The Trustees of the Golf Environment Europe (GEE) Foundation recently held their second meeting of 2007 at Valderrama. These senior figures from golfing and environmental backgrounds consider GEE’s many strategic policy issues, and also look carefully at matters of political importance and the broad direction GEE takes.
Emerging from the meeting were the following key points of note:
• The Trustees noted that in only two and a half years, the organisation had emerged as a highly valued contributor to the ‘Sustainability in Golf’ debate, and a vital source of advice, guidance and expertise on many aspects of environmental sustainability in golf.
• The Trustees also welcomed GEE’s movement from development and planning, into project development and implementation, which could be seen in the work being carried out with the European Tour, Ryder Cup, European Golf Association and through the Innovation and Technology Network. The Trustees re-stated that they are committed not to back away from addressing the bigger issues such as the collation and dissemination of technical information, environmental certification or the production of environmental guidelines for new golf development.
• GEE’s response to the European Parliament vote on the proposed Pesticides Directive was also closely discussed and the Trustees agreed that GEE’s response would become the basis for GEE’s Policy Position on the use of plant protection products in turfgrass management.
European Forum for Golf and Environment (EFGE)
The Trustees recognised the need to look closely at the structure and membership of the EFGE. This has arisen due to continuing requests from a wide range of people and organisations about whether or not they can join the Forum or simply how to get involved.
It was agreed that the best way to consider the matter was to review the current structure and consider options for various forms of permanent and temporary membership of the Forum.
The Trustees commented that it was a good challenge to have as it highlighted that the Forum was being well received in its efforts to improve cohesion on environmental issues amongst stakeholder organisations.
Golf Environment Europe www.golfenvironmenteurope.org