Golf Business News – Tees, trees and happy bees…Can Courses help protect the environment?
For years, golf has battled the idea that it is not good for the environment. But they are golf courses actually bad for the environment? With 38,000 golf courses located in every city and coast around the world, many believe that golf courses have a negative impact on the environment due to the use of chemicals, water wastage, and the decline of certain types of plants and trees.
In fact, golf courses, if managed properly, greatly enhance biodiversity, preserve unique habitats, and can be one of the leading sectors in promoting good environmental practices.
Stella Rixon, senior agricultural consultant at STRI Group explained, “Many are quick to call a gardener lazy if an area of the land looks neglected, but it’s all about finding the right balance. At a time when golf clubs are facing rising costs of materials and fuel, there is no better time to assess which areas need a little maintenance and let mother nature take care of the site.”
Sustainable development and monitoring of the ecosystem is very important and can form the cornerstones of these urban areas. Living spaces of any kind need maintenance. Heathland and associated dunes need to be grazed and mowed to prevent dominant species. Conservationists are there to create a mosaic of habitats, which helps promote strong biodiversity across all subjects. Through studies, it has been proven that golf courses are better than farmlands to support tree species diversity as well as bird diversity.
Conservation bodies are now increasing their efforts and funding to establish ‘wildlife corridors’, which improve the ability of species to move between remaining areas of suitable habitat. They saw the golf courses as having an important role in the success of the project. Many studies across the UK are involved in protecting rare species and reintroducing those in decline. These incredible efforts help restore wildlife that may have been lost and create long-lived eco-systems.
Attitudes towards the golf course need to change. In a survey of 94 clubs in the UK, 90% of course managers thought golf courses were important to wildlife, with over 60% wanting to do more to encourage wildlife on their courses. In addition, more than four million people a year register as golfers in Europe. The impact golf courses have on members is huge and through education they can show how they themselves can make a positive impact on the environment in their own backyards.
Stella Rixon continued, “Expert education can help rangers fully understand the area they are in charge of so they can make decisions with confidence about the conservation of certain areas. For example, collecting water from a lake may seem like a good practice, but this can damage the natural ecosystem. Strong communication with team members can bring an understanding of why certain steps have been taken in this course and all the benefits this will have on the environment.”
STRI Group is passionate about creating sustainable places for people to enjoy and work in and companies that share this vision. We are celebrating 30 yearsth Annually, the Golf Environment Awards (GEAs) have been promoting the outstanding work of golf clubs across the UK, and around the world. Celebrating sustainability, conservation, nature and environmental stewardship; each year the golf clubs share their journey in the programs and practices they have, further promoting wildlife and biodiversity.
These GEAs are supported by lead partner R&A, and sponsors BIGGA, Syngenta, Aquatrols, Tillers Turf and Jacobsen. Entries will close on Friday the 13thth September 2024 and the winners will be revealed at the annual event held in January 2025 during BTME week in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Click HERE to visit the Golf Environment Awards website.
(Please note that all photographs published in this report were taken by Colmworth Golf Club)Markers
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