As the world and the game of golf evolve, we will be presented with a number of challenges.
In golf, challenges such as climate change, resource constraints and changes to regulations will affect every club, of every size, everywhere around the world.
If key areas are not strategically addressed, future generations may not be able to enjoy the game as we know it today. Businesses may be lost, employment within the industry may be reduced, and current course conditions may become unachievable.
Futureproofing the game relies on changing the attitudes and behaviours of key stakeholders within the sport, through quantifiable research, ongoing education and transparent communication.
This task is not being left to a small number of forward-thinking businesses, influencers and associations. The R&A, which governs the game around the world alongside the USGA, continues to work to understand the scale of the challenges we will face in the future.
In the last few years, vast resources have been made available to investigate the current situation, uncover new solutions which could mitigate future challenges, and prepare the sport for the future.
In 2018, the R&A established Golf Course 2030 (GC2030), an industry initiative to consider the positive and negative impacts climate change, resource constraints and the impact any future regulation could have on golf course condition and playability. The goal of this work is to create a road map which comprehensively considers potential future challenges and details a range of scenarios at different levels of severity to help us overcome them.
Of course, challenges lie ahead and they will not be restricted to golf. Undoubtedly, the greatest challenge will be convincing businesses and golfers of this need for action. At Whitley Bay, and at clubs up and down the country, we will continue to work with The R&A to deliver that framework and support the industry moving forward, so we can all continue to enjoy every part of the game we all love.
