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Flemish Golf Federation
Marc Verneirt, Flemish Golf Federation
- Contents
- 1 Golf & Environment in Flanders
- 2 Environmental Activities
- 2.1 Golfmemorandum
- 2.2 Golf Development Study
- 2.3 Golf & Milieu
- 2.4 Greenhouse Gases and Golf
- 2.5 Communication
- 3 Future Programmes
- 4 Links
1 Golf & Environment in Flanders
Environment and Planning are a core area of operation for the Golf Union in Flanders (VVG). A dedicated committee has been addressing key environmental issues since the inception of the federation in 2001. The committee has about 8 members comprising greenkeepers, golf managers and experienced volunteers from golf clubs.
The committee manages a small budget that is funded by the incomes of the members of the federation.
There is one staff member (with a specific degree, Master degree in Biology and environmental Impact Assessment) working on this topic about half time. In total the VVG has 5 full time staff members.
2.1 Golfmemorandum I (2003) and II (2006)
The ‘Golfmemorandum’ created a framework for the existing golfcourses on planning en environmental issues. Before the publication of the golfmemorandum the planning, creation and exploitation of a golfcourse was not regulated. The ‘Golfmemorandum’ wants to bring golf, nature and the social aspects together (through multifunctional recreational use). The publications in 2003 and 2006 were a solution for the complete block that was created by a publication in 1989. In 1989 the Flemish government wanted to control golfdevelopment but the publication resulted in the fact that golfdevelopment and golfmanagement became impossible between 1990 and 2000 without illegal actions.
New areas must take into account 4 principles:
1. Multi-purpose-functionality or recreational use : this means also not-golfers or not-golfclub-members can us the area on for example: walking way, bicycle paths, fishponds, tennis areas, bowls etc. Both the golf and the other recreational activities must be able to take place in all security. Therefore it depends on the size of the new golf, but surely it can be organized in an adapted way between the holes or around the golf.
2. Furthermore the Flemish government asks (particular attention for eco-golf-areas.
This means that the areas (like in the United Kingdom, Scotland and Sweden) are being managed with the best available techniques to achieve the most environment-friendly results. The minister welcomes the golf and environment programme of the Flemish Association for Golf (VVG), inspired by the European concept “Committed to Green”.
3. The document underlines that at least half of the new planned areas should be labeled as so-called ‘democratic golf areas’.
This means that for new golfers no starting-procedure and starting-fee are asked, the annual subscription must be payable for many people (max. 1000 €), there must be a good developed youth plan, and based on a so-called greenfee
(a low users-compensation) visitors should be able to play golf and to get golf lessons.
4. Ultimately the Flemish Government strives to a mix of different exploitation forms. For instance a golf area can be a pure private-matter, a public private cooperation, by which the authorities are responsible for the grounds and the buildings and the exploitation remains a private or a pure public matter.
2.2 Golf Development Study
By 2015 the Flemish golfing population is expected to increase to over 53,000 creating a demand for more golf areas than exist at present.
The Westflemish Economic Study Office (WES) has done research in 2004 and demonstrated that in all probability in 2015 53,200 Flemish people will play golf.
Today we have 30,000 Flemish golfers in 50 golf clubs or one 18-hole-course per 250,000 inhabitants. By comparison, in the Netherlands you will find a total of 300,000 golfers and they have one 18-hole-course per 100,000 inhabitants.
Thanks to the Flemish Golf Memorandum of June 2003, a lot of existing golf areas have been regulated and new possibilities have been created on each administration level. The municipalities became spatially competent for “type I areas”, which are the golfschools till 5ha or golfschools with a limited number of holes (max 6) to a maximum of 8ha. The province administrations take up responsibility for “type II areas”, which are areas with a maximum of 9 holes with a surface > 8 ha and < 40 ha. The Flemish Region is responsible for “type III areas”, which are golf areas larger than type I and type II. The most common 18-holes areas (40 till 70ha) or larger are labeled as type III area.
Assessments frame for investigation to expand existing or create new areas.
A technical study group will bring out an advice, based on an objective assessments frame with various criteria, to the Flemish Government, which will launch the decision phase after the investigation phase has come to an end.
This technical study group consists of a representative of the Flemish Minister of Sport, the Flemish Minister of Planning, the department Planning, Flemish Tourism, The office Nature & Woods, The department Agriculture, The Flemish Sport Federation, Nature Point Flanders, The Farmer Federation, The Flemish Golf Federation, a delegate from the concerned municipality. This technical study group is being presidented by BLOSO (= Institute for Sports in Flanders).
On a regional level there will start an investigation to the the expansion of four existing grounds. There starts also an investigation to 7 new “ type III (= 18 holes)“ – grounds :
“With this approved frame, we do not only fill in the need of new golf areas, but we also establish a win-win-situation, on a spatially justified manner” concludes Minister of Planning Van Mechelen. “With these principles we strive for a good mix between social aspects (relax distraction and exercise for everyone), economic elements (extra jobs and trade) and ecological aspects (nature and green preservation).
Also the Minister of Sport sounds satisfied about the progress: “this approach will lead on term to the democratization of golf in Flanders and can liberate this sport discipline of her elitist image.”
2.3 Golf & Milieu (Golf & Environment)
‘Golf & Milieu’ or ‘Golf & Environment’ is an environmental management programme for existing golf courses and for golf projects in Flanders. Eco-golf is defined in the ‘Golfmemorandum’ published by the Flemish Government in june 2003.
Less than 1 year after the launch of the environmental programme ‘Golf & Environment’ Royal Antwerp and Hasselt was the 7th & 8th golf club that receives the eco-label as recognition for their environmental work. After Damme, Cleydael, Drie Eyken, Overijse, Brabantse Golf en Royal Ostend also Royal Antwerp and Hasselt finished successfully the programme of the Flemish Golf Union (Belgium).
Royal Antwerp is the 2nd oldest golf club in continental Europe. Being build in 1888 it proves that not only young (Brabantse, Damme) and/or small clubs (Overijse, Drie eycken) but also the golf monuments of Flanders (Royal Ostend and Royal Antwerp) can achieve high standards on environmental level.
In June 2007, the Vlaamse Vereniging voor Golf and Damme Golf & Country Club have decided to track greenhouse gas sources arising from Damme Golf & Country Club’s activities in Belgium. Supervised by CO2LOGIC, this carbon audit is a fundamental starting point to understand, identify & manage the company’s GHG emissions profile throughout the value chain. It represents a true and fair account of Damme Golf & Country Club’s emissions, through the use of standardised approaches and principles.
The carbon report, prepared by CO2LOGIC is divided into three parts. The first section describes the general context of this study. The second part provides an analysis of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted by Damme Golf & Country Club’s activities in Belgium. It ranks emissions by source, includes relevant charts and presents key performance indicators. Finally, the last part evaluates the company’s exposure to fossil fuel price volatility and the possible cost of new carbon taxes.
To create awareness and change perceptions many small actions are necessary. The Flemish Golf Union did a pitchfork campaign, a poster campaign against waste on the golfcourse towards the golfers. To the non-golfers we did some advertising in magazines and we received some positive press.
Issues addressed have included: golf development; permits for golf courses; promotion of Integrated Pest Management; environmental awareness; and global warming issues.
Notable outcomes from these programmes include: publication of the golfmemorandum; independent research on the need for new courses; co-operation between Nature bodies and agronomic organisations; changing perceptions - golf is no danger for nature and is more open (not so elite); participation in Golf & Environment is good (8 labels, about 10 other clubs are involved)
Greenhouse Gas: research is needed on the sequestration properties of grasses, shrubs, trees. Is it possible that golf courses are CO2 neutral or can they become CO2 beneficial for society?