Current News

EC WELCOMES NEW INITIATIVE FOR GOLF AND ENVIRONMENT
The EC has welcomed the launch of Golf Environment Europe (GEE), formed by the Trustees of the European Foundation for Golf and Environment (formerly the Committed to Green Foundation). mThe programme of GEE's activities will be led by the European Forum for Golf and Environment - a partnership of golfing and environmental organisations.

Timo Makela, Depute Director General of Environment at the European Commission said: "I am pleased to see the birth of a new initiative aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues in the European golf sector. I hope that this initiative will help golf facilities across Europe to share best practices and achieve the highest level of environmental protection. In particular, I am pleased to see that the most ambitious and credible of all environmental management systems currently available, the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), has been selected by Golf Environment Europe as the recommended system. I am convinced that this will help all golf facilities across the EU to assess, manage, improve and communicate on their environmental performance. After all, part of the enjoyment of golf is to be outside in a clean environment close to nature".

GEE builds upon over ten years of golf environment programme development from the Committed to Green Foundation.

Forethcoming projects include the launch of golfenvironmenteurope.org, the organisation's environmental information centre; the re-launch of the former Committed to Green environmental management system for golf courses and the launch of a programme that will enable new golf course developments to register and be certified for properly integrating environmental issues into their planning, design and construction.

Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive of Golf Environment Europe added: "This is another important step forward for golf in Europe. The collective and participative development of this initiative and its work programme, demonstrates a willingness by golfing bodies to tackle the common goal of environmental sustainability. The golf sector can only address environmental issues credibly if golf organisations work together, and in partnership with government agencies and non government organisations. We are a neutral and objective body, which will recognise environmental challenges to golf, seek meaningful solutions, and promote the uptake of best practice".

CARTON HOUSE JOINS TOP ENVIRONMENTAL COURSES
Carton House Golf Club was recently the first Irish golf facility to be presented with Golf Environment Europe's "ECOManagement" award - formerly the Committed to Green Award.  The award was presented by Mr Dick Roche, Irish Environment Minister at a ceremony at Carton House.

Also present to support the Club were representatives from the European Tour, Golfing Union of Ireland, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland, Race Against Waste, Irish Heritage Service, Failte Ireland, and Quadra Environmental Consultants.

The award is presented to golf courses across Europe which have adopted high standards of environmental practice.

On presenting the award, Mr Dick Roche said: "The environmental management system at Carton House sets a tremendous example for all other golf courses in Ireland. It demonstrates how sound environmental practices are totally compatible with good business management and enjoyable golf. With the support of the Golfing Union of Ireland, we would encourage all golf courses in Ireland to follow this lead in developing, and then promoting, their environmental stewardship. There are many government agencies that can assist clubs, such as Race Against Waste, the Irish Heritage Service and Failte Ireland, and we would hope golf clubs will work in partnership with these and other environmental bodies".

Commenting on the Award, Conor Mallaghan, Executive Director, Carton House Estate said: "This is a fantastic achievement for the team at Carton House and is the culmination of five years hard work by our Green and Ground staff. All new developments undertaken at Carton, including the construction of two world championship golf courses have been done with great sensitivity to the environment and the existing landscape."

"At Carton we recognise that environmental matters are of utmost importance and our management approach ensures that environmental protection is central to all decisions, policies and practices."

Richard Hills, Director of the European Tour added: "The Tour are delighted that another of its host venues has achieved this important milestone. It ties in very well with our own commitments towards the ongoing integration of environmental best practices into our event organization. We congratulate Carton on their efforts and on developing such a tremendous venue for European Tour golf events."

Tom Garvey, Chairman of Golf Environment Europe said: "We are hugely impressed by the environmental policies and practices in place at Carton. The team at Carton has developed a world class golfing and leisure facility whilst demonstrating a deep understanding of, and ability to care for, the natural and cultural heritage of the site. The Foundation is delighted to announce that Carton is the first Golf Club in Ireland to meet the requirements of our "ECOManagement" Programme."

The "ECOManagement" scheme is the only pan European, golf specific, environmental programme for Golf Clubs. There are currently thirty "ECOManagement" golf courses in seven European countries, while many more are actively working to achieve the recognition. Whilst recognizing the considerable commitment of golf clubs, the programme also encourages golf facilities to register in the European Commission EcoManagement and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

The Environmental Programme at Carton House Golf Club has been managed by Course Superintendent, John Plummer. Specific measures undertaken by the team include:

The 1100 acre Estate includes 3km of waterways and 100 hectares of woodland. The Estate has Special Area of Conservation Status and is home to many rare species including, fresh water lamprey mollusks, crayfish and the vertigo snail. Rare plants found on the Estate include Hairy St. John's Wort and Figworth. Carton is also home to a herd of red deer, badgers, otters, foxes, shrew, owls, buzzards, nightjar, jay, kingfisher, hawks, falcon and bats.

Already acclaimed for its two championship golf courses and venue for the 2006 Irish Open, a €80 million investment at Carton House is driving the development of a 165 bedroom luxury hotel on the Carton House Estate. The hotel will boast three bars, two restaurants, as well as 14 meeting and event facilities and Spa. Carton is also home to the new Golfing Union of Ireland head quarters, golf museum and golf academy which are currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2006.

ARCHITECTS AND GREENKEEPERS LEAD THE WAY
The representative bodies of European golf course architecture and greenkeeping are leading the way in the movement for golf organisations to identify and communicate their environmental commitments. At recent Conferences in Portugal and Mallorca, the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations have drafted their own "Environmental Policy Statements".

The policy statements emphasise why environmental stewardship is important for the golf sector, identify the specific roles of greenkeepers and golf course architects, explain the relationship between course design and management with key environmental issues, and propose a series of future actions to ensure even greater application of environmental best practice within course design and maintenance.

Both are due to be formally endorsed and published later in 2006.