August is traditionally the month whereby the BIGGA Golf Environment Competition visits get under way. This year, Richard Stuttard has taken on the role of lead judge in the Environment Competition and as such began visiting golf courses the length and breadth of the UK assessing their environmental credentials. 2008 has seen a significant number of new entries to the competition which is excellent news for all involved as it is the new entrants to the competition that are its life blood.
Lee Penrose and Bob Taylor re-visited Oppegard and Mosse & Rygge Golf Clubs in Norway as part of their longstanding project on behalf of the Norwegian Golf Federation, in order to undertake wildlife surveys and compile Ecological Management Plans. Whilst Bob and Lee were in Norway a Press Day was held at Oppegard Golf Club with the aim of informing both local and national newspapers of the good work being undertaken regarding environmental issues at Norwegian Golf Clubs. The story was printed in a number of national newspapers and also more local publications close to the golf clubs in question.
Work has also been carried out towards planning the dedicated environmental seminars in Denmark in November. These seminars sponsored by Scotts Professional Products and Ransomes Jacobson are being held in conjunction with the Danish Golf Union on Saturday 1st November at the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel in Århus and Sunday 2nd November at Idrættens hus in Brøndby. If you are interested in attending please feel free to contact the Ecology Department at STRI for more information.
During the summer months STRI's work is concentrated on carrying out ecological surveys and providing advice prior to the practical management work being undertaken during the winter months. This year the team have undertaken wildlife surveys at Ballybunion Golf Club along with other protected species surveys (such as bats, great crested newts etc at a number of other courses throughout the UK). Much of the teams work has been focussed in Scotland and Ireland during August (purely coincidental), with Kelly Harmar producing a Management Plan for Douglas Park Golf Club near Glasgow, Bob Taylor working at Tralee, Dooks and Galway Bay whilst Lee prepared Ecological Programmes for Panmure, Prestwick and East Renfrewshire Golf Clubs.
During late July/early August Lee Penrose entertained guests from Thailand and Japan. Micah Woods (Asian Turfgrass Centre) spent one week with Lee visiting some of the most interesting golf courses throughout the UK. Course Superintendents from Japan were also in attendance for part of the week and were shown golf clubs including Royal Liverpool, St. Andrews, North Berwick and Renaissance. An educational and worthwhile time was had by all and the guests were extremely impressed with the standard of European Golf Courses.
We know the wet weather in August has made life difficult for greenkeepers but as these pictures show, our Ecologists have not been spared!
