How to save your GEO Certified status in Latin America?

By: Miklos Breitner February 16, 2016

I assume when you hear Costa Rica then you don’t think about it as a possible golf holiday destination. Even KPMG left out Costa Rica from their 2015 Caribbean Golf Overview study. All this happens to a country that has 14 golf courses. Despite these unflattering facts, there is a country club in the country that takes sustainability really seriously.

Costa Rica Country Club (founded in 1940; 6,031 yards, par-36 golf course) is becoming the first club in Latin America to be recertified within 4 years (1st became a GEO Certified in 2012) to golf’s international sustainability mark: GEO Certified. They were able to renew their certificate thanks to their continued commitment and improvement during the 3-year certification cycle.

In 2012, Costa Rica Country Club received support and guidance of professors from EARTH University. The idea to become a GEO Certified comes from Professors BK Singh and Johan Perret.

Here are some of the club’s ongoing work across nature, resource efficiency and community value include:

85% of the club’s energy consumption comes from renewable sources;
50% of main use lighting has been replaced with energy efficient LEDs, with a target to reach 100% in the near future;
Detailed soil, plant and water analysis is carried out to accurately design and implement the turf fertiliser and pesticide programme;
Purchasing policies which promote local suppliers and energy efficient appliances have led to the use of 50% of products containing recycled material, plans are also in place to work only with ISO 14001 accredited suppliers;
A sustainable waste management system is in place and regular waste audits take place, recyclable waste is donated to a local NGO to help them to fundraise;
Close community links including provision of food storage for a local foster home and internships for local students.
The club is committed to replacing 340 non-native trees in the next 6 years with native species more suited for the climate and that provide food and shelter to fauna.