The R&A has been recognised at the BASIS Awards, winning the Adaptation Award for its pioneering Water Security Index initiative, developed in partnership with The Environmental Partnership (TEP).
Developed as part of The R&A's Golf Course 2030 (GC2030) programme, the world's first golf-specific Water Security Index provides clubs with a practical framework to assess water security, identify potential risks and take proactive steps to improve their long-term resilience to climate change.
With water scarcity, increasing drought frequency and growing pressure on water resources presenting significant challenges for golf, the initiative helps venues better understand their water requirements and plan for a more sustainable future.
Initially piloted at Open venues, the initiative has since expanded across the UK and into Europe, with assessments covering 46 golf venues.
Each venue receives a water security score alongside a prioritised action plan, providing practical recommendations to improve irrigation efficiency, water storage, resource management and long-term resilience.
Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf at The R&A, commented, "We're delighted to receive this award, which is fantastic recognition of the work being undertaken to address one of the most significant long-term challenges facing golf. “Water security is fundamental to the future sustainability of our sport, and this initiative is providing clubs with the knowledge and practical guidance needed to make informed decisions and build greater resilience. This recognition is also testament to our collaboration with TEP, and we look forward to building on this progress to support more clubs around the world."
The Water Security Index forms part of The R&A's wider commitment to supporting a more sustainable future for golf, demonstrating how evidence-based research and practical guidance can help clubs adapt to changing environmental conditions.
The R&A were also nominated for the Partnership Award for Scaling Sustainable Travel Across The R&A's Major Championships, in collaboration with You. Smart. Thing. The R&A's Sustainability Manager, Owen James, was nominated for the Leadership Award for his work as a mentor, supporting individuals as they transition into sustainability roles.
