Alresford Golf Club in Hampshire, Conwy (Caernarvanshire) Golf Club in North Wales and Woodhall Spa Golf Club in Lincolnshire were chosen to represent elements of Heathland, Parkland, Downland and Links golf courses, with buildings built between 1905 to 1998, to ensure that a wide range of golf club set ups are covered.
The clubs are at different stages in their energy management with one club is keen to start reducing their energy use but are unsure where to start and another club who is already monitoring their energy use on a weekly basis and trialling different types of energy efficient lighting in their pro shop.
A carbon footprint of the golf clubs will calculate the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by the golf club in one year. These emissions come from electricity use, central heating, fuel for course maintenance equipment and the treatment of waste and wastewater.
The energy efficiency and waste management advice given under the scheme should help the clubs to save energy, reduce waste and greatly reduce their overheads. Next year, and in the years ahead, the emissions from the club should be reduced reducing their contribution to climate change and providing a good story to publicise to potential new members.
Kelly Harmar and Richard Stuttard visited the case study clubs in May to assess the buildings and operational practices at the three case study clubs and to collect data on energy use. This involved measuring the energy used by each appliance and all lighting in the clubhouse and maintenance areas, checking the fabric of each building and scouring through old utility bills to look at past energy use.
When all the data has been analysed the clubs will receive a report detailing their energy use and carbon emissions and the practical steps they can take to help reduce waste and costs. The reports will also be available for other clubs to look at on The R&A, EGU and GUW websites, alongside a ‘Carbon Calculator’ which will allow clubs to enter simple data and gain an estimate of their own carbon footprint. There will also be a list of energy saving equipment and links to suppliers.
The results of the carbon footprint and energy efficiency audits will be launched at the next BTME Exhibition in Harrogate in January 2010. Meanwhile, if any golf clubs are be interested in a dedicated carbon footprint and energy efficiency survey for their own club should contact the Ecology and Environment Unit on 01274 518 903.
The STRI Ecology and Environment Unit have previously undertaken Carbon Audits for The R&A and FIFA and are currently auditing artificial turf products produced by the multinational company FieldTurf Tarkett.
