The global golf industry has always been linked with greens but a new partnership between the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) and award-winning digital agency Line is driving in a new era of environmental excellence
Accessible to any golf course, anywhere - from prestigious tournament venues to community clubs – a cutting-edge new website lays claim to offering the most streamlined form of environmental certification available in any major sector.
Cutting approval times and driving efficiencies throughout the application process, the site has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the battle to cut international sport’s carbon footprint.
“The major criticism levelled at environmental certifications is that the process is typically shrouded in smoke and mirrors. They are never as transparent as they should be, which is why we’ve designed an open mechanism that promotes the progress of participants from the moment they complete registration” said Benjamin Warren, GEO director of communications.
“While certifications programmes have been knocking around for years, they are typically unappealing to the general public and incur a heavy additional workload for the body seeking certification.
“What this site delivers is an attractive and efficient mechanism that enables any golf facility to represent their environmental commitment and be publicly recognised for achieving the highest levels of performance.”
Participants in the GEO Certification programme are supported by a wealth of technical information and best practice advice as their application proceeds. More than fifty golf courses across Asia, Europe and North America are currently working with the system. Prestigious European Tour venues Loch Lomond and The Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor are working towards recognition and have already published environmental policies and detailed registration reports on the site.
The global golf industry is rapidly embracing environmental certification. With a growing number of national golf associations adopting the scheme and actively promoting it to member clubs, GEO Certification is becoming the de facto standard in many territories as governing bodies strive to improve the sport’s reputation for responsible management.
As the emphasis on climate change gathers importance, experts from GEO are in high demand, sitting on conference panels & advising on environmental issues in partnership with a range of world sport’s governing bodies including FIFA and the London 2012 Olympics. The organisation, which works with a range of commercial and sporting partners including Rolex and the European Golf Association, is also currently developing and delivering the environmental management plan for the 2010 Ryder Cup.
“The GEO build is something Line is particularly proud to be involved with. In addition to playing a vital role in improving international sport’s environmental sustainability, the year-long project pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved with a custom designed CMS and site architecture,” said Ross Laurie, Line’s Managing Director.
“We’re delighted to have collaborated on what has become a truly cutting-edge project.”
Larry Harding, Wirral around 2 years, 8 months ago