Press Release: RESULTS OF THE NINETEENTH JOHN COLLIER ANNUAL SURVEY ON SUSTAINABILITY – ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE (ESG) OF SOUTH AFRICAN GOLF COURSES.

By Alistair Collier | The Business of Golf Magazine

TOP CLUB AWARD

The John Collier Survey’s data, which is received from golf clubs throughout South Africa, is combined with desktop research and interviews with people knowledgeable about golf courses throughout the region, and then analysed, following which we publish the John Collier Annual Survey in March each year.

After the publication, we then re-visit the data, in order to determine which golf club has submitted the most comprehensive report.

Within a 46% participation rate from golf clubs, and a 33% national compliance level, there will always be clubs that stand out as being exceptional. As has become the norm, there were a number of very strong contenders, however, we take this opportunity to congratulate,

ATLANTIC BEACH LINKS

on winning the SUSTAINABILITY ESG TOP CLUB AWARD in the John Collier Survey Report Review for 2025 – 2026, which is underpinned by the three pillars of sustainability namely, environmental stewardship, social responsibility and governance excellence (ESG).

The work being done at ATLANTIC BEACH is really impressive, and it is fitting that on World Environment Day, the club’s efforts should be appropriately recognised. World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated annually on 5 June, and its key objectives are to increase awareness about the environment, enhance political attention and encourage public action.

WED was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, and over five decades, it has grown exponentially and is now one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach, with tens of millions of people participating online and through in-person activities, events, and actions around the world.

In this regard the John Collier Top Sustainability ESG Golf Club Award is registered on the United Nations WED site, and Atlantic Beach will receive international recognition for its achievement.

The underlying message for WED 2026 is no longer whether change is coming, but rather how effectively, and rapidly, governments, businesses and communities can guide it.

In this regard, what ATLANTIC BEACH did so well, in their survey questionnaire, for example, was to illustrate its commitment in terms of infrastructure transformation towards the implementation of solar, strengthening nature-based climate resilience, through wetland preservation and smart water management systems.

This understanding was further demonstrated by the club’s updating its strategic trajectory under its Vision 2030 framework.

The club’s vision is for a secure, dynamic community that embodies the true meaning of ‘home’, which offers exceptional experiences, and where lifestyle, sustainability, and community come together.

In addition, to achieve its Vision 2030 goals, the executive management and board have set specific operational values, which give effect to the ESG pillars.

For example, in terms of “E”, an operational environmental management programme is in place, in terms of “S” Atlantic Beach is committed to open communication and transparency and recognising staff as the heart of operational excellence, and with “G” it has a rolling five-year strategic financial plan, and well-established governance policies, procedures, and practices.

ATLANTIC BEACH’S understanding, and implementation of the three pillars of sustainability, namely environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance excellence (ESG), sets a standard that many clubs in South Africa would want to emulate.

Notwithstanding ATLANTIC BEACH’S award, special mention must also be made of the STELLENBOSCH GOLF CLUB and ARABELLA GOLF CLUB, in their efforts towards sustainability and its three ESG pillars. Winning a SUSTAINABILITY ESG TOP CLUB AWARD is only achieved with the wholehearted support of very committed and passionate people, who are prepared to wholly embrace sustainability, and its three ESG pillars, in an integrated and methodical manner.

Therefore, special congratulations must go to ATLANTIC BEACH LINKS, the club’s members, the chairperson and governing body, the general manager Francois Swart, Tony Louw, Albert Clack, and the golf course superintendent Jaques van der Westhuizen.

JOHN COLLIER
JOHANNESBURG
21 May 2026