A major, multi-stakeholder project in golf, coordinated by the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, has won the first ever Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award in recognition of the environmental and social impact of Scotland’s incredible summer of golf.
The Scottish Sports Awards 2022, hosted by Team Scotland and sportscotland at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, celebrated a packed year of Scottish sport which included success at the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other events at home and abroad.
In golf, a glorious run of tournaments featured the Genesis Scottish Open, The 150th Open, Senior Open presented by Rolex, Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, AIG Women’s Open, Hero Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, with each event making comprehensive and deliberate efforts to integrate sustainability and climate action. These were played out on the iconic venues of the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Gleneagles, Dundonald Links, Fairmont St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Renaissance Club, which provided the stage to showcase golf’s relationship with nature and the responsible management of these great links in improving habitats and ecosystems.
Coordinated by GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, in partnership with VisitScotland, the event organisers and Scottish Golf, a consistent approach united efforts across venues, staging, legacies and communications, with activities integrating climate action, circular economy, social value and promotion of nature in their events.
GEO Foundation won the award ahead of other outstanding initiatives from Aberdeen Sailing Club, Adventure Oban and Ullapool Community Sports Hub Feel Good Festival.
Jonathan Smith, founder and Executive Director of GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, said: “On behalf of a truly collaborative effort across golf, we are extremely proud to receive the Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award. It is testament to the drive and ambition from so many people across golf in Scotland to build a better future for people and the planet. The eyes of the golfing world were firmly on the Home of Golf in 2022 and we are sure Scotland’s leadership in sustainability will be an inspirational example in the world of golf and beyond.”
Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland’s Chief Executive, commented: “Congratulations to GEO Foundation and all the events involved this summer for making sustainability and climate action such an important and integral part of the planning, delivery and promotion. At VisitScotland, we are committed to tackling climate change and developing and promoting Scotland as a world-leading responsible tourism and events destination.”
VisitScotland is the first national tourism body globally to become a strategic partner with GEO Foundation to connect with and support the advancement of their non-profit mission to help accelerate sustainability in and through golf. The partnership builds on VisitScotland’s responsible tourism goals, including supporting the country’s transition to a low carbon economy.
In particular, the partnerships is ensuring the establishment of sustainability activities at leading golf tournaments along with a focus on boosting direct support for Scottish golf clubs. Club engagement will be delivered in collaboration with Scottish Golf, helping involve more Scottish clubs in actions that can help strengthen efficiency, sustainability and popularity of clubs across the country.