Much was said at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, not so much was agreed. And while some progress was made in areas such as reducing the use of fossil fuels, tackling methane emissions, and protecting nature and biodiversity, it was made pretty clear that unless, as a planet, we stop procrastinating we’ll be going to Hell in a handcart… and even Hell might be affected by climate change.

Golf is often a target for environmentalists – and rather unfairly in my view; surely there are more worthwhile industrial targets – but, as stated on the home page of Sustainable Golf: ‘Among all sport and business, golf has a unique opportunity to make a powerful difference…’

Fitting then, that in this edition Howard Craft, the club manager at Berkhamsted Golf Club, and OCEANTEE, touch on the subject of sustainability. It’s reassuring to know steps are being taken by stakeholders in our industry, but, surely, as an industry we can do more.

Wouldn’t it be great if, instead of citing golf as a harbinger of environmental doom, campaigners held up the industry as an exemplar to others?

My colleague, David Bowers, when he’s feeling at his most pretentious, often quotes Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and opines: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

However, on this occasion, he and Lao Tzu are right on the money. If we all make that first step, we’re on the road to, if not redemption, at least a better place.