STRI has
announced the finalists for the 2018
Golf Environment Awards (GEA), recognising golf clubs and individuals
that strive to undertake environmental best practice.
The GEA provides the
platform from which the golf industry can demonstrate environmental excellence
in all its forms. This has been demonstrated by past finalists and can range
from relatively simple but effective projects, to grand scale schemes.
Set up over 20 years
ago by STRI, the Golf Environment Awards are highly regarded in the industry
and for 2018 have been joined by
The R&A as lead partner.
Over 25 longlisted
clubs were visited earlier in the year by STRI ecology consultant and GEA
judge, Sophie Vukelic, and painstakingly whittled down to 12 finalists.
Representatives from
the finalists will attend the awards ceremony in January where they will be
vying for the honours of either Environmental Golf Course of the Year,
Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year, Conservation Greenkeeper of the
Year or the Operation Pollinator award.
This year, for the
first time, all finalists will receive entry into the Foundation
Award in Amenity Horticulture course, recognised by BASIS, and the lucky
winners will be able to enjoy a European
Golf & Environment Trip of a Lifetime to Portugal.
Golf Environment
Awards judge, Sophie Vukelic, said: “This is my third year of judging the
awards and it is not getting any easier choosing the finalists. We had an
outstanding array of applications this year, with familiar faces and exciting
newcomers to the awards. I hope you will all agree, that we have decided on
some magnificent finalists, all of whom showcase the highest environmental
stewardship within golf.
“I’d also like to
congratulate and commend those golf clubs and individuals who didn’t quite make
it to the final, you shouldn’t be disheartened – keep on shining a good light
on golf and thank you for allowing me to visit your golf courses.”
