The Open Water initiative

Shining at The Open undoubtedly takes bottle – but, starting at Royal Portrush in July, golf’s original major is taking a stand against single-use plastics.

Developed in collaboration with Bluewater – the leading global innovator in drinking water solutions – and also supported by the UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign, The Open Water initiative means that single-use plastic water bottles will be nowhere in sight when Royal Portrush takes centre stage.

When The Open returns to one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic venues this summer, pure fresh water will be delivered directly to fans, players, staff and officials through water-refilling stations and special edition reusable stainless steel bottles.

The project will also shine a light on the impact of the single-use mindset that has led to a global epidemic of ocean pollution as The Open shows its commitment to safeguarding the environment.

The Open has a close relationship with nature and the coastal system of the world’s finest links courses and it is important that we safeguard them for future generations.

We have all learned so much of the destructive impact of plastic in the world’s oceans and we believe we have to take steps to remove all single-use plastic water bottles from The Open in order to encourage fans and players to use alternative and more sustainable materials,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A.

We know that the world’s oceans are being adversely affected by a global epidemic of marine plastic pollution, and so we have taken steps to eradicate all single-use plastic water bottles from The Open in order to encourage fans and players to use alternative and more sustainable materials.”

The Open Water initiative is all about kicking off a lasting legacy that will help lessen the impact of single-use plastic waste.

Fans will be able to bring along their own refillable bottles to use at the Championship while more than 5,000 special edition reusable BPA-free stainless steel Bluewater water bottles will be given away during the week of The Open, whilst also on sale throughout the venue for less than five pounds.

(l-r) Anders Jacobson, co-founder and CEO of Blue, the impact-led investment company the owns Stockholm-based Bluewater, five-time Champion Golfer Tom Watson and Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A

Meanwhile, the competitors will be given a personalised Players’ Edition stainless steel Bluewater water bottle with their name laser-engraved on it, versions of which will also be available for fans to purchase as a souvenir gift.

Daniel Cooney, communication deputy director from UN Environment said: “Sport offers a unique opportunity to engage with a global audience on environmental issues. We commend this initiative to tackle marine plastic pollution.

The Open offers a powerful platform to influence how people think about drinking water and its associated impact on the natural environment.”

For locations where the installation of water stations was not logistically viable, Life Water aluminium cans, which are filled with natural British spring water, made from 70 per cent recycled aluminium and are 100 per cent recyclable, will be used as ready-sealed containers.

If you are attending The 148th Open, please remember you can also bring your own refillable bottle with you to refill at our filling stations.