STRI, the world’s leading sports turf consultancy, has issued a final call for entries for the 2015 STRI Golf Environment Awards (GEA).
The prestigious awards, which reward both individuals and golf courses for their commitment to environmentally sustainable projects, are managed and administered by STRI.
The awards recognise the individual golf courses and course professionals who are making real improvements to their local environment and the quality of life for the future throughout the UK.
There are three winning categories to enter; Environmental Golf Course of the Year; Conservation Greenkeeper Award and Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year. Originally launched in 1997, the awards continue to be supported by Justin Rose, the US Open Championship 2013 winner, winning Ryder Cup team member and official ambassador of the Golf Environment Awards.
The coveted awards are supported by a group of sponsors committed to supporting and promoting proven sustainable projects within golf clubs. These include Ransomes Jacobsen, Farmura, Syngenta, Greenkeeping, Golf Monthly, Operation Pollinator and BIGGA plus new supporters Tillers Turf and Wiedenmann.
Bob Taylor, STRI’s Senior Consultant, Environment & Ecology, said: “We’ve already received some fantastic entries so this is the last chance for courses and clubs to get their entries in. Last year we saw a very high standard of entries and it’s proving to be increasingly competitive year on year.
Last year’s category winners were:
- Environmental Golf Course of the Year – Dundonald Links, near Troon in Ayrshire
- Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year – Richard Owens, Boston West, Boston in Lincolnshire
- Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year – Fairhaven Golf Club at Lytham in Lancashire.
The winners each year receive a trip to Europe and the chance to visit some of the world’s leading golf facilities and sites of specific ecological interest. The previous winners enjoyed a trip to Portugal in April as part of their prize and attended the GEA Champagne Reception at Wentworth in May, along with the finalists, sponsors and STRI staff.
Entries to the 2015 STRI Golf Environment Awards should be submitted by Monday 18 August. Entry is free and details can be found at www.golfenvironmentawards.com