Conservation & Ecology
H
ockley Golf Club in Hampshire, founded in 1914, celebrated its centenary last year, but the immense history of the land on which it sits gives it connections
to the Iron Age, Romans and Anglo Saxons. The clearly defined evidence of the generations who lived and worked the area in the past, now impose challenges on today’s management of a premium golf course, and its surrounding environs. The vast 250-acre (100 ha) course sits atop
Twyford Down near Winchester, which has already suffered the infamous archaeological desecration of cutting the M3 motorway through the chalk hill in 1992. It is still home to features including the original village settlement of Winchester, a Roman villa, 1500 year-old field systems and a droveway that dates back to the Bronze age up to 4,000 years ago. Marc Dryden, the club’s General Manager and the driving force seeking to create a viable and thriving modern golf club alongside its heritage, believes the impressive environmental initiatives and credentials should prove a positive attraction for players. “We recognise that we don’t just have a
golf course to manage; but the need to look after the incredible archaeological heritage of the site and our responsibility for the invaluable downland environment,” he said. When Marc joined the club in 2011 the
course conditions were in decline, with membership falling. He also found it was committed to a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) environmental agreement, but had fallen behind targets and was failing to deliver the desired enhancements. “It was crucial that we could turn around
both aspects as quickly as possible,” he recalled. “There was a clear belief that, to get golf and the environment dovetailed together, would be an attractive proposition, but we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Managing golf and the environment
One of his first jobs was to recruit a new Course Manager, in Glenn Kirby from The London Club in Kent. Whilst the first requirement was for a good understanding of turf management and improving the playing conditions, it was seen as equally important to have someone passionate about the environment and committed to engaging with members. Glenn highlighted that they possibly
underestimated the complexities of the HLS scheme, and the challenges posed by dealing with the diverse regulatory bodies that have a vested interest in the site and its management. “Chalk downland has its own unique flora and fauna, but there is only a limited area left that is not managed under intensive agriculture,” said Glenn. “An estimated 98% of Hampshire
chalk downland has been lost over the past sixty years. That makes the golf course an incredibly important resource. In many ways, golf can be seen to be protecting downland.” “It creates an entirely different type of
course to parkland or heathland, that has had little acknowledgement, but is something that is worthy of greater credit and providing further enjoyment for players.”
Operation Pollinator Champion
Now one of the nationwide network of Syngenta Operation Pollinator Champion Clubs, some of the first steps were to undertake environmental activities that also had a direct beneficial impact for golfers, as well as the habitat. Overgrown scrub was cleared back that opened sight lines and improved access to greens, as well as opening the habitat for native wildflowers to flourish and provide the necessary food sources for bees and pollinating insects. Cutting scallop-shaped areas and tracts
into woodland edges has also provided vibrant new habitat for butterflies, but also opened up vistas for golfers to enjoy the wonderful views as far as the south coast. The measures are providing all important feeding and nesting habitat for the beneficial insects.
“We now have a
more flexible approach where, providing we meet our commitment to delivering ecological enhancement, it can be married with the desire to improve the golf.” “Whilst we do receive funding for the HLS
An estimated 98% of Hampshire chalk downland has been lost over the past sixty years. That makes the golf course an incredibly important resource. In many ways, golf can be seen to be protecting downland
”
Glenn Kirby PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015 I 35
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