Magazine - Ransomes Jacobsen’s three-hole golf course is now ‘up there’ with St Andrews

By Peter Driver in Golf on 20th Mar 2010 6:00

Ransomes Jacobsen’s three-hole golf course, located at their European headquarters on the outskirts of Ipswich, has been certified by the Golf Environment Organization (GEO).

The RJ National joins some illustrious company including courses at St Andrews, Gleneagles, Celtic Manor, Loch Lomond, Riviera Cancun in Mexico, the Montgomerie in Turkey and Klosters in Switzerland. Ransomes Jacobsen is a Textron Inc (NSYE: TXT) company.

The GEO is an international non-profit NGO working to enhance the economic, social and environmental benefits of golf. It is committed to raise standards, provide productive solutions and objectively appraise and recognise performance across the global golf community.

Chief executive Jonathan Smith, said,
“We are delighted that the RJ National has attained certification as it demonstrates a pioneering approach from a short course. It also shows that you don’t have to be a high profile, internationally recognised facility to reach and maintain environmental standards in the management of golf courses.

“By protecting and enhancing ecosystems and biodiversity, maximising resource efficiency, reducing waste and conserving their cultural heritage and local landscape, Ransomes Jacobsen has shown its commitment to environmental best practice in a golf course context.”

The unique three-hole golf course was the brainchild of David Withers, managing director at the turf maintenance equipment manufacturer.

“I know there were many sceptics who thought that the golf course was going to be a directors’ playground, but what I had in mind right from the outset, was a small course that would be the ideal showcase for the products we manufacture here in Ipswich,” he said. “With the support of some our industry partners, and our parent company Textron, I’m glad to say, we managed to produce a spectacular result.

“We have been supporters of GEO ever since the organisation was created back in 2004. We have been involved with several of their initiatives, the latest being the Guidelines for Sustainable Golf Developments, which was launched in March at the EIGCA-hosted World Forum of Golf Architects at St Andrews.

“We have further supported the organisation with the accreditation of our golf course and I’m still amazed that we sit there among some of the most illustrious courses in the world!”

About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.

Read more articles in Golf, by Peter Driver or from March 2010.