STRI has announced the finalists for the 2018 Golf Environment Awards (GEA), recognising golf clubs and individuals that strive to undertake environmental best practice.
STRI say the GEA provides the platform from which the golf industry can demonstrate environmental excellence in all its forms. This has been demonstrated by past finalists and can range from relatively simple but effective projects, to grand scale schemes.
Over 25 longlisted clubs were visited earlier in the year by STRI ecology consultant and GEA judge, Sophie Vukelic, and whittled down to 12 finalists.
Representatives from the finalists will attend the awards ceremony in January where they will be vying for the honours of either Environmental Golf Course of the Year, Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year, Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year or the Operation Pollinator award.
Aldeburgh Golf Club are nominated for Environmental Golf Course of the Year
This year, for the first time, all finalists will receive entry into the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture course, recognised by BASIS, and the lucky winners will be able to enjoy a European Golf & Environment Trip of a Lifetime to Portugal.
Golf Environment Awards judge, Sophie Vukelic, said: “This is my third year of judging the awards and it is not getting any easier choosing the finalists. We had an outstanding array of applications this year, with familiar faces and exciting newcomers to the awards. I hope you will all agree, that we have decided on some magnificent finalists, all of whom showcase the highest environmental stewardship within golf.
“I’d also like to congratulate and commend those golf clubs and individuals who didn’t quite make it to the final, you shouldn’t be disheartened - keep on shining a good light on golf and thank you for allowing me to visit your golf courses.”
The Golf Environment Awards 2018 finalists are:
Operation Pollinator
Jaey Goodchild, Bowood Golf Club
Tom Freeman, Kingsdown Golf Club
Michael Halliday, Ufford Park Golf Club
John McCloughlin, Warrington Golf Club
Environmental Golf Course of the Year
Aldeburgh Golf Club
Carnoustie Golf Links
Dundonald Links
Warrington Golf Club
Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year
Jon Keepen, Cumberwell Park Golf Club
Stephen Thompson, John O'Gaunt Golf Club
Les Rae, Montrose Links
Phil Stain, Notts Golf Club
Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year
Abergele Golf Club - 'Wild Land - Tir Gwyllt'
Minchinhampton Golf Club - 'Connecting the Land - Dead Hedging & Stumperies'
Ipswich Golf Club - 'Heathland Restoration & Silver-Studded Blue Conservation'
La Moye Golf Club - 'Knocking Back Succession'
The winners will be announced at the Golf Environment Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 24 January 2018, at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate.
