HBKU partnership aims to improve environmental impact of future Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
Sustainability is to be at the heart of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Golf events are increasingly focusing on sustainability best practices to reduce their carbon footprints. Efficiencies and waste reduction can be improved significantly with effective planning and close monitoring of branding, infrastructure, and hospitality catering, not only helping the tournament operate and save costs, but also supporting right from the onset.
With next year’s event, Education City Golf Club will be looking to better highlight the positive social and environmental impact on the tournament.
Michael Braidwood, General Manager, ECGC – a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) – said: “Education City Golf Club is committed to sustainability, ensuring it is a key pillar in the organization. We strive to embrace sustainability in all its forms – social, human, economical, and environmental. We now look to continue our commitment to sustainability with Hamad Bin Khalifa University.”
ECGC is currently aligned to the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf programs for golf facility development and operations. Ultimately the goal is to meet the international standard for sustainable golf tournaments, with the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters becoming a GEO certified tournament over the coming years.
During the 2021 tournament, an audit took place to develop an action plan for next year’s edition. It was conducted by students from the Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM), offered by the College of Science and Engineering – part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), also a member of QF.
HBKU’s MSEM program is a joint degree with the University of South Carolina; the first master’s degree in sport and entertainment management in Qatar and one of only a few in the MENA region. The program trains and prepares students for management and leadership roles in the sport and entertainment industries.
Several MSEM students, including three Qataris, carried out the study across golf’s three main sustainability themes – nature, resources, and community – looking at ways to improve efficiencies. GEO Foundation provided guidance to the students to focus the study on the key areas of impact across the tournament.
Libi Newell, Tournament Support for GEO Foundation, said: “We are delighted to see the partnership between HBKU and the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, and look forward to working with both as the tournament’s sustainability program develops.”
The HBKU students interviewed all the relevant suppliers, such as temporary infrastructure, energy and waste contractors, tournament organizers, and other relevant stakeholders to complete the study. Observations were also be conducted on-site, following strict social distancing protocols. Once completed the document will be utilized to develop the 2022 tournament concept with an emphasis on enhancing sustainable practices.
Dr. Kamilla Swart Arries, Associate Professor, MSEM, said: “We would like to thank ECGC and GEO for providing our students with an opportunity to collaborate on such a prestigious European Tour event. We have a shared responsibility and commitment to build local capacity within the sport management industry and to integrate sustainability best practices in the learning experiences of the next generation of sport managers in Qatar.”
For more information about the upcoming tournament, please visit: https://www.qatar-masters.com/
