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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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About this listen

 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
  • 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
  • From Seoul to Scarsdale: The Indoor Golf Revolution

    From Seoul to Scarsdale: The Indoor Golf Revolution
    Apr 8 2025

    What if the next big movement in golf wasn’t happening on the course, but in a dark room with a screen and a sensor? In this episode, we explore the future of the game through the lens of indoor golf — a trend that’s already transformed the sport in South Korea and is poised to do the same in North America. Most golfers still think of simulators as a niche tech gimmick or a winter-time alternative. But for millions of new players in Asia, they’re the starting point — and, increasingly, the standard.

    Sean Pyun, President & CEO of GOLFZON America, joins the show to break down how Korea built an entire golf ecosystem indoors — complete with leagues, tournaments, retail stores, and even its own network of green grass courses. It’s not just about simulation accuracy; it’s about accessibility, inclusivity, and rethinking how and where people engage with the game. If you’ve never considered indoor golf a serious part of the sport’s future, this conversation will change that.

    Topics covered:
    • The Indoor Golf Revolution (0:00)
    • The emergence of a full-stack golf ecosystem in Korea (5:42)
    • Why indoor golf isn’t just a novelty — it’s a pipeline (10:56)
    • The American market needs more than a product — it needs localization (15:08)
    • Overcoming simulator skepticism and changing minds (20:52)
    • Turning indoor golf into a competitive league ecosystem (27:33)
    • Bigger purpose: charity, inclusion, and City Golf’s future (36:48)
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • GOLFZON America – https://www.GOLFZONgolf.com
    • Arnold Palmer Foundation – https://palmerfoundation.org/
    • TGL (Tech-Infused Golf League) – https://tglgolf.com
    Connect with Sean Pyun
    • Connect with Sean Pyun on LinkedIn
    Connect With Golf Sustainability
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (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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    50 mins
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