Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational Becomes First LPGA Event to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
Event also announces release of the Dow GLBI 2021 GEO Certified® Report
MIDLAND, MI – The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (“Dow GLBI”) continues to lead the way as a showcase for sustainability by becoming the first LPGA Tour event to retain its “GEO Certified® Tournament” status and the first LPGA event to go carbon neutral. The Scotland-based nonprofit, GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, which was founded to support and recognize sustainability and climate action in and through the sport of golf, gave the GEO certifications for the 2019 and 2021 Dow GLBI and worked with the tournament to help it achieve carbon neutrality in 2021.
Sponsored by Dow, and the only team event on the LPGA Tour, the Dow GLBI measured and reduced its carbon footprint and offset 100% of the 2021 tournament’s unavoidable carbon emissions. In addition, 100 percent of the 2021 tournament’s metered freshwater use was compensated through the purchase of Water Restoration Certificates – helping restore the equivalent of 2.3 million gallons of water to critically dewatered rivers and streams.
“Offsetting unavoidable carbon emissions for the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational reflects Dow’s commitment to use its science and engineering expertise to drive toward a low-carbon future,” said Chris Chandler, executive director of the Dow GLBI. “With our partners Outlyr, the Midland Country Club and the LPGA, the Dow GLBI continues to drive meaningful change and impact by taking action on sustainability – socially, environmentally and economically.”
The 2021 tournament, played July 12-17, 2021, received the international award for sustainability in golf from GEO Foundation by completing a rigorous and comprehensive certification process for golf tournaments that includes documentation and evidence submission of actions across categories, such as site protection, resource allocation, access and equity, and community legacy; third-party verification carried out by the Council for Responsible Sport; and a thorough review by GEO and agreement to GEO’s Continual Improvement Points for future tournaments.
Highlights from the 2021 tournament included:
· $12.7 million in direct economic impact to Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region was generated through the Dow GLBI.
· Approximately 78% of waste generated was recycled or reused, a 10% improvement from 2019.
· More than 3,000 area youth participated in STEM to Them, an educational outreach program that brought STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities directly to students throughout the region.
· $237,500 was donated to regional nonprofits through the #TeamUp Challenge.
· 4,307 pounds of prepared and unused food was donated to Hidden Harvest and distributed to 24 regional nonprofits.
· 3,940 pounds of carpeting was recycled from hospitality suites, 1,559 pounds of mesh fencing was recycled, and 80% of signage was reused.
· More than 200 local businesses and vendors participated in the event.
· Several programs supporting youth and inclusion, including sponsoring the John Shippen Tournament for African American Golfers, the First Tee Junior Golf Clinic, the LPGA Leadership Academy, the Special Olympics 3-Hole Challenge and free access for veterans, were implemented.
Dow GLBI 2021 GEO Certified® Report Released
This announcement reflecting the Dow GLBI’s continued sustainability leadership comes alongside the release of the Dow GLBI 2021 GEO Certified® Report. In 2019, the inaugural Dow GLBI earned “firsts” in the world of the LPGA by earning the Gold Driver Award for the overall best tournament and becoming the first-ever GEO Certified® LPGA event. The Dow GLBI was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 but resumed in 2021 and once again received GEO certification. The 2022 Dow GLBI will be held July 10-16 at the Midland Country Club with aims to further advance the tournament’s strong legacy of sustainability leadership.
“The GEO certification puts a strong emphasis on continual improvement, and we are especially proud that we were able to innovate and execute on new initiatives even during a year when COVID-19 presented significant challenges,” said Wendy Traschen, Dow GLBI tournament director. “For example, instead of bringing youth to the tournament for our STEM programs, we pivoted and brought STEM kits to them. We also improved our recycling rates and offset our unavoidable impacts for carbon emissions and water. It is through strong collaboration with Dow and our other partners that we continue to lead and improve.”
Jonathan Smith, founder and executive director of GEO Foundation, said: “The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational is a shining example of what can be achieved through the collective efforts of all stakeholders to deliver a sustainable golf tournament. The ambition to continually strive for improvement and always do more is evident throughout the event. The Dow GLBI is going from strength to strength and has quickly become established as a showcase for leadership in sustainability and climate action, not only in golf but all sport.”
The official tournament audit was carried out by the independent verification body the Council for Responsible Sport, accredited by GEO Foundation for golf tournament verification in North America.
“The work that the Dow GLBI is doing is not only a benefit to their community, but also setting the standard for sustainability in professional golf,” commented Rico Tesio, verifier, Council for Responsible Sport. “Their commitment comes from a dedicated title sponsor in Dow and a belief that anything is possible when everyone works together.”
For more information about the Dow GLBI, visit www.dowglbi.com.
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About the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational
The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (Dow GLBI) is an official LPGA Tour event that will be held in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region July 10-16, 2022 at Midland Country Club. The Dow GLBI is the first team event played for official money and points and became the first fully GEO Certified® sustainable tournament on the LPGA Tour since its inception in 1950. The tournament is played with 72 two-woman teams competing in a 72-hole stroke play format with alternating rounds of foursomes (alternate shot) and four-ball (best ball) with a $2.5 million purse.
The week-long event features more than golf. It includes an official LPGA Tour Pro-Am Tournament, STEM Center, youth related programming, Eat Great Trail and leadership events. This inclusive event offers free daily youth opportunities, affordable ticket prices, and free admission for kids 17 and under as well as past and present Military personnel. Follow @DowGLBI on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or online at www.DowGLBI.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates 104 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $55 billion in 2021. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.