New project wants young golfers to save the environment

The time for action is now. 

That’s very much the attitude towards saving the environment from Ocean Tee founder Ed Sandison.

Ocean Tee is a company that provides a platform for sustainable innovation in golf products and they are spearheading a new project, named FORTHEOCEAN, targeted at engaging grassroots golfers with saving the environment.

Starting next week, young golfers from across the UK are being invited to participate in a new project that will help combat plastic pollution and reduce its impact on the planet.

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Through educational workshops and beach cleans the youngsters will explore sources of pollution and the impact on marine environments and identify positive actions that golf clubs can take. They will then be set the challenge to drive change at their own golf clubs.

“Golf is played in beautiful places,” commented lead on the FORETHEOCEAN project Ed Sandison.

“We want future generations to be able to enjoy the fabulous views and wildlife we all take for granted and that means taking action now to protect the environment. We hope these youngsters go away feeling empowered to become activists and inspire others to take action themselves.” 

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Ocean Tee is bringing together its partners the Marine Conservation Society, who are providing the education, and The Ladies European Tour, who are hosting the launch session at The Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open on August 10 at Dumbarnie Links. 

Young people from across the region will be attending the workshop which explores Scottish marine wildlife, focusing on marine conservation, and the effects of litter, particularly single use plastic, on the environment.

“As well as using our beach clean data to understand pollution, the young golfers will also be making their own contribution to our database by taking part in a beach clean,” said Jenny Griffiths, education manager at the Marine Conservation Society.

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“We’ve been cleaning beaches and collecting data for over 30 years, which helps us identify patterns and inform our campaigns, so these young people really will help shape the future of our work.”

At the end of the session, the young golfers will be given ideas and actions that they can take away and implement in everyday life and at their own golf clubs.

The golf clubs will be encouraged to share their work in progress and track results with one lucky venue winning a visit from a tour golfer.