• Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers

  • By: John Failla
  • Podcast

Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers

By: John Failla
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  • Summary

  • On a mission to drive positive change in the golf industry for a greener future! Host John Failla focuses on advancing the sustainability of both the environment and the game of golf for generations to come through valuable insights, meaningful connections, and inspiring stories. This passionate golfer, who has already played on 39 of the World’s Top 100 Golf Courses, brings together industry leaders and organizations: Greg Nathan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Golf Foundation (NGF), Graeme Beatt, the Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Ireland, Dave Barton, the executive director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, and many more. John and his guests are united by a shared commitment to the cause. Over the past 15 years, John has created, developed and sold two businesses focused on helping large private and public sector organizations accomplish their sustainability goals and navigate the energy transition to clean energy. Most recently, the research, digital media, events and podcasts created by John at Smart Energy Decisions have been widely recognized for their thought leadership and impact in helping large organizations achieve their sustainability goals and reduce their carbon emissions. John is leveraging his experience in corporate sustainability and his passion for golf in the development of Golf Sustainability as a resource to help accelerate adoption of best practices in environmental, social and economic sustainability within the golf industry to ensure the viability of the game for future generations. Be part of the movement for golf sustainability!
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Episodes
  • Jay Karen Addresses Golf Sustainability through the Lens of Golf Course Owners

    Jay Karen Addresses Golf Sustainability through the Lens of Golf Course Owners
    Oct 1 2024

    Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association, addresses economic and social sustainability from the viewpoint of an owner/operator.

    Jay believes that there’s a fine balance between sustainable business practices and sustainability practices. He dissects the nuances one has to consider.

    Golf course owners are expected to make golf more accessible. But are the same questions being asked of restaurateurs? Are they expected to lower the prices of their meals in the name of democratizing eating out? No!

    Demand is off the charts right now. Everything is getting more expensive. Many golf courses need major improvements. Green fees will have to go up to cover these things. Jay shares how golf course owners and operators balance the financials and sustainability efforts in this wonderful conversation.

    Topics covered:
    • Jay’s career journey and current role as CEO at NGCOA [2:04]
    • The different types of members at NGCOA [5:25]
    • How NGCOA approaches sustainability [8:16]
    • How different types of courses think about sustainability [17:15]
    • The democratization of access to the game [29:50]
    • How do we work together toward sustainability? [36:12]
    • What drives Jay? Why is he passionate about golf sustainability? [40:39]
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Lead Golf Together Summitt
    • National Alliance of Accessible Golf
    • Golf on Course
    • Roger Dow
    Connect with Jay Karen
    • Connect on LinkedIn
    • National Golf Course Owners Association
    Connect With Golf Sustainability
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)

    Subscribe to Golf Sustainability

    • Apple Podcast
    • Spotify

    Note: Timestamps provided are approximate.

    Thank you for listening to the Golf Sustainability podcast. If you found this episode interesting, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! For more insights and updates on sustainable energy solutions, visit our website and follow us on social media.

    Audio, Video, and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    48 mins
  • St Andrew's Legacy of Sustainable Golf

    St Andrew's Legacy of Sustainable Golf
    Sep 24 2024
    St. Andrews Links is the oldest—and most well-known—golf course in the world. Recognized as the “Home of Golf,” it’s existed for over 600 years. Today we have the privilege of speaking with Gordon McKie, the Greenkeeping Operations Manager. Gordon has been at St. Andrews Links in various roles for over 27 years. Every year, over 240,000 rounds of golf are played across their seven courses. In 1974, the golf course was handed over to be managed by the St. Andrews Links Trust. The trust is solely responsible for what happens on the golf courses, including sustainability initiatives. St. Andrews Links is an innovative leader in environmental practices and sustainability. They evaluated their energy use and immediately began to implement changes: Installing solar panels, changing out light bulbs, and moving to the use of electric mowers and vehicles. They’ll soon be invested in the latest irrigation technology to reduce water usage on the courses. One of the challenges they face as a coastal golf course is coastal erosion. The West Sands Project was launched to protect the Links from eventually going underwater. They also introduced the West Sands Rangers Service in 2022 to protect the natural habitat, including native birds and butterflies. Only eight greenkeepers have cared for the Old Course in between Old Man Morris and Gordon, which he feels is an honor and a privilege. Gordon is passionate about improving education opportunities for young greenkeepers and hopes he influences them to recognize the importance of sustainability and being environmentally friendly. Topics covered: Gordon’s career progression at St. Andrews Links (00:01:15 – 00:03:30) Goron joined St. Andrews in 1995 as the Deputy Head Greenkeeper on the Eden course and worked there for 5 years before moving into the Head Greenkeeper role. Gordon spent 17 years as the Old Course manager before moving into the Greenkeeping Operations Manager role in 2023. How the management of St. Andrews Links has evolved (00:03:31 – 00:08:17) In 1974, the golf course was handed over to be managed by the St. Andrews Links Trust.Every penny that comes into the organization is reinvested into the courses (for example, proceeds from the trust are used for free golf lessons for Juniors). Being the steward of Old Tom Morris’s famous work [00:08:18 – 00:11:42) As only the 9th person to manage the turf, Gordon feels it’s a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris, heralded as the first sustainable greenkeeper. The evolution of sustainability at St. Andrews Links (00:11:43 – 00:18:03) St. Andrews Links is an innovative leader in environmental practices and sustainability to protect their heritage and history.They launched the West Sands Project, replenishing gabions and dunes to protect against coastal erosion and preserve the Links. They focus on educating the next generation, making sure they know what they need to do to protect their future. Winning the Scottish Golf “Sustainable Project of the Year” Award (00:18:04 – 00:24:05) After evaluating their energy usage, they installed solar panels, changed out light bulbs to LEDs and sensor lights, and are using more electric and hybrid lawnmowers and vehicles. They plan to update the irrigation system to take advantage of the latest technology in sprinkler heads on the Old Course to further reduce water usage. They work with their partners to collect data to help them develop their products to better everyone in the industry. The legacy Gordon hopes to leave for future generations (00:24:06 – 00:31:10) Goron hopes his legacy will influence the next generation to understand the importance of sustainability and being environmentally friendly. Resources & People Mentioned St. Andrews LinksSt. Andrews Links Trust Awarded Sustainable Project of the Year Connect with Gordon McKie Connect on LinkedInFollow on Twitter Connect With Golf Sustainability LinkedIn Facebook InstagramX (Twitter)Email Subscribe to Golf Sustainability Apple Podcast Spotify Note: Timestamps provided are approximate. Thank you for listening to the Golf Sustainability podcast. If you found this episode interesting, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! For more insights and updates on sustainable energy solutions, visit our website and follow us on social media.
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    32 mins
  • Sustainable Golf at Big Cedar Lodge

    Sustainable Golf at Big Cedar Lodge
    Sep 17 2024

    “We all live downstream” is one of the mottos of Mr. Jonny Morris, the Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops.

    Bubba Wright lets this motto serve as the north star for everything he does as the Director of Agronomy at Big Cedar Lodge.

    Whether it's by reducing its footprint or providing habitats for wildlife, Big Cedar Lodge strives to leave everything better than they found it. They’re achieving this by using organic fertilizers, installing new water systems to conserve water, and making sure their courses are Audubon-certified.

    Bubba shares his heart for conservation and passion for cultivating a strong culture in this conversation on the Golf Sustainability podcast.

    Topics covered:
    • Bubba’s career journey to his current role at Big Cedar Lodge [1:20–4:42]
    • The history of Big Cedar Lodge [4:43–6:31]
    • The Big Cedar Lodge philosophy around conservation and sustainability [6:32–13:43]
    • Their relationship with the National Audubon Society and other partners [13:44]
    • The technology that’s being developed to advance sustainability [19:03]
    • Getting to know Bubba Wright on a personal level [22:51]
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • The National Audubon Society
    • John Deere
    • Rainbird
    • Environmental Works
    • Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
    Connect with Bubba Wright
    • Connect on LinkedIn
    • Big Cedar Lodge Golf
    Connect With Golf Sustainability
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)

    Subscribe to Golf Sustainability

    • Apple Podcast
    • Spotify

    Note: Timestamps provided are approximate.

    Thank you for listening to the Golf Sustainability podcast. If you found this episode interesting, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! For more insights and updates on sustainable energy solutions, visit our website and follow us on social media.
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    31 mins

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