Crail Golfing Society’s Balcomie Links is an Old Tom Morris design. (Image: Crail Golfing Society)
In an initiative that will help save the environment and fund junior golf programs, Scottish Golf has teamed with electric vehicle charging provider Forev to install chargepoints at historic Crail Golfing Society and other clubs throughout the country.
Starting with historic Crail Golfing Society in Fife, Scotland’s golf courses have committed to a plan to help lower carbon emissions throughout the country by hosting more than 1,000 electric vehicle chargepoints.
Announced in October 2019, the initiative by electric vehicle charging provider Forev and Scottish Golf, the governing body of golf in Scotland, aligns with the Scottish government’s pledge to phase out the sale of new cars powered by fossil fuels by 2032.
The network of charging stations will be powered by 100 percent accredited clean energy. Golf clubs hosting the chargepoints will receive a fixed annual payment per charging bay, which will then be donated to their junior programs. Approximately 50 percent of the population of Scotland currently has access to electric vehicle chargepoints at home.
“This new partnership…represents a fantastic opportunity for our golf clubs, with Forev covering installation costs of all charging points,” says Scottish Golf CEO Andrew McKinlay.
Forev’s installation of electric charging facilities will begin at Crail Golfing Society in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. Crail is home to two courses, Balcomie Links and Craighead Links. Designed by Old Tom Morris, Balcomie Links has been regarded as one of the jewels of Scottish golf since opening in 1895. Sister course Craighead Links is a Gil Hanse design opened in 1988.
“The charging units are part of the club’s long-term commitment to lowering its carbon emissions, and addresses the demand from the membership for such a facility,” says Jim McArthur, Crail Golfing Society captain. “Forev has made this possible with almost no effort on the part of the club.”
