As sustainability and responsible travel become more and more popular, golfers around the world are looking for ways to ensure their golf trip has as little an effect on the earth as possible. So how does one find eco-friendly golf courses? We have a host of British Columbia golf courses that are dedicated to limiting their effect on the environment, and tips for planning your sustainable golf vacation. Here’s what to look for:
Audubon Certification
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf is an award-winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. By helping people enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, and minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations, the program serves an important role in environmental stewardship worldwide.
Golf facilities applying for Audubon Certification have to prove compliance with strict guidelines set by the Audubon Society in each of the following six areas:
- Environmental Planning
- Wildlife and Habitat Management
- Chemical Use Reduction and Safety
- Water Conservation
- Water Quality Management
- Outreach and Education
Featured Audubon Certified Golf Courses in British Columbia:
Fairmont Chateau Whistler: The golf course at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort became certified by Audubon in 1998, and was recertified in 2014.
Highland Pacific Golf: Certified in 2011, this Victoria golf course sits on 190 acres of land nestled between Thetis Lake Park and Francis King Park, home to hundreds of species of plant and wildlife, including several rare and endangered species. The course superintendent and maintenance crew take their responsibility for environmental stewardship very seriously to protect wildlife at Highland Pacific and enhance the environment.
Salmon Arm Golf Club: proudly received its Audubon Program Certification on May 30th, 2014.
Whistler Golf Club: achieved designation in 2015, showing a strong commitment to its environmental program and efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property, which have had a direct impact on both the Crabapple Creek fish population and the local bear population through enhancements of their wildlife habitats, outreach and education and chemical use reduction.
Honourable mention - Arbutus Ridge: Certificate in Environmental Planning
Thompson Okanagan’s Biosphere Committed Golf Properties
The Biosphere Commitment Program in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia supports businesses and community organizations to commit to sustainable choices as an extension of the region’s Biosphere Destination Certification.
Biosphere Certified golf partners include Harvest Golf Club which joined in 2019, and Quaaout Lodge & Spa which joined in 2021.
Vancouver Island’s Green Business Certification (VIGBC)
The Vancouver Island Green Business Collective (VIGBC) recognizes the efforts of Island businesses that are reducing their environmental impact. Businesses can be certified as Silver, Gold or Green, with Green being the highest level of certification available.
Foresters Restaurant and Bar at Olympic View is proud to have recently been awarded “Gold” Level Certification in the pilot program of Vancouver Island’s Green Business Certification (VIGBC). The VIGBC was built to recognize the efforts of local businesses that are reducing their environmental impact. For businesses, it is a guide to greening operations and educating staff. For consumers, it is a symbol that lets you know which businesses have green practices.
Other Environmentally-Friendly Initiatives
Predator Ridge Resort has committed to a range of eco-friendly initiatives, including EV charging stations and joining the world's largest sustainable tourism certification program. They are an EcoBase Certified Company - working to cut down their consumption of fossil fuels, waste and water. The golf course operations are "water bottle free," with ECO water coolers and biodegradable cups, while the resort diverts all food and beverage compostable waste away from landfills. They are part of the Clean the World movement; geared to collecting and recycling discarded soap and hygiene products, while all menu ingredients are locally and responsibly sourced from local farmers and vendors within 100 miles of the resort.
Tips for Travelling Responsibly on Your Golf Vacation
Now that you have a selection of sustainable BC golf courses to choose from, take the extra steps to make your golf vacation eco-friendly and supportive of local economies with the following tips:
- Pack sustainably: Reusable utensils, water bottle, coffee mug, straw, and reusable grocery bags to cut down on single-use plastic.
- Eat local: Look for restaurants that focus on sourcing local, sustainable ingredients.
- Fly with the environment in mind: Fly direct as much as possible, purchase carbon offsets, and compare flights to find one with the lowest carbon emissions.
- Rent electric: If you can (and have a convenient charging station at your golf course/accommodations) consider renting an electric vehicle.
- Consider slow travel: Stay longer in a single location, rather than hopping around to cut down on emissions. Check out our suggestions for micro-vacations [link] for inspiration.
- Pack light: Cut down on emissions with light-weight but quality luggage and choose carry-on over checked baggage.
- Select green accommodations: Look for eco-friendly accommodations dedicated to reducing water usage, embracing energy efficiency, and cutting back on single-use plastics and harmful chemicals.
- Seek out local experiences: Help keep tourism dollars in the local economy by choosing experience owned and run by local operators.
- Dress natural: Ensure your golf and travel wardrobe is primarily natural fibres.
- Reduce water usage: Ensure you use a minimum of water for things like showers and laundry. Stick to a single towel during your stay (depending on length of visit) or pack your own quick-dry towel.
If you’re flying in, we’d recommend renting electric if you are able, with a variety of options available (and more entering the market all the time):
- Various locations: https://turo.com/
- From Vancouver: https://www.zerocar.ca/
- From Kamloops: https://rental24h.com/canada/kamloops-airport/electric-car
Where will your responsible golf vacation take you? Feel free to download or order a BC golf map, browse popular golf vacation packages, or talk to our golf travel experts to craft a customized itinerary!
