The Grove named “Environmental Golf Course of the Year”

This year’s award for Environmental Golf Course of the Year goes to the English course The Grove, which belongs to the resort of the same name in the London area. The award is presented annually by the British institute STRI . The Grove’s closest competitors included Nairn Dunbar and Gleneagles in Scotland, Goodwood and Hever Castle in England and Quinta do Lago in Portugal.

Phillip Chiverton, Golf Course and Estate Manager at The Grove, noted the “enormous team effort at The Grove” that made this award possible. “These projects have led to a significant increase in the various habitats, improved the playing experience for the green fee player and also positively enriched the living conditions for all the wildlife on the resort grounds.”

As part of the project assessment, the golf course, which has already been the scene of various tournaments on the PGA European Tour, was able to attract attention with these points in particular.

• Annual water savings of up to 30% thanks to a new rainwater compensation system.
• Computer monitoring of soil moisture distributes water accurately by amount and location.
• Minimized areas of cultivated lawn reduce mowing, watering and chemical use.
• In partnership with the Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, areas of natural habitat have been created, including the preservation of River Gade, maintenance of native fescue grasses and the introduction of wildflower patches.
• Creation of a new wetland in a wooded area creating new habitats for newts, frogs, waterfowl and dragonflies.
• Ongoing investments in renewable energy programs.
• Active management of forests, creating new habitats for wildlife and replanting where necessary.