We all know how important it is to have manicured tees, fairways and greens but imagine all of that without the beautiful surroundings of trees, wild grasses, a variety of birdlife and no stream!

Golf courses probably offer more potential for environmental improvement than any other sports facility. With the careful use of water and consideration of our vegetation and wild life we will be able to achieve an environmental sanctuary enclosed in the boundaries of our precious golf course.

In June 2007 Glendower Golf Club joined Audubon International which provides us with guidelines to achieve a high degree of environmental quality. The categories include – environmental planning; wildlife and habitat management; outreach and education; chemical use reduction and safety; water conservation and water quality management. For the next couple of years we will be striving to become an Audubon Internationally Certified Co-operative Sanctuary of which we will all be proud to be associated with.

Let us have a look at what environmental strategies we have already implemented:

• Recycling of plastic and glass
• Firewood distribution from our course dumping facility
• Compost production produced from excess plant material
• Staff education has been done on compost production
• Indigenous grasses encouraged to grow long to provide habitats for other wildlife
• Young trees have had tree bowls made around them for protection and water retention
• A grease trap has been installed at our wash-bay to prevent these substances from contaminating our water

Future environmental goals:

• A Glendower tree inventory to be drawn up
• To label a large portion of our trees with botanical and common names
• Bird sighting list to be drawn up
• Implement more wild grass areas
• Create wetlands in poorly drained areas
• To increase the plant diversity along our river system
• Implement an invader tree removal programme
• Draw up a tree planting programme
• Host an annual ‘Arbor Day’ at Glendower Golf Club
• To become a “Certified Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary”