Syngenta Golf has launched the first episode of The Green Report, an ambitious new docuseries showcasing leading golf courses’ approach to environmental sustainability around the world.

The series begins with a compelling three-part feature at this year’s Ryder Cup host venue, Bethpage State Park in New York.

On a course walk with Director of Agronomy Andrew Wilson and colleagues, viewers learn:

• Why golf courses are important urban wildlife havens and how red-tailed hawks and great horned owls are successfully breeding at Bethpage Black

• How an on-course Nature Discovery Garden is welcoming school children to learn about plants and animals in an outdoor classroom

• And how taking golf’s sustainability message into the community is helping change perceptions about golf and the environment.

The Green Report offers candid, on-the-ground conversations with golf course managers, sustainability professionals and environmental experts, providing viewers with unfiltered insights into the challenges and successes of sustainable course management.

The series comes as a direct response to Syngenta’s groundbreaking report Golf & Social Media which explored more than 16 million social media posts, blogs and comments. The research revealed negative perceptions of golf with water consumption, land use and nature the focus of detractors’ criticisms.

“We know from our research that golf courses can be perceived as being bad for the environment,” said Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape for Syngenta. “However, we also know golf courses are providing critically important green spaces for people and nature in a rapidly urbanizing world.  Golf course superintendents, greenkeepers and their teams are committed stewards of the environments they are managing, and it’s important to us to help tell this story. 

“The Green Report aims to inform and inspire golf courses businesses to take action and speak up on sustainability, and proactively connect with their local communities.”

The series is free-to-watch for all golf industry professionals and stakeholders on YouTube.