Golf Business News – La Cala Resort improves sustainability guarantees with GEO certification

With the support of its owners and continuous investment, La Cala Resort in Spain has been awarded the GEO certificate in recognition of its environmental and social responsibility.

The GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf is an international non-profit organization founded 16 years ago to help promote, support, and reward responsible action for sustainability and strengthen and promote the social and environmental value of golf.

La Cala Resort has emphasized sustainability for 35 years now, with sustainable practices at the heart of everything it does.

Ahead of its time in many ways, La Cala Resort took a major step in 1991 by introducing a renewed irrigation system for its golf courses with a dedicated pipeline, largely funded by the FBD Group, located 10 kilometers from the resort’s main pool to Fuengirola. replant. The benefits are the preservation of precious freshwater resources and improved long-term water security.

The resort is also nearing the end of a five-year project to improve the water efficiency of its irrigation operations by moving from bentgrass greens to Bermuda. Campo America will be the last course to complete the program in the fall, while Campo Asia will replace it in 2019 and Campo Europa in 2020.

Replacing the tee grass with Bermuda Tahoma 31 resulted in additional water savings, estimated at 20%. The benefits of this strategic change are threefold: first, water-efficient grass species help conserve water; secondly, reduced water consumption means significant cost savings; and third, improved course playability improves the overall golf experience.

Away from the course, La Cala Resort’s sustainability journey expanded in 2022 with the installation of solar panels on the roofs of its facilities. This now produces 160Kw of clean energy per hour, benefiting the popular clubhouse area.

Encouraged by the initial success, La Cala Resort has expanded its efforts to install solar panels to include the management offices, with future plans including further expansion of the panels to cover the parking areas and the implementation of energy-saving LED lighting in the hotel rooms and clubhouse areas. These projects have helped reduce the resort’s carbon footprint and reliance on grid electricity while ensuring a sustainable future for energy use and cost reduction.

La Cala Resort has already switched from petrol to electric using a Jacobsen Eclipse 360 ​​Elite green mower and a smithco Sand Star E bunker rake, while two Belrobotics robotic mowers are in operation, along with a driving distance ball picker, in the effort of carbon reduction. carbon emissions and switching daily activities to a more sustainable energy source. Reducing grass areas by up to 20% and replacing them with mulch reduces water use by the same amount.

“We are committed to social and environmental responsibility, both internally and through golf,” said Sean Corte-Real, General Manager of La Cala. “We recognize the importance of our participation in protecting and restoring the environment, saving resources, taking climate action and strengthening communities. By obtaining GEO certification, we have earned the distinction of being highly regarded and trusted for golf sustainability. The international certification was obtained after successfully meeting industry-standard best practices and demonstrating our commitment to making sustainability a priority in our golf course.”

In his report, Pablo Muñoz, an independent surveyor accredited by GEO, noted: “The resort emphasizes its role in conservation by using 100% reclaimed water to irrigate its three golf courses since 2017, and by reducing water consumption continuously from the cold season. to warm season grasses. In addition, La Cala Resort is committed to sustainable practices by installing solar panels on the roof of the care center.

“The resort has also upgraded its vehicles from gasoline engines to lithium-powered vehicles, which shows its commitment to the environment. With these steps, La Cala continues to pave the way for a sustainable future, embodying the culture of the Costa del Sol, while maintaining a high level of service under the motto ‘Do Yes Yes’, ensuring that all customer needs are met.”