Sustainability in Golf

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What is sustainability?

Defined as "meeting the needs of today, without compromising resource availability for future generations", the sustainability application for golf considers environmental impacts, economic profitability, and vitality for human and natural communities.

Because of her smooth swing, long tee shot, and low scores, many assume that Teresa Wade played golf in college; not so. She picked up the game in her late 20’s as a new challenge with networking benefits, but she never imagined it to be a powerful platform for positive change. 

Teresa grew up as a tomboy in Georgia, running barefoot in the grass, fishing, and riding horses. She has always appreciated the natural environment, and respected mother nature and the balance of ecosystems to sustain life. When she started spending time on the golf course, she witnessed the many ways that golf facilities can be a contributor to community sustainability (not a consumer of resources only). 

“The golf business is challenged with balancing economic profitability with conservation efforts to nurture habitat, reduce impacts, and more,” she said. “The concept of sustainability in golf is about balancing resource management to produce a golf experience that is optimal for the golfer, nature, and the bottom line.”

After a successful 15 year music career in Nashville, TN, Teresa earned an MBA from Belmont University, with a focus on marketing, negotiations, and international business. Her first project post graduate school was directing the pioneer Green Business Summit annual events at Lipscomb University 2008-2010. The summit hosted leaders from businesses such as UPS, Walmart, Waste Management and more, from across the US. The event was a successful catalyst for collaboration on strategies to advance corporate social responsibility for environmental stewardship that also benefit the bottom line. 

With education for and experience in the business case for sustainability, the spark in Teresa was lit. She then completed a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Sustainability from Lipscomb University to gain leading edge tools and fuel her fire. “It’s our responsibility to ensure future generations’ needs are met. We do that by stewarding our resources, the natural and human communities, and integrating smart strategies for financial prosperity too,” she said.

The songbird turned award-winning sustainability advocate and business advisor moved to Hilton Head, SC in 2010 to launch her nonprofit organization, Experience Green. Strategies to promote sustainability included a first in the US, sustainability in golf program. The business advisor quickly orchestrated a strategic collaboration with The Sea Pines Resort and RBC for an experiential education initiative that impacted the local golf community, garnered national attention, and was recognized internationally.

Teresa led multiple sustainability in golf symposiums hosted at The Sea Pines Resort, home to the RBC Heritage PGA TOUR event. The symposiums welcomed golf industry experts and leaders from across the nation as teachers and learners. Session topics included Zero Waste facilities, habitat and wildlife inventory strategies, and water conservation and waste reduction practices. Many collaboration connections were made and participants enjoyed uniquely green activities including hitting fish food golf balls to a floating green.

In coordination with education efforts, Teresa utilized the global eco-label for golf, the GEO Certified® tool to introduce individuals, businesses, and organizations to the measurable application of sustainability in golf. GEO Certified®, golf’s global eco-label, is the symbol of great golf environments worldwide. The system allows facilities, developments, and tournaments to systematically track their contribution to natural and human communities, as well as their resource consumption. Measuring consumption and contribution allows for better management and provides metrics that tie to financial impacts.

Teresa’s continued commitment to make a difference, led her to create a collaborative community effort for sustainability education and action that garnered Hilton Head Island the first ever International Sustainable Golf Destination Award 2017. The award recognizes high performance and commitment across three core areas of sustainability - nature, resources, and community. The winning entry included the GEO Certified® distinction for the RBC Heritage PGA TOUR event, The Sea Pines Resort, and 14 more local golf facilities as GEO Certified® or in process in the Hilton Head Island, SC area. She traveled to Mallorca, Spain to accept the award that was presented by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.

As a GEO Verifier, Teresa works with golf facilities, events, and communities to advance the journey to sustainability. Forward thinking organizations in all industries are embracing sustainability for valuable business benefits and to ensure a positive legacy.

BOOK A MEETING with Teresa to learn what, how, and why sustainable practices can create value, generate profit and make a difference for your organization.

Check out MEDIA coverage for Sustainability in Golf efforts.

As a GEO Verifier, Teresa Wade advises and supports facilities and events engaged in the  GEO Certified® process. She has worked with the following events and facilities.

• RBC Heritage PGA TOUR Event, Hilton Head Island, SC
• The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC
• Old South Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC
• The Legends at Parris Island, Beaufort, SC
• The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, Harrison, TN
• Bear Creek Golf Club, Hilton Head Island, SC
• Bloody Point Golf Club & Resort, Daufuskie Island, SC
• Callawassie Island Club, Callawassie Island, SC
• Melrose Resort, Daufuskie Island, SC
• Moss Creek Golf Club, Hilton Head Island, SC
• Oyster Reef Golf Club, Hilton Head Island, SC
• Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC
• Palmetto Hall Golf Club, Hilton Head Island, SC
• Port Royal Golf Club, Hilton Head Island, SC
• Secession Golf Club, Beaufort, SC
• Shipyard Golf Club, Hilton Head Island, SC

To learn how your golf facility, event, or community can advance its journey to sustainability, BOOK A MEETING with Teresa.