IGOLF is just over a year old, and we thought it would be instructive to review some of our achievements since the first news update, sent out on February 20, 2009.

Much of this work has been accomplished through your assistance and goodwill; we are appreciative of your efforts to promote environmental and social responsibility in golf.

Website
The IGOLF website is regularly updated.

IGOLF’s positioning
Several organizations in different parts of the world are involved in important golf/environmental work. IGOLF combines environmental and social objectives, we are global, we are inclusive (we seek to involve a diverse group of golf/environment/social-related people and organizations), and we aim to create a global social movement to promote environmental and social responsibility in the sport we love. For a detailed concept and positioning statement click here.

Golf and environment forums
These forums bring together national golf associations, golf course owners, people in golf-related businesses and the media to look at how golf courses can be made more environmentally-friendly, and in the process, save money. These forums also look at the need to re-position golf so that local tax authorities see the positive benefits that golf courses provide.

• APLGI and IGOLF Stage First Indonesian Golf and Environment Forum
  60 participants agree need to re-position perception of golf in Indonesia.
• 2nd IGOLF Singapore Golf and Environment Forum hosted by Keppel Club

Additional forums in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam are under discussion

First IGOLF environment tour event
More than 60 golfers and guests participated in the first IGOLF Environment Tour Event, held on September 16, 2009 at the Golf de Lavaux, adjacent to the Unesco World Heritage vineyards of Lac Léman, Switzerland. (Link to full story)

The Golf de Lavaux is the first IGOLF Laureate Course in Switzerland. 

A highlight of the event was the planting of a commemorative maple sapling by twenty junior golfers.

The main sponsor was ci-square, developers of IOGI software; Wilson Staff was the official equipment sponsor. Other sponsors included Sigg Eco-Logical aluminium bottles, equipment donated by Espace Golf, and Giroud Vins which provided a Champagne Bar.

Laureate courses
This program recognizes courses which provide an excellent golf experience coupled with proven commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Currently 19 courses in 20 countries:  A selection of the new courses admitted since the last update:

• Keppel Club - Singapore
  Extensive “Go Green” philosophy which covers all aspects of operation.  Home to about one quarter of all bird species found in Singapore. Manages important mangrove forest.  Ambitious program to educated and involve members and community in environmental issues.
• Orchid Country Club - Singapore
  Commended for preserving the water quality and wildlife near the adjacent Sungei Seleter Reservoir, using integrated pest management to reduce the need for turf grass chemicals, successful efforts to reduce energy consumption, and commitment to the community. 
• Rancamaya Golf & Country Club - Indonesia
  Becomes second IGOLF course  in Indonesia, commitment to environmental conservation, including reduction in chemical use and water.
• Golf de Lavaux - Switzerland
  First IGOLF Laureate Course in Switzerland, adjacent to Unesco World Heritage site. The course was built following strict guidelines about sustainable environmental practices that had been agreed local and federal government agencies, leading groups working for nature conservation and sustainable agriculture.
• Gassan Khuntan - Thailand
  First golf course in the north of Thailand to be recognized as an IGOLF Laureate Course. Buffer zone to adjacent national park, use of grey water, extensive man-made reservoirs so no need to use ground water, habitat to “critically endangered” Mekong catfish.
• I Girasoli Golf Club - Italy
  First IGOLF Laureate Course in Italy. Completely natural, including local turfgrass.  IGOLF is pleased to announce that I Girasoli Golf Club has been named the first IGOLF Laureate Course in Italy.
• New Kuta Golf - Indonesia
  The course, located in an arid region of Bali, has developed desalination to reduce the impact on the natural water table, energy provided by solar and wind power. 
• Hornbill Golf and Jungle Club - Malaysia
  (Link to new news story)
  First IGOLF Laureate course in Malaysia, natural environment, extensive biodiversity with 162 bird species reported.

Media
IGOLF works with Vietnam Golf Magazine to judge the best courses in the country.  Together we have developed a new award which recognizes the most environmentally-responsible course in the country.

Council of Experts
IGOLF is pleased to welcome new members of this Council who are expert in international environmental law, turfgrass science, new technologies, predicting trends in global green tourism, promoting fair labor laws and working conditions, and water management. Click here for full list

Articles
Articles on golf and environment and related subjects written by IGOLF directors and experts:

• Green Golf: What are the priorities?
  Environment and golf
  Golf Business Asia, September-October 2008 (Tom Rosenfield)
• Aiming for Green
  Travel and Leisure, Southeast Asia, September 2009 (Paul Sochaczewski)
• Java Tees: setting a course for Indonesia
  Asian Wall Street Journal, May 1-3, 2009 (Paul Sochaczewski)
• The Nature of Golf: Asia's courses get greener
  Environment and golf
  Asian Wall Street Journal, May 30-June 1, 2008 (Paul Sochaczewski)
• Good Morning Golf
  Vietnam country report
  Asian Wall Street Journal, April 25-27, 2008 (Paul Sochaczewski)

To download the articles click here.

Thank you,

Paul Sochaczewski
IGOLF Chairman

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