There are few harder working golf clubs in the region than Leicestershire’s Beedles Lakes when it comes to all-round sustainability. GM Jon Coleman summarised their activities of late and how it all benefits the club and the surrounding local environment.
Water
- We recently had a free water survey arranged through Severn Trent. All washrooms and water dependent machinery etc were surveyed and checked for flow rates. We are awaiting results and recommendations and if and how we may save water within our clubhouse. The survey was completed by ECOPROD.
- In the process of having a new wash pad and water recycling system fitted adjacent to the green keepers shed. This will enable our machinery to be washed down using the recycled water and ensure any contaminated run-off is kept safe and treated/recycled, averting issues for the contaminant entering the drains or lake. Water savings will also be made due to the treatment tank and its recycling capabilities.
- New irrigation pump, control panel and sprinkler heads for greens and tees – replaced to ensure water is directed and controlled to ensure only the required amount of water to keeps greens playable is sprayed.
- Some problem areas of irrigation system pipe work re-routed, and more isolation taps fitted at strategic positions. The new taps enable leaks to be pinpointed easier than before and therefore repaired quickly.
Lowering our Carbon Footprint
- We’re in the process of having 160 solar panels fitted to the greenkeepers shed roof. We will be generating in the region of 69kw per hour in direct sunlight. We are expecting an investment payback in a couple of years and long-term savings to be huge.
- We currently have 100 solar panels on the roof of the driving range for which we receive an annual FIT payment return of around £12k.
- Earlier this year we had EV charging points fitted in our car park, available for our customers. We generate a small amount of income currently but expect this to increase as more and more EV’s come into the car market. Hopefully an investment for the future.
- We now have recycling bins for all of our food waste.
Course Maintenance and Biodiversity
- We have had a season without using any herbicide on any part of our course. To help nature we have taken the idea that a few daisies and dandelions are not really causing an issue for golfers or for presentation of the course but will benefit insects and pollinators.
- Increasing areas of the course are now left as rough. This is something we review each year, but we are always trying to mow less areas where possible.
- Creating log piles on course instead of chipping after any tree work. Numerous log piles around the course now in our wilder/rough areas hopefully creating habitats for nature.
- Looking forward to working with LRWT and discussing other ways we may be able to help in the recovery of nature which includes a water vole survey on the waterways adjacent to our property.
We’re pleased to introduce England Golf’s Sustainability Manager Owen James as our chief, regular contributor to our sustainability section here online and in the magazine too. Here’s his introductory piece.
“Sustainability in golf is an ever-growing topic. Quite literally, when we talk about tree management and grassland habitat! My job at England Golf is to package sustainability up in a way that makes sense to golf clubs; there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainable golf.
What works for us up at Woodhall Spa won’t work necessarily be the same for a club further south, or east, or west, and that makes things tricky, but exciting. In 2025, we are prioritising Water, Biodiversity, Energy and Waste, to ensure we are supporting our clubs to future proof themselves against climate and financial issues, whilst also providing vital space for nature and benefitting their community. With changes coming to waste legislation, its important for clubs to adapt to them, whilst also working towards creating more space for nature, embracing challenges with water management and brining those energy bills down… all whilst making sure we get more women, juniors and young adults playing golf, to ensure our sustainable-facilities have a sustainable membership!”
“We are on hand to support clubs throughout the season (and beyond) to work on their own, bespoke, sustainability plans, and have resources and guidance across the whole organisation, so please get in touch with any question, whether it’s a small issue or a 20 year project! I am excited to be working nationally to position golf as a solutions provider for flooding, taking ‘problem water’ away from peoples living rooms, and using it to irrigate the golf course for the beauty of the game. So, whether you’re ten years in, or haven’t even started, lets chat, and ensure we are all on The Sustainability Drive.
Email sustainability@englandgolf.org for help, guidance, info, or to share your progress, and watch this space for my regular thoughts and insights into the latest challenges, opportunities, and stories that our clubs need to know!”
