Trump Sparks Golf Backlash

Donald Trump's proposal to turn miles of the Aberdeenshire coast into what he calls 'the worlds greatest golf course' has sparked a debate around the environmental effects of continued expansion of golf across Europe. Sustainable development of economic, environment and social aspects is central to European Union public policy and golf has an impact on all of these.
 
There are already over 6000 golf courses and 6 million golfers throughout Europe and these bring with them thousands and thousands of jobs both in golf clubs directly and in manufacturing and supply. Some areas rely on golf tourism for the majority of their income. But just what is the effect on the environment of this ever increasing demand for golf and golf courses? On the surface golf courses seem green in all senses of the word and lots of wildlife lives cheek by jowl with the golfers unless they are deemed unsuitable by the green-keeper so its goodbye Mr. Mole and Mrs Earthworm. And what about all the pesticides and water supplies that are used over a year to keep a course in tip-top championship condition?
 
There is no doubt that a well managed golf course can bring environmental benefits but too many have yet to take on board the environmental issues that public concern backed up by proposed legislation that need to be addressed if golf is to be part of a sustainable green future.
 
UK based artists Conneally and Wright in a recent work urged Trump and all the golf world to 'for a better world play golf on the moon' . If the industry doesn't clean its act up soon there might be nowhere else for them to go.