A major, multi stakeholder project in golf, coordinated by the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf and in partnership with VisitScotland, has won the first ever Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award in recognition of the environmental and social impact of Scotland’s incredible summer of golf.
The Scottish Sports Awards 2022 was hosted by Team Scotland and sportscotland at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Wednesday evening (7 December). It celebrated a packed year of Scottish sport which included success at the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other events at home and abroad.
Article published 09/12/2022
A fantastic summer of golf
For golf it was a glorious run of tournaments played featuring the Genesis Scottish Open, The 150th Open, Senior Open presented by Rolex, Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, AIG Women’s Open, Hero Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Each event made comprehensive and deliberate efforts to integrate sustainability and climate action.
These were played out on the iconic venues across Scotland including the St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Gleneagles, Dundonald Links, Fairmont St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Renaissance Club. All provided the stage to showcase golf’s relationship with nature and the responsible management of these great links in improving habitats and ecosystems.
Coordinated by GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, in partnership with VisitScotland, the event organisers and Scottish Golf, a consistent approach united efforts across venues, staging, legacies and communications. Activities integrated climate action, circular economy, social value and promotion of nature in their events.
On behalf of a truly collaborative effort across golf, we are extremely proud to receive the Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award. It is testament to the drive and ambition from so many people across golf in Scotland to build a better future for people and the planet. The eyes of the golfing world were firmly on the Home of Golf in 2022 and we are sure Scotland’s leadership in sustainability will be an inspirational example in the world of golf and beyond.
Congratulations to GEO Foundation and all the events involved this summer for making sustainability and climate action such an important and integral part of the planning, delivery and promotion. At VisitScotland, we are committed to tackling climate change and developing and promoting Scotland as a world-leading responsible tourism and events destination.
Strategic partnerships
VisitScotland is the first national tourism body globally to become a strategic partner with GEO Foundation to connect with and support the advancement of their non-profit mission to help accelerate sustainability in and through golf. The partnership builds on our responsible tourism goals, including supporting the country’s transition to a low carbon economy.
In particular, the partnership is ensuring the establishment of sustainability activities at leading golf tournaments along with a focus on boosting direct support for Scottish golf clubs. Club engagement will be delivered in collaboration with Scottish Golf, helping involve more Scottish clubs in actions that can help strengthen efficiency, sustainability and popularity of clubs across the country.