Seven golf courses in Fife secure GEO certification

By Alistair May 1, 2017 15:59 Updated

All seven golf courses managed by the Fife Golf Trust (FGT) have achieved certification from the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO), making Fife the first local authority to have all of its council owned courses gain the accolade.

FGT is a registered charity which was established in 2011 to manage and operate Fife Council’s seven public courses.

Paul Murphy, FGT courses manager, said: “We are delighted to attain this recognition, which marks a key milestone in our journey to demonstrate continuous improvement. I see the award as a legacy which will drive Fife Golf Trust to continue to improve on its environmental management and become even more sustainable.

“The achievement demonstrates the trust’s commitment to nature protection, resource efficiency and providing value to the community. Undergoing this work was also an opportunity to make the clubs more efficient, enhance the golf courses, demonstrate golf’s leadership, and make a positive difference to the local environment.

“Utilising OnCourse®, the sustainability programme for golf clubs, and becoming GEO Certified® go hand-in-hand with these aims and were therefore an ideal vehicle to achieve these goals.“

The criteria for the certification span nature, water, pollution control, supply chain, energy and community. Good examples of the work undertaken to fulfil the nature criterion include habitat creation, such as bringing rough into management as well as pond creation and naturalisation of watercourses during drainage works. The habitat creation also contributed to objectives in the Fife Local Biodiversity Action Plan. As a partner of the ‘Fife’s Buzzing’ project, schoolchildren from four local schools helped to plant wildflower meadows for pollinators.

Mike Wood, the independent consultant who assessed the seven courses for the GEO accreditation, said: “The ability of the Fife Golf Trust to combine outstanding playing surfaces with a clear commitment to the conservation of nature and resources, is a model example for the efficient and responsible management of golf courses”.

Steve Isaac, director of Sustainability at The R&A said, “Our congratulations to Fife Golf Trust in achieving GEO Certified® for all seven of the courses it is responsible for, setting a wonderful example that we hope many others will follow. Using OnCourse® to provide the evidence for certification also delivers a platform to turn sustainability theory into practice, making a positive difference to course condition and profitability.”

Carolyn Hedley, environment manager at Scottish Golf, added: “The leadership and forward thinking that FGT have shown in gaining the mark is a fantastic example for others. And we encourage more clubs to follow their lead. We congratulate Paul and the team on their achievement and look forward to continuing to support their good work”