Redbourn Golf Club has won the Sustainability Project of the Year award at the 2026 England Golf Awards, securing national recognition for its long-term approach to environmental management and community-led climate action.
The Hertfordshire-based club, which is part of BGL Group, was honoured for more than a decade of independently verified progress in sustainable course management. Redbourn now operates entirely on certified zero-emission electricity, avoiding more than 44 tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 alone. Independent carbon auditing also confirms that the club’s woodlands, roughs and naturalised areas sequester significantly more carbon than is emitted through energy and fuel use, placing the site in a net-positive carbon position.
The award strengthens BGL Group’s position as a sustainability leader in UK golf. Birchwood Park Golf Club won the same category at the 2025 England Golf Awards, while two BGL venues were shortlisted this year, with Redbourn Golf Club taking the title and Burhill Golf Club also named among the finalists.
Richard Stilwell, general manager of Redbourn Golf Club, said: “This award recognises the consistent work that has been taking place here for more than a decade. To see our approach acknowledged at a national level by England Golf is a significant moment for the club and for our members, staff and volunteers who have supported these initiatives.”
Central to the club’s strategy is a circular approach to resource management. A zero-to-landfill policy ensures all waste is recycled, composted or recovered for energy, while a newly approved on-site solar PV system will further reduce emissions and strengthen long-term energy resilience. The club has also led the restoration of the River Ver, a rare chalk stream that runs through the course, working with environmental partners and volunteers to improve water quality, restore natural habitats and boost biodiversity.
Guy Riggott, chief operating officer at BGL, added: “Recognition like this highlights the progress our clubs are making as we continue to embed sustainability across the group. Initiatives like those at Redbourn show how environmental responsibility can be integrated into day-to-day club operations while supporting the long-term goal of reducing our environmental impact.”
BGL’s golf venues operate under independently verified GEO Certified® environmental standards, with the group’s strategy guided by seven core commitments that shape how sustainability is managed across its portfolio. These focus on areas including planning and procurement, climate action, conserving resources, fostering nature, engaging staff and golfers, strengthening local communities and tracking environmental performance as BGL works towards its long-term net zero ambitions.
Across its golf clubs, this approach has led to a range of initiatives designed to improve environmental performance and protect natural landscapes. These include habitat restoration and biodiversity projects, energy and water efficiency measures, responsible waste management, and the use of 100% renewable grid electricity across BGL’s golf venues.
As participation continues to grow and expectations around environmental responsibility increase, Redbourn’s recognition highlights how golf facilities can combine high-quality course conditioning with long-term climate accountability.
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