19 Mar 2024
Golf It!, the community-based golf and entertainment facility developed by The R&A in Glasgow, has achieved GEO Certified® Development status in recognition of the venue’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
GEO Certified® is an international sustainability certification for golf developments and the award marks a significant milestone for Golf It!, positioning it as a model for other facilities around the world to aspire to.
Russell Smith, General Manager at Golf It!, said, “The achievement of GEO Certification for Golf It! underlines our commitment to sustainability and the efforts we are making to ensure that golf has a positive impact on the environment and provides real value to people living in local communities.
“We have worked tirelessly to develop a venue which allows people to enjoy the many health benefits of golf with their family and friends and promotes the importance of time spent outdoors in the fresh air. It reflects the requirements of a sustainable golf development which many other facilities worldwide can look to in the progression of their own venues and activities.”
Golf It! is located in north-east Glasgow and directly connected to Hogganfield Park, one of the city’s Seven Lochs wetland parks. The venue boasts a full-length 9-hole golf course, a built-in par 3 course, putting greens, a 52-bay double decker floodlit driving range driving range, community-focused spaces and walking trails.
A certification report, prepared by the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, independently evaluated the venue's sustainability vision, goals and targets, as well as examining the use of sustainability practices throughout the entire development process from design to construction and management.
It found that Golf It! has achieved several key highlights in sustainable golf development, including:
Sam Thomas, Director of Golf Development at GEO Foundation, said, “Golf It! has been a wonderful project to work on and the conversion of an 18-hole golf course into a diverse golfing destination will contribute towards sustaining the future of the sport.
“The project has enhanced an existing green site that includes wetlands and woodlands to boost biodiversity and create new spaces for priority species to inhabit. The result is an urban golf facility that is accessible to so many people to enjoy golf in a variety of formats. I don't think we have seen a community impact as positive as this before in golf developments.”
A sustainable development strategy will continue to evolve over the next five years with a focus on increasing biodiversity, incorporating a carbon management plan and working towards achievement of the GEO Certified® Facility certification.
For more information, visit www.golf-it.com
Pictured: Sam Thomas, Director of Golf Development, GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, Scott Corrigan, Golf Course Manager, Golf It! and Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf, The R&A
