising serious concerns about potential impacts on ecosystems, waterways, and public access to one of Washington’s most historic municipal golf facilities.

What makes the case especially sensitive: the golf course sits directly along the Potomac River and has long served as an accessible public space for golfers, walkers, and families alike. Critics warn the project could come at a high environmental and social cost.

💬 The story is another reminder of how closely golf, urban development, and environmental responsibility are connected — and why transparency and sustainable land management matter for the future of the game.

#GolfSustainable #Sustainability #Golf #Environment #GolfCourseManagement #EnvironmentalIssues #PublicGolf #Biodiversity #WashingtonDC

Mauritius, the island in the Indian Ocean, is firs

Mauritius, the island in the Indian Ocean, is first and foremost a dream destination for many golfers. For Philippe Espitalier-Noël, who, as CEO of the ER Group, is also responsible for major golf destinations such as Beachcomber and Heritage Resorts, among others, this dream destination is extreme pressure. A recent report by the World Bank Group on climate and development on the island of Mauritius entitled CCDR has prompted him to call for significant changes in the direction of tourism on the island.

Read the whole interview on https://golfsustainable.com. Link in the first comment
Follow our You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/@golfsustainable

#mauritius #golf #golftravel #tourism #sustainabletravel

Copernicus has published the European State of the

Copernicus has published the European State of the Climate Report. The golf industry must learn from data and scientific research, as outdoors sports are challenged by the resulty of climate change.

New competition for Bavarian golf clubs 🌿🦋 The 'B

New competition for Bavarian golf clubs 🌿🦋

The 'Blühpakt Bayern' has launched a new competition specifically for golf clubs, that have combined a biodiversity project with a successful communication idea. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's a critical move to boost biodiversity and protect our essential insect populations on golf.

Golf Sustainable founder, Petra Himmel:

"This competition is a great motivator. However, the real success lies in long-term strategy and understanding ecological systems. Communication is an important part of a successful biodiversity strategy.

All information about the enrollment in the first comment.

#SustainableGolf #GolfSustainable #BlühpaktBayern #Biodiversity #EcologicalGolf #GolfCourseManagement #PetraHimmel #GolfAkademie #Greenkeeping #EcoFriendlySports #GolfGermany

Burgenland in Austria is now the first region to b

Burgenland in Austria is now the first region to be certified with the Austrian Environmental Label.

International Day of Orchards. There are so many o

International Day of Orchards. There are so many orchards and fruit trees on golf courses. As an important habitat for insects, birds and even bats, they are so much more than just a wonderful aesthetic element for our sport.
#golf #golfsustainable #biodiversity #orachards #streuobstwiese #

#Nature #Wildlife #Birdwatching #BeeEaters #Austri

#Nature #Wildlife #Birdwatching #BeeEaters #Austria #Burgenland #Biodiversity #NaturePhotography #HiddenNature #Conservation #Golf

Yes, the Masters Tournament and Augusta National G

Yes, the Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Club are all about exclusivity. But it is important to realise that the whole town of Augusta has to agree with this concept and tradition.

There is a huge economic value that comes with the tournament week, but there are other soft factors that secure the acceptance of The Masters in the town.

The renovation of the municipal course at The Patch, plus the opening of The Loop at The Patch, is good news for the local community. Affordable, good golf is important to grow the game. Here, the Masters Charity Funds, First Tee of Augusta, and Augusta Technical College have teamed up to finance this important project.
#firsttee #golf #golfsustainable #golfforeverybody #themasters #augusta #growthegame

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