Nina Caldwell
In June 2024, climate activists disrupted the DP World Tour's KLM Open and the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship. The protesters, who were part of the Extinction Rebellion group, called out the greenwashing policies of the sponsors and demanded urgent action on climate change. While some commentators sympathized with the message, they criticized the reckless nature of the protests, which involved the use of smoke bombs and spraying of colored powder on the golf course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 23rd June 2024 |
| Protesters | Climate activists, Extinction Rebellion |
| Protest Location | 18th hole/green of the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship golf tournament, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut |
| Protest Method | Spraying coloured smoke and powder, waving smoke bombs, marking the green with a paint-like substance |
| Protest Message | "No Golf on a Dead Planet", opposition to fossil fuel sponsorship of sports events, criticism of golf's environmental impact |
| Protest Outcome | Protesters tackled and arrested by police, golfers' performances affected, stains and marks left on the grass |
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What You'll Learn
Protestors' methods: Smoke bombs, powder, and paint
On June 23, 2024, protestors from Extinction Rebellion disrupted the DP World Tour's KLM Open by blocking the entrance to the International Golf Club in the Netherlands. This delayed tee times by two hours. The protestors were demonstrating against fossil fuel companies sponsoring the event.
In a separate incident on June 23, 2024, six climate protestors from Extinction Rebellion disrupted the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship in Connecticut. The protestors ran onto the 18th green and waved smoke bombs and sprayed powder, leaving red and white stains on the grass. Some protestors wore t-shirts with the slogan "NO GOLF ON A DEAD PLANET". The protestors were tackled by police and arrested.
In a similar incident, five Extinction Rebellion activists marked the 18th green with a paint-like, powdery substance during the Travelers Championship. They were immediately tackled and handcuffed by police.
In addition to smoke bombs and powder, protestors have also used paint to make their message heard. During a protest at the KLM Open, protestors blocked the main entrance with a banner that read: "A third of the surface area of all sports fields in the Netherlands consists of golf courses. A polluting, elitist sport for the happy few, sponsored by major polluters. Absolutely everything about this is unfair."
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Protestors' message: No Golf on a Dead Planet
In June 2024, protestors from Extinction Rebellion disrupted the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship in Connecticut with their message: "No Golf on a Dead Planet". The protestors stormed the 18th green, spraying smoke bombs and red and white powder, leaving stains on the grass. This directly impacted the tournament, as the hole location had to be moved for the playoff.
The protestors' message, "No Golf on a Dead Planet", is a call for urgent climate action. Golf is heavily reliant on good weather, and the protestors believe that golf fans should understand the need for immediate climate action. They argue that golf courses are a waste of space and contribute to environmental issues.
While some may argue that the protest was reckless and not the appropriate time or place to champion the cause, the protestors felt it was necessary to bring attention to the climate crisis. They specifically targeted Travelers due to their investment and underwriting policies, as well as their role in the climate crisis through greenwashing policies and a lack of restrictions on underwriting coal.
Despite the disruption, some golfers, like Tom Kim, felt that the protest took the pressure off of them and slowed things down. However, Akshay Bhatia stated that he was "scared for my life" during the protest, as he did not know what was happening.
Overall, the protestors' message of "No Golf on a Dead Planet" highlights the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate action, specifically targeting the golf industry and Travelers Championship.
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Golf's reliance on good weather
Golf is indeed heavily reliant on good weather conditions. Unpredictable and extreme weather can disrupt tournaments and impact the playing surface. In the case of the 2024 Travelers Championship, lightning struck a tree close to the course, delaying the tournament by a day. This incident underscores the vulnerability of golf to weather conditions and the potential safety risks posed by extreme weather events.
The reliance on favourable weather extends beyond the duration of a tournament. Golf courses require significant maintenance and upkeep, which can be affected by long-term changes in weather patterns. Water availability, for example, is crucial for maintaining the greens and fairways, and drought conditions or water restrictions can render a course unplayable.
In addition to water, other weather-related factors such as temperature, sunlight, and wind can influence the condition of a golf course. Extreme temperatures, prolonged sunlight exposure, or high winds can damage grass, affecting the quality of the playing surface. This is particularly pertinent for golf as the consistency and speed of the greens are critical to the game.
The impact of weather on golf courses also has economic implications. The maintenance of a golf course, including irrigation, fertiliser application, and turf management, incurs significant costs. In regions experiencing water scarcity or extreme weather events, these costs can escalate rapidly, potentially affecting the financial viability of the course.
In conclusion, golf's reliance on good weather is multifaceted. While the immediate impact of weather on tournament play is the most visible, the long-term effects on course maintenance and the associated economic considerations are also significant. By protesting at the Travelers Championship, the climate activists drew attention to this reliance, urging golf fans to recognise the need for urgent climate action.
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Golf's environmental impact
Golf, as a sport, has been criticised for its environmental impact. Protestors have targeted golf tournaments to bring attention to the climate crisis, specifically calling out the golf industry's contribution to environmental issues.
One of the main concerns is the amount of water used on golf courses, which can be significant, especially in areas experiencing water scarcity or drought. In addition, the use of fertilisers and pesticides on golf courses can also have negative impacts on the environment, particularly if they are not used sustainably or if they contaminate local water sources.
The construction and maintenance of golf courses can also have ecological impacts, including the destruction of natural habitats and the disruption of local ecosystems. Golf courses often require large areas of land, which can lead to the clearing of forests or other natural areas. In addition, the grass on golf courses is typically maintained to a high standard, which can require frequent mowing, watering, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers.
While the golf industry has made some efforts to become more sustainable, such as using drought-tolerant grasses and reducing water consumption, protesters argue that more needs to be done. They call for a reduction in the number of golf courses, especially exclusive private ones, which they see as unnecessary and environmentally detrimental.
Some protesters have also targeted the sponsors of golf tournaments, arguing that they are contributing to "sports washing" by using their sponsorship to promote a positive image while ignoring their negative environmental impact.
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Golfers' reactions to the protest
Golfers had varying reactions to the protest at the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship. Some golfers, like Akshay Bhatia, were left scared and rattled by the chaos and fear caused by the protesters. Bhatia confessed that the pandemonium had him fearing for his safety, even though order was swiftly restored by security. He said, "I was scared for my life. I didn't even really know what was happening." Scottie Scheffler, the world's number one player, also expressed gratitude towards the security team for their swift action in handling the situation.
On the other hand, Tom Kim shared that the protest unexpectedly eased his jitters before his crucial putt. He said, "It kind of slowed things down. It took the meaning of the putt away for a second. Because for the past 17½ holes, all you're thinking about is golf, and suddenly, when that happens, your mind goes into a complete—like, you're almost not even playing golf anymore." Kim also acknowledged the tour security for making the players feel safer.
Some golfers and commentators expressed mixed feelings about the protest. While they sympathized with the cause or agreed with the message, they disagreed with the tactics employed and the venue chosen for the protest. They believed that the protest could have been done in a more appropriate and peaceful manner, without disrupting the tournament and causing alarm to the players and spectators. One commentator suggested that holding signs and marching outside of major corporations or Capitol Hill would have been more effective battle grounds for the protesters.
Overall, the golfers' reactions to the protest ranged from fear and rattlement to relief from pressure, with some expressing mixed feelings about the tactics and venue choice.
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Frequently asked questions
The golf protest was about climate change. Protesters were calling for urgent action from Travelers, one of the last major global insurers that has no restrictions on underwriting coal.
Protesters from Extinction Rebellion stormed the 18th green during the final moments of the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, spraying smoke and powder. They were wearing t-shirts with the slogan "No Golf on a Dead Planet".
The response to the protest was mixed. Some people, including the golfers, felt scared and said that the protest was reckless and not peaceful. Others agreed with the message but disagreed with the method, saying that professional golf tournaments are not the time or place to champion the cause. There were also people who booed and shouted insults at the protesters.
