PGA Catalunya Resort, home of Spain’s No.1 course*, has been re-certified by the Golf Environmental Organization (GEO) in recognition of its continued commitment to nature, resources and community.
The first European Tour Destination to achieve GEO Certified™ status back in 2013, PGA Catalunya Resort has made sustainability a core objective since its inception, with a focus on minimising consumption as well as exploring opportunities for renewable alternatives and diversified energy sources.
The methodology enabling PGA Catalunya Resort to renew its GEO Certified™ status includes recycling water throughout the estate, using solar and geothermal energy sources wherever possible, planting Bermuda grass to reduce water consumption and chemical use, and conserving the native flora and fauna of the pine forest on the 300 hectare estate.
Alejandro Nagy, the GEO Accredited Verifier who assessed the venue’s practices, praised the resort for its comprehensive approach to environmental and social issues: “PGA Catalunya Resort continues to meet specific criteria in the six areas of sustainable golf – Nature, Water, Energy, Supply Chain, Pollution Prevention and Community.
“The combination of world-class golf courses, practice facilities and energy efficient buildings integrated into the environment, all underpinned by a meticulous and sustainable approach to protected nature areas, ecological vineyards and arable land, make the resort a responsible and resource efficient business. If we also consider PGA Catalunya Resort’s attention to detail, commitment and responsible management philosophy, the resort attains a standard fully befitting of a GEO Certified™ status.”
David Bataller, Head of Golf at PGA Catalunya Resort, added: “We have always embraced the importance of sustainability and the protection of our ecological environment; and as the home of Spain’s No.1 course, we take our responsibility as leaders in the field seriously.
“GEO Certified™ is a trusted industry ecolabel and a symbol of the very best golf environments worldwide – and we are proud to stand at the forefront of creating sustainable environments through golf.”
Administered by GEO – an international not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of sustainability in and through golf, with wide stakeholder involvement and third party verification – GEO Certified™ is underpinned by openly-consulted environmental and social standards specifically relevant to golf, and serves as a credible platform for communications around real outcomes.
For further information about PGA Catalunya Resort, please visit www.pgacatalunya.com
