My Visit to Askernish

Twice per year, six R&A Scholars are chosen to work and study one of the most environmentally friendly golf courses on our planet. I was honoured to have been chosen to spend a week at Askernish Golf Club where I learned from three individual and influential forward thinking professionals and that locally sourced seaweed is used as a natural tee and green fertiliser.

Who needs a Toro 5500D when you have cow power?

James Hutchinson: Wildflowers on a Golf Course?

As part of Turfhuggers efforts to bring articles and view points from around the world, I'd like to introduce to you one of our newest contributors, James Hutchinson. James is a 38 year old step father to James and husband to Lynsey. Since 2007 James has been the Assistant Greenskeeper/Eco-Coordinator at Fairhaven Golf CLub in Lytham where he's helped them win spots in BIGGA's Golf Ecology Competition in 07 (Best British Newcomer) and 08 (North England), and more recently in 09 (North England Winner) and 10 (Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year) within the STRI's Golf Course Environmental Awards. James has been awarded scholarships from both BIGGA and the R&A which have helped him earn a  FdSc in Sportsturf Science degree from Myerscough, where he just started another 2 year degree.

Wildflowers on a Golf Course?

There are numerous golf courses here in the UK that embraces environmental issues and ecological projects. Most, if not all, have a membership that understands the need to promote their golf course in a different light than the age old feeling of ‘over watered, over fertilised waste of land’ references. However, there are the odd few who do not want ‘their’ golf course turning into a nature reserve.

My question to you is this: Can wild flowers and golf course rough co habit the same space without the need for controversy? I believe they can.