R&A answers thirst for change by committing to go green with the Open
This year’s innovation of refillable water bottles has been a big success with the fans and players ‘The scale of the Open is the ideal place to introduce alternatives to single-use plastics’
The most observant of viewers will have noticed a subtle but groundbreaking change at this year’s Open. The players can all be seen sipping on their own rather stylish, laser engraved and personalised stainless steel water bottles that have been introduced for the first time as part of a push to make this the greenest of all major golf events.
A total of 19 water stations were also installed across the Royal Portrush site, including inside the clubhouse, to ensure every fan and official joins the players and caddies in only drinking water this week from refillable bottles. To put that in perspective, 100,000 plastic water bottles were used at last year’s Open at Carnoustie.
It continues a noticeable trend this year at major summer events. Glastonbury also banned singleuse plastic water bottles, while Wimbledon removed plastic bags from its player racket-stringing operation. The move at Royal Portrush represents a significant step in a wider R&A strategy.
Conscious of prevailing shifts in global government policy, changing regulation around chemical products and wider pressures on materials, the R&A quietly instigated a project last year called “Golf Course 2030”. The aim is to futureproof the industry by finding the expertise and methods to maintain immaculate playing surfaces while using only a fraction of the water, and also eliminating pesticides and fertilisers.
“It’s not an easy question, which is why the question mark has been set,” said Martin Slumbers, the R&A chief executive. “The whole game needs to look at sustainability. We have a responsibility. This year was a step forward on singleuse plastic water bottles. We will look to do more on plastic in the coming year.” One big area that is being actively considered is how to
move away from single-use plastic pint glasses. It was hard to miss the amount of Guinness flowing readily around the course yesterday, and a potential solution is the introduction of an alternative container, subject to a deposit, from which the most thirsty spectators can consume all their alcoholic drinks.
The beauty of the water initiative, which was introduced at considerable cost to the R&A, is that it is not only more environmentally friendly but cheaper and more convenient. Spectators must bring either their own reusable container or use one of the Open-branded stainless steel bottles. A total of 5,000 are being given out for free by volunteers, or can be bought at a discounted price of £4.50p.
“Given we are directly adjacent to the ocean it was a very resonant theme – we hadn’t seen any events of our scale do this,” said Philip Russell, the R&A’S assistant director of sustainability. “It is a big disruption to what we have done before. The players are highest profile people so we knew we had to fund a solution that was compatible with their expectations and which provided the right message.
‘The whole game needs to have a look at sustainability. We have responsibility. It is a step forward’
Drinking water was the most visible touch point.”
Including the players and providing bottles that fans will want to keep was key to the wider and most important objective of lasting behavioural change. “The players have really taken to it. The water is chilled, purified and beautiful to drink,” said Russell.
The water stations were installed by a company called Bluewater during a three-week period, and the reaction among fans yesterday was overwhelmingly positive. “The stainless steel bottle costs less than we would have paid for four or five plastic ones and we now have a souvenir that we will continue using,” said Mike Donaldson, who had travelled from Florida with his wife, Maggie. “It is something they should certainly learn from at the majors back home.” Rory Mcilroy (top) and Nate Lashley rehydrate with their branded Open water bottles
Far from being a niche subject, the R&A’S research suggests that sustainability is a priority for spectators, especially those under 25. “The organisers should be commended – with its captive audience, the scale of the Open is an ideal place to introduce alternatives to single-use plastics,” said Paula Chin, the sustainable materials specialist at WWF UK.
Questions naturally also persist for golf in respect of many other environmental issues, notably preserving animal habitats, biodiversity, waste management, energy generation, water use and the flow of traffic for an event of this magnitude. There have been 7,000 contractors serving the Open this week. But these issues are firmly on the agenda, as also was the carbon footprint of leading players and their use of private jets.
Tommy Fleetwood won praise after opting for a commercial flight to Belfast before driving the remaining 60 miles to Portrush. “I try and save my hours on private jets for necessities really,” he said.
A drop in the ocean? Perhaps, but other major sports are watching and innovations this week will only increase the wider pressure for change.