Gleneagles boost to Ryder Cup green drive

Gleneagles, host of The 40^th Ryder Cup later this year and one of the world’s most famous golf resorts, has achieved GEO Certified™, the golf industry ecolabel that recognises significant contributions in environmental enhancement, resource efficiency and community engagement.

Set in a stunning glacial landscape rich with biodiversity, the Resort has a long history of dedicated sustainability work. 

Bernard Murphy, Gleneagles’ general manager, said: "The outstanding landscape is central to the quality of the Gleneagles experience, and in recent years we have worked hard on innovative ways to use as many renewable resources as efficiently as possible. 

“In addition, we are always looking for ways to bring as many direct and indirect benefits as possible to the community.  We are extremely proud to have attained this accolade, which also motivates us to go on to do even more in the years to come."

Edward Kitson, match director, Ryder Cup Europe, commented: "We are delighted that the sporting drama of The Ryder Cup will unfold at the venue which places nature, efficiency and community so high amongst its priorities.  

“It matches with our own approach to find ways to minimise the footprint of the event while generating lasting environmental and social legacies – locally, and across golf, sport and business in Scotland and beyond."

Home to 19 Sites of Scientific Interest (SSI) and a rich variety of wildlife, the management of the estate and golf courses is supervised by 32-year Gleneagles veteran Scott Fenwick. 

“We have long been committed to environmentally-responsible operations,” he said.  “Projects like zero waste to landfill, generating 74 per cent of energy via our own biomass boiler and our significant heathland, scrub, woodland and bracken control work are just a few examples of the efforts we undertake”.

Held this coming September, The 2014 Ryder Cup is set to become a leading showcase of the integration of sustainability into sporting events.  In addition to the management of the venue, The Ryder Cup Green Drive initiative addresses the event’s infrastructure, energy, waste, site protection and restoration, accommodation, transportation and procurement.

It also features four local sustainability initiatives, backed by the Scottish Government, aimed at creating a green legacy in Scotland from the event. With a communications plan to raise awareness amongst the 40,000 expected daily spectators and many millions that watch on television, the stage is set for the event to help reinforce the importance of these issues in front of the business community and the public.

Carrying out a wide range of activities to enhance the site and to reduce consumption of resources, some of the Resort’s certification highlights include:

• Installation of woodchip powered biomass boiler, providing 74 per cent of hotel heating and hot water
• Achieving over 70 per cent re-use and re-cycling of materials, with Zero Waste Plan in place
• Obtaining all residual electricity supply from specified low carbon supply sources
• Ensuring efficient irrigation, sourced primarily from natural drainage and closely monitored on-site wetlands
• Carefully planned management of over 30 hectares of heathland, gorse, broom, woodlands, bracken and grassland to maintain optimal conditions for key species (68 per cent of the golf course area is either natural or semi-natural habitat)
• Encouraging natural regeneration of Scots pine woodland plus further regular planting of native trees
• Protection of the ancient ‘Beeches Brig’ avenue of trees - designated by Historic Scotland
• Supporting the Local Biodiversity Action Plan to protect and enhance red squirrel habitats
• Support of Perthshire Big Tree Country, with a discretionary charge of £1 for every room night in the hotel being donated to this charity’s ongoing efforts to conserve Perthshire’s heritage trees and woodlands
• Providing direct employment for over 800 staff members (with 54 employed on the golf courses and estate)