The European Institute of Golf Course Architects has announced a major new initiative to elevate standards of sustainable golf course design.
‘Raising the Standard of Sustainable Golf Course Design’ is a three stage programme which will start in April 2013 during the EIGCA’s AGM in Malmo, Sweden. It will be the first Continuing Professional Development course on sustainable golf in the world and will provide EIGCA Members with knowledge on sustainable design principles that they will then need to demonstrate through the submission of a real case study. Completion of the programme will enable members to be listed on a Sustainable Design Register that will be promoted internationally.
The programme has been developed in partnership with the Golf Environment Organization (GEO) and will be supported and evaluated by members of the GEO Sustainability Associate (GEOSA) network. The EIGCA has long been a supporter of GEO, being closely involved with the creation of the Sustainable Golf Development Guidelines, and this new initiative further cements this relationship.
Announcing the programme EIGCA President Rainer Preissmann commented; “We believe that a fundamental way of achieving real improvements in the standard of design, as well as the acceptance of our work outside the industry, is through a Continuing Professional Development and registration programme within the EIGCA that focuses on sustainable golf development principles and practices.
“While many of us feel that we already approach our design work in a sustainable way, there is so much more to learn. The programme will cover all six key areas of sustainability included in the GEO guidelines, helping to prepare members for the final stage which will be the submission of a case study demonstrating their skills. We are confident that this is a programme that our members will enthusiastically support.”
Tom Mackenzie, Chairman of the EIGCA Environmental Committee said; “We have been working hard developing and finalising the programme structure, content and lectures and it is great to now officially launch for our members.”
“We have been delighted by the level of support we have received from many of our Industry Partners and The R&A. Their response has demonstrated how important this topic is perceived within the golf industry and has allowed us to accelerate the programme far faster than we could have hoped. On behalf of the EIGCA I’d like to thank them for their backing and they can be assured we will deliver a high quality programme.”
Speaking on behalf of GEO, Jonathan Smith said; “Increasingly, it will be the designers of ecologically rich, resource efficient and community supported golf courses that will succeed. They’ll be seen to get projects through planning; help developers attain short and long term profitability; and leave marketable positive social and environmental legacies of which everyone associated with the project can be proud. Given that nobody is ever a complete sustainability expert, this EIGCA programme to promote further understanding and innovation is significant and valuable. GEO is delighted to support this programme both through input on the content and in supporting delivery.”
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