Golf Environment Europe (GEE), the not for profit body working to promote environmental sustainability in European golf, has today announced a new initiative through which the golf sector’s manufacturing, supply and consultancy companies can get more actively engaged in the process of improving and promoting golf’s sustainability.
Speaking about the new ‘Industry Member’ programme, Jonathan Smith, chief officer of GEE said, “Golf, quite simply, must address the increasingly important matter of environmental sustainability. Golf must show itself to be a responsible user of land and water. The future of golf as a business is affected by how well we now respond to environmental pressures and opportunities. It is in the interests of us all to develop an appropriate response in Europe and this effort is something that golf’s manufacturers, suppliers and consultancies can and should be involved in.
“Many of golf’s manufacturing, supply and consultancy companies carry a considerable environmental ethic, and have a key role to play in raising standards of environmental practice within golf course management and development.
“For many years, commercial companies have been involved in environmental R&D, providing technical advice and product solutions to key environmental issues. The role of such R&D in facilitating the more sustainable development and management of golf courses should not be under-estimated.
“There is now an opportunity for these companies to openly support an environmental programme for golf in Europe”.
David Withers, managing director of Ransomes Jacobsen in Europe supported the call for companies to get more actively involved. “Driving environmental performance has been our marketing strategy for the past three years, but it’s more than that. We have adopted this as a company-wide philosophy and it permeates everything we do. Alongside considerable R&D into more efficient machinery, we also fully support the work of GEE, and all that it is trying to achieve for the benefit of golf and the environment.
“We would encourage manufacturers, suppliers and consultancies to become ‘Industry Members’ of Golf Environment Europe. As golf increasingly has to adapt to environmental pressures, it makes perfect business sense for manufacturers and suppliers to be associated with credible environmental initiatives and to create the opportunity to demonstrate how their products and services are a solution to environmental issues. Industry Membership will be good for your business, good for golf and good for the environment.”
The Industry Member programme has been developed to help build Golf Environment Europe’s capacity. It will enable GEE to provide greater communication on environmental issues – both within and outside the sector – to offer guidance, advice and environmental education to golfing and environmental bodies across Europe; to strengthen partnerships worldwide with other global golf/environment initiatives and to continue to develop and promote environmental standards for golf course management and development.
To obtain a copy of the GEE Industry Member Prospectus please contact Jonathan Smith, Chief Officer, Golf Environment Europe on 0044 (0) 1620 850 659, or jonathan@golfenvironmenteurope.org.
Golf Environment Europe www.golfenvironmenteurope.org