Golf Environment Europe, in partnership with the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation and the University of Pisa has announced a new initiative to coordinate the pan – European production and exchange of technical information on environmental issues in golf.
GEE’s Innovation and Technology Network will be the first time that research, development and information exchange on technical environmental issues relating to golf will have been brought together in a single coordinated framework, with a centralised research agenda.
The Network will provide industry manufacturers and suppliers with the opportunity to fund research and information exchange projects across a number of different topics, through the three research centres.
Key issues to be addressed within the research agenda will be:
- Turfgrass Management
- Water Resource Management
- Golf Course Ecology
- Waste Management
- Energy Efficiency and Alternative Energies
Commenting on the Network, Gordon McKillop of the STRI said, “The STRI are delighted to be at the forefront of this European wide initiative to bring together and better communicate technical guidance on a range of environmental issues that affect the management and development of golf courses.
“As chair of the I&T working group, we will strive to set out a collective research agenda across those issues, which can be explored further between each of the research centres and commercial companies”.
Maria Strandberg of the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation, and chair of Golf Environment Europe’s Forum added, “It is vital that if golf facilities are to cope with ever changing environmental legislation, best practices and public expectations, that they need information on how to tackle technical issues and the products and services which provide the tools and environmental solutions”.
Jonathan Smith of Golf Environment Europe said, “There really is a need to improve the amount and coordination of research and information exchange on environmental issues within golf. This kind of industry driven activity has been taking place in the US for many years, where it is extremely well resourced.
“This network provides the opportunity for companies based or active in Europe, and with a vested interest in the future of golf, to assist practitioners in continuing to adapt to environmental issues.
“By facilitating greater awareness and understanding of environmental issues and technical solutions, companies will also be able to highlight the environmental contribution of their own products and services.
“It is not all about reacting to the challenges that environmental sustainability presents, much of this work can provide new opportunities for golf, identifying and raising awareness of new technologies that are both better for the environment and for business”.
With the development of a single web based information centre, the outputs of the Network will be readily accessible to all practitioners within golf, and all those interested in the relationship between golf and the environment.
Golf Environment Europe www.golfenvironmenteurope.org