NEW FREE GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM LAUNCHED

22 January 2013, St Andrews, Scotland: A free and easy to use new online system that helps golf courses manage themselves more sustainably and efficiently has been launched by The R&A.

CourseTracker was unveiled today (Jan 22) at the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA) Turf Management Exhibition 2013 in Harrogate.

CourseTracker is designed for golf course managers and club secretaries to record the income derived from the course and what is spent on its maintenance.

The secure system allows golf clubs to monitor their performance over time and identify strengths, weaknesses and areas where savings could be made in terms of energy and water, for example.

CourseTracker also enables golf clubs to anonymously benchmark their performance against that of other clubs of a similar size in their country. It produces accurate performance reports for the use of course managers and club secretaries and can be used to keep committees informed and to aid decision making.

The system has been extensively tested with course managers, club secretaries and industry bodies and their feedback has been used to develop and refine its range of functions. It has been endorsed by England Golf, the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Scottish Golf Union and the Golfing Union of Wales.

Around 50 representatives of the golf industry attended the launch at a special ceremony in the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate close to the exhibition centre.

Steve Isaac, Director – Golf Course Management at The R&A, said, “There is more pressure than ever on golf clubs to make the right decisions to manage golf courses sustainably, efficiently and cost effectively. CourseTracker can help them do that through recording, monitoring and reporting their activities and inputs. We know this is an area where many clubs struggle due to lack of time and resources.

“CourseTracker is free, completely secure and can enable clubs to compare their performance on an anonymous basis with other clubs of a similar size and situation. The aim is to give clubs more information and understanding of their course maintenance activities to enable them to improve performance.”

Paul Keeling, Club Services Manager at England Golf which has supported CourseTracker, said, “CourseTracker is an excellent new resource for golf clubs which can really help them get a grip on their expenditure on course maintenance. It is so important to manage golf courses sustainably both to protect the environment and reduce costs. This is a quick, easy to use system which can deliver accurate and useful management information for golf clubs. We will certainly be recommending CourseTracker to courses we work with in England.”

CourseTracker can be accessed online at www.coursetracker.org. Golf clubs need only spend a few minutes registering before using the system. It is simple to use and there are full online tutorials available for guidance.    

 

New R&A Golf Course website spearheading drive towards sustainability

 

6 July 2011, St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A has launched a new website, targeted at decision makers in golf facilities with the executive power to initiate and drive change, which focuses on the sustainable management and development of golf courses.

“The launch of the new The Golf Course website is a natural evolution of The R&A’s continuing commitment to improving the sustainability of the game’s playing environment” said Peter Dawson, The R&A’s Chief Executive.

“As golf’s environmental credentials come under ever-increasing legislative scrutiny, The R&A remains dedicated to providing front-line support and guidance to assist golf courses to meet these challenges.”

With guidance on sustainable practices and a database of international case studies, features and news bulletins, the website will provide decision makers at golf facilities with practical help, so that they can realise the benefits of adopting the principles of sustainable management.

Adherence to the core principles detailed on The Golf Course website promises:

• increased revenue through the development of greater year round playability
• reduced costs through more efficient practices and reductions in unnecessary inputs
• enhanced nature on the course, which has been shown to be a draw to potential customers
• improved relations with the community, through promotion of social responsibility, local co-operation and by broadening the potential market for golf.

Golf’s intimate relationship with its environment requires courses around the world to build resilience into their future operations. The new website encourages a four-fold process of developing and maintaining high standards of playing performance, building financial security, protecting and enhancing natural ecosystems and promoting the game’s environmental benefits to wider, non-golfing audiences.

For more about how golf courses can become more profitable, for the business, the environment and the community, and to find out how The R&A employs environmental best practice at The Open each year, please visit www.randa.org/TheGolfCourse