Golf Environment Organization

Bergschenhoek, December 2009 - The Golf Environment Organization (GEO) is delighted to recognise Golfbaan de Rottebergen as the first GEO Certified golf club in the Netherlands, and the fourth in continental Europe.

At a recent presentation ceremony attended by club members and local media, Jos Gieskens, Director of Environment for the Nederlandse Golf Federatie (NGF), presented a GEO Certificate to the team responsible for Rottebergen’s pioneering performance.

Rottebergen's Joris Slooter (left) receives the GEO Certificate from Ajo Duymaer van Twist (centre) and Jos Gieskens (right) of the Nederlandse Golf Federatie.

Upon receiving the award, Joris Slooten, General Manager at the club said:

“Each and every one of us has a duty to understand the impact of our lifestyles on biodiversity, natural resources and water quality. The management team at Rottebergen takes its responsibility to protect and enhance the environment very seriously, and to communicate the fact that it is doing so in an effective and transparent manner. Golfbaan de Rottbergen is committed to meeting GEO’s constructive targets for re-certification in three years time.

Speaking at the presentation, Jos Gieskens of the NGF added:

“This international recognition for Rottebergen is a great reflection on the standards of environmental performance that are widespread across Dutch golf. With many of our member facilities holding the NGF’s Committed to Green award, the Netherlands could very well become one of the leading participants in GEO’s excellent programme.

“We congratulate all at the club and look forward to more of our member facilities achieving this award.”

Guido Hamelink, GEO Accredited Verifier visited the site to evaluate Rottebergen’s performance and provide constructive feedback to help them improve their environmental management:

“Rottebergen plays host to some valuable ecosystems and supports a wide array of biodiversity including a number of red-listed species.”

“The maintenance team is managing to present good quality playing surfaces with minimal inputs. They have implemented sound waste management practices and energy efficiency measures across the site. Rottebergen is a great all round example of sustainable golf business.”

Ajo Duymaer van Twist (left) and Guido Hamelink, GEO Accredited Verifier (right) discuss the pioneering achievement of Golfbaan de Rottebergen.

With the publication of their GEO Certification report, Golfbaan de Rottebergen has joined a growing group of world golf facilities that are committed to transparently representing their management practices in the public domain. Full details regarding their award can be found on the GEO website.

Voicing his support for their achievement, GEO Chief Executive Jonathan Smith said:

"This programme has been carefully crafted to enable any golf facility, anywhere to make a strong public commitment to environmental excellence and continual improvement. By achieving GEO Certification – the world’s hallmark for sustainable golf – Golfbaan de Rottebergen has stepped up to the mark, stating their intent to play a positive role in enhancing the environment within their local community.

“We now look forward to wider participation across the Netherlands and beyond as golf works hard to take a leadership role by demonstrating responsible stewardship."

Newsletter Sign up

• Contact
• Terms of Use

Sign in / Register