The week of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España – the LET’s season-ending finale – began with the Green & Blue Golf Summit hosted by Les Roches Marbella Global Hospitality Education in cooperation with D&B, promoter of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España and official host of the 2023 Solheim Cup.
The sustainability summit falls under the LET Celebrating the Green Presented by Dow – a sustainability initiative, which aims to support, recognize and participate in the sustainable work being done by the Ladies European Tour community.
Addressing female sport, tourism and sustainability through presentations, panel talks and Q&As was the main objective of the summit, and also analysing the opportunities and the changes that are taking place in the golf industry.
The Green & Blue Golf Summit was opened by Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, followed by Sarah Almagro, two-time Spanish champion in adapted surfing; Pablo Mansilla, President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation; Beatriz Soler, Director of Marvelous Golf Services; Eduardo Medina, CEO Activar; Roddy Williams, Professional Golf Engagement and Communications at GEO Foundation and Lara Arias, Greenkeeper at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Host of the Ryder Cup 2023.
Following the summit, Alicia Garrido, Executive Director D&B, said: “It’s important to speak about various topics within the golf industry with experts from different fields to get inputs, understand opinions and get an opportunity to soak up new ideas and knowledge that will help us manage new challenges and understanding the needs in the society.
“We are planning to follow up with a summit next year around the Solheim Cup to continue to highlight female sport, tourism and sustainability. In 2023, it will also be the first time ever the Solheim Cup has a sustainability partner category, and we are doing this to get companies involved who want to raise awareness and a statement around sustainability and golf together with us.”
The GEO Foundation’s Roddy Williams explained: “At the GEO Foundation, we are excited by the growing momentum behind the LET’s Celebrating the Green Presented by Dow initiative and this week’s finale of the LET season at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España is another opportunity to highlight commitment and action.
“Golf tournaments have such a huge role to play as they can reach, influence and inspire millions, positively impacting people and nature, taking climate action and demonstrating responsible use of resources, serving as important showcases in and through sport. We are delighted to support the Golf Green & Blue Summit to kick the week off to outline the role golf can play in accelerating sustainability with so many representatives from Andalucía’s golf and tourism sectors.”
