GEO Certification awarded to Al Zoraida Golf Club
Al Zorah Golf Club, a subsidiary of Al Zorah Development Company and joint venture between the Government of Ajman and Solidere International, has attained GEO Certification.
This achievement is a key milestone for the club, whose management has placed sustainability at the forefront of operations for several years. This prestigious recognition has come about in two keyways; through the agronomic work to preserve the native ecosystems and through the golf club’s support of local communities.
To help preserve the local ecosystem, the landscaping of Al Zorah Golf Club was produced using local grass species that are well adapted to the desert climate, such as Platinum Paspalum, a warm season grass that is drought and low-quality water tolerant qualities.
The Troon-led agronomy team also employs two full-time technicians to conduct irrigation audits twice per year to ensure the protection of the local mangrove forests and surrounding area. Al Zorah also grows fruit and vegetables in a small orchard on site that are used throughout the club’s dining facilities.
GEO Founder and Executive Director, Jonathan Smith, congratulated the team at Al Zorah: “GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf is delighted to recognize Al Zorah Golf Club’s sustainability leadership with this achievement of becoming GEO Certified®. Al Zorah has demonstrated excellent standards across the areas of nature conservation, efficient resource use and community engagement, and a commitment to continual improvement, which is inspiring to see. Troon International’s commitment to sustainability is also highlighted with this award of certification for Al Zorah - continuing to drive forward practices and activities across its group of golf facilities around the world.”
Philip Henderson, General Manager of Al Zorah Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to have attained GEO Certification; the golf team embraced a journey of leading positive change to help better our environment through the education that GEO provided. Thank you to Ricardo Baron (Golf Course Superintendent) and Dana Clemente (Golf Operations Executive) who were integral in leading this project.
“The Nicklaus Design team protected the natural environment while creating the golf course, which embraces one million square meters of mangroves. With that, we have a great responsibility to preserve and develop a vast range of marine life, migratory bird species, and plants that are native to the area. In addition, we must engage with educators like GEO to fulfil our role effectively in protecting this unique golfing environment.”
