Turfgrass
management is crucial to the success of a golf facility
emphasising the power of a well- managed environment.
Water features
Appropriately sited and managed water features create a great deal of visual, strategic and ecological interest on the golf course.
If left unmanaged, however, they can become surrounded by scrub vegetation, dominated by algal blooms, acquire a deep layer of silt and become somewhat of an eyesore. It is, therefore, important to consider the management of these features, along with all other represented habitats on the course, via a well structured management plan.
Turfgrass Management - are you spending more than you need to?
Turfgrass management is crucial to the success of a golf facility. Inappropriate management can lead to poor quality surfaces, be damaging to the environment, and may be extremely costly. Ensuring surfaces are subject to sufficient light and air movement, together with the implementation of cultural management practices, may significantly reduce the need for pesticide, fertiliser and water inputs. The financial savings alone can be remarkable.
MATTERS Trees and woodland
As well as forming important strategic features, trees and woodland blocks have considerable wildlife value, but do require active management.
• Thinning and re-stocking work will create or maintain a diverse structure and assist in woodland regeneration.
• The removal of non-native trees and the introduction of more appropriate species ensures that your course stays true to its natural surroundings.
• Retaining deadwood (standing deadwood or ecopiles) is of great benefit to many insect species.
• The promotion of birdlife via the
introduction of bird boxes, that can be monitored with sightings detailed on the club notice board and website, invokes interest in on-course wildlife and broadens the appeal of the club.
Heathland
Heathland is a diminishing resource in the UK and one that adds a great deal of aesthetic and ecological interest to the golf course. Golf clubs can play an important part in maintaining and preserving areas of heath. The creation and appropriate management of areas of heath can be a complex issue requiring specific and well timed operations. There are a number of UK golf clubs that are synonymous with their heathland component, further
Waste Management - an opportunity to improve golf’s image
The production and management of waste on the golf course is an issue of increasing importance. All businesses are being looked upon to become more resourceful and to embrace the use of recycled materials as well as developing their own recycling initiatives. By doing this, golf clubs can help to further dispel their former negative environmental image.
One of the most prominent waste
related issues on the golf course is grass waste. Spreading clippings in areas of rough goes against the idea of environmental enhancement detailed above, as the introduction of nutrient enriched clippings to an area inevitably brings about the promotion of nutrient loving vegetation - i.e. coarse grass species and scrub. A more appropriate use of the clippings would be to create a dedicated composting area, where clippings and waste from other on-course management operations (wood chip etc) can be used positively.
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