Celebrating Earth Day: How Troon Golf Courses Are Investing In The Environment
Troon facilities around the world are working hard year-round to implement and sustain vital environmental initiatives that nurture and protect local ecosystems, flora and fauna. To honour Earth Day 2022, we are spotlighting some of the great work being done by Troon associates at golf clubs from Europe to Asia and everywhere in between.
The Grove
The Grove in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom was recently awarded GEO Certified® status, for commitment and efforts to achieve the credible international standard for sustainable golf course operation. This is a stamp of approval that the golf course has met a certain standard in areas of nature, resources, climate, and community. And further demonstrating the team’s continued commitment to the environmental initiatives in place, The Grove was awarded Environmental Golf Course of the Year at the Golf Environment Awards 2022!
Prestige Golfshire Club
The Prestige Golf Club in Bangalore, India sits below the naturally beautiful Nandi Hills across 275 acres of lush landscape. So with that in mind, the agronomy team operates with a sustainable approach wherever possible. From utilizing rainwater stored across one of the golf courses’ 16 lakes to reducing the use of pesticides and insecticides as well as providing an environment for everything from birds to bees, snakes, and fish, to thrive, the team is clearly putting nature first.
Velaa Private Island
Velaa Private Island in the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives is probably one of Troon’s most exotic destinations. Surrounded by water, the team has been part of an exciting Coral Restoration project for many years now and the results are clear for all to see. The largest project of its kind in the Maldives, some 4,200 nursery-grown corals have been transplanted into the waters around this unique 9-hole golf destination.
Al Zorah Golf Club
Al Zorah Golf Course was built with the local environment in mind; in total, one million square metres of mangroves characterize the Al Zorah Golf Club, and underline that notion of embracing rather than intruding on the natural layout of the land. A plethora of native sandy areas, an abundance of wildlife including various species of migratory birds, and 12 km of waterfront add to that sense of rich beauty and biodiversity. And the agronomy team are ever mindful of their approach in supporting the environment, another Troon golf course who is part of GEO’s Oncourse program for sustainability. Most recently they planted 50 trees and 60 bushes across the 12th, 13th and 18th holes. Several species were used for their sustainability in line with the local ecosystem and lower water requirements.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi is a hotspot for wildlife; the golf course and surrounding areas provide a thriving sanctuary for flora and fauna including over 160 bird species and 250 + mountain gazelles. The team continues to support the efforts of Saadiyat Island’s Hawksbill Turtle Conservation Programme which sees the nine-kilometre Saadiyat Beach become home to several hawksbill turtle nests each year, with each nest containing around 90 to 100 eggs. The team’s commitment to environmental conservation is epitomized with their efforts in achieving Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, Certification back in 2020.
PGA National Czech Republic
Sustainability and investing in the local environment have been are the forefront of the approach at PGA National Czech Republic at Oaks Prague from the get-go. As part of the GEO’s Oncourse program for sustainability, PGA National Czech Republic has looked for ways to increase biodiversity and promote sustainability, reduce energy consumption and recycle. The team looks after 104 hectares and has embraced their responsibility when it comes to environmental care. In 2020 944 trees were planted, 99% of golf rounds were walked, 100% of irrigation water was captured from the on-course drainage system filtering rainwater, 100% of plastic was recycled and 229T of grass clippings were sent to compost.
