July News 2006

• ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY NETWORK FOR EUROPEAN GOLF SECTOR

• OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPANIES TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME FOR EUROPEAN GOLF

ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY NETWORK FOR EUROPEAN GOLF SECTOR
Golf Environment Europe, in partnership with the Sports Turf Research Institute, the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation and the University of Pisa has today announced a new initiative to coordinate the pan - European production and exchange of technical information on environmental issues in golf.

GEE's Innovation and Technology Network will be the first time that research, development and information exchange on technical environmental issues relating to golf will have been brought together in a single coordinated framework, with a centralised research agenda.

The Network will provide industry manufacturers and suppliers with the opportunity to fund research and information exchange projects across a number of different topics, through the three research centres.

Key issues to be addressed within the research agenda will be:

Commenting on the Network, Gordon McKillop of the Sports Turf Research Institute said: "The STRI are delighted to be at the forefront of this European wide initiative to bring together and better communicate technical guidance on a range of environmental issues that affect the management and development of golf courses.

"As Chair of the I&T Working Group, we will strive to set out a collective research agenda across those issues, which can be explored further between each of the research centres and commercial companies".

Maria Strandberg of the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation, and Chair of Golf Environment Europe's Forum added: "It is vital that if golf facilities are to cope with ever changing environmental legislation, best practices and public expectations, that they need information on how to tackle technical issues and the products and services which provide the tools and environmental solutions".

Jonathan Smith of Golf Environment Europe said: "There really is a need to improve the amount and coordination of research and information exchange on environmental issues within golf.   This kind of industry driven activity has been taking place in the US for many years, where it is extremely well resourced.

"This network provides the opportunity for companies based or active in Europe, and with a vested interest in the future of golf, to assist practitioners in continuing to adapt to environmental issues.

"By facilitating greater awareness and understanding of environmental issues and technical solutions, companies will also be able to highlight the environmental contribution of their own products and services.

"It is not all about reacting to the challenges that environmental sustainability presents, much of this work can provide new opportunities for golf, identifying and raising awareness of new technologies that are both better for the environment and for business".

With the development of a single web based information centre, the outputs of the Network will be readily accessible to all practitioners within golf, and all those interested in the relationship between golf and the environment.

For more information on the Network, and to discuss opportunities to get involved, please contact Jonathan Smith at Golf Environment Europe on 0044 (0) 1620 850 659, or at jonathan@golfenvironmenteurope.org . Visit www.golfenvironmenteurope.org for more information.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPANIES TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME FOR EUROPEAN GOLF
Golf Environment Europe (GEE), the not for profit body working to promote environmental sustainability in European golf, has today announced a new initiative through which the golf sector's manufacturing, supply and consultancy companies can get more actively engaged in the process of improving and promoting golf's sustainability.

Speaking about the new 'Industry Member' programme, Jonathan Smith, Chief Officer of GEE said:

"Golf, quite simply, must address the increasingly important matter of environmental sustainability. Golf must show itself to be a responsible user of land and water. The future of golf as a business is affected by how well we now respond to environmental pressures and opportunities. It is in the interests of us all to develop an appropriate response in Europe and this effort is something that golf's manufacturers, suppliers and consultancies can and should be involved in.

He continued; "many of golf's manufacturing, supply and consultancy companies carry a considerable environmental ethic, and have a key role to play in raising standards of environmental practice within golf course management and development.

"For many years, commercial companies have been involved in environmental R&D, providing technical advice and product solutions to key environmental issues. The role of such R&D in facilitating the more sustainable development and management of golf courses should not be under-estimated.

"There is now an opportunity for these companies to openly support an environmental programme for golf in Europe".

David Withers, Managing Director of Ransomes Jacobsen in Europe supported the call for companies to get more actively involved:

"Driving environmental performance has been our marketing strategy for the past three years, but it's more than that. We have adopted this as a company-wide philosophy and it permeates everything we do. Alongside considerable R&D into more efficient machinery, we also fully support the work of GEE, and all that it is trying to achieve for the benefit of golf and the environment.

"We would encourage manufacturers, suppliers and consultancies to become 'Industry Members' of Golf Environment Europe. As golf increasingly has to adapt to environmental pressures, it makes perfect business sense for manufacturers and suppliers to be associated with credible environmental initiatives and to create the opportunity to demonstrate how their products and services are a solution to environmental issues. Industry Membership will be good for your business, good for golf and good for the environment."

The Industry Member programme has been developed to help build Golf Environment Europe's capacity. It will enable GEE to provide greater communication on environmental issues - within and outwith the sector; to offer guidance, advice and environmental education to golfing and environmental bodies across Europe; to strengthen partnerships worldwide with other global golf/environment initiatives and to continue to develop and promote environmental standards for golf course management and development.

To obtain a copy of the GEE Industry Member Prospectus please contact Jonathan Smith, Chief Officer, Golf Environment Europe on 0044 (0) 1620 850 659, or jonathan@golfenvironmenteurope.or For more information on GEE visit www.golfenvironmenteurope.org