The 4th International Meeting of Golf and the Environment in Almeria (14-16th March 2007) provided the perfect opportunity for the European Institute of Golf Course Architects to launch an important new policy document regarding the Environment.
The “Statement of Environmental Policy” sets out the core elements of EIGCA’s approach to the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment. It aims to:
- Define the scope of the unique relationship between golf course architecture and the environment;
- Highlight the specific role golf course architects can play in ensuring golf courses maximise their positive contribution to the environment and society;
- Emphasise EIGCA Members’ recognition of the importance of environmental sustainability within golf course development;
- State EIGCA’s commitment to working in partnership, through Golf Environment Europe (GEE), with other relevant industry bodies.
Stewardship of the environment through sensitive design is already considered a cornerstone of our profession, as evidenced by the commitment Members undertake to abide by in the code of conduct “to protect, conserve and enhance the quality of the environment”. Members also take very seriously their obligations to continue to develop standards through the education programme, and environmental sustainability is a key part of this. The document consists of a commitment to a core environmental philosophy as well as a set of broad environmental principles which Members agree to be guided by in their professional work.
In addition the Statement of Environmental Policy offers a brief overview of the key environmental issues faced by golf course architects and a statement on a future action plan aiming to deliver best practice in environmental design.
Mark Adam, president of EIGCA, commented, “The publication of our Statement of Environmental Policy represents an important landmark for the European Institute of Golf Course Architects. Our members are at the forefront of new golf developments throughout Europe and as such play a huge part in defining the environmental sustainability of these projects. With ecological issues becoming increasingly important it is only right that golf course architects play a leading role in ensuring that golf is developed in the most appropriate way in order to reduce their environmental impact and, wherever possible, serve to enhance their surroundings”.
“I would like to personally thank Mike Wood of the EIGCA’s Environment Committee for all his hard work in developing this policy as well as the members of the Institute for their enthusiastic response to its publication”.
Launching the Policy in Spain, Mike Wood said, “Our members have always been keenly aware that environmental responsibilities accompany the privileges of the architect’s role. This Policy highlights these responsibilities, and commits us to the challenge of continuing to improve the environmental sensitivity of our designs for the golf courses of the 21st Century.”
The European Institute of Golf Course Architects represents Europe’s most qualified golf course architects. It has over 130 members based in 30 countries. Not only have EIGCA Members shown that they are able to design and supervise the construction of golf courses to the highest standard, they are also bound by the Institute’s Code of Conduct backed up by a system of Continual Professional Development.
EIGCA www.eigca.org