President Obama’s most cherished of outdoor sporting activities, golf, is about to get greener.
Electric utility Constellation and the Professional Golfers’ Association of America announced plans Thursday to improve golf’s ecological impact by increasing its use of clean energy at professional golf tournaments and reducing water consumption across a growing number of U.S. golf courses.
“This is a historic day for the PGA of America, as our partnership with Constellation will bring us into the next generation of energy conservation and environmental awareness,” said Pete Bevacqua, CEO for PGA of America.
Constellation, owned by the nation’s largest nuclear utility, Exelon, is the official clean energy provider for the PGA and all its affiliated professional golf tours, the utility and the sports group announced. “We are absolutely delighted that Constellation has partnered with the PGA to deliver their transformative expertise on clean energy, in order to establish a groundbreaking, impactful green signature throughout our iconic major championships and facilities, as well as educate PGA members and the golf industry on state-of-the-art green initiatives.”
Constellation said it will begin working with the PGA on improving its energy and environmental practices, including purchasing renewable energy credits for all its major championships, including the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, Women’s PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. It also will work with professional golfers and their fans to promote green energy use and sustainability practices.
Exelon was the official green energy provider for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July, while Constellation has maintained energy provider relationships with major professional sports teams from football to hockey.
“Constellation is proud to partner with the PGA of America to achieve its energy and environmental goals and to increase awareness of responsible energy use among its members and the golf industry,” said Constellation CEO Joe Nigro. “Their commitment to energy conservation serves as an example for the sports industry, fans and communities. We look forward to working together toward a more sustainable future.”
The agreement builds on the golf industry’s goal of reducing water use, which is the most significant opportunity for the sport to improve its environmental impact.
The PGA said 77 percent of all 18-hole golf courses in the U.S. have taken steps to conserve energy, while 66 percent have made upgrades to irrigations systems over the last decade to become more efficient. The organization said that more than 90 percent of the golf courses are considered green spaces by providing benefits to the ecosystem.
