Environmental organisation the Greenfinity Foundation has been recruited as a presenting sponsor of the Lyoness Open tournament on golf’s European Tour.
The foundation first linked up with the tournament, which is the only European Tour event in Austria, in 2011. This year’s edition got underway yesterday (Thursday) and will conclude on Sunday.
The Lyoness Greenfinity Foundation provides a scientific evaluation system to reveal ecological footprints while the European Tour Green Drive initiative’s delivery partner, the Golf Environment Organisation, provides support in the delivery of sustainable tournaments.
Fredrik Lindgren, who heads up the European Tour’s Green Drive programme, said: “Greenfinity are really leading the way in sustainable golf tournaments. They have approved year-on-year since they came on board as a presenting sponsor in 2011. This year, for example, they have lowered the carbon footprint left by the tournament by 30 per cent.”
Lindgren added: “The BMW courtesy cars are all hybrid models this year, as are the buses transporting the players from their hotels to the course. Plus all the food is supplied by local companies, and when spectators park in the car park, they are charged €1 which goes towards the forestation project in nearby Purkersdorf. So there are many innovations and activities which are aimed at reducing the event’s carbon footprint and raising awareness of sustainability.”