France’s Camille Chevalier is of four Ladies European Tour (LET) players who is an EcoAthlete and championing sustainability in sports.
October is the inaugural Green Sports Month which is being by supported by EcoAthletes and is rallying sports fans to take positive climate action.
Ahead of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, which Chevalier won in 2017, she spoke to the LET about her goals for this month.
Why is sustainability important to you?
I grew up in the countryside of Provence and have always been passionate about nature and the outdoors. I love beautiful landscapes and feel very connected to nature. I think it’s important to respect and protect the environment we live in.
What will you be doing during Green Sports Month?
I will be wearing a green polo on Thursdays and helping to raise awareness about the role golf can play in sustainability.
How can athletes/fans get involved?
- Wear green on Thursdays, or any day in October, to show their support for a more sustainable world!
- Read and share the information about sustainability to learn more and spread the word.
- Take part in “Plogtober”, which is a combination of jogging or walking and picking up trash along the way. An initiative launched by the EcoAthletes organisation.
- Ask their local golf club about the sustainability initiatives they have in place and how they can get involved.
What is your goal with sustainability?
My goal is to raise awareness about the importance of respecting nature and show how golf can actually contribute to sustainability.
There are several ways golf can make a positive impact:
- Managing resources efficiently, especially water. Through the use of recycled water (such as treated wastewater), rainwater harvesting, modern irrigation systems and more precise watering. Some systems allow greenkeepers to control individual sprinkler heads through software, helping reduce water waste and only watering where it’s needed.
- Supporting biodiversity. Golf courses can provide important green spaces and biodiversity sanctuaries, especially in urban and arid areas, offering refuges for wildlife. In more natural environments, leaving certain areas unmanaged and allowing nature to take its course can also help biodiversity thrive.
- Adapting to local climates. Choosing the right type of grass and plants can help golf courses adapt to changing climates and reduce water consumption. For example, La Sella Golf Club transitioned to Bermuda grass on its fairways, while Goyer Golf Club is transitioning to fescue grass, commonly found on links courses.
- Creating a positive social impact. Golf clubs can also support their local communities. For example, DLF Country Club in Delhi offers scholarship programmes for employees and their children, while Samanah Golf Club in Marrakech provides free golf lessons to children from a nearby village.
How do you champion sustainability while playing on the LET?
By raising awareness and sharing information about the different ways golf can contribute to sustainability. I think we have a great opportunity as athletes to use our platform to get these messages across.
Find out more about EcoAthletes and Green Sports Month here.
Keep up with all the action on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube.
