Golf is enjoyed by millions across the globe, and with almost 40,000 golf courses worldwide, the industry has an important part to play in protecting the environment.
Back for 2024/25, it’s the 30th year STRI Group will be hosting the coveted Golf Environment Awards (GEAs). The aim is to recognise, reward and promote outstanding individuals and golf courses, no matter how big or small, for the time and effort they have put into protecting and preserving their unique surroundings.
With the ever-increasing spotlight on environmental matters, many golf courses are achieving an increase in habitat varieties, improving playing experiences for golfers, and providing a positive contribution to wildlife and the communities in which their members live and work which needs to be celebrated.
Click HERE for the GBN report about this year’s Awards. For more information and to submit entries, visit https://golfenvironmentawards.com/
The GEAs provide golf clubs the opportunity to share their hard work with six unique categories to enter, each tailored towards a different environmental focus. The entries will be reviewed by an internal panel at STRI Group which are shortlisted to become the finalists.
The categories for 2024/25 are:
Conservation Champion award
Outstanding individuals who make significant contributions to the success of environmental and ecological management and hence make a fundamental positive impact on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity.
Ecological Project of the Year
Golf clubs who have implemented a successful ecological project, with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a better environment and are making sound progress in fulfilling the goals of the project.
Operation Pollinator Award, sponsored by Syngenta
Golf clubs who consistently deliver outstanding ecological habitat creation and management.
Sustainable Project of the Year
Golf clubs who have implemented a successful sustainable project with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a better environment and are making sound progress in fulfilling the goals of the project.
International Environmental Golf Course
Golf clubs outside of the UK that brilliantly demonstrate efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.
UK Environmental Golf Course of the Year
Golf clubs in the UK that brilliantly demonstrate efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.
This GEAs are supported by lead partner The R&A, and sponsors BIGGA, Syngenta, Aquatrols, Tillers Turf and Jacobsen. Entries will close on Friday 13th September 2024 and will be followed by a judging day with representatives from the sponsors. The winners will be revealed at the annual ceremony held in January 2025 during BTME week.
All winners are rewarded with a £750 grant to help fund further ecological and environmental projects at their clubs, entry to the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture Course, BIGGA membership for the Conservation Champion award winner and promotional materials to display across digital platforms.
Entry to the awards is completely free with the sole aim of encouraging every eco-conscious golf club to consider applying.
Launched in 1995, the Golf Environment Awards aim to recognise and reward positive environmental practices at golf courses across the globe. Sharing these practices also helps to encourage others to follow suite, maximising the opportunities for golf as an industry to positively impact the effects of climate change and improve biodiversity worldwide.
