Hawarden Golf Club’s Sustainability Journey
In 2020, as Covid halted golfing activities, Hawarden Golf Club opened the course to local residents. This provided a chance to appreciate nature without the distraction of mowers and flying golf balls. Members and visitors marvelled at the variety of trees, ponds and bird life .
With some extra time on their hands volunteers formed a Sustainability Group to explore environmental opportunities. Here’s a snapshot of initiatives to date:
- Operation Pollinator: By joining, the Club became part of a like minded group and gained access to valuable advice and materials.
- Early Projects: Wildflower planting, installing bird boxes and establishing beehives.
- Strategic Planning: A commitment to sustainability was contained in the Course Policy Document in 2020. In 2021 the Business Plan repeated the commitment. A standalone Environmental Policy was adopted in 2022. It is unique in that it contains a detailed strategy for implementation. It applies to all activities on and off the course.
- Scaling Up: Wildflower planting was extended over wider areas. Funds for seeds being raised by recycling old golf balls.
- ‘No Mow’ Policy: The ‘No Mow’ policy introduced by the Greens Team not only created a stunning landscape but is saving fuel and man-hours.
- Community Engagement: The Club has participated in initiatives like ‘My Tree Our Forest’ and a community tree planting project with the Woodland Trust. This saw the planting of 340 new trees in 2023. Collaborating with Hawarden Bee Sanctuary and North Wales Wildlife Trust has greatly assisted our efforts.
- Innovations: With environmental funding from Wales Golfthe project to wild the Academy Area is well under way. Sport Wales has backed efforts to save water by investing in new washdown facilities that harvest and recycle rainwater. Constructing ‘dead hedges’ showcases innovative and sustainable practices.
Join us in our journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for golf and our community. Help is needed and welcomed. Contact the Sustainability Group at: hgcbee @protonmail.com
