STRI Group will be
heavily involved in delivering a range of The
R&A‘s golf course sustainability projects as part of its Golf Course 2030
initiative.
Golf Course 2030 was
established by The R&A in 2018 to address the challenges posed by climate
change, resource constraints and regulation on golf course conditioning and
playability and to provide best practice in sustainability to those working in golf
course management.
STRI is one of seven
organisations that will receive grant awards over the next four years to run
sustainability projects and develop solutions that can be shared with golf
course managers, greenkeepers and organisations involved in the
maintenance and conditioning of golf facilities around the world.
The projects and
organisations being funded are:
Course condition and
playability:
- Golf green quality
standard (STRI Group)
- Quality standards
for the golf course beyond the greens (University
Centre Myerscough)
Resources:
- The
Greenkeeper/Golf Course Manager Profile (SRUC)
- Education for the
Greenkeeping workforce (SRUC)
- Aggregates:
availability and alternative products and solutions (STRI Group)
- Integrated turf
management (STRI Group)
- Integrated
management of diseases, weeds and insect pests on European golf courses (STERF)
- Water management:
irrigation and drainage for golf courses (STRI and Environmental Protection Group)
Coastal change:
- Coastal management
studies: links survey, innovative coastal management approaches and helping the
golf community play its role in coastal management to secure a sustainable
long-term future (Royal
HaskoningDHV)
- Demonstration
Project for an innovative system of erosion mitigation of coastline at risk (Siskin Asset Management and Subsea Consulting Services)
- Blue carbon audit
of coastal golf courses (St Andrews
University)
Steve Isaac,
Director – Sustainability at The R&A, said: “This marks our initial
investment in research, education and communication projects in support of our
Golf Course 2030 initiative. We are funding these projects to develop best
practice in sustainability and provide solutions to golf course managers that
will help to sustain and improve the standard of golf course conditions and
playability for the benefit of those who enjoy the sport.
“The results of the
projects being funded will contribute significantly towards meeting the aims of
Golf Course 2030 and provide insights to the golf industry as we consider how
to address the challenges and opportunities presented by a changing climate,
resource constraints and regulation on golf course management.”
The results of each
project will be published in reports to be made available to the golf industry
via The R&A website following their conclusion.
More information on
each project and its objectives can be found here https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/golfcourse2030
