Viya Golf is celebrating after Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Yas Acres Golf & Country Club both achieved GEO Certified status, the international mark of excellence for sustainability in golf.
This recognition, awarded by the non-profit GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, affirms Viya Golf’s commitment to environmental leadership, operational efficiency, and community impact across its portfolio.
GEO Certified is the most trusted and comprehensive sustainability certification in the golf industry. The award follows a rigorous, independently verified assessment based on the International Voluntary Standard for Sustainable Golf. Both Yas Links and Yas Acres were recognised for their strong performance in environmental protection, responsible resource use, and meaningful community engagement.
At Yas Links, efforts such as the use of treated sewage effluent for irrigation, restoration of native dune and mangrove habitats, and the implementation of advanced irrigation audits have resulted in measurable reductions in water usage and enhanced biodiversity on site.
Meanwhile, Yas Acres has distinguished itself through its desert-adapted landscaping, strategic turf reduction, and active support of local wildlife habitats, including the documentation of 94 bird species – seven of which are of global conservation concern.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and passion of our entire agronomy and operations teams,” said Corey Finn, Cluster Director of Agronomy for Viya Golf. “Sustainability isn’t just a department, it’s a mindset embedded across our clubs. From protecting native habitats to reducing our water footprint and engaging the local community, this certification reflects our vision for a future-fit, responsible game.”
This certification also celebrates the strong emphasis both clubs place on inclusivity and outreach. Yas Links continues to engage local youth and schools in environmental education and conservation, while Yas Acres has led community-driven initiatives such as the annual Pink Run for breast cancer awareness and the recently launched Get into Golf programme, which opens up the game to newcomers through structured coaching and community participation.
As part of their continued commitment, both clubs will be building on a number of improvement areas highlighted during the review, ranging from enhanced waste tracking and communications to even greater use of renewable energy and ecological education.