DP World: What Has Falconry Got to Do With Sustainable Golf?
DP World has announced it has collected more than 350,000 golf balls in the three years since it launched its Second Life Container on the DP World Tour.
The milestone is thanks to a host of different approaches to every golfer’s toughest challenge – finding a lost ball.
The latest – and arguably the most majestic – is the use of a hawk and falcon to hunt and retrieve lost balls during the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, UAE.
‘Smart logistics to a tee’
Writing on LinkedIn, DP World said using falconry and other techniques to recover lost golf balls is “smart logistics to a tee”.
It said: “Falconry is deeply woven into UAE’s heritage, representing strength, grace and the enduring bond between people and nature.
“With the same precision and purpose that commands the skies, we have led global trade with unwavering commitment.”
DP World added: “At this year’s DP World Tour Championship, James Oertel from Desert Kings Falconry Club brought in his expert team – Malika, a falcon and Habib, a hawk – who were both willing assistants in helping look for golf balls on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Second Life Container initiative
All of the ideas for retrieving lost golf balls have sprung from DP World’s Second Life Container initiative, which has seen more than 350,000 golf balls collected in three years.
The container has been visiting DP World Tour events for three seasons, giving fans the chance to donate used and unwanted golf balls.
The balls are then redistributed to organisations that are championing golf from the grassroots up, to help grow the game globally.
At the initiative’s launch, DP World said: “By launching this campaign, DP World will not only support the development of grassroots golf but will also shine a light on how the increasing popularity of the game and the pandemic-induced supply chain challenges have impacted the sport industry.”
The container, which is made from a repurposed 20-foot shipping container, can house as many as 200,000 golf balls and will weigh approximately 12 tonnes when full.
It is fitted with real-time tracking technology, allowing fans of the sport to follow its journey between tournaments, whether it is travelling by rail, road or sea, demonstrating the central role that the company’s world-leading logistics and supply chain capabilities play in the world of golf.
An ‘unwavering commitment’ to sustainability
DP World has built an impressive reputation for driving sustainability in its services, supply chain and overall business.
Earlier this year, it published its Sustainability Report 2023, which outlines a host of developments and projects to drive decarbonisation and to enhance the environment.
DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem wrote in the foreword: “A resilient, sustainable and inclusive future may be a long way away, but 2050 is not.
“As one of the hardest to abate industries, we recognise the sheer amount of effort, dedication and collaboration that’s required to improve our performance and reach our target.”
Maha AlQattan, DP World’s Group CSO, said: “This comprehensive report encapsulates our unwavering commitment to steering global trade towards a future that is resilient, efficient and sustainable – not just for us, but for our customers and their stakeholders worldwide.”
Maha added: “By joining impactful global initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate and the World Economic Forum First Movers Coalition, we continue making a difference in the communities we serve.
“Our inaugural US$1.5bn Green Sukuk marked a significant milestone in sustainable finance, seamlessly integrating environmental considerations into our financial strategy and garnering strong market support.”
Explore the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand
