sustainable golf
I started playing golf when I was 15 and was working on a golf course by the time I was 17. Over the past 30 years I have managed and constructed golf courses from the public members club through to the 5 Star Resort.
The principles are the same even if the level of maintenance, expectation or site conditions differ.
To be honest it is amazing to see how missing pieces of the puzzle can lead to a decline in playing surface quality, increase costs and affect the financial success of the organisation.
Sports Turf Management is a science that is complex but when you understand all the essential ingredients you can deliver a sustainable banquet for your clients, who can afford to keep coming back for more!
A study tour in 2015 through Scotland and Ireland of 10 of the World's Top 100 Golf Courses confirmed why this region has a sustainable approach to golf course management. From St Andrews to Royal Dornoch in the north of Scotland and Old Head Ballybunion and Lahinch to Royal Portrush and Royal County Down in the Northern Ireland the golf courses, landscape and golf experience have all the essentail ingredients.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews define Sustainable Golf Course Development and Management as:
"Optimising the playing quality of the golf course, in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment, under economically sound and socially responsible management"
So how do we achieve sustainability for golf courses in Australia?
Experience shows there are many variables within organisations that manage golf courses that can determine the long term sustainability of the business. The variables include:
- governance and management of the organisation
- existing infrastructure
- turfgrass selection
- technical skills and knowledge available
- environmental site conditions
- labour and resource inputs
The sustainability of golf courses in Australia is dependent on management systems that support industry best management practice.
Independent consultancy works for the client to evaluate the current position of the organisation and develop systems of management that provide measureable results.
This approach is the most sustainable long term and will provide the golfing community with the most affordable and enjoyable golf experience money can buy!
