Did you know that the first organic golf course has been opened at the Kobaldhof (Austria) in 2007? The Austrian golf course is maintained exclusively according to the strict criteria of organic farming.
From a sustainability point of view, organic golf courses are promising. However, those who wish to have an organic golf course he will have to find answers to the following challenges:
- How can they produce the same conditions for the same cost as the non-organic competitors (who are using use of synthetic products)? It can be easier when there will be better organic products.
- How will they fight pests? I would recommend reading the case study of The Vineyard Golf Club.
- How to put together a feasible operational and business plan?
- How to achieve competitive tee time, golf club membership prices?
Most recently, Irie Fields in St Kitts (set open mid-2016; part of Belle Mont Farm on Kittitian Hill, a sustainable luxury development) is trying to prove that organic golf course is a viable concept. Today, they are the only fully organically maintained, edible golf course in the world. The golf course was by European Golf Design (EGD) in partnership with Ian Woosnam. Irie Fields is the first golf course to attain the GEO Certified – Developments status.
Other positive aspects of this golf course development are:
- More than 95% of staff involved in the construction of the golf course originated from St Kitts itself;
- More than 97% of bulk golf course construction materials were sourced from the Island.
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