Why Sustainability Needs to Be at the Core of Every Golf Business

Golf talks a lot about sustainability. But according to Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International, most of it is happening in the wrong rooms.

Now, with golf experiencing a significant boom and a new generation of players entering the game, she sees an opportunity to reshape how the industry thinks, talks and invests in  sustainability – not as a compliance exercise, but as a genuine driver of business growth.

In the latest episode of Changing the Business of Golf, Gary Firkins sits down with Christine to discuss the three changes she believes every golf business needs to consider making today, including:

  • Why sustainability must be built into every part of a golf business – from course operations and F&B to staffing and culture – and why a dedicated sustainability point person could be the most impactful hire a club makes. 
  • How creating partnerships with non-traditional partners and proactive storytelling through marketing and social media is a major opportunity for golf course businesses.
  • Why third-party validation is no longer optional, providing golf courses with credibility and resilience when it counts.

From Collier's Reserve, Audubon's first signature sanctuary, and the remarkable community engagement work of superintendent Ken Kleinedler, to Terre Blanche's people-first approach to sustainability – as showcased in The Green Report docuseries – the episode is full of real-world examples for golf courses to learn from. 

Is your golf course business ready for the future? Learn how to get ahead of the curve with sustainable practices that drive business growth and long-term stability.

Listen on Spotify: Changing the Business of Golf with Christine Kane

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Thank you for tuning in to the Changing the Business of Golf Podcast. Stay tuned for our next episode where we continue to explore the people, stories and strategies that are shaping the future of golf.