Carnoustie Golf Links has become just the second Open Championship venue to be certified by the Golf Environment Organization (GEO).
With a golf history said to go as far back as the 16th century, Carnoustie Golf Links are a stellar example of golf’s value to nature and communities. The three courses are laid out on public land and the close relationship between the game, town, and region is exceptionally strong. The golf courses are also ecologically significant, providing an important buffer between dune lands and nature conservation designations on one side, and urban and agricultural land on the other.
The GEO Certified™ mark was awarded after Carnoustie Golf Links demonstrated it had met a wide range of important standards in areas such as nature, water and energy usage, pollution control, supply chain and community. The award also recognises that Carnoustie Golf Links is committed to doing even more for nature and people into the future.
“The R&A has requested that all Open Championship venues obtain GEO Certified and we were happy to oblige because for some time we have been committed to a wide range of sustainable practices that will benefit the Links and the wider area as a whole,” said Graeme Duncan, General Manager of the Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC).
Jonathan Smith, GEO’s Chief Executive applauded the certification “This is well-earned recognition for one of the oldest and most revered courses in the world, with a long history of providing local people and visitors with a great golf experience in a stunning, resource efficient landscape. Their dedicated team of people continue to show leadership, valuable from a prestigious Open Championship venue, and we are pleased the GEO Certified™ mark has helped them to share that story more widely.”
Within the GEO Certified Report, the CGLMC received particular praise for a number of key achievements including:
- The pivotal role of the Links in the Angus economy as one of its key tourism assets.
- Long term restoration of a true links landscape through the removal of introduced tree plantations of non-indigenous species.
- Continued high standards of low-input maintenance of turfgrass contributing to the re-establishment as an Open Venue and pre-eminence as a championship venue.
- The recent new development project on the Buddon course implemented to the highest environmental standards.
- A highly efficient irrigation system sourced from natural groundwater and a recent energy audit providing the basis for a significant reduction in consumption.
- Intelligent conservation and re-use of on-site soil resources providing substantial savings in resource consumption.
- Its direct partnership with the community through the Links Management Committee and Angus Council and creation of a strong awareness in the community of the Links as good environmental stewards.
More details of Carnoustie Golf Links sustainability performance are shared on the GEO website, within Carnoustie’s GEO Certified Report
Carnoustie Golf Links www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk