Indianapolis is becoming a proving ground for sustainable golf. LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills achieved an impressive 84% waste diversion rate during its 2025 tournament, laying the groundwork for an ambitious goal: reaching “Zero Waste” certification by the 2026 event. This achievement underscores LIV Golf’s commitment to environmental responsibility and positions the Indianapolis tournament as a leader in sustainable sporting events.
The success wasn’t achieved in isolation. A collaborative effort involving The Club at Chatham Hills, event management company Par 5 Group, and sustainability consultant Blue Strike Environmental was central to the results. The City of Westfield, Visit Indy, and the Hamilton County Sports Authority also played key roles, demonstrating a community-wide dedication to minimizing environmental impact. This multi-faceted approach highlights a growing trend in professional sports, where sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern but a core operational principle.
Achieving an 84% diversion rate means that a significant majority of waste generated during the tournament was redirected from landfills through recycling, composting, and other recovery methods. LIV Golf is aiming to surpass 90% in 2026, the threshold for Zero Waste certification, a standard increasingly adopted by major events seeking to minimize their ecological footprint. “Achieving an 84% waste diversion rate in Indianapolis is a tremendous milestone and a clear indicator that our Impact and Sustainability strategy is driving real-world results,” said Jake Jones, Senior Vice President of Impact and Sustainability at LIV Golf. “Thanks to the incredible collaboration…we have laid an incredible foundation and achieved a lot of key milestones.”
Innovative Practices Drive Results
The tournament’s sustainability program went beyond standard recycling bins. Blue Strike Environmental designed a holistic system overseeing waste diversion, material recovery, and on-site sorting. Notably, the event utilized 100% solar-powered light towers and battery storage systems, reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources, as highlighted in the official GEO Auditor’s report. Innovative irrigation strategies, including the apply of greywater and collected humidity, further minimized the event’s environmental impact by conserving water resources. Protecting local wetlands was also a priority, demonstrating a commitment to preserving the natural environment surrounding The Club at Chatham Hills.
A key component of the success was collaboration with several partners specializing in waste management and resource recovery. Second Helpings received 8,436 pounds of rescued food, while RE317 composted 5,045 pounds of organic waste. InProduction recovered 85% of mesh materials, and ReWorld processed waste-to-energy, maximizing the beneficial reuse of materials. In a first for a LIV Golf event, 100% of vendors submitted sustainability data, enabling a comprehensive assessment of Scope 1-3 greenhouse gas emissions and materials inventory.
Community Engagement and Renewable Energy
Beyond operational improvements, LIV Golf Indianapolis prioritized community engagement and impact. Approximately $50,000 was donated to local charities, and the event hosted an All-Abilities Golf Clinic and a Fairway Futures Career Day, introducing students from underrepresented communities to potential careers in sports and sustainability. Educational materials, such as “Know Before You Go” guides, informed volunteers about sustainability protocols, while on-site digital displays and social media updates kept fans informed about the event’s environmental progress.
To further reduce its carbon footprint, LIV Golf, The Club at Chatham Hills, and Duke Energy jointly purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from an Indiana-based solar array, effectively offsetting the event’s energy consumption with renewable sources. This demonstrates a commitment to supporting the development of clean energy infrastructure in the region.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Kristin Cushman, Founder and CEO of Blue Strike Environmental, emphasized the significance of LIV Golf’s sustainability standards, stating, “LIV Golf’s internal sustainability requirements have raised the bar in golf, aligning with other leading international leagues.” She added that Indianapolis, Westfield, and Chatham Hills have “met and exceeded the program’s upward trajectory, setting the benchmark.”
Building on the 2025 success, LIV Golf Indianapolis has outlined plans for further enhancements in 2026. These include expanding upcycling initiatives, broadening composting coverage, implementing a formal bike-count to track alternative transportation, and establishing a carbon-reduction tracking program. These steps demonstrate a continued commitment to minimizing the event’s environmental impact and achieving Zero Waste certification.
The 2026 LIV Golf Indianapolis promises to be more than just a golf tournament; it’s shaping up to be a showcase for sustainable event management. As the event continues to refine its practices and engage the local community, it will serve as a model for other sporting events seeking to reduce their environmental footprint.
What are your thoughts on the growing emphasis on sustainability in professional sports? Share your comments below and let us know what other steps events should accept to minimize their environmental impact.
