Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort has earned golf’s most esteemed international sustainability accreditation for the second time within a year.
Following GEO (Golf Environment Organisation) Certification for its Twenty Ten Course in January, the resort has now secured the same industry-leading environmental award for its Roman Road and The Montgomerie courses, as well as its original Golf Clubhouse.
Carol Kerrey, director, certification and credibility at GEO, said: “It is a real honour to recognise Celtic Manor Resort’s Twenty Ten, Roman Road and The Montgomerie Courses for achieving GEO Certified status.
“For all three courses to reach this milestone within just 12 months is an exceptional accomplishment and a testament to their dedication to sustainable golf.”
The resort has prioritised environmental responsibility since launching its first course in 1995.
It recently appointed a dedicated environment and ecology stewardship manager and introduced a fleet of electric golf buggies, reducing annual CO2 emissions from 89 tonnes to just 8.3 tonnes.
Habitat protection and biodiversity initiatives on site include wildflower meadows, bug hotels, bird and bat boxes, and beehives housing around 500,000 bees.
Five lakes support fish, amphibians, and the first sighting of an otter at the Twenty Ten Course.
Jim McKenzie, director of golf courses and estates at Celtic Manor Resort, said: “Golf often gets a bad press for its impact on the environment but we have always had a good story to tell about our sustainable practices here at Celtic Manor and the measures we have taken to protect natural habitats and the landscapes around us.
“We have made more huge strides in the last two years led by our environment and ecology stewardship manager, Gary Connell.”
Ms Kerrey said that the resort’s environmental work reflects “continued commitment to leading the way in sustainable golf.”
The assessment also praised Celtic Manor for linking its golf sustainability plans with broader resort-wide environmental goals, supporting local organisations, creating jobs, and running charitable programmes.
In addition to the two GEO Certifications, the resort is one of seven Celtic Collection hotels to achieve the Green Dragon Level 4 Environmental Standard.
Celtic Manor is among a limited number of venues to achieve two separate GEO Certifications, due to its dual clubhouse facilities.
