SENTOSA GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE
GAME ON! Sustainability gathers pace
N
ot so long ago, sustainability, for many, would have been little more than a buzzword. However, sustainability in golf has evolved significantly over the last decade, as levels of awareness and urgency towards environmental and social issues have increased. We’ve witnessed this first-hand at Sentosa Golf Club, of course. Last year, aided by GEO Foundation, we became the world’s first golf club to join the United Nation’s Sports for Climate Action Initiative — and our work with the international not-for profit, an organisation dedicated to advancing sustainability in and through golf, remains crucial. Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, GEO Foundation, is buoyed by what he has seen at Sentosa and across the wider industry. “There is evidence that sustainability is actually much more deeply connected to the overall efficiency, popularity and all-round success of golf facilities,” explains Smith, who also stresses why it’s so
SGA Juniors learning to fill in divots at Sentosa Golf Club
There is evidence that sustainability is actually much more deeply connected to the overall efficiency, popularity and allround success of golf facilities.”
important for clubs around the world to implement sustainability strategies.
Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, GEO Foundation
16
Firstly, there’s the protection against pressures such as regulation and the cost of key resources like water and energy. Then there are the new opportunities it can offer, sentosagolfclub
@sentosagolfclub
including golf course enhancements, investments and cost savings. On top of this, a club’s sustainability actions can boost its own profile and encourage a sense of achievement and pride within the community.
New Trends At Sentosa, we realise the importance of communicating what we do not just with our Members, but also the wider community. Smith is hopeful that more clubs will follow suit in 2021, and he’s also excited to see how new trends will develop, such as the continuing drive for operational efficiencies, including further analysis of key expenditures such as water and energy. We’re proud to be a great leadership example, and we’re encouraged to learn of the rapid increase in the number of associations, tours, tournaments and facilities that are building climate action into their plans. It is also hoped that more organisations will target becoming @sentosagolfclub