Last year Yas Links Abu Dhabi was recognised for using treated wastewater for irrigation, restoring native dunes and mangrove habitats, and implementing advanced irrigation audits. This meant, for the first time ever, all five courses on the Rolex Series were GEO certified.
For the first time in the DP World Tour’s Rolex Series history, every event on the schedule in 2025 was hosted at a GEO Certified® venue, a distinction that recognises leadership in sustainable golf.
Assured and awarded by the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, GEO Certified® is a comprehensive and externally accredited sustainability certification, custom built for golf.
The certification recognises both best practices and projects to date, as well as taking continual improvement plans into consideration.
The 2025 events included the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Scottish Open, the BMW PGA Championship, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, at Emirates Golf Club, The Renaissance Club, Wentworth Club, Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Jumeirah Golf Estates respectively.
The goal became reality when Yas Links Abu Dhabi achieved GEO Certified® status in 2025, becoming the final venue to join the group of certified Rolex Series hosts.
The venue was recognised for exceptional performance across multiple sustainability pillars, including the use of treated wastewater for irrigation, restoration of native dune and mangrove habitats, implementation of advanced irrigation audits resulting in measurable water usage reductions, and enhanced biodiversity protection.
Maria Grandinetti Milton, director of sustainability at the DP World Tour, said: “We are immensely proud that 2025 saw all five of our most prestigious tournaments hosted at venues that are recognised for their own leading efforts. This is a testament to the shared commitment between the DP World Tour and our venue partners to lead by example in environmental responsibility. It also echoes the approach of our own agronomists towards responsible turfgrass and golf course management. The Rolex Series represents the pinnacle of our Tour, and having these championships staged at facilities demonstrating world-class sustainability practices reinforces our values and our determination to ensure golf continues to be a force for positive change.”
Corey Finn, cluster director of agronomy for Viya Golf, added: “Achieving GEO Certified® was a proud moment for our entire team, and hosting the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as part of this historic Rolex Series milestone makes it even more meaningful. Sustainability is embedded in everything we do – from protecting native habitats and reducing our water footprint to engaging local communities in environmental education. We’re honoured to play our part in demonstrating that championship golf and environmental responsibility are not just compatible, but complementary.”
Carole Kerrey, director of impacts at GEO Foundation, congratulated Yas Links and the other Rolex Series venues, adding: “We are delighted to provide this distinction to such a prominent cohort of golf facilities. Their leadership is vital in showing that every part of golf – from major championship venues to small community courses – carries both a unique responsibility and opportunity within its local landscape. Collectively, each facility plays a role in a much broader movement for golf to support nature, strengthen communities, and contribute meaningfully to global climate action.”