Golf Courses: Environmental Summary June 2010
Trees- Areas that have tree maintenance planned
- Thinning/Pruning- Removal of dead/diseased/dangerous trees or branches that compromise the safe use of the facilities at Woodcote Park, although remaining mindful that dead trees provide habitats for certain species.
Thinning of undergrowth that restricts the usability and maintenance of the facility. Being mindful that birds and other wildlife use and thrive in areas of heavy growth.
- Planting/Moving- Planting nursery stock trees that have been purchased by a chosen supplier. Species, size and cost will be considered for these bought in trees. The locations will be carefully considered, keeping in mind the usability of the facility (i.e. strategy for golf, shade for picnics), spacing (for good tree development) and future development plans at Woodcote Park.
Spading existing trees on site and relocating them to more suitable locations. This method would be mostly used in areas that have been over planted and are therefore crowded. Trees chosen for transplanting would be selected by their size, health and species. Locations again would be chosen keeping in mind the usability of the facility.
Un-maintained Areas- Areas that have little or no maintenance planned
- Grass lands- These areas are primarily large areas on the Golf Courses that do not affect the playability. They provide habitats for certain species and strategic challenges for golf and therefore will be left virtually untouched. Areas like this do require some maintenance, which provides the regeneration of stronger grass species. Therefore these areas will be ‘Topped’ once a year, primarily to recycle the seeds and give some level of weed control. This process will be timed around any nesting or sensitive wildlife times.
- Forest lands- These areas are primarily at the outer boundaries of the property. Unless trees are unsafe for the membership, they will be left alone. When these areas are looked at for future development they will they be re-evaluated or they will begin to compromise the surrounding roads or walls.
Chemical Uses- Types of chemicals that will be used
- Fertilisers- Fertilisers will be used to sustain good healthy plant development. This will include all amenity turf, selected trees and landscape plantings. A combination of controlled release and organic fertilisers will be used based on the type of development desired and climatic conditions. Application methods will be closely monitored, eliminating any possible ground water contamination or general overuse.
- Fungicides- The use of Fungicides will be limited to the Greens on the Golf Courses only. Through monitoring of turf damaging diseases and setting of disease tolerance thresholds, will the decision to use Fungicide be considered. This is to ensure that overuse of these chemicals will not occur. Application methods will be closely monitored, eliminating any possible ground water contamination or general overuse.
- Growth Regulators- Plant Growth Regulators, PGR’s, will be used on amenity turf areas as one method to control growth. Beneficial occurrences with the uses of PGR’s, are a reduction in the use/need for fertiliser applications, water use and mechanical mowing.
- Herbicides- The use of herbicides will be primarily used in areas of general use (i.e. amenity turf, patios, landscapes). These will be used to control and remove unwanted plants in areas they are not wanted. Application methods will be closely monitored, eliminating any possible ground water contamination or general overuse.
Recycling- Utilising and reusing the materials we produce
- Grass Clippings- Grass clippings are returned to the soil in areas of Rough and Fairways. Collecting clippings from Greens, Tees and Lawns will be stored into one area. As those clipping break down they will be used to incorporate with soil for additional organic matter.
The overall environmental plan for Woodcote Park is to blend our natural surroundings and the recreational desires of our members. This includes Golf, Natural Areas, Formal Gardens and Woodlands. While perfect conditions for each area are nearly impossible, I believe a good balance between all can be attained. The process is ongoing and ever changing with new demands and will need to be reviewed on a routine basis. I would also like to seek outside accreditation with our Environmental program. Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) is a well-recognised organisation that guides and evaluates sights like ours to achieve their individual goals.
Eric Olson
Course Manager
June 2010