A golf club on Spain’s prestigious Costa de Sol committed to the environment
At La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, we understand how important it is to align the future of golf with sustainability. Our commitment to preserving the environment has led us to implement a number of key initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint, optimise water and energy consumption and improve the operational efficiency of the club. Furthermore, through these actions, we aim to obtain the GEO sustainability certificate, a global recognition of golf clubs that operate in a responsible manner with the environment and their surroundings.
Sustainability initiatives at La Hacienda Links Golf Resort
1. Integral renovation of the pumping station: Energy efficiency and savings
Our maintenance team has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of the pumping station, significantly improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact. We now have vertical multi-cellular pumps controlled by variable frequency drives, which allows us to adjust the pumping speed according to the real demand of the field.
This action has enabled us to optimise energy consumption, reducing electricity consumption and CO₂ emissions and smart management with remote control, facilitating monitoring from mobile devices and ensuring rapid responses to incidents. The improvement has also allowed us to reduce irrigation time, minimising the impact on the electrical system and optimising the club’s operability.
2. Eliminating five hectares of irrigation: Saving water and promoting biodiversity
As part of our water optimisation strategy, we have eliminated irrigation in five hectares of non-critical areas, replacing them with the planting of 200,000 mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus), a native species highly resistant to drought. This has led to significant water savings, reducing maintenance costs, stabilising the soil and preventing erosion, as well as promoting biodiversity, providing shelter for local fauna and improving the natural ecosystem of the countryside.
3. Hybrid machinery: Innovation for a more sustainable golf course
Our commitment to sustainability has also been transferred to the machinery we use for the maintenance of our championship courses; Links and Heathland. We have incorporated hybrid machinery equipped with electric cutting units, a cutting-edge technology that optimises course maintenance and reduces environmental impact. Thanks to this innovation, we achieve less use of hydraulic oil, minimising the risk of contamination from leaks and a reduction in diesel consumption, reducing carbon emissions.
All of this gives us greater operational efficiency by optimising the maintenance of our golf courses. Each advance brings us closer to a more responsible golf model, combining innovation and respect for the environment.
4. Cirrus pro: Smart irrigation software
We have also implemented Rain Bird’s Cirrus Pro system, an advanced irrigation management solution that allows real-time monitoring and adjustment of more than 1,200 sprinklers from any mobile device. Highly useful software helps us to optimise irrigation based on local weather data, avoid water wastage, integrate different irrigation systems through hybrid control to improve efficiency and analyse real-time data to make informed, data-driven decisions about field maintenance.
5. Solar energy: Carbon footprint reduction
In our firm commitment to sustainability, we have implemented an innovative solar panel installation in the club’s car park, generating renewable energy for our facilities. This initiative not only reinforces our commitment to the environment, but also brings key benefits such as reduced electricity consumption, significantly lower CO₂ emissions and greater operational efficiency, ensuring a more sustainable and responsible operation.
6. Irrigation audit: Water efficiency and sustainability
To maximise water use efficiency, we have conducted comprehensive irrigation audits, analysing each sprinkler to improve distribution and flow. This initiative minimises water wastage, improves irrigation uniformity and meets the highest sustainability standards.
7. Bermuda turf on greens: Sustainability and optimum performance
Another of the initiatives instigated has been the renovation of our greens with Bermuda grass, a variety that is highly resistant to drought and disease. This strategic choice allows us to significantly reduce the consumption of water and chemical products, optimise maintenance and guarantee uniform and high-quality playability. This variety of grass is also more resistant to high temperatures, adapting perfectly to the Mediterranean climate of the Costa del Sol.
8. Plastic bottle disposal: A greener clubhouse
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we will soon be installing water fountains on both the Links and Heathland courses and in the clubhouse. Through this initiative, we will eliminate the use of plastic bottles, reducing waste and promoting a cleaner environment, as well as offering an ecological and sustainable alternative, guaranteeing a premium experience for our golfers.
At La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, we continue to innovate and develop initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and efficiency.
