LATEST
NEWS

Renewed sustainability certification from GEO for St Andrews Links
Adam Lawrence
/ Categories: News

Renewed sustainability certification from GEO for St Andrews Links

St Andrews Links has again earned the GEO Certified ecolabel in recognition of its long-term sustainability commitment and achievements. The Links Trust, which manages the seven courses at Europe’s biggest golf complex was the first Open venue to achieve the certification in 2011 with the recertification coming as the town prepares to host the 2015 Open Championship in July.

The Links has operated a sustainability programme for many years with GEO’s three-yearly re-certification process highlighting the high standards for sustainable management of links turf based on traditional practices as well as the strength of the interrelationship between the courses and the town.

In the re-certification reports of the Links and the Castle Course, third party verifier Mike Wood stated that both had demonstrated significant improvements in standards over the previous three years. The independent verification describes the appointment by the Links of full-time environmental officer James Hutchinson in 2014 as a ‘significant pioneering step’ to raise the level of commitment to develop and implement environmental management work, and increase the public profile of sustainability issues in the work of the Links.

A number of other sustainability measures at the Links were highlighted, including:

  • New sheep grazing project to improve grassland species diversity and habitat on over two hectares of grassland at Outhead 
  • Further improvement in waste reduction, energy conservation and water conservation 
  • Implementation of a rainwater harvesting project at the Jubilee maintenance facility 
  • New food waste composting facility at Eden maintenance facility 
  • Significant improvements in the efficiency of the irrigation system 
  • Construction of the new Tom Morris building, incorporating multiple passive energy saving measures and giving energy savings in the storage and distribution process 
  • Significant improvements in the proportions of supplies sourced from within the 100 mile distance band.

Links Trust chief executive Euan Loudon said: “One of the values underpinning our work here on a daily basis is to be responsible custodians of this special place, which is reflected in a number of ways not least our commitment to ensuring conservation of the living landscape of the Links to help St Andrews’ social and economic vitality. This has been a dedicated element of our work here for a number of years, which makes it especially pleasing that the recertification review identified significant improvements since 2011. This is a source of tremendous pride for everyone associated with the Links as we have not rested on our laurels. The appointment of James as environmental officer highlights the work in continuing to improve and explore new ways of enhancing our commitment to sustainability.”

Previous Article Series of improvements to course at The Refuge helps improve playability
Next Article Zoysia backers to host Olympic course panel during San Antonio GIS
Print
7131 Rate this article:
No rating
Sean Dudley

Adam LawrenceSean Dudley

Other posts by Adam Lawrence
Contact author

Contact author

x
The April 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!
Magazine, News | Wed 16 Apr, 2025

The April 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!

Includes reports from Maggie Hathaway and Apogee, interviews with Martin Ebert and Dave Axland and a feature on golf art

Spring 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Magazine, News | Fri 14 Mar, 2025

Spring 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now

New issue asks whether the golf boom has led to an increase in municipal golf investment

FEATURE
ARTICLES

Maggie Hathaway: A force for good
Stephen Barton – Second Collective
On site | Adam Lawrence

Maggie Hathaway: A force for good

The reconstruction of the nine-hole course in Los Angeles is the golf industry at its best, says Adam Lawrence

Designs for the big screen
Pizá Golf
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

The ties that bind
Crooked Stick
Opinion | Justin Olmstead

The ties that bind

Justin Olmstead of Profile Products talks about the relationships behind the renovation of Crooked Stick in Indiana

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz
Konrad Borkowski
Interview | Adam Lawrence

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Jim Wagner and Rusty Mercer discuss Kinsale design and build
Kinsale Golf Club
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Jim Wagner and Rusty Mercer discuss Kinsale design and build

Florida course is a tribute to the Golden Age designs of Raynor and Macdonald

Are bunkers getting too pretty for their own good?
Larry Lambrecht
Feature | Adam Lawrence

Are bunkers getting too pretty for their own good?

Is the beauty of bunkering being over-emphasised at the expense of its function, asks Adam Lawrence

Good Read: The Prairie Raynor
Grant Books Ltd
Good Read | John Moran and Rand Jerris

Good Read: The Prairie Raynor

John Moran and Rand Jerris share insight into their book about Seth Raynor’s design at Chicago Golf Club

Vinpearl Golf Léman: New pearls for Vietnam
Vinpearl Golf Leman
Report | Richard Humphreys

Vinpearl Golf Léman: New pearls for Vietnam

The first of two Golfplan-designed courses at club near Ho Chi Minh City has opened for play

Seven Canyons: Desert drama
Brad Klein
Report | Bradley Klein

Seven Canyons: Desert drama

Brad Klein reports on a Phil Smith Design renovation in Sedona, Arizona

Golf Club Föhr: Reinvented for a new century
Stefan von Stengel
On site | Adam Lawrence

Golf Club Föhr: Reinvented for a new century

Adam Lawrence reports on a visit to the far north of Germany where Christian Althaus has completely rebuilt the 27-hole course over the last 15 years

Nauka Nayarit: Welcome to the jungle
Harris Kalinka
Report | Richard Humphreys

Nauka Nayarit: Welcome to the jungle

Ten holes of a new Fazio Design course on Mexico’s Pacific coast have opened for play

Gopher Watch Competition – January 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Wed 16 Apr, 2025

Gopher Watch Competition – January 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

MOST
POPULAR

FEATURED
BUSINESSES