Whether or not a person agrees with the "green" movement itself is irrelevant, protecting our environment is simply a good idea. If nothing else, the "go green" catchphrase is causing more and more people to be aware of their environmental impact.
Businesses Taking Notice
Individuals are not the only entities begining to take notice, so are businesses and so is golf. To say that businesses, golf or otherwise, have decided to put causes ahead of profits would be foolhardy; after all, there would be no businesses without profit margins. Again, regardless of their reasons for choosing environmentally sound practices, it's a good thing.
It's even better for golf companies than most sports-related businesses. No other sport, possibly aside from bass fishing or airplane acrobatics, comes into such contact with, and makes such an impact on the environment. There's room for argument as to the level of detrimental impact golf has on the environment, but here are a few unmistakably positive players in the reduction of whatever the level of negative impact may be.
Golf Courses Even Greener than Before
The world-famous Audobon International has established the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and Signature Programs for golf courses who meet their high standards and demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment. The three top environmentally friendly golf courses include Bulls Bridge Golf Club in Kent, CT, the Bay Club at Matapoisett, in Mattapoisett, MA, and Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, MA. Several other clubs, all in New England, are Audubon Certified Sanctuaries, including TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT, TPC Boston, and Hyannisport Club in Hyannisport, MA.
Golf Balls Going Green
Reducing the physical size a bit, from golf courses to golf balls, Dixon Golf has introduced its new Earth ball. According to Dixon, most golf balls use synthetic materials that cannot be recycled. The Dixon Earth ball was created to avoid those issues. The Earth golf ball uses a proprietary polymer core that can be completely recycled. Evolve Golf's Epoch golf tee, made completely of recycled material, is the perfect compliment to the Earth ball.
Environmental Education
Tehama, the line of high-end contemporary sportswear for men and women that was co-founded by Clint Eastwood and Nancy Haley, has announced its 'Green Education Initiative'. In addition to the evolution of its Green Collection for Spring 2009, Tehama has been working to educate consumers and golf-industry professionals on the benefits of going green. The Tehama Green collection was introduced at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January 2008. The company was the first to introduce an entire 'collection' of eco-apparel, featuring: Vitamin C Enriched shirts, Bamboo Blend products, Cocona fabrication, Recycled Polyester, Organic Polyester/Cotton and Organic Cotton.
A Greener Industry
Golf industry organizations are beginning to look at ways to address very real concerns that won't go away without planning. For instance, the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) issued an August 2008 report from that found the golf industry needs to act quickly to address the issue of water supply and conservation. According to the report, addressing the concern is as important as growing the number of people participating in the sport. Also, without action, the industry will be left vulnerable to the dictates of lawmakers, local municipalities and environmentalists. According to NGCOA CEO Mike Hughes, "Water presents a huge challenge, but also an opportunity for the industry to come together and spell out the economic, environmental and social benefits that golf's water use provides."
Regardless of the motivations, environmental protection is obviously beginning to permiate the golf industry, and many others. The reasons are immaterial, it only needs to keep growing.
Alan L. Hammond - In addition to his Suite 101 Golf coverage, Alan is an editor and writer for SportsMD Media LLC, which publishes GolfersMD.com and ...
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