Local Johannesburg golf clubs among the leaders of water sustainability in golf around the world
KENSINGTON – Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in the forefront for water sustainability in golf
In partnership with the ruling authority of golf, Royal and Ancient (R&A), the Club Management Association of South Africa and the Professional Golfers Association of South Africa hosted a series of sustainability workshops.
The aim of the workshops was to give the associations’ member professionals access to cutting-edge global information about the game of golf.
The Golf Environment Organisation SA Sustainability Workshops took place around the country and aimed to introduce the latest information on golf course sustainability and cutting-edge technology.
Director for sustainability at the R&A, Steve Isaac expressed his admiration for the South African golfing industry which he said was unified and working together to ensure a sustainability culture in the country.
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“It struck me how everyone in South Africa involved in golf courses and the management thereof are working together to try and find solutions,” said Isaac.
South African golf is the leader in maintaining golf facilities in a sustainable fashion.
“I think golf courses around the world are a lot more proactive around the water issue than people might give them credit for. Areas such as South Africa, Australia and southern Europe are water-scarce areas and the golfing industry, just like other industries, are aware of this and are taking measures,” he added.
In light of the droughts in the country, sustainability has become crucial. In the Western Cape, Stellenbosch Golf Club conveyed that from their previous water requirement of 1.5 million litres on a normal summer evening, they have managed to cut down to 700 000 litres under the water restriction currently imposed.
The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club also confirmed that they have managed to cut down water usage by at least 30 per cent. This is a very big step for the two courses and it puts them in front when it comes to leading by example for sustainability not just in the golfing industry, but many other industries as well.
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“A lot of times the problem isn’t just golf’s problem but society’s problem, particularly around old cities and places where the infrastructure isn’t there to provide the recycled water that golf courses could use,” Isaacs stated.
It is important that government and organisations realise the urgency to put up an infrastructure for recycling water and to make society aware of alternatives in order to successfully forge a culture of sustainability.
Edited by Beryl Knipe
