The winners of the
2019 Golf Environment Awards (GEA) have been announced in a ceremony hosted by
STRI Group and the R&A.
The Environmental
Golf Course of the Year 2019 is Aldeburgh Golf Club. Creating what many thought
to be impossible, an almost perfect blend of course and ecology to the point
where it is hard to tell where one begins and another stops. All without sacrificing
the playability of the course.
The Conservation
Greenkeeper of the Year 2019 award went to Phil Stain, who has worked with his
team and their combined knowledge of ecological practice to maintain a course
that is in keeping with the surrounding country side and create great community
engagement.
The Outstanding
Environmental Project of the Year 2019 went to Wylihof Golf Club. An innovative
new design of ecological enhancement shows that we still have a lot to learn.
Conservation is a young science and there is still plenty of room for new
ideas.
The Operation
Pollinator 2019 was awarded to Corhampton GC as the club has shown that you
have to be brave when it comes to habitat management, but the results of their
efforts are well worth it creating big new expanses of habitat for pollinators.
STRI ecology
consultant, Rowan Rumball, said: “A huge congratulations to the winners and
finalists of this year’s awards. We have been amazed by the work that golf
clubs and greenkeepers are doing for the ecological and environmental wellbeing
of their courses and within the local community.
“Environmental best
practice is an important part of all golf clubs working remit and through the
introduction of next year’s Home Nations awards we hope more clubs will be
encouraged to enter the 2020 GEAs.”
The GEAs provide the
platform from which the golf industry can demonstrate environmental excellence
in all its forms.
STRI is indebted to
lead partner, The R&A, and the sponsors – Ransomes Jacobson, Aquatrols,
Syngenta, Tillers Turf and Wiedenmann and would like to thank them 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.
Fancy having a go
yourself? The entries for the 2020 Golf Environment Awards are now open and we
encourage all golf clubs, big or small, to enter and show off their hard work.
Enter today at http://www.golfenvironmentawards.com
