The Springs Resort & Golf Club has retained the highly respected GEO Certified status, recognising an outstanding commitment and effort to promote environmental and social sustainability.
The Oxfordshire resort, operated by Darwin Escapes, is part of an elite list of GEO Certified venues in the UK to achieve the credible standard for sustainable golf course operations.
To meet the high sustainability standards required, golf venues must demonstrate excellence in key areas: nature, including turfgrass management and pollution prevention; resources such as water usage and energy consumption; and community, which examines employment, partnerships and outreach among other factors. The Springs Resort & Golf Club first achieved GEO Certified status in 2020 with renewal demonstrating continuous improvement.
Designed by former Ryder Cup captain Brian Huggett, The Springs’ course plays out from a restored 19th century manor house and is complemented by a boutique hotel and spa, all of which are subject to the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation’s rigorous assessment processes.
Some of the outstanding initiatives that saw The Springs become GEO Certified once again include:
- Dedicating over 47 per cent of the golf course to nature conservation, with a marked reduction in play areas and many offline grasslands left unmanaged to allow nature to thrive
- Targeting course irrigation to essential surfaces – tees, greens and approaches – only, minimising water usage
- Transitioning to electric maintenance equipment such as grass mowers, which in turn greatly reduces overall fuel consumption
- Spending time at local Oxfordshire schools, educating pupils about sustainability and nature – as well as introducing golf to more children
- Supporting a number of charitable causes, including raising funds for a community support dog Wendy, and raising money for a local guide dog organisation
- Hosting a Turkish Banquet evening, led by the resort’s head chef, to raise money for earthquake appeal work in Turkey
Matthew Kimber, director of golf at the Springs Resort & Golf Club, said: “We’re very proud to become GEO Certified once again, which is the result of many years of work from the whole team across every department. Sustainability in everything we do is at the centre of our strategy and to remain in very select group of clubs to be verified by the GEO Foundation is a crucial step in the right direction.”
Bob Taylor, a GEO accredited independent verifier, said: “Darwin Escapes has a very clear vision and drive, all of which is directed by sustainable best practice. They are at the forefront of the industry and should be awarded for the extent, passion and enthusiasm given to sustainable development and management.”