The Sustainable Golf Weeks of of the last two years focused on two fundamentals for sustainable golf; fostering nature and tackling climate. The focus of this year's Sustainable Golf Week is on the third critical pillar, how golf plays a part in strengthening communities.

Golf can connect people in a number of ways from casual rounds with friends to regional or international competition. In addition, most of the neary 9,000 golf courses in Europe have associated clubs which are communities in and of themselves.

Golf events can also strengthen local communities, acting as a catalyst to bring people together, and not just the competitors.

Large golf events, including EGA Championships, often see numerous local volunteers collectively contribute the smooth running of the tournament. This voluntary contribution can come in a variety of roles include starting, ball-spotting, recording, livescoring, manning refreshment stations, but also transport, course maintenance, media, caddying and more.

Bringing people together for a collective project can help strengthen the individuals’ association with their local club and community, and develop their relationships with others which is essential for general wellbeing.

125 Volunteers at the European Team Shield Championships

This year’s European Team Shield Championships, designed for small and emerging golfing nations, were an excellent example of golf bringing the local community together.

The Liechtenstein Golf Association (GVL) and the Gams-Werdenberg Golf Club had the ambition to organise their first EGA championship to a ‘perfect’ standard. The objective was that the players be treated like at a major tournament and it was clear from the beginning that this would only be possible with a lot of additional help.

Gabriella Reato took on this task and recruited 125 volunteers, mainly from the Gams-Werdenberg Golf Club and the Liechtenstein Golf Association, who helped with numerous tasks during the tournament. 

The tournament organisers acknowledged the work of the volunteers with a special tournament t-shirt, cap, lunch packs and a reusable bottle. They also thanked them for their contribution with a special tournament of their own following the main event, which concluded with a surprise barbecue to celebrate their efforts.

Peter Tinner, President of the GVL, emphasized the importance of recognizing the work of volunteers saying: “It’s crucial that their contributions are appreciated and that they feel like a real part of the tournament. I am always happy when I spot a volunteer from the ETSC on the golf course wearing the ETSC tournament T-shirt with pride.”

European Ladies’ Amateur Championship Brings Messilä Golf Together

A large number of volunteers also came together to contribute to the success of the EGA’s flagship women’s individual championship earlier this summer. 

Messilä Golf in Finland recruited more than 90 volunteers of all ages to help with the tournament, many of who were regulars at the club, but also members of other courses nearby.

The helpers were given a specialised polo and jacket, cap and provided meals during the tournament. 

To celebrate all those involved, the volunteers played in a competition the next day with an identical course setup to the final round of the main event. 

Find out more about Sustainable Golf Week and golf's benefits to society here: https://sustainable.golf/sustainable-golf-week-2024/