Fifth Welsh club receives GEO award

By Alistair April 21, 2024 08:25

Machynys Peninsula Golf Club and Premier Spa has become the fifth golf club in Wales to earn the GEO certification sustainability award.

“The R&A approached us to host the ladies’ and seniors’ home internationals before lockdown, and it was an opportunity to promote sustainable golf as well,” said Machynys’ director of golf, Nick Daniels.

“Since then, we have worked hard with our greenkeeper, Marcus Weaver, on the landscape, biodiversity and conservation. That meant looking deeply at things like the pesticides and fertiliser we use, the type of sand and even the type of grass.

“We were lucky in that the water management of the course is through recycled rainwater from our lakes, but we increased the size of our irrigation lake to ensure we can cover long, dry spells.

“One of the small things is to ensure that the sprinkler heads are at an angle to hit their target rather than wasting water on other areas.

“We have looked at the type of machinery we use to move from diesel and petrol to electric and hybrid over time. Of course, golf clubs can only afford to replace some of their machinery simultaneously.

“We have worked alongside the Carmarthenshire nature groups to look at nature on the course, building log houses, helping water voles, putting in bee hives to make our own honey, which we also sell in the clubhouse.”

The achievement has been welcomed by Wales Golf sustainability lead Dilwyn Griffiths, who commented, “GEO certification is a tremendous gauge of a club moving in the right direction.

“To have a fifth club in Wales achieving this mark is a sign of how many Welsh golf clubs are putting this on their agendas and moving in the right direction.

“We are determined to show that golf clubs can be part of the solution when looking for greater natural biodiversity, rather than a problem.

“Clubs can also reduce some of their overheads, while boosting the environment, so it can be a win-win situation for many Welsh golf clubs.”