By Alistair Collier | The Business of Golf Magazine
Dear Club Manager, Director of Golf, Course Superintendent,
we have pleasure in publishing the 18th Edition of the JOHN COLLIER ANNUAL SURVEY FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GOLF COURSES. Please do go the following link
https://tinyurl.com/2p9paxcj
In Malcolm Gladwell’s recently published book, “The Revenge of the Tipping Point”, the author describes a tipping point as; “That magic moment when an idea, trend or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.”
Golf club sustainability in South Africa, which is underpinned by environmental compliance, social responsibility, governance and financial issues (ESG) levels, may not yet be at that magical moment, but through our research this past year, and as has been published in the John Collier Annual Survey of South African Golf Courses, we have seen green shoots of positive developments in sustainability ESG levels by clubs in the country.
Within this 18th annual survey, we report on real positive improvements in many of the sustainability ESG areas, which indicate that 54% of these areas showed improvement, while the balance of 46% remained static. This is a significant development, as in previous years there were focus areas which recorded a decline.
This turnaround in sustainability ESG levels by golf clubs in South Africa is good news, as we noted that not only did the national sustainability level increase by 2.6% to 31.6%, but also that there had been an increase in the club participation rate to just over 46%. This improvement is to be welcomed and may be ascribed to several factors which are dealt with in the annual survey.
The 18th annual survey builds on the previous survey, which dealt with the sustainability ESG principles, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year we discuss the sustainability and ESG principles, while providing practical examples of what clubs may wish to report on in their annual reports, and in other club communications.
The other positive take away from this 18th publication is that it provides managerial methodology, to help club management committees / boards, the management team and members, to be clearer about the purpose and role of the board, and directors, and management in respect of sustainability ESG.
The content includes tips to help ensure that management committee / board renewal is properly managed, the composition and diversity is balanced. It also stresses the importance of effective leadership, and the dynamics and process within this, the need for a clear strategy, and the necessity to manage performance, risk and stakeholder management well.
While some golfing organisations may be reluctant to embrace sustainability ESG principles, this edition’s findings illustrate how the tide is turning regarding acceptance of sustainability ESG reporting, the importance of early implementation, and the benefits of embracing sustainability ESG.
The 18th John Collier Annual Survey is a call to all golfing entities, such as GolfRSA, PGA of South Africa, the provincial golf unions and golf clubs, to consider implementing a methodology, in respect of measuring and reporting on sustainability, based on the three pillars of ESG.
This process emphasises the maxim which is that – those issues, which are recorded, measured and reported on, can be managed.
If you have any queries, why not contact the John Collier Golf through our website or via email ajcollier@telkomsa.net?
Yours in Sustainable Golf
JOHN COLLIER
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