Watch: Syngenta at the Golf Business Technology Conference

Golf course businesses have an opportunity to embrace digital transformation and collective action to navigate tightening regulations and land-use pressures, according to a panel of leading experts.

A Syngenta-hosted discussion at the Golf Business Technology Conference in Belfast highlighted a clear path forward for the industry. Experts emphasized adopting Best Management Practices (BMPs), utilizing digital platforms, and proactively communicating sustainability successes are essential steps to protect the industry’s long-term freedom to operate.

The session, titled ‘Golf’s Sustainable Future: People, Planet & Profit,’ featured a panel of leading experts including:

• Simon Elsworth, Syngenta Global Head of Professional Solutions
• Gina Rizzi, President, Radius Group
• Jonathan Smith, Founder, GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf

Hosted by LANDMARK’s Gary Firkins, the panel offered an insightful assessment of the industry’s current standing. While BMPs are already delivering measurable results and digital tools for data-driven course management are more accessible and widely used than ever, the experts noted that golf still has more to do in telling its sustainability story.

To counter increasing external pressures, panellists called for golf course businesses to:

1. Rigorously document: Use best practices and key data as a primary line of regulatory defense.
2. Embrace digital: Actively use digital platforms to monitor, report, and communicate credibly.
3. Work as a collective: Connecting individual facility efforts with others within regional and national contexts. Position the industry as a partner to policy makers and bring industry expertise to the decision-making table.

Simon Elsworth, Syngenta Global Head of Professional Solutions, said: “This is the first conference of this kind that Syngenta has attended, focused specifically on the intersection of technology and golf business.

“This felt significant to us, as we believe technology and innovation will play a vital role in the future of golf course management – and we’re seeing it evolve rapidly. A small investment now will position golf course businesses significantly better for what’s coming, and we want to help clubs make that step with confidence.”

Gina Rizzi, President, Radius Group, added: “Golf is doing a really good job of implementing and documenting BMPs. However, where we can do better is doing it collectively, and using that evidence to secure a seat at the table when the important policy conversations are happening.”

Jonathan Smith, Founder, GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, summarised the conversation by saying: “Around the world sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have for golf course businesses. It is now a genuine business imperative, and advantage. We need to not only keep up but get ahead, and capitalise on the opportunities of being at the forefront. That’s what this conversation aimed to emphasise.”

The full panel discussion will be available to watch in an exclusive episode of Syngenta’s Changing the Business of Golf podcast.

Discover more sustainability insights and practical business solutions at syngentagolf.com

To explore Syngenta’s digital solutions helping customers make smarter, data-led decisions, visit: greencastconnect.com