Little Beauty

Liverpool has, ecologically speaking, so much more to offer than just Beetles. Lee Park Golf Club, finalist in this year’s Syngenta Operation Pollinator Awards, is a sanctuary in the City for birds, animals, insects and wildflowers.

Liverpool has, ecologically speaking, so much more to offer than just Beetles. Lee Park Golf Club, finalist in this year’s Syngenta Operation Pollinator Awards, is a sanctuary in the City for birds, animals, insects and wildflowers.

Lee Park covers just 90 acres within a largely urban environment, a few miles east of the city centre. Yet it has become a true green heart of the area and an extremely valuable wildlife haven.

With great design and cleverly making use of all the available space, it has fitted in a host of ecological features, alongside an award-winning 18-hole course, playing at over 5950 yards.

The work of Club Manager, Steve Settle and Head Greenkeeper, Jon McMullen, – along with the close involvement of a number of members – supports a wide variety of habitats, from expanses of grasslands, wildflowers and water features, to pockets of mature woodland and plantations.

Lee Park GC management team

Lee Park GC management team

Steve reported the Club views its award-winning environmental work as an important part of its contribution to the local community and, with a relatively small site, the ecological features add an extra dimension for players.

The team has focused on managing the water features around the course. Bumblebees and butterflies abound in the surrounding wildflower areas. Diverse wildlife habitats for birds and bats have been created quickly and cost-effectively. Fine grasses have been encouraged and actively managed around tees; bringing environmental gains whilst saving costs with reduced demand for mowing.

The ecological work can also bring benefits for course management, Steve added. “Behind the 9th green, for example, clearing ground cover and removing self-seeded trees to open up the woodland canopy, has also improved light and air flow to the green that reduces disease risk.” It’s also allowed natural bluebells, which had laid dormant, to flower, along with newly planted wildflower areas.

And the team achieve the outstanding environmental work alongside gaining exceptionally high accolades for the course’s playability.

Judges Praise
Operation Pollinator Awards judge and STRI Ecology Consultant, Sophie Vukelic, added: “It is so encouraging to see that Operation Pollinator has been taken on board by so many golf clubs around the UK.

“I believe it really highlights how the golfing industry has changed over the past decade, with much more emphasis on the ecological value of golf courses and their ability to provide a wildlife resource within the wider landscape,” said Sophie.

“The team at Lee Park have pioneered so many great ideas, which others can integrate into their course management. It is so important that we inspire others to play a part in conserving vitally important insects through creating the wildflower habitats promoted by Operation Pollinator.”

 Caroline Carroll

 Caroline Carroll

Syngenta Turf Operation Pollinator Manager, Caroline Carroll, added: “Golf courses can provide essential sanctuaries for bumblebees and other beneficial insect species. Environmental enhancement of relatively undisturbed out of play areas can provide the perfect location for immensely valuable ecological habitats.

“With the right management, designated areas can provide ideal habitat for a vast array of vital pollinating insects, as well as enhancing the visual appeal and overall enjoyment for players,” she added.

Syngenta Operation Pollinator gives greenkeepers and golf course managers the tools and skills to successfully and cost effectively establish and manage attractive wildflower resources that are crucial for bumblebees and pollinating insects, whilst enhancing the visual appearance of the course and the overall playing experience.

Look out for the launch of the Syngenta Operation Pollinator Awards 2017 – it’s easy to get involved and your club could win the due recognition the industry deserves. 

Awards entry opens in July: http://www.stri.co.uk/operation-pollinator-award/