Phoenix-based design firm Golf Resource Group has begun offering the Golf Environment Organization’s certification programme in the US.

“We saw the GEO certification process as a natural progression to what we’ve been doing in the golf industry for the past nine years. GEO’s philosophy on sustainability very much matches up with the philosophy we’ve developed over the years so we saw this as an opportunity to provide even more value to the courses who consult with us,” said GRG president Andy Staples. 

GRG now offers courses guidance with the GEO certification process in addition to offering resource management planning and golf design services. 

Staples plans to undertake certification work in partnership with Scott Morrison, the pioneer of the GEO process in North America. Morrison was responsible for the verification process of Mirimichi Golf Course in Millington, Tennessee, the first fully GEO certified course in the US.  

“There’s so much talk about sustainability these days. I hope the meaning behind the word doesn't get washed out and become meaningless,”  Staples said.  “We're hoping to do our part to make sure that doesn't happen.”