Programme recognises individuals who demonstrate advocacy for sustainable and responsible design and construction
By Richard Humphreys |
GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf has recognised five golf industry professionals as ‘Sustainable Golf Champions’ for 2026.
First launched in 2024, the programme celebrates those who advocate for sustainable and responsible design and construction decisions, and embedding sustainability into the development process.
Read more: ten golf course architects were recognised in 2024.
This year GEO has, in addition to golf course architects, also recognised the contributions made by construction managers and design firm leads.
The class of 2026 includes Jeremy Slessor of European Golf Design, Mark Adams of Faldo Design, Matthias Nemes of NCM Network, Dave Mathews of Dragon Golf Developments and Benjamim Silva of ProGolf.
Sam Thomas, director of developments at GEO Foundation, says: “We’re just very thankful for those who put their hands up to encourage their new clients on a sustainability journey with us in their projects. We’re also so proud and impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment that those in the field show towards a sustainable approach to construct golf courses.”
Design lead: Jeremy Slessor
Company: European Golf Design
Slessor has worked alongside GEO Foundation on five projects, including the first to achieve GEO Certified Development status: Irie Fields (top image) on the island of St Kitts. With sustainability embedded at the core of the project from the outset, it achieved several industry-leading outcomes, including being the world’s first ‘zero-chemical’ construction of a warm-season golf course.
“I’m not sure that people who are interested in environmental stewardship are naturally drawn to golf, but I am certain that people who are interested in golf are drawn, and committed, to environmental stewardship,” says Slessor. “It’s a fundamental issue for all of us, and for the wider industry.”
Design lead: Mark Adams
Company: Faldo Design
As a Faldo Design representative for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, Adams has worked on a range of sustainable golf course projects, including Rumanza Golf & Country Club in Pakistan, whose course received GEO Certified Development status in 2022. Throughout the project, Adams and the Faldo Design team ensured that environmental and social sustainability remained a focal point, with achievements including the regeneration of 50 hectares of cereal crop into new, diverse native habitats; sourcing over 12,000 cubic metres of rootzone material on site; and establishing partnerships with local universities and community groups.
“The golf industry has come a long way, not only in terms of perception, but also in the reality of how golf can make a positive impact on the environment,” says Adams. “From minimising water and chemical usage through developments in irrigation, turf and water management, to more use of renewable energy sources in golf course maintenance and operations, plus the creation of wildlife habitats – there are so many examples worldwide of how a properly conceived golf course can enhance sustainability.”
Design lead: Matthias Nemes
Company: NCM Network
Nemes is the founder and managing partner of NCM Network, the golf course design firm of both Olazabal Design and Sergio Garcia. At Education City Golf Club in Qatar, he and golf course architect Toni Ortner sourced all irrigation water from a combination of wastewater and rainwater and created native habitats for migratory birds. Nemes also worked alongside golf course architect Snorri Vilhjalmsson on the Torre course at Comporta Dunes in Portugal, where 70 per cent of the construction workforce comprised Portuguese nationals, over 18 hectares of native dune scrub habitat was rehabilitated in the golf landscape areas, and no plastic drainage carrier pipe was used.
Construction manager: Dave Mathews
Company: Dragon Golf Developments
Mathews has built two courses that have been certified: Rumanza in Pakistan and Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus.
He says: “I have two thoughts when starting a new project – to look after the workforce and the parcel of land we have. Having worked with GEO on two projects, it feels as if it has become standard practice and ingrained in my work to follow the international sustainability standards and to work in line with their reporting framework and recommended practices. It has sort of become automatic to work that way now and I know if I work to those standards, the construction process will be sustainable, efficient and set the course up for the best future.”
Construction manager: Benjamim Silva
Company: ProGolf
Silva has worked in the golf industry for over 30 years and led construction on several GEO Certified Developments, including Ombria and West Cliffs in Portugal and the Olympic Golf Course in Brazil.
Over 15 hectares of rare native coastal habitats were uncovered during construction at West Cliffs; at Ombria, over 1,800 linear metres of riparian habitat was restored and 18,000 square metres of riverside habitat was rehabilitated; while at the Olympic course in Rio de Janeiro 33 hectares of native habitat was restored, while also re-naturalising habitats.
“I believe golf course construction and sustainability are not only compatible but fundamentally interconnected,” says Silva. “When approached correctly, sustainability is not an added constraint to the construction process – it is an integral part of good golf course design, construction and long-term management.”
Learn more about ‘Sustainable Golf Champions’ on the GEO Foundation website.