Twenty-three golf clubs across the Netherlands have had their commitment to sustainability recognised by certification from the Golf Environment Organization.

The clubs have benefited from the long-term commitment and investment of the Nederlandse Golf Federatie (NGF) enabling the country to lead the world in the number of clubs that have achieved GEO’s internationally recognised sustainable assurance.

GEO chief executive Jonathan Smith said: ”Golf needs visible, credible sustainability leadership. These clubs are models for others, demonstrating that real world corporate responsibility and environmental performance can be practically and beneficially delivered. Through their actions these clubs and the NGF are leading sustainability in golf.”

Ronald Pfeiffer, the president of NGF, said: “We’re thrilled that our established and ongoing environmental efforts have been recognised by the Golf Environment Organization. We have been actively promoting environmental sustainability to our members for over a decade, through our Committed to Green campaign and awards scheme, and with the enthusiastic drive of our own environmental volunteers.”

Among the clubs to achieve the GEO’s Certified award are Noordwijkse, Kennemer, Koninklijke Haagsche (Royal Hague) and Hilversumsche, the current home of the KLM Dutch Open.

Each of the 23 clubs received third party verification by sustainable golf experts Adrie van der Werf, Guido Hamelink and Sander Kristalijn, GEO’s accredited verifiers for the Netherlands. The trio are members of a growing, 60-strong global network of GEO Sustainability Associates dedicated to formally verifying participating sites, and offering advocacy and advisory support.