Our patrons
Greenlinks
Greenlinks, The R&A’s programme for sustainable Championships, has been leading innovation and action in sustainability at The Open since 2016.
Through Greenlinks, The Open is on a journey to embrace low carbon technology, innovate for a circular economy, champion social value and promote nature.
Discover some of the highlights of Greenlinks at The 152nd Open.
Renewable Electricity
Since 2021 The Open has been powered by solar panels and sustainably sourced biofuel derived from waste product.
Battery storage, smart energy management and energy efficient equipment all play a role in reducing energy consumption at The Open.
The Open Water Initiative
The Open Water Initiative, in partnership with Mastercard and the Priceless Planet Coalition provides free water refill stations on-site.
The initiative at The Open and the AIG Women's Open has helped avoid the use of nearly half a million plastic bottles since 2019 and planted more than 83,000 trees through the Priceless Planet Coalition’s reforestation work.
Sustainable Catering
Sustainably sourced local catering is championed at The 152nd Open and all tea and coffee served will be Fairtrade certified.
Careful planning, ordering and flexible menu design will help to reduce food waste and surplus food will be redistributed to local charities after The Open.
Low Carbon Transport
Mercedes EQ electric cars form a key part of the courtesy car fleet.
Public travel is promoted with local train services more than doubled for Championship week and hybrid buses running to and from the Park and Rides.
Free secure bicycle parking is also provided for staff, volunteers and spectators.
Moving Towards Circularly
We continually strive to use more sustainable materials with reduction and reuse prioritised.
By working with contractors and local and national charities many items are reused, upcycled or recycled after the Championship, including banners into bags, wood offcuts into bird boxes and carpets into traffic cones.
Items which cannot be reused or recycled are sent to a waste-to-energy plant, generating electricity which is fed into the national grid.
Protecting Nature
Working with expert ecologists The Open site is mapped to protect sensitive habitats and reduce disruption to wildlife.
Training is provided to everyone on site to raise awareness of environmental impacts and local wildlife and flow of spectators carefully organised to minimise disturbance.
Certified Courses
All Open venues are Certified by GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf in recognition of their ongoing commitment to climate action, resource conservation, nature protection and community value throughout their operations.
Find out more about Royal Troon’s sustainability highlights here.
Sustainable Championship Agronomy
The R&A’s Sustainable Championship Agronomy Team work with all Open venue courses.
Sustainable agronomy works with nature to create a bioclimate that sustains and enhances local plant and wildlife species. Find out more here.
Working in Partnership
Sustainability is a team effort, everyone plays a part. Working with patrons, official suppliers, contractors, venues, volunteers and community The Open continues to innovate and advance. More is being done every year.
We’re playing our part in a more sustainable future, you can play yours too. While your planning your visit and enjoying The Open please:
• Travel by public transport or car share. Free bicycle parking is also available.
• Bring and refill your own reusable water bottle at the free water stations, or buy one on site.
• Use the recycling bins found across the course.
• Keep to official walkways and crossing points to protect sensitive habitats.
• Enjoy sustainably sourced and certified food and drink.
• Visit our Greenlinks Volunteers at The Sustainable Golf Hub to discover more about how The Open is playing a part in a more sustainable future, and how you can too.
Discover more about The R&A’s commitment to sustainable golf here.