The winners of the
2018 Golf Environment Awards (GEA) have been announced at The Crown, Harrogate,
in a ceremony hosted by STRI Group and the R&A.
STRI ecology
consultant, Sophie Vukelic,
said: “A huge congratulations to the winners and finalists of this year’s
awards, you each showcase what sustainable management is within golf. The golf
environment is a better place with you all working to protect it.”
The annual Golf
Environment Awards provide the platform from which the golf industry can
demonstrate environmental excellence in all its forms. Established in 1995, the
awards have gone from strength to strength and in 2018, attendees to the awards
almost tripled in numbers.
Carnoustie Golf
Links were awarded Environmental Golf Course of the Year for their incredible
work within the local community and their continued environmentally conscious
practices in all areas of golf course management. Each decision at the golf
facility considers the impact on the environment and each member of staff is
trained to work in such a way.
Conservation
Greenkeeper of the Year was received by Stephen Thompson of John O’Gaunt Golf
Club for his passionate dedication to nature conservation within golf. Stephen
has extensive biodiversity records for both courses at his club, enabling him
to tailor the management of the mosaic of habitats accordingly.
Abergele Golf Club
won Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year for their Tir Gwylllt (Wild
Land) area. Darren Anderson, his team of greenkeeping staff and several members
have created a wildlife haven from materials ready to hand or donated. The project
is a remarkable example of people pulling together to create something
spectacular.
Operation Pollinator
was awarded to Kingsdown Golf Club where Tom Freeman had introduced extensive
native wildflower areas with the help of local primary school children. Not
only did this Operation Pollinator project provide for nectar and pollen loving
insects, it also provided a great golf education to the younger generation.
STRI is indebted to
lead partner, The R&A, and the
sponsors – Ransomes Jacobson,
Aquatrols, Syngenta, Tillers Turf and Wiedenmann for their
continued support. The R&A’s involvement in the GEA Awards does not
elicit its endorsement for the sponsor’s products or services.
