The special recognition award was to appreciate AFRIYEA Golf Academy for their efforts in ecology and sustainability on the golf course in Fort Portal, Western Uganda.

AFRIYEA, the Ugandan based academy startled the revellers in Yorkshire, England as they earned an award of a special recognition in Golf Environment Awards (GEA) 2023. 

The awards were held at Crown Hotel, Harrogate in Yorkshire, England in appreciation of the sustainability across nature conservation, turf grass, waste and water to achieve environmental sustainability, protecting and encouraging habitats and biodiversity, while continuing to maximize the enjoyment of golf.

AFRIYEA has been engaged in afforestation drives, cleaning campaigns, environment education in schools and community on proper management of waste especially plastic wastes.

The special recognition award was to appreciate AFRIYEA Golf Academy – Toro Club for their efforts in ecology and sustainability on the golf course in Fort Portal, Western Uganda.

Besides teaching the young golfers with the basics of the game, AFRIYEA Golf Academy has been at the forefront of placing environmental concerns. In particular, AFRIYEA Golf Academy has been engaged in afforestation drives, cleaning campaigns, environment education in schools and community on proper management of waste especially plastic wastes.

“AFRIYEA Golf Academy Uganda is honored to be recognized at the 2023 Golf Environment Awards. This is a trust and manifestation of the good deeds being executed. Nature is one most invaluable asset in the realm that everybody must shield from being polluted with plastics, chemicals and many other contaminants that result from human misuse of nature. 

While plastics have many valuable uses; our generation has become addicted to single-use plastics which have severe environmental consequences. It’s a collective responsibility to reduce the usage and improve the way we manage plastic waste.

The awards were organized by STRI Group spanning now 28 years with the support from R & A (Royal and Ancient), Aquatrols, Jacobsen, Syngenta, Tillers Turf, Textron, and BIGGA. 

This is an effort directed to environment sustainability with ever-increasing spotlight on environmental matters, golf courses worldwide need to access what they do to achieve environmental sustainability, protecting and encouraging habitats and biodiversity, while continuing to maximize the enjoyment of the game.

Other award winners in different categories included Iestyn Carpenter (Corhampton Golf Club) for  Operation Pollinator Award,         Nick Lawson (Sleaford Golf Club) for Conservation Greenkeeper Award, Hever Castle Golf Club International  for Sustainable Project Award, Al Mouj Golf Club (Oman)UK for Environmental Golf Club Award, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club for Environmental Golf Club Award and St. Andrews Links Trust for Ecological Project of the Year Award.

Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of AFRIYEA Golf Academy openly expressed delight upon this special award of recognition, a big push motivational element.

AFRIYEA Golf Academy has become the first African golf institution to receive this prestigious award and is vastly attributed to their success in promoting golf and environment preservation among the youthful population in Uganda.

AFRIYEA is bringing the game of golf and its benefits to all the youth and under aged children to enrich them with various professionals including the game of golf, education, life skills to enhance them with social opportunities.

The Academy has introduced 350 children to golf from her annexes of Toro Club and Masindi. The partners include Tooro Golf Club, Aspire Sports Scholarship, Masindi Golf and Sports Club, Mizuno, Golf Industry Guru (GIG) and Mountains of the Moon University.

The 24 finalists spanned from three different continents: Africa, Europe and Asia. The different winners were also rewarded with a grant to help fund further ecological and environmental projects at their clubs and entry to the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture Course.

The 2023 Golf Environmental Awards were sponsored by Aquatrols, BIGGA, Syngenta, Tillers Turf, Textron and the R&A.