Times of the Islands Winter 2022/23

intact. As custodians of the largest sporting facility in
the TCI (650 acres), the Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Club
(RTCGC) strives to operate in the most sustainable way
possible.
Besides replacing the turf with a less water-hungry
strain, water stations are located throughout the course
where golfers can fill up their water bottles or branded
reusable bottles from the pro shop, reducing the burden
of the ubiquitous plastic water bottles on the local landfill.
RTCGC is working towards GEO Certification for sustainable
golf. This widely regarded international ecolabel
is designed to help golf courses be recognized for their
environmental and social responsibility. Steps taken
will involve protecting the current ecosystem (11 lakes,
140 acres of fairways and greens) that are home to the
American kestral, white heron, kingfisher, pink flamingo,
and green turtle, as well as a variety of cacti, the flame
tree, and sea dunes.
It will also involve working to reduce carbon emissions
by installing solar panels than can power the golf course
property and beyond. Along with eliminating single-use
plastic and adding recycle/reuse containers across the
grounds, the club will invest in education of employees
and visitors in more sustainable habits.
Giving back
Besides taking responsibility for the club’s operating
costs to buttress the tourism product, HAB Group has
a long history of giving back to the community, with
more donations than any other single entity in the Turks
& Caicos Islands. Since 1996, the club has helped raise
over $2 million for local charities through tournaments
such as the: Jadot Cup, Wine Cellar Cup, Bob Graham
TCIGA Scramble, Bordier Bank Youth Soccer Scramble,
National Cancer Society Scramble and the Corporate
Charity Challenge.
Funds raised help support the Edward C. Gartland
Youth Center, National AIDs Awareness Foundation, Food
4 Thought children’s breakfast program, TCI Community
College, TCI Senior Citizens’ Home and the TCI Children’s
Home, among other worthy causes. The generosity of the
club’s 110 members and visiting golfers reflects their
benevolence and satisfaction with the overall golf course
experience.
The club’s love of local sports is reflected in sponsorship
of children’s soccer programs, ladies’ softball,
the junior golf program, and a $50,000 donation to the
TCI Sports Federation for athletes to compete in the
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