Sustainability and climate action have been demonstrated throughout this week’s Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open with a broad range of actions evident at Dundonald Links.
The host venue, Dundonald Links, first become GEO Certified in 2013 and has successfully renewed three times since then, while they have also been recognised for sustainability through Golf Tourism Scotland, Ayrshire Business Awards, BIGGA, IAGTO and through the Golf Environment Awards.
The Gailes Marsh Nature Reserve, which is run by Scottish Wildlife Trust, lies adjacent to the golf course and gives connectivity to the nature reserve meaning it is less isolated.
And there is regular liaison with Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Golf Environment Group, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB, Butterfly Conservation and Bug-life which helps in managing the course and adjacent protected sites.
A key goal of Dundonald is to ‘bring the classroom outdoors’ and the golf course is very engaged with the community. Species having been well documented by school children and local naturalists with a small field centre created specifically as an education and study centre working with the ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ to help young people earn skills for life.
The Small Blue Butterfly became extinct in Ayrshire in 1982 but has been successfully reintroduced to the area and is thriving thanks to careful consideration of their habitat.
Honey is harvested on site with nectar from sources such as heather, gorse and wild flowers to give its smooth distinctive flavour and is used in the food produced.
The catering this week is provided by Hickory, a local supplier specialising in locally sourced food which not only supports local businesses but also reduces transport and associated carbon emissions. Plus, all tea, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate and bananas are Fairtrade products.
In line with Scotland’s new Single Use Plastics legislation, no plastic cutlery will be used with all cutleries to be metal. Glass water bottles are provided to reduce single use plastic water bottles, there is also canned water and access to filtered water tap nearby for refillable water bottles.
IMG and the R&A are putting on shuttle buses to transport players to AIG Women’s Open, so they therefore will be reducing the amount of air journeys, while public transport for spectators and cycling is encouraged through social media.
Significant efforts have been made to reduce resources and waste. Dundonald Links has a zero waste to landfill policy and exceptional water management initiatives.
A comprehensive recycling and waste management programme is in place with Enva with zero waste to landfill across the tournament operations. Bins and signage across the course encourages spectators to use the appropriate bins assist with the sorting of waste streams.
There is a reduction in printed materials by offering draw sheets, tournament programme and key information via QR code.
