Page 12 - GBC ENGLISH spring 2024

Jonathan Smith
As founder and executive director of GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, Jonathan has been a pioneer in the golf and sustainability movement for two decades, bringing a
positive vision, progressive strategic direction, collaborative ethos and a genuine passion to helping usher all parts of the industry to the forefront of sustainability. To learn more, visit https://sustainable.golf
CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE
OF GOLF
Few sports intertwine with nature as intimately as golf. In Canada, pic- turesque landscapes are dotted with an abundance and variety of courses. These living landscapes bring people and nature together and do much to serve communities, protect biodiversity, and showcase more sustainable ways to use natural resources.
The new national Sustainable Golf Initiative, launched at the 2023 Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show by the NGCOA Canada and the Canadian Golf Superinten- dents Association (CGSA), is a sig- nificant step forward for driving positive impacts. Both associations recognise the importance of having a national strategy, purpose-built programs and tools, and the means to help golf locally, provincially and nationally represent credible progress and value.
“The rapid movement in sus- tainability is fundamentally critical to the future of golf, and in particu- lar the ability to successfully operate golf courses. This initiative delivers new solutions supporting manage- ment efficiency, the popularity of our game throughout Canada, golf’s positive brand, and the long- term profitability of our golf busi- nesses,” says Jeff Calderwood, CEO, NGCOA Canada.
12 Golf Business Canada
Sustainable Golf:
Teeing It Up for a
Greener Future
New National Initiative Launched
In Canada