The Tierra del Sol Golf Course has reopened following a 13-month renovation project in partnership with the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. The redesign featured sweeping bunker reduction and reshaping, total irrigation replacement, 18-hole tee and green restoration, and an expansion of already extensive Shoco Owl nesting habitats.
The Shoco Owl is the national bird of Aruba, where development across this island nation has resulted in a marked loss of natural habitat. The 18 holes at Tierra del Sol GC have long been a stronghold for breeding pairs. The recent restoration increased the number of on-property nesting sites by 80 percent.
“Making this property a better owl habitat was important, but long-term sustainability was at the core of our decision-making process,” Tierra del Sol Resort & Golf general manager Ashiko Martinus said. The property spreads out on the Arasji peninsula, beside the island’s trademark beaches and California Lighthouse.
“We recognized the need to reduce water consumption, improve turf quality and enhance biodiversity across the course. Another key renovation was upgrading our irrigation system for better water efficiency — but we also introduced drought-resistant grass varieties and restored several additional natural habitats to support local wildlife.
“All of these efforts align with our commitment to environmental stewardship and ensuring that the course remains in top condition for generations to come. While the current renovation focused on the course itself, we are also looking at enhancing our other golf facilities, improving practice areas, and hosting special events that highlight the natural beauty of Tierra del Sol.”
Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, Tierra del Sol GC originally opened for play in 1995. The tropical environment here is warm but not lush, an environmental mixed bag when it comes to disease suppression, punishing storm seasons and briny irrigation reserves. What’s more, “sustainability” simply wasn’t a thing 30 years ago. When the Iberostar-managed resort was ready to renovate, it reached out to GEO Foundation for guidance.
GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf is based in North Berwick, Scotland, but its programs and certifications are deployed today in 75 countries around the world. Founded nearly 20 years ago as a pioneer in what has become the sport and sustainability movement, GEO works to help golf navigate and embrace sustainability across the amateur and professional game, by providing strategies, solutions and a credible certification label.
The refurbishment project at Tiera de Sol is the first to be completed as part of GEO’s Sustainable Golf Renovations program.
GEO Foundation is also dedicated to what founder and executive director Jonathan Smith calls “a comprehensive, credible and innovative approach to sustainability, via tailored platforms accessible to golf facilities of all types – all aimed at making sustainability more practical and impactful.” In addition to course facilities, GEO partners with national and regional golf associations, professional tours and tournaments, even professional players as individuals.
“The Foundation has long certified course operations and developments, many of which look to GEO to guide and support them through the process,” developments director at GEO Sam Thomas said. “We see course renovation as a quite natural fit — to foster sustainable course maintenance and operations going forward.
“We believe true ‘sustainability’ relies equally on the protection of the natural environment, the methodical reduction of resource usage, a productive impact on the surrounding community and taking robust and positive climate action. They all work together. We worked with the project team at Tierra del Sol to make sure those foundational elements would be delivered through the renovation process.
“We’re also pleased to announce that, upon reopening, the resort will move into the OnCourse platform, where certification will help drive the further reduction of impacts and realize additional savings going forward. Because sustainability is many things, but it’s not something you finish.”
Thomas heaped praise on the Tierra del Sol renovation project team, which included, Greenball Golf construction, Araud Le Lanchon, the GM of Iberostar Aruba, resort GM Martinus, and course superintendent Jason Chennault, who was involved throughout but left for another opportunity in early 2025.
The resort and this project team undertook the renovation process hoping to reduce water consumption by 30 percent.
Taking this into account, GEO development & renovation project manager Tyler Annan spent time with the project team, on site, building on those goals, suggesting new ones, and meeting with third-party stakeholders — such as the Aruba Conservation Foundation and Aruba Birdlife Conservation — to strategize on the proposed works and their impacts. In the end, GEO created a Sustainable Renovations Roadmap identifying the main sustainability issues and prioritizing what will deliver the most sustainability bang for the buck.
“Then, as always, it’s in the hands of the project team,” Annan said. “In the end, it’s their project and their expertise that makes it happen. For example, redesigning the bunker edges, making them roll more naturally into the dunes land and native habitats wasn’t a priority of this renovation — not at the start. That was something the team came up with after ground was broken.
“Once professionals get their heads around the tenets of sustainable course construction and design, they end up showing us what’s possible,” Annan said. “Not just those of us at GEO, but all the superintendents, designers and course builders who are so active in the sustainable golf community. A good idea made real at Tierra del Sol should help inspire and inform colleagues around the world.”
The hub of that community is sustainable.golf, where thousands have shared and continue to share their stories and experiences of enhancing the natural environment on course, reducing resource consumption, and positively impacting their local communities. Tierra del Sol also incorporated its community outreach into the Sustainable Renovation Roadmap.
“Our partnership with Aruba Birdlife Conservation reflects our commitment to protecting and coexisting with the island’s natural ecosystem,” Iberostar Aruba general manager Le Lanchon said.“But we live and work here, too. By preserving and restoring native habitats, we hope to see an increase in both local and migratory bird populations. Additionally, we aim to raise awareness among golfers and visitors about the importance of conservation, demonstrating that golf courses can serve as valuable sanctuaries for wildlife.
“Working with GEO really allowed us to take a structured and science-based approach to our renovation. Their expertise helped us identify key areas for environmental improvement, streamline our water and energy usage, and adopt best practices that align with international sustainability standards. The benefits go beyond just the course—our entire operation has become more efficient and environmentally responsible, which is a win for both our business and the natural beauty of Aruba.
“Having independent sustainability support is invaluable. It ensures that our efforts are aligned with global best practices and allows us to make informed decisions that balance performance with environmental responsibility. Beyond the renovation, the knowledge and strategies gained from working with experts like GEO have strengthened our team’s approach to course management, maintenance, and long-term planning. It’s a partnership that will continue to guide us well beyond the completion of this project.”
