Whether you are a golf fan or not, I'm sure you followed the highs and lows of the Ryder Cup over the weekend. During all the tension synonymous with this legendary contest between Europe and the USA, I'm sure that wildlife was the last thing on the minds of the golfers and spectators. But golf courses are increasingly becoming something of a wildlife success story. Although not popular with everyone - Mark Twain famously commented that a round of golf was a 'good way to spoil a walk' - golf is a hugely popular pastime, with more than 800,000 golfers registered with the Golfing Union in England alone.
Whilst plans for new courses often raise fears over the loss of prime agricultural land or increased traffic levels in rural areas, when sited, designed and managed sympathetically, there is little doubt that golf courses can be a real haven for wildlife. In addition to new courses presenting opportunities for wildlife, huge potential to boost wildlife populations exists across Europe's 5,000-plus courses.
Here, one in 20 courses is considered to be of national significance for wildlife and more than 100 are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These designated sites cover almost six-and-a-half thousand hectares of land. The reasons why so many course are of value to wildlife are complex, but in part it is because the game of golf itself requires a varied landscape that provides many potential wildlife habitats. A good course has short grass on the fairways, longer grass on the 'roughs' and challenging obstacles such as copses, ponds and bunkers. All of these can be used by wildlife, as long as it is given a sporting chance to survive.
Here in Nottinghamshire, there are a number of courses that are inherently rich in wildlife and with careful management such sites can provide even better habitat for wildlife. As partners in the Sherwood Forest Trust, we are currently grazing two golf courses with our Hebridean sheep. Both the Notts Golf Club at Hollinwell and the Sherwood Forest Golf Club courses are ideal areas to restore heathland.
At Coxmoor Golf course, the Sherwood Forest Trust has advised on a range of habitat improvements including the removal of areas of non-native conifer trees and the creation of wetlands. The course is the only site in the county where the royal fern grows. In addition to improving the wildlife value of the course, tree removal has actually made adjacent grassland areas easier to manage and the wetlands add another challenging dimension to the course's design. This proves it is possible to manage with wildlife in mind whilst enhancing playability.
Source: Nottingham Evening Post
