The R&A to increase guardianship of golf’s sustainability with enhanced agronomy service

The R&A has expanded its Sustainable Agronomy Service to provide expertise and best practice advice to all levels of golf facilities in Great Britain and Ireland and continental Europe, aiding in the effective management of courses.

First launched in the Asia-Pacific market, the service will now offer facility operators worldwide with support in the delivery of sustainable agronomy, golf course auditing and benchmarking, management planning and strategic advice, annual maintenance programme planning, and project management support and drainage design.

The service is already actively supporting and guiding clubs to become more resilient and sustainable in the face of changing legislation on pesticides, climate change and access to resources.

Within the Asian-Pacific region, clubs and organisations such as Hann Golf Reserve, Thai Country Club and Faldo Design, are already utilising the service, which offers agronomic guidance to support the sustainable goals of each location.

“We’re here to provide expertise and support to golf facilities, highlighting the most efficient and accessible methods surrounding sustainable golf course management,” said Alistair Beggs, Head of Agronomy at The R&A.

“This will enable them to develop plans that will present facilities with optimum conditioning all year round but have sustainability at the heart of the decisions and processes put in place to support this aim.”

The Sustainable Agronomy Service includes a team of agronomy experts which has acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience from its active role in supporting world-class golf championships run by The R&A each year – including The Open and AIG Women’s Open.

The team will offer facilities a bespoke service with ongoing support and advice in the planning and implementation of effective and sustainable management practices.

Chris Gray, Head of Sustainable Golf and Agronomy – Asia Pacific, said: “Turf presentation and playing conditions are integral to the success of any facility. Our service in the Asia-Pacific region provides the tools and guidance to maintain and optimise year-round course playability through the most efficient and sustainable agronomic methods”.

To enquire about these services e-mail sustainableagronomy@randa.org