LAUNCH OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR GOLF

19/12/2012

In March this year William Beck, Malta Golf Association President, and Paul Stoner, Royal Malta Golf Club Chairman, travelled to St Andrews to join representatives from 25 other countries to participate in the “Working for the Golf Course” conference that was hosted by the R&A. The subjects debated included the appropriate usage of manpower, materials and machinery to alleviate budgetary funding; the use of water, pesticides and fertilisers; encouraging biodiversity, maximizing land use; and managing energy consumption and waste generation. Over these last years, golf has made strident steps to address these responsibilities worldwide. With the premise that, it can only be but beneficial for us here in Malta to achieve similar standards, the MGA and the RMGC agreed to work together to set up an environmental policy also for golf in Malta and for the Club.

The first step was the approval, in June, by the members of a common set of principles towards implementing such a policy. These principles are the basis of the national guidelines that are being launched today. The guidelines aim is to make the golf course administrators and developers sensitive on environmental issues and can only but help to improve the image of golf – an image which seeks to show communities that the game of golf is making its own efforts towards a sustainable future.

A result of the RMGC/MGA environmental group as well as advice received from various other entities and individuals, mentioned towards the end of the policy, these guidelines are just a mere fragment of the work being already undertaken by the RMGC towards the Club’s own environmental plan. Indeed whilst the MGA policy is the theoretical part, that of the RMGC would contain a more practical solution. Whilst applauding the Club’s initiative and endeavours, the MGA confirms its readiness to assist however possible so that the ultimate goal of environmental accreditation can be achieved by the RMGC.

Together with the RMGC, we understand that an appropriate amount of golf in Malta can contribute strongly to the country’s economic vitality, social development, sporting excellence and environmental quality. The locality affected by the game of golf needs safeguarding through a properly implemented and well managed plan – this not just for the benefit and enjoyment of present golf members and visitors to our country, but also for future golfing generations.

The full environmental policy can be found through the documents link on this website.

Photo credit: www.bglgolf.co.uk/environment