Friday, February 08, 2008

Why I am Anti-Golf

During CNY visits to family and friends houses these few days, I have heard at least five people spoke about picking up golf or are already playing golf. Well, while I may not agree with their choice of hobby, I have not gone to the stage of discouraging them from it in a serious manner. I don't think I'll ever do it either, unless its my own close family members.

I'm anti-golf. The first time I knew about the environmental impacts of golf was through my teacher. I can't remember when I started having such strong feelings against golf, but I remembered being very upset with my parents for picking up a country club membership when I was in Secondary school. I also refused to pick up the club during a trip to Desaru with my colleague (it was a free trial or something like that). While I acknowledged the many benefits of golf, from providing income for the local people to even sometimes protecting pockets of nature from urbanisation, I still cannot condone an activity that destroys massive forested areas and wetlands just for the enjoyment of a privillage few. Also, with the increased popularity of golf, more and more developing countries have started to clear their lands, and this is growing concern as these LDCs (with all their other problems) may not have developed proper accountability and stewardship to the environment.

Here are some articles/websites that I would like to share:
1. Impact of Golf Courses (Retrieved on 09 Feb 08) which also highlights the benefits of golf.
2. A Global Perspective on the Environmental Impact of Golf (Retrieved on 09 Feb 08) which gives details on the environment impacts as well as the impact on developing countries

It was interesting to read how golf traditionally is a game where the course "goes" with the environment when it first started approx. 500 years ago (e.g. using pasture land ~ maximising land use!), but has unfortunately become a game where it deliberately changes that landscape =(

Anyway, to all who are avid fans of golf, I sincerely hope that you can seriously think through if there are less damaging forms of sports and entertainment. =)

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