A new Sustainable Golf Development standard, developed through close collaboration both within and outside the industry, has been introduced as part of efforts to improve sustainability.

After 18 months of open consultation by an international expert working group, facilitated by the Golf Environment Organization (GEO), a credible, accessible and relevant voluntary sustainability standard for golf development has been established.

The eight members of the working group are: The Society of Australian Golf Course Architects; American Society of Golf Course Architects; The European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA); The Golf Course Builders Association of America; The European Commission; Beijing Forestry University; Australian National University; and the World Wildlife Fund.

The standard document provides a framework which guides the process of delivering new golf developments and renovations, from site selection through to opening day, with the aim of maximising positive social and environmental value throughout.

Tom Mackenzie, president of EIGCA, said: “The European Institute of Golf Course Architects congratulates the Golf Environment Organization on the publication of the Golf Development Voluntary Sustainability Standard. It is another important stage in demonstrating that golf courses can be developed in a way that is good for all concerned. We are proud of our input assisting GEO which dates back more than a decade now and look forward to further close collaboration with all of the team there in the coming years.”

Robert Donkers, former director of Urban Policy, DG Environment for the European Commission, said: “The development of the voluntary sustainability standard for golf developments is a strong and practical display of the golf industry’s commitment to sustainable development. It is also a demonstration of productive collaboration across and outside the industry. We are proud to have been a part of the process and look forward to seeing this practical and accessible standard’s positive impact across the golf development sector continue to grow.”