From BG Magazine
From the Everyday Golfer
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5 June each year and its intention is to stimulate awareness of the environment and enhance political attention and public action. This is the United Nation’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness, and since its inception in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries. Above all, WED is the “people’s day”
for doing something to take care of the Earth. That ‘something’can have a local, national or global focus.
In addition to marking WED, it is also appropriate to celebrate with BLAIR ATHOLL GOLF AND EQUESTRIAN ESTATE on its achievement of winning the 2023 John Collier TOP CLUB Award for good governance and environmental compliance for South African golf courses and a Special Mention Award to Elements Private Reserve.
What BLAIR ATHOLL did so well in its survey was to emphasise not only the physical, tangible aspects of good governance and environmental compliance, which is underpinned by its ethos of environmental stewardship of the land, water, river, fauna and flora. There is clear evidence of responsible use and protection of the natural environment, through conservation and sustainable practices, by conserving natural resources, combating pollution and protecting biodiversity.
Furthermore, BLAIR ATHOLL demonstrated a determined and consistent effort, not only to protect and manage the environment in general, but also in protecting the beautiful natural landscape, around the estate.
BLAIR ATHOLL’S commitment to its environmental stewardship role sets a benchmark that many clubs in South Africa should want to emulate.
Notwithstanding BLAIR ATHOLL’s award, special mention must also be made of the Elements Private Reserve, and their efforts towards environmental sustainability.
Winning a TOP CLUB AWARD is only achieved with the support of committed and passionate people, who wholly embrace the benefits of good governance
and environmental compliance. Therefore, special congratulations must go to the BLAIR ATHOLL’s Chairperson Cindy Page, its governing body, members and residents, the Club Captain Roelf Odendaal, the General Manager Steve van Greunen,
The Golf Director Paul Marks, and Golf Course Superintendent Jan-Hendrik Duvenage, and their respective teams.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email ajcollier@telkomsa.net or visit the John Collier Golf website at www.johncolliergolf.com