Leading golf figures meet to discuss water sustainability

Frilford Heath Golf Club welcomed industry stakeholders for its Water & Sustainability Summit ahead of Earth Day.

With water usage and conservation now critical issues for golf clubs across the UK, the summit aimed to help the club plan a water strategy for a dramatically changing climate.

Kevin Murray, chairman of Frilford Heath Golf Club, said: “Our Board is constantly analysing wider trends and demographics to maintain our position as one of England’s great golf club experiences, and being able to present excellent courses on a consistent basis is one of the biggest challenges we face in a climate that often gives you very wet winters and hot, dry summers.

“The experts at our Water & Sustainability Summit offered reassurance that we are on the correct path.

“They were able to show us that we are well-positioned to manage our own water resources now and in the future.”

The 450-acre, GEO-certified estate is already taking major steps to improve resilience, supported by a recent £2.6 million investment across its three championship courses.

The club’s focus on precision resource management includes a purpose-built reservoir to capture winter rainfall for use during summer months, placing the club in the top five per cent in the UK for proactive water management.

Paul Sheather, director of courses and estates, said: “Water conservation and sustainability are top priorities for Frilford Heath.

“Balancing course conditions with the expectations of members and customers is challenging given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

“But, working together, employing best management practices and investing in innovative solutions puts us in the best position possible.”

Summit participants included England Golf, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), Irritech, Agrovista, and global equipment supplier Toro.

Andy Brown, senior sales manager for Toro and a club member, said: “This was an important opportunity to engage on the practical challenges of water security and long-term land management.

“As a long-standing member, I have a personal interest in seeing the courses maintained to the highest levels; and from a professional standpoint, it is vital to see how clubs can successfully align operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.”

Frilford Heath Golf Club is set within heathland terrain that includes a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), will host this year’s Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur Championships.

Following the event, Chairman Kevin Murray said the club is now discussing hosting a wider industry summit of experts and golf club managers to further the industry’s ability to manage challenging water issues.

More information is available at www.frilfordheath.co.uk.