In November 2022, it was announced that Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands will host the 2026 Solheim Cup.
The team at Bernardus Golf is committed to delivering a world-class event that not only sets a new standard for women’s sports events but also aims to create a lasting positive impact on Bernardus Golf, Dutch golf, the Netherlands, and the surrounding community.
I am particularly interested in their initiatives to develop a sustainable golf tournament. Here is my interview with Hilke van der Wallen, the Impact & Sustainability Manager at Bernardus Golf.
She will share their inspiring ideas and visionary plans with us.
What are the most recent advancements in managing sustainable golf tournaments?
Golf tournaments are entering a new era — one where the focus extends beyond the leaderboard to include their role in addressing global challenges.
As outlined in The Future of Golf Tournaments outlook by Sustainable Golf, the most progressive events are becoming “globally significant and locally meaningful,” aligning with climate goals, protecting biodiversity, supporting communities, and transparently communicating their impact.
This means that sustainability should no longer be a side initiative but a guiding principle that runs through every stage of tournament planning and execution.
From how energy is sourced and materials are procured to how people move to and from the venue — every decision is now an opportunity to reduce environmental impact and enhance social value.
One example is the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It operates under a zero-waste policy, diverting over 750 tons of waste from landfills in 2024 alone through extensive recycling, composting, and donation programs (AP News, 2024).
Here in the Netherlands, music festivals have become true frontrunners in sustainable event innovation — often serving as real-world test labs for waste, water, and energy circular systems.
Events like DGTL, ADE, and Lowlands have pioneered practices such as renewable energy grids, reusable cup systems, composting toilets, and closed-loop waste systems.
These festivals have shown that large-scale gatherings can be both sustainable and inspiring. With the support of Green Events, we intend to apply what has been proven and tested in the Dutch festival scene to our event organization.
Some of the recent advancements in sustainable golf tournaments include:
- Green energy solutions include replacing diesel generators with battery systems or mobile solar arrays and using the existing energy grid as much as possible. All while trying to minimize the energy need in the first place.
- Zero-emission mobility strategies, including electric shuttles, bike access, and public transport incentives.
- Carbon footprint analyses powered by digital tools help organizers make informed, real-time decisions.
- Circular materials and waste management, with a growing emphasis on reusable infrastructure, smart procurement, and eliminating single-use items.
- Local sourcing and food systems, focusing on seasonal, regional, and organic offerings that reduce transport emissions and support local economies.
- Social inclusivity and community legacy, using the tournament platform to amplify underrepresented voices, create space for youth participation, and foster long-term regional impact.
What aspects will you focus on when organizing a sustainable Solheim Cup?
At Bernardus Golf, we see the 2026 Solheim Cup as more than a world-class sporting event — it’s a platform for meaningful impact.
Our sustainability approach is built around two core pillars: Celebrate Women and Celebrate Nature.
With Celebrate Women, we aim to spotlight female talent—not just among the world’s top players but also through representation in the event’s organization, programming, and partnerships.
A key part of this is that we are investigating whether we can host the PING Junior Solheim Cup on our course, giving the next generation of girls a stage to grow, connect, and be inspired.
Through Celebrate Nature, we want to demonstrate how major sporting events can be held with care and respect for the environment.
Our focus areas include
- emission-free mobility,
- renewable energy,
- circular and conscious material use,
- local and organic catering,
- smart water management, and
- active nature restoration on and around the course.
Across every decision, we aim to reduce environmental impact and leave a positive legacy for golf and our region.
What steps will you take to reduce the carbon footprint associated with travel?
Mobility is one of our focus areas. We aim to create a zero-emission zone around the event using electric shuttle buses, bikes, and other low-impact transport solutions.
Private car access will be restricted. We also encourage visitors and partners to travel by public transport where possible, and we’re exploring smart ticketing options to support more sustainable travel choices.
How much will you invest to make the 2026 Solheim Cup a sustainable golf tournament?
It’s difficult to assign a specific figure to sustainability, as it is integrated into every aspect of the event — from procurement and logistics to catering, mobility, and communications.
Rather than treating sustainability as a standalone budget item, we consider it a guiding principle woven into all decision-making.
Every choice needs to be made through a sustainability lens. In some cases, this leads to additional investment; in others, it results in cost savings.
More often, it requires a shift in mindset — rethinking familiar processes and approaching them from a different and new perspective.
While this is definitely challenging at times, we believe it is essential if we are to deliver not only a world-class tournament but also a lasting and meaningful legacy.
What actions are required for golf tournaments to achieve GEO Certified Tournament status?
To achieve GEO Certified® Tournament status, events must meet a comprehensive set of criteria focused on sustainability across key areas such as
- energy use,
- waste management,
- water stewardship,
- biodiversity,
- community impact, and
- carbon emissions.
Organizers are expected to implement best practices before, during, and after the event while gathering data, documenting, and transparently reporting on their efforts.
How much easier is it for a GEO Certified golf club, like Bernardus Golf, to achieve GEO Certified Tournament status?
Being a GEO Certified venue probably would give you a head start, as it means you already take sustainability into account in your day-to-day operations.
Nevertheless, tournament organization comes with a whole new set of sustainable initiatives one could implement.
Certification is not our primary goal for the 2026 Solheim Cup.
Instead, we are focusing on delivering tangible, visible, meaningful sustainability in practice—something our guests, partners, and players can experience firsthand throughout the event.
After the tournament, we intend to share our efforts and results transparently to contribute to knowledge sharing and inspire others in the industry.
That said, we are still evaluating whether we will pursue an official sustainable tournament certification at a later stage.
Given the robust strategy and sustainability plan we’ve developed, we believe we’re in a strong position to meet the required criteria.
The most significant effort would likely be collecting and organizing the necessary data to support the certification process.