CMAA hosts sustainability meeting

1 June 2010

The Club Managers Association of America recently played host to a summit on golf’s role in protecting and enhancing the environment.

Representatives from the R&A, USGA, the World Golf Foundation, the Golf Environment Organization, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Environmental Institute for Golf met to discuss collaborative efforts to embrace a modern and business-benefitting sustainability agenda.

“As global awareness of sustainability becomes everyone's responsibility, we need to ensure that every corner of every property understands our impact on our natural resources. The simple fact is that exploring this agenda is, and increasingly will, make real business sense. A quality environment is part of a quality product and resource efficiency is a key component of profitability,” said CMAA chief executive Jim Singerling. “Our global industry collaboration on the issues surrounding sustainability is closely linked to how we all continue to play a part in driving employment and multiply benefits out across other businesses and communities.”

Jonathan Smith, CEO of the international non-profit Golf Environment Organization, added: “A positive, solutions-focused approach, with the right policy, guidance and recognition support going out to the thousands of motivated and predisposed industry practitioners will be of huge value in times of rising pressure and pricing on water, energy and land resources. It's also a time when consumers are starting to connect sustainability with quality – both in the products they choose and the lifestyles they seek to lead. Being positively engaged is important in fulfilling golf's growth potential around the world, maximising its profitability and safeguarding its reputation.”