March News 2007

• Syngenta to support environmental education within European Golf
• Environmental Innovation and Technology Networkplans First Suite of Technical Projects
• Placement of Golf Courses with Respect to Nature
• Danish Golf and Nature publication
• New appointments for Golf Environment Europe

PRESS RELEASE - 5 th February 2007

ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY NETWORK PLANS FIRST SUITE OF TECHNICAL PROJECTS

The first meeting of Golf Environment Europe's Innovation and Technology Network was recently held in Amsterdam. One of the key outcomes was the planning of over 20 separate environmental information projects for 2007.

Chaired by the Sports Turf Research Institute, the meeting was attended by representatives of Golf Environment Europe, the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation and the University of Pisa. The Network also collaborates with North Carolina State University.

The meeting and first suite of projects were supported by Syngenta (GEE Technical Member) and Ransomes Jacobsen (GEE Official Supplier).

The steering committee of the Network also took the opportunity to put out a call to golf course managers across Europe for their thoughts on what specific environmental information and technology would be of most value in the future.

Having Chaired the meeting, Lee Penrose of the Sports Turf Research Institute said: "The STRI are delighted to be at the forefront of this European wide initiative, which aims to coordinate and better communicate technical guidance on a range of environmental issues that affect the management and development of golf courses.

"The meeting was extremely positive and we have a nucleus of very enthusiastic organisations on the steering committee.   We very much look forward to working with the existing partners and other researchers, as the Network establishes itself as a recognised centre for resource dissemination in the coming years".

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. They will also value information on the products and services which provide environmental solutions".

Jonathan Smith of Golf Environment Europe said: "We know there is a need to extend the coordination and dissemination of environmental information within golf.

"It is not just about reacting to the challenges that environmental sustainability presents. Much of the information we will promote will provide new opportunities for golf, raising awareness of new technologies and ways of doing things that are both better for the environment and for business".

"By increasing awareness and understanding of environmental issues and technical solutions, sponsors of the Network will also be able to highlight their own commitments to enhancing golf's environmental performance".

Austen Sutton of Syngenta added: "Syngenta are delighted to assist this effort to improve the way environmental information is disseminated in golf. It fit's well with our own commitments within environmental R&D and product support services. We want greenkeepers and course managers to have access to the latest environmental information, so that they can make more informed decisions as they undertake stewardship of Europe's courses".

The Network provides the opportunity for companies based or active in Europe, and with an interest in the long term sustainability of golf, to assist practitioners in continuing to adapt to environmental issues.  

GEE's Innovation and Technology Network represents a group of organisations that have come together to coordinate the dissemination of technical environmental information within European golf.

The Network also provides industry manufacturers and suppliers with the opportunity to support technical projects across a number of different topics.

Key issues to be addressed within the I&T project agenda are:

With the development of a single web based 'environmental 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.

Syngenta to support environmental education within European Golf

Company becomes Technical Member of GEE and leader in Innovation and Technology Network

Edinburgh, Scotland, Feburary 2007 - Syngenta Professional Products has become the first Technical Member of Golf Environment Europe and the first sponsor of GEE's Environmental Innovation and Technology Network.

Through these agreements, Syngenta sets out its commitment to support environmental education and information exchange within European golf.

Syngenta's support of the Innovation and Technology Network will facilitate practical projects across a wide range of environmental topics.

In the first instance Syngenta will provide a practical overview of the registration and approval process for pesticides in European countries, outlining the extensive research and development which is required today to develop a new plant protection product. This will offer those involved in golf course management with access to an improved understanding of these processes and the efforts taken to protect the environment.

In addition, Syngenta will assist in the collation of information on integrated turf management programmes on European golf courses. In parallel to these projects, Syngenta also will sponsor events and help produce materials to support golf-course superintendents in responsible chemical use.

"We are delighted to support this initiative," said Austen Sutton, of Syngenta Professional Products. "We strive to be active stewards of the golf industry and the environment." The Innovation and Technology Network is undertaking important work to make sure practitioners across Europe are properly informed on environmental issues. Syngenta is keen to support the industry in this way. Initiatives such as this one are an important component of ensuring a more sustainable future for golf."

"Syngenta is an organization that is looking to play an important part in improving the environmental performance of golf." said Jonathan Smith of Golf Environment Europe. They invest heavily in research and development to ensure all products reaching the market have undergone rigorous testing and they devote considerable attention to product support to ensure most effective and efficient usage. By supporting this aspect of GEE's work, they are helping golf to better understand environmental issues and the practical measures that can be taken to improve environmental practices within golf facilities."

The Innovation and Technology Network was formed by Golf Environment Europe in partnership with the Sports Turf Research Institute, the Scandinavian Turfgrass Foundation and the University of Pisa in Italy. It cooperates with other researchers and educators in Europe and North Carolina State University. The Network serves to help coordinate and disseminate technical environmental information within the European golf sector.

The Network will collate and disseminate information across a wide range of environmental issues, including; turfgrass management, pollution prevention, water resource management, ecology, waste management, energy efficiency, renewable energies, climate change, landscape and cultural heritage conservation.

Technical information sheets and data will be posted to a central web-based information centre during 2007. In the interim, a number of sources of technical information can be obtained from the Technical Library at www.golfenvironmenteurope.org

For more information about the Innovation and Technology Network, please contact Jonathan Smith, Golf Environmental Europe, at 0044 (0) 1620 850 659, or at jonathan@golfenvironmenteurope.org

Background information for editors:
Turf maintenance is a critical element of every golf facility's environmental management programme. Pesticides selected for use on golf courses have always passed successfully through a compulsory government controlled regulatory process ensuring they comply with specific requirements. In practice pesticide application must be carefully targeted according to well considered thresholds, applied at the recommended dose on the product label using properly calibrated equipment, applied as per label instructions by qualified operators, and should be stored, handled and disposed of according to legal and best practice requirements.

Syngenta turf products are specifically designed with turf in mind and undergo intense and rigorous testing to verify their biological efficacy and performance, minimal environmental impact and safety during the research and development phase before they receive the appropriate official national approval to be sold. Products are supported by technical turf experts who understand turf management and have first-hand industry experience.

PRESS RELEASE
19 March 2007

Placement of Golf Courses with Respect to Nature

In the Summer of 2005 the Minister for the Environment entered into an agreement with the The Danish Golf Union about future golf courses. This agreement was backed up by all the parties in the Danish Parliament except Enhedslisten. The last part of this agreement has been published, a guideline to golf, nature and outdoor life. The purpose of these guidelines are to come up with ideas on how nature and outdoor interests are managed best possible when it comes to planning, establishing and maintaining golf courses to protect the environment best possible.

The guidelines are worked out in continuation of the report from the Environmental Ministry "Location of golf courses" and with focus on local planning of golf courses further on to establishment and running of the course. The work on the guidelines has been carried through by The Danish Golf Union and the contents have been discussed in a working group consisting of The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF), Danish Society for Nature Conservation, The Danish Outdoor Council, Local Government Denmark, Danish Regions and Danish Forest and Nature Agency .

"It is very positive that authorities and organisations have worked out a number of recommendations to improve our common nature- and outdoor life close connected to golf. By these publications we now have common conditions for future golf courses ", the president of the e Danish Golf Union Søren Clemmensen says.

Today there are 164 golf clubs in Denmark under The Danish Golf Union and approximately 25 pay-and-play courses, and 30 projects in the pipeline. A golf course (18 holes) takes up to 60 acres on average. The areas - greens, fairways, and semi roughs - take up to approximately 30 acres - however rest of the grounds are unaffected. These areas consist of the original nature or the plantation or lakes made in connection with the establishment of the course.

The new guideline will be sent to all municipalities by mail and you can ask for a printed copy of "Golf, nature an outdoor life" by calling The Danish Golf Union on +45 43 26 27 00. Furthermore, the guidelines can be downloaded in Danish and English on www.dgu.org

Further information:

Janne Christensen, Danish Forest and Nature Agency : Phone +45 39 47 21 64
Torben Kastrup Petersen, The Danish Golf Union: Phone +45 43 26 27 09, mobile +45 40 40 91 02

PRESS RELEASE
New appointments for Golf Environment Europe

Edinburgh, 21 March 2006

The Trustees of Golf Environment Europe have today announced a new Chairman, and welcome two new Trustees

The non profit organisation is to be led by Bjorn Nordberg, a well respected figure in golf. He takes over from Tom Garvey, who has been at the helm of Golf Environment Europe, and its predecessor Committed to Green, since 1999.

The Foundation has been further strengthened by the appointment of two new Trustees, namely Mr Manuel Agrellos (past president of the PGAs of Europe) and Mr Angel Gallardo (Vice Chairman of the European Tour Executive Board).

Bjorn Nordberg is a senior figure in European golf - currently President of the Swedish Golf Federation, immediate Past-President of the European Golf Association and Committee Member with the European Tour.

On accepting the position, Bjorn made the following comment:

"I am delighted and honoured to take on the position of Chairman of the Foundation for Golf and Environment. I believe GEE has an extremely important role to play in golf's future. Golf has to credibly address and be seen to address environmental and sustainable development issues, and GEE is a vital component of that work. "GEE's neutral position, combined with cross sectoral participation from golfing and environmental organisations, make it an ideal platform to support and report on golf's environmental activities. This role compliments and unites the environmental efforts of individual golfing bodies such as the national golf federations, greenkeepers, architects, owners, educators, event organisers and professional associations.

"I very much look forward to developing Golf Environment Europe, and on building on the work of Tom Garvey. Tom has been a tremendous source of support for golf over the last five years.   His background with the European Commission has facilitated constructive communications between the golfing, environmental and government sectors."

On stepping down, Tom Garvey said:

The other Trustee's note their collective appreciation of the efforts of the outgoing Chairman, their support for Bjorn Nordberg and their enthusiasm for the new appointments.

The handover will officially take place in Basel on 21 March, during a joint meeting of the Foundation and the European Forum for Golf and Environment.

The other GEE Trustee's are: Mr Jaime Ortiz Patino, Mr Tony Bozzi, Mr Colin Wood, Mr Lodewijk Klootwijk, Mr Gordon McKillop, Mr Paul Rooney.

For further information on Golf Environment Europe and the Foundation for Golf and Environment, contact Jonathan Smith on +44 1620 850659 or jonathan@golfenvironmenteurope.org