The shortlisted finalists for the 2020 Golf Environment Awards (GEAs) have been announced. The GEAs, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2020, recognises golf clubs and individuals that strive to undertake environmental best practice. Past finalists’ projects have ranged from simple but effective, to grand scale schemes.
Ecology consultants from STRI spent August and September visiting qualifying clubs that applied for the awards before painstakingly whittling them down to 17 finalists and five Home Unions finalists.
Four finalists have been named in three GEA categories – Conservation Greenkeeper of Year, Outstanding Environmental Project, Environmental Golf Course of Year and Operation Pollinator, while five golf clubs have been selected for the Environmental Golf Course of Year category. Another five worthy finalists have been identified in the new Home Unions National Awards category.
Representatives from the finalists will attend the glittering awards ceremony on 22 January 2020 at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate, during BTME week.
Golf Environment Awards judge, Rowan Rumball, said: “This year was exceptionally difficult, and we have had some amazing and very worthy entrants. I have seen some superb projects and many clubs are now looking beyond the confines of their own club boundaries.”
Head of Ecology at STRI, Bob Taylor, said: “I cannot believe it’s 25 years since we first set up the Golf Environment awards. Moreover, the awards have become the leading accolade for ecological and environmental excellence within the golf industry. Many golf greenkeepers tell me the awards represent something to aspire to, they provide an opportunity to market the good works they do. For me the awards represent a growing community that all come together at the awards celebrations discussing works and passing on ideas. Anyone is welcome to attend the awards, and one thing is certain you will leave inspired by the great work clubs are doing.”
All finalists receive free entry into the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture course, recognised by BASIS, and managed by STRI, as well as CPD points. The lucky winners of the GEAs will also be able to enjoy a European Golf & Environment Trip of a Lifetime to Portugal.
The Golf Environment Awards 2020 finalists are:
Environmental Golf Course of the Year
- Warrington Golf Club
- Kington Golf Club
- Saunton Golf Club
- Effingham Golf Club
- Nairn Dunbar Golf Links
Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year
- John Milne – Rothes Golf Club
- Neil Sherman – Ipswich Golf Club (Purdis Heath)
- Richard Mullen – Banchory Golf Club
- Les Rae – Montrose Golf Club
Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year
- Trevose Golf & Country Club
- Dundonald Links
- Craignure Golf Club
- Clitheroe Golf Club
Operation Pollinator
- Cumberwell Park
- Banchory Golf Club
- Ufford Park Woodbridge
- St Andrews Links Trust
Home Unions National Awards
- Market Harborough Golf Club
- Scotscraig Golf Club
- Ashburnham Golf Club
- Bingley St Ives Golf Club
- Diss Golf Club
The winners will be announced at the Golf Environment Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 22h January 2020, at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate. Tickets for the awards, which includes a three-course meal and drinks, are now on general sale. Please email enquiries@strigroup.com for further details.
STRI would like to thank all the golf clubs that entered but didn’t make the final shortlist.
A huge thank you also goes to Golf Environment Award partners and sponsors who continue to support and promote the awards year-on-year, without them the awards simply would not be possible. The R&A, BIGGA, The Golf Club Manager, Tillers Turf, Ransomes Jacobsen, Wiedenmann, Aquatrols and Syngenta.
For further details about The Golf Environment Awards and how to purchase tickets please visit https://golfenvironmentawards.com/