Sustainability took centre stage on the 24th April at Golf It!, Glasgow, as industry leaders, environmental experts, and golf enthusiasts gathered for a day of inspiration, innovation, and actionable change during the Sustainability Summit 2025.
In partnership with the R&A, and supported by CMAE Scotland, GEO and Scottish Golf, the summit brought together experts from across the golfing and environmental sectors to explore how the sport can lead the way in sustainable practices — from course design and facility management to community engagement and biodiversity.
The day kicked off with a welcome session and networking over tea and coffee, followed by an inspiring opening keynote from John Kemp, Assistant Director of Sustainable Golf Development at The R&A, who discussed motivation and practical steps to start the sustainability journey.
David Roy, General Manager at Crail Golfing Society, shared valuable insights into Sustainable Facilities Management, showcasing best practices in running environmentally conscious operations. After a working lunch and a deeper look into Golf It!’s own community and sustainability initiatives, the focus shifted to nature and biodiversity, with Marie Athorn from RSPB and The R&A Partnership leading a session on Golf & Nature — highlighting the practical actions golf courses can take for ecological benefit.
The afternoon continued with Gordon Howat, Golf Course Construction and Design Manager at The R&A, providing expert advice on Sustainable Golf Course Development. This was followed by a session on Futureproofing All Aspects of Your Club and Course, led by Dr. Robbie Fitzpatrick, Innovation and Impacts Lead at the GEO Foundation. Dr. Fitzpatrick explored how clubs can assess, improve, and communicate sustainability performance — not only protecting the environment but also securing the long-term success of their operations.
The event concluded with an open forum for final questions and reflections from all speakers, a networking session, allowing attendees to connect further and experience the Golf It! facilities firsthand.
Rob McGuire, Secretary at Prestwick Golf Club, commented on the event “Firstly, many thanks to CMAE, R&A, Golf It and everyone involved in organising a great day of learning. I thought the day was very well delivered, with well-informed and engaging presenters. It has given us at lots of great ideas on such an important topic to take back to Prestwick both on the golf course and in the Clubhouse.
Difficult to pick a single highlight from the day but I always find tangible and relatable case studies interesting, so it was great to hear from David Roy about all the work Crail have done over the years to become more sustainable, and the driving factors behind it.
The networking opportunities at these events are also invaluable, especially this summit that had representatives from a wide range of Clubs and roles within.
Look forward to attending another summit again in the future, a great way to cover a such a wide-ranging topic.”
