The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has announced the finalists for the 2019 Golf Environment Awards (GEAs), which recognise golf clubs and individuals that strive to undertake environmental best practice.
Over 30 long-listed clubs were visited earlier in the year by STRI ecology consultants Bob Taylor and Rowan Rumball, which were then whittled down to 17 finalists, including one club from Switzerland.
Four finalists have been named in three GEA categories – Conservation Greenkeeper of Year, Outstanding Environmental Project, and Operation Pollinator. However, such was the competition in the Environmental Golf Course of Year category the shortlist has been increased to five finalists.
Representatives from the finalists will attend an awards ceremony on January 23 at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate, during BTME week.
Golf Environment Awards judge Rowan Rumball said: “This is my first year managing the GEAs, and it has been a fantastic, but challenging, experience. It has been humbling and such a privilege to see first-hand all the good work golf clubs are striving to achieve.”
She added: “The range of projects has been massively diverse, and the scale is inspiring. Golf is truly leading the way when it comes to ecological and environmental commitment.”
All GEA finalists receive free entry into the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture course, recognised by BASIS, as well as CPD points, and the winners will be able to enjoy a European Golf & Environment trip to Portugal.
Tickets for the awards, which include a three-course meal and drinks, go on sale on November 16. Please email enquiries@strigroup.com for further details.
The Golf Environment Awards have wide range partners and sponsors, including the R&A, BIGGA, The Golf Club Manager, Tillers Turf, Ransomes Jacobsen, Wiedenmann, Aquatrols, Syngenta. For further details, visit https://golfenvironmentawards.com.
THE GOLF ENVIRONMENT AWARDS 2019 FINALISTS
Environmental Golf Course of the Year: Aldeburgh; Ipswich; Minchinhampton; Warrington, St Andrews Links.
Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year: Les Rae (Montrose); Phil Stain (Notts); Mark Broughton (Aldeburgh); Neil Sherman (Ipswich).
Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year: Wylihof, Austria; Cotswold Hills; Hallamshire; Woking.
Operation Pollinator: Wylihof; Banchory; Wigan; Corhampton.