Regardless of whether you are a commercial operator, a private members club or a local authority, you need to run your golf facilities in a sustainable business like manner. In order to do this as effectively and efficiently as possible, more and more people involved in golf course management are setting up Integrated Management Plans (IMPs), which outline their strategy for the future upkeep and development of their facilities.
It will benefit and enable the golf facility to:
i.Summarise and bring clarity and structure to the wide range of environmental issues relevant to the whole golf facility.
ii. Protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the golf course through:
•taking an holistic, long term integrated approach to managing the playing areas and surrounding environment
•dentifying and maintaining existing good practice
•anticipating inadvertent mis-management and wasteful practices and so being able to avoid it
•to ensure pollution is prevented and full legal compliance
•increasing knowledge and understanding amongst staff, committees, members, and visitors
iii. Ensure efficient resource and utility management methods in the facility buildings leading to potential cost savings.
iv.Identify sources of advice, funding and other resources through appropriate partnerships.
iv.Drive performance, improve forward planning, continuity of management approach and co-ordination of available resources.
vi.Increase membership and visitor numbers by gaining respect locally and nationally, and raising member, visitor and local community awareness of the Clubs stewardship of the golf facilities.
We would recommend that all golf facilities utilise our free downloadable guidance documents and templates to produce an IMP which covers all the relevant issues affecting a golf course.
Clubs that reach a high level in this area may be eligible for the Scottish Golf Certificate for Management Planning.
Recording, monitoring and benchmarking
Effective recording and monitoring of all chemicals and materials used in course management is important. SGEG recommend a recording system such as the free online system provided by The R&A. This system can also enable a club to monitor past usage and trends and to compare and benchmark usage anonymously against similar courses in the country. See www.bestcourseforgolf.org/benchmarking for more information.
Greening of Golf Events
SGEG have produced guidelines to help Scottish Golf Union Event Organisers host environmentally responsible golfing events. They will assist in how to plan to meet legal environmental obligations and address public concerns while at the same time reducing costs, conserving resources, minimising risk, improving health and safety standards, maintaining good community relations and creating a positive corporate image.
The simple steps towards sustainability can equally assist Scottish Golf Clubs to ‘go greener’ when staging competitions or other events.