Bearwood Lakes are BIGGA and better
Bearwood Lakes Golf Club added to its trophy cabinet by picking up two environmental awards from BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeeping Association).
After being shortlisted earlier this year, Bearwood Lakes was awarded the 'Innovation Prize' and also came runner up in the 'Best Newcomer' section.
This year's Innovation Prize was for the restoration and maintenance of the two large lakes on the site.
Greenstaff took action to remove trees preventing high nutrient enrichment and to improve light and air movement at the lake surface.
The lakes are now an improved attraction alongside the course and provide healthy habitats for dragon and damselflies.
Furthermore this has improved the quality and reduced usage of the irrigation water drawn from the main lake.
Headed by course manager Daniel Lightfoot, who recently became one of only 42 'Master Greenkeepers' in the world, the greenstaff were highly commended for their restoration work, approach to ecology, willingness to undertake extra work outside of routine, recycling, composting and vigilance in protecting wildlife.
In particular the maintenance facility is praised for being well organised, with very detailed records kept of the chemicals used on site geared to reducing usage, and environmental best practice increasingly being incorporated into nearly every aspect of operations.
The award mentioned the STRI and Syngenta Crop Protection trials, aimed at encouraging wildflowers in golfing rough, to provide food for bumblebees, which will also provide information for other clubs.
The report cited the greenstaff for their time and dedication and appreciated the enthusiasm for this project at Bearwood Lakes.
"We are obviously delighted with the awards," said Lightfoot.
"We have been working in this way at the club for some time now, so it is great to get the endorsements, and fairly straightforward for us to adopt these methods as best practice.
"It's a great reflection on the dedication of the greenstaff and also the support from the club, and in particularly the owners."
Source:-get wokingham