A CAMPAIGN by the R&A to promote sustainable golf courses worldwide received a major boost from the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake.

Robert Webb, chairman of the R&A’s golf course committee, behind the drive for sustainable courses, said yesterday that for several years, the televising of major tournaments—such as the Masters—has led many club golfers to ask for “greener greens and fairways,” requiring application of water and chemicals.

However, at last week’s Open, spectators watched one of the most successful championships ever, played out on dry, brown fairways which had not been watered at all during the long weeks of drought and record temperatures running up to the battle for the Claret Jug.

Indeed, the excellence of Hoylake’s sustainable course led to many tributes, including from winner Tiger Woods, who said, “With the golf course being this fast, it lent itself to just amazing creativity.”

Mr Webb said, “People watching television coverage around the world—or on the course itself—must have heeded the message that best practice course management, with conservation of water, minimum use of pesticides and enhancement of the natural environment makes for more pleasurable golf and, at the same time, demonstrates greater social responsibility.”