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Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers

Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers

By: John Failla
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 On a mission to drive positive change in the golf industry for a greener future! Host John Failla focuses on advancing the sustainability of both the environment and the game of golf for generations to come through valuable insights, meaningful connections, and inspiring stories. This passionate golfer, who has already played on 39 of the World’s Top 100 Golf Courses, brings together industry leaders and organizations: Greg Nathan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Golf Foundation (NGF), Graeme Beatt, the Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Ireland, Dave Barton, the executive director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, and many more. John and his guests are united by a shared commitment to the cause. Over the past 15 years, John has created, developed and sold two businesses focused on helping large private and public sector organizations accomplish their sustainability goals and navigate the energy transition to clean energy. Most recently, the research, digital media, events and podcasts created by John at Smart Energy Decisions have been widely recognized for their thought leadership and impact in helping large organizations achieve their sustainability goals and reduce their carbon emissions. John is leveraging his experience in corporate sustainability and his passion for golf in the development of Golf Sustainability as a resource to help accelerate adoption of best practices in environmental, social and economic sustainability within the golf industry to ensure the viability of the game for future generations. Be part of the movement for golf sustainability!608125 Earth Sciences Golf Science
Episodes
  • Scaling Sustainability in Global Golf with Maria Grandinetti Milton and the DP World Tour

    Scaling Sustainability in Global Golf with Maria Grandinetti Milton and the DP World Tour
    Jan 31 2026
    Sustainability in sport is no longer about isolated initiatives or one-off wins. It is about leadership, collaboration, and building systems that others can follow. In this episode of the Golf Sustainability Podcast, John Fahey reconnects with Maria Grandinetti Milton, Director of Sustainability for the DP World Tour, to explore how sustainability programs mature, scale, and begin to influence an entire ecosystem. Maria shares updates on several major initiatives that have taken shape since their last conversation, including the rollout of the DP World Tour Championship Charter, the expansion of the Global Sustainability Awards, and the launch of sustainability forums in Scotland and Ireland. Together, these programs reveal a deliberate strategy focused not just on improving individual events, but on empowering partners, suppliers, federations, and governments to move forward together. The conversation also looks ahead. Maria explains why the DP World Tour became the first professional golf tour to sign the United Nations Sports for Nature initiative, how storytelling around nature can deepen fan engagement, and why the next phase of sustainability leadership is about scaling impact while continuing to learn along the way. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Sustainability as a journey and why leadership requires constant learning [02:00] Maria’s role at the DP World Tour and the evolution of its sustainability strategy [04:00] The Championship Charter and creating a sustainability blueprint for events [10:30] Global Sustainability Awards and recognizing innovation across the supply chain [17:00] Sustainability forums in Scotland and Ireland and the power of collaboration [23:00] Joining the UN Sports for Nature initiative and focusing on biodiversity [27:00] Updating the DP World Tour sustainability strategy and looking ahead Creating a sustainability blueprint through the Championship Charter One of the central updates in this episode is the launch of the DP World Tour Championship Charter. Designed as a practical guide for staging events sustainably, the charter breaks sustainability down into clear, accessible steps across areas like water, waste, transport, and logistics. Rather than overwhelming promoters or operators, it offers entry-level actions, more advanced practices, and examples of best-in-class execution. Maria explains that the charter serves both internal teams and external partners. With more than 40 events across 25 countries, consistency is challenging, but shared principles provide a foundation. The charter creates alignment, lowers barriers to entry, and sets expectations for how sustainability is embedded across global championships. Recognizing leadership through Global Sustainability Awards Recognition plays a powerful role in driving behavior change. Maria shares how the DP World Tour’s Global Sustainability Awards have grown from a regional initiative into a global program spanning Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of the world. The awards highlight excellence across categories such as innovation, technology, catering, venues, and operations. By celebrating suppliers and partners who lead the way, the program creates positive momentum. Winners become case studies, role models, and inspiration for others across the tour’s extensive supplier network. The focus is not just on competition, but on sharing best practices that can be replicated and scaled. Forums that connect golf, government, and communities Another major development is the launch of sustainability forums in Scotland and Ireland. These events bring together national federations, government stakeholders, local golf clubs, and the professional game to discuss shared challenges and solutions. Topics range from climate resilience and biodiversity to community impact and land use. Maria describes these forums as moments of triangulation, where collaboration unlocks progress that no single group could achieve alone. By leveraging the visibility of professional golf, the DP World Tour helps create space for meaningful dialogue and practical problem solving at a regional level. Nature, storytelling, and the next phase of sustainability leadership Looking ahead, Maria explains why joining the United Nations Sports for Nature initiative was a natural next step. Golf is inseparable from the natural environments in which it is played, and protecting those environments is both a responsibility and an opportunity. From peacocks in India to wildlife on Scottish links courses, nature offers powerful stories that can deepen fan connection and inspire future generations. As the DP World Tour updates its sustainability strategy, the focus is shifting toward clearer targets, scalable solutions, and broader alignment across the global tour. The goal is not perfection, but progress, guided by leadership, collaboration, and a willingness to keep learning. Resources & People Mentioned DP World Tour Geo Foundation for Sustainable ...
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    34 mins
  • Sustainability in Action: How Wentworth Club Is Shaping Golf’s Greener Future

    Sustainability in Action: How Wentworth Club Is Shaping Golf’s Greener Future
    Nov 11 2025

    Golf courses aren’t just places to play, they’re living ecosystems. And few places demonstrate that better than the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England.

    In this on-site minisode of the Golf Sustainability Podcast, John sits down with Daniel Clarke, Courses and Grounds Manager at Wentworth, to explore how one of the world’s most prestigious clubs is redefining what sustainable golf looks like.

    For over eight years, Daniel has overseen Wentworth’s three championship courses and new golf academy. During that time, he led an ambitious transformation, one that replaced outdated practices with forward-thinking stewardship of land, water, and wildlife.

    From re-establishing heather and reducing managed turf, to deploying autonomous mowers and electric equipment, the Wentworth team is proving that great golf and great environmental performance can go hand in hand. Learn more at GolfSustainability.com

    Thank you for listening to the Golf Sustainability podcast. If you found this episode interesting, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! For more insights and updates on sustainable energy solutions, visit our website and follow us on social media.

    Audio, Video, and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    12 mins
  • Driving Sustainability at Cabot Saint Lucia

    Driving Sustainability at Cabot Saint Lucia
    May 6 2025
    Many golf courses pride themselves on their lush landscapes, but few stop to consider the unseen challenges of maintaining them—especially on remote islands. In this episode, we dive into the unexpected realities of water management at one of the world’s most stunning new golf resorts, Cabot St. Lucia. Without easy access to freshwater, maintaining fairways and greens becomes a surprisingly complex and costly endeavor, revealing a hidden problem that many golf operations face without even realizing it. As director of agronomy Damon Di Giorgio explains, water scarcity isn't just a looming environmental issue—it’s a daily operational reality that demands creative solutions. From reverse osmosis desalination systems to microclimate-specific management strategies, Damon and his team must be meticulous with every drop. Listeners will come to appreciate how standard practices elsewhere would spell disaster in a setting like St. Lucia—and why sustainable resource management isn’t a bonus, but a necessity. By the end of the conversation, you'll see how Cabot St. Lucia isn’t just surviving these challenges—they're setting a new standard for eco-conscious, cost-effective golf course management. Through innovative partnerships, on-site nurseries, and precision agronomy practices, the team at Cabot demonstrates that environmental sustainability and financial sustainability can—and must—go hand-in-hand for the future of golf. Topics covered: (0:00) Damon’s intro and Cabot St. Lucia John Failla introduces Damon Di Giorgio and shares personal experience playing the courseDamon shares his background and role at Cabot St. LuciaOverview of Cabot Collection and Point Hardy Golf Club (04:20) Damon’s agronomy leadership Damon explains his “head trash picker-upper” philosophyThree key divisions: beach cleaning, landscaping, and course maintenanceEmphasis on supporting and mentoring his team leaders (06:54) Defining sustainability locally Damon frames sustainability as both “the right thing” and “necessity”Explains high cost of desalinated irrigation waterDescribes Cabot's design prioritizing minimal water use (08:53) Island operations challenges Long, complex supply chains vs. mainland operationsHeavy reliance on planning, stocking, and improvisationSpecific issues with beach cleaning and sargassum influx (12:22) Big sustainability projects Replanting native plants removed during course constructionTwo onsite nurseries: landscaping propagation and organic farmingUse of saltwater and organic fertilizers to reduce chemical use (20:44) Key partnerships advancing sustainability Entire Cabot Collection enrolled in Audubon’s Platinum Signature Sanctuary programToro partnership working toward AI-driven moisture managementRegular soil testing and precision irrigation practices (27:10) Future vision and tech innovation Focus on microclimate-based management across the courseResearch collaborations to time pest and weed control naturallyDream of reusing desalination brine for sustainable herbicide solutions Resources & People Mentioned Cabot St. Lucia — https://cabotstlucia.comAudubon International’s Platinum Signature Sanctuary Program — https://www.auduboninternational.org/signature-sanctuary-certificationToro and TurfRad Technologies — https://www.turfnet.com/news.html/toro-and-turfrad-develop-new-moisture-sensor-technology-r1840/ Connect with Damon Di Giorgio Connect with Damon Di Giorgio on LinkedIn Connect With Golf Sustainability LinkedIn Facebook InstagramX (Twitter)Email Subscribe to Golf Sustainability Apple Podcast Spotify Note: Timestamps provided are approximate. Thank you for listening to the Golf Sustainability podcast. If you found this episode interesting, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! For more insights and updates on sustainable energy solutions, visit our website and follow us on social media. Audio, Video, and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    41 mins
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