Golf Clubs and Local Authorities throughout Scotland have been provided with a new and innovative resource, The Golf Bag, aimed at assisting them with their environmental management.

The Scottish Golf Union, already world renowned for its stance on environmental concern having been the first National Federation to appoint a full time Environmental Adviser, launched the project at the Scottish National Golf Centre in Fife on 11 June 1999.

The Golf Bag, the first project of its type world-wide, is designed to disseminate a wide range of environmental reference material across the country, specifically on golf course environmental management.

60 Bags are located throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, ranging from Dornoch in the north to Southerness in the south. The Bags can be accessed by any Club, Local Authority or anyone interested in environmental management of golf courses. They can sign the Bag out and retain it at their course for up to one month. Whilst they have the Bag they will have access to advice on issues ranging from coastal erosion to woodland management, and from pond creation to environmentally sound pest and turf management. The Bags are co-ordinated at local level by a group of Bag Managers. Every Club and Council has been informed as to who their local Bag Managers are, and how they can get hold of the Bag. An accompanying Handbook has also been produced, a copy of which has been sent to all Clubs and Councils, to inform them of what is in the Bag and how each publication may be of benefit.

The funding partners were : The Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, The Scottish Greenbelt Foundation, The Committed to Green Programme and Forward Scotland. It was co-ordinated by the SGEG (formerly the Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Group), and Nike UK sponsored the bags.

Hamish Grey, Chief Executive of the Scottish Golf Union said : " The Union are committed to providing our member Clubs with the best, most up to date advise on all Course Management issues, and this project will help meet this aim. It is right that the Home of Golf leads the way in environmental matters, particularly as there is such a close relationship between the golfing quality for which Scotland is world renowned, and the environment in which those courses are located."

Speaking at the launch of the Golf Bags, Karen Morrison from Scottish Natural Heritage said:
" Scotland's 500 golf courses can make a significant contribution to protecting and enhancing our unique and precious natural heritage. Courses which work with nature and harmonise with their surrounding landscape are models of good practice. SNH supports the use of the Golf Bag, to bring sound information to those who can make a difference to their golf courses, for the benefit of golf and the natural heritage alike".

Click to download endorsements, contents list and Golf Bag Manager contact details