2000 Swiss francs for "Nature connected"
It was a successful premiere: 28 golfers played in the first WWF Charity Tournament at Golf Meggen. The focus was on the topic of biodiversity and the shared enjoyment of golf.
"Swiss Golf has found a 'critical sparring partner' in WWF Switzerland," explains Alicia Moulin, Sustainability Manager at Swiss Golf. The graduate agronomist is committed to promoting sustainability in Swiss golf in all areas (ecology, economy, social issues), but pays particular attention to the topic of biodiversity. Accordingly, she appreciates the expert feedback from WWF Switzerland on Swiss Golf's sustainability projects.
Together, the two organisations organised a charity tournament on 3 June at the GEO-certified Golf Meggen, raising 2,000 Swiss francs for the WWF project "Nature Connected". The money will be used by WWF Switzerland specifically to promote biodiversity on golf courses. "This is a first for us, until now we were mainly active in agriculture with this project," explained Inez Colyn, Head of Philanthropy at WWF Switzerland, in Meggen.
Natural oasis in the agglomeration
The venue was not chosen at random. Golf Meggen is one of the most beautiful 9-hole courses in Switzerland and provides a prime example of the successful promotion of biodiversity on golf courses: 51 percent of the area is unfertilised, and the various landscape chambers also provide habitats for a wide variety of animal and plant species, as Alicia Moulin also noted at her tournament premiere. Among other things, the agronomist was pleased about a meagre meadow next to tee 9, which offers optimal conditions for wild bees.
The golf course is surrounded by a walking path, so the area remains a recreational area for the entire regional population. All the irrigation water also comes from a private spring near hole 4. The water is purified and collected and we spread it on the golf course when needed.
"We have to act. Now!"
Inez Colyn, on her first visit to a golf course, was pleasantly surprised by the biodiversity and the many structures that have been created on the course. Not only in the herb garden by the restaurant, but also outside on the course. "The structures that have been created on this golf course are many times better for nature than before the golf course was built. I am grateful for that," she said at the end of her short talk.
