In a new listing that identifies the most environmentally conscious and socially responsible golf courses in Europe, Camiral Golf & Wellness (formerly PGA Catalunya), was recognised for its approach, commitment and understanding of how golf plays an integral part in the local landscape, supporting the proliferation of the natural ecosystem.
In association with GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, whose aim is to help accelerate sustainability in golf, the Top 100 Greenest Courses in Europe panel commended Spain’s Best Golf Resort for the work it has done and continues to do in fostering nature. The estate’s development of its large aquatic ecosystem, which hosts a number of insects, invertebrates and a rich multitude of species that had been in regression throughout the territory, was specifically highlighted as an exemplary accomplishment.
“[Golf] is often unfairly demonised in terms of the environment and sustainability,” said Chris Bertram, Top 100 Courses & Resorts Editor at Golf World & Today’s Golfer, who led the panel that created and judged the Top 100 Greenest Course in Europe. “Through this new listing of the most ‘green’ golf courses in Europe, we wanted to demonstrate that golf is a sport with an ecological conscience, and show the ingenious ways clubs, like Camiral Golf & Wellness, are making a difference.
“With the help of the GEO Foundation, we wanted to reward those who keep nature at the centre of their golf operation and nurture the land that provides the perfect landscape for their courses. Camiral’s significant aquatic ecosystem does exactly that, and made the Spanish resort a worthy entry to our highly-competitive inaugural ranking.”
Camiral Golf & Wellness was also applauded for delivering fantastic golf while caring for and nurturing its local biodiversity thanks to mosaic landscaping and ecological rewilding. New seasonal ponds for amphibians, biological corridors with good stream, tree and grass infrastructures to connect external ecosystems with the resort’s internal ponds, as well as breeding zones for the native turtle population, are some additional examples of how the European Tour Destination located just outside Girona is actively committed to the environment, climate and communities.
This latest accolade reinforces the recognition the GEO Certified resort received from the STRI Group, administrators of The Golf Environment Awards, for its commitment to developing and preserving its green infrastructure through restoration of its wetlands and recolonisation of near-extinct species, and the IAGTO Sustainability Award for Nature Protection it earned in 2020.
The op 100 Greenest Courses in Europe listing, compiled in association with GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, whose aim is to help accelerate sustainability in golf, principally through fostering nature, taking climate action, conserving resources and strengthening communities, was conceived to showcase clubs that are credibly committed and visibly active in the sustainable golf community.