Golf de Lavaux is the first IGOLF Laureate Course in Switzerland
IGOLF is pleased to announce that Golf de Lavaux has been named the first IGOLF Laureate Course in Switzerland.
- Article published in "Golf Suisse", the official magazine of the ASG (Association Suisse de Golf)
Golf de Lavaux became the first course in Switzerland to be recognized by IGOLF-International Golf and Life Foundation as "environmentally and socially responsible".
Golf de Lavaux, an 18-hole course located above Lac Léman (Lake of Geneva) is adjacent to the historic vineyards of the newly-designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Golf de Lavaux is just the second European course to be designated an IGOLF Laureate Course. The Laureate Course program, in which leading golf clubs agree to adhere to the eight-point IGOLF Charter, includes approximately 30 courses in nine countries.
IGOLF-International Golf and Life Foundation, is a Swiss-registered non-profit, non-governmental foundation which promotes environmental and social responsibility in golf worldwide.
In making the presentation, Tom Rosenfield, IGOLF director and vice president of technology, described Golf de Lavaux as "an impressive example of how a course can fulfill its responsibility to be a good environmental citizen while providing a superb golfing experience for its members.". In particular, Rosenfield noted that Golf de Lavaux, which was founded in 1999, was built following guidelines about sustainable environmental practices that had been agreed local and federal government agencies, leading groups working for nature conservation and sustainable agriculture, and several Swiss golf organizations.
In accepting the Laureate Course certificate, Philippe Salomon, Golf de Lavaux’s director, noted that the IGOLF recognition fits with the club’s philosophy of "A spirit, a passion.". He pointed out that Golf de Lavaux uses minimum quantities of environmentally-friendly chemicals and organic treatments to maintain the course. The club has developed an innovative program with local farmers for composting in which the farmers cut the grass on the course and use it as feed for their cattle; then the manure from the cows is used for fertilizer for the golf course, creating a closed circuit system. The course has dedicated five hectares (more than 10% of the playing surface) as "ecological zones" from which the golfers do not have the right to enter or play their shots.
"We are particularly proud of our involvement in the Swiss National Rare Trees Initiative," Salomon added. "We have 180 rare and protected ancient trees on our property."
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