Carnoustie Golf Links, a regular host to The Open championship, has been awarded a major national accolade for its work in protecting native bumblebees.
Representatives of the club attended the annual Golf Environmental Awards held by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) in Harrogate, where they received the prestigious Operation Pollinator Award.
The award was given in recognition of the work undertaken by Championship Course Head Greenkeeper, Craig Boath and his dedicated team who have developed habitats around the course that are suitable for bees and other pollinating insects.
The team was applauded for their approach to the project, which involved outreach events with local primary school children.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Craig Boath and his team for all the hard work they done in helping to curb the decline of our important pollinators,” said an STRI spokesperson.
“We were very impressed with Craig’s work, especially his initiative to involve local primary schools, making a real impact on the wider community, rather than just on the golf course.”
The Operation Pollinator Award is presented annually to the golf club that has shown success in developing pollen rich habitats in which native species of bumblebees and other insects can thrive.
Boath and his team have been working for five years to create insect and bee friendly habitats around the championship courses. The project was taken a step further last year with primary school outreach events, allowing children to become involved in the project and raise their awareness of threats that face native habitats in the area.
Graeme Duncan, General Manager of the Carnoustie Links Management Committee, is proud of the work undertaken at the world class golfing venue:
“We are delighted to receive this award and see it as a fitting tribute for the efforts Craig and his team have made to nurture bees and other pollinators.
Here at Carnoustie, we take great care to protect and enhance our natural habitat. We were one of the first Open venues to obtain Golf Environment Organization (GEO) certification, and this award is just another example of what can be achieved through hard-work, enthusiasm, and community involvement.”
Carnoustie Golf Links www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk