As part of its commitment to delivering a sustainable future for golf, The R&A has launched an innovative new agronomy service in Asia-Pacific.

Based in Singapore, The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service will provide agronomy expertise to golf facilities to support effective management of courses and achieving best practice in sustainability.

The R&A’s sustainability agenda is focused on ensuring that golf facilities around the world are taking action to maintain and enhance the playability of courses as the industry faces the challenges of resource reduction, climate change and regulatory changes.

The R&A's chief executive, Martin Slumbers, said: “The Sustainable Agronomy Service strengthens our commitment to sustainability by offering the in-depth knowledge and experience of our agronomists to golf facilities throughout Asia-Pacific.

“Sustainability is a key priority for golf and The R&A is a strong advocate for sustainability across nature, communities and resource management. We must work diligently to create golf course environments that enable them to thrive for future golfers to enjoy.”

The R&A’s agronomists have extensive knowledge and experience of providing agronomic support to 28 world class championships run by The R&A each year, including The Open and AIG Women’s Open.

Chris Gray, The R&A's regional head of sustainability and agronomy, said turf presentation and playing conditions were "integral" to the success of any facility.

"Our service in the Asia-Pacific region provides the tools and guidance to maintain and optimise year-round course playability through the most efficient and sustainable agronomic methods," Gray said.

“The Sustainable Agronomy Service is an extension of a golf facility’s greenkeeping team. We will work together to identify objectives and develop a plan to achieve them. The service is designed to be a long-term partnership that ensures consistency in golf course maintenance well into the future.”

The Sustainable Agronomy Service will improve conditioning and operational efficiencies and provide technical knowledge and best practice to greenkeepers.

The independent service offers a tailored solution to suit each course’s specific requirements while adhering to environmental regulations and taking account of factors such as climate change and resource shortages by delivering future-proofed course maintenance plans.

The proceeds generated by The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service will be reinvested back into the development of the sport through research on turf management, greenkeeping education and sustainability initiatives to ensure that golf is thriving 50 years from now.

For more information about the Sustainable Agronomy Service, please DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE.