In the run up to Earth Day, Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire has hosted a Water & Sustainability Summit, bringing together leaders from across the UK golf industry to help the club plan a water strategy for a dramatically changing climate.
Water usage and conservation have become critical issues for golf clubs across the UK, with recent government and Water UK estimates suggesting that £60 billion is required nationwide for reservoir investment to prevent significant water shortages by 2035.
The forum was attended by a select group of industry stakeholders, including England Golf, the sport’s governing body for amateur golf, BIGGA, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, Irritech, independent irrigation consultants, Agrovista, agronomy and crop protection experts, and Toro, the global golf course equipment supplier.
The water summit at Frilford Heath served as a landmark occasion to examine how the 450-acre estate near Oxford, which is GEO-certified, can lead the way in sustainable course management. GEO Certification is a globally recognised benchmark for sustainable golf operations, issued by the Golf Environment Organisation.
Kevin Murray, Chairman of Frilford Heath Golf Club, commented: “Our Board is constantly analysing wider trends and demographics to maintain our position as one of England’s great golf club experiences, and being able to present excellent courses on a consistent basis is one of the biggest challenges we face in a climate that often gives you very wet winters and hot, dry summers.
“The experts at our Water & Sustainability Summit offered reassurance that we are on the correct path. They were able to show us that we are well-positioned to manage our own water resources now and in the future.”
The club continues to undertake significant actions to ensure the estate remains weather-resistant, supported by a recent £2.6 million investment across its three championship courses.
Worryingly, the industry experts believe not enough golf clubs are taking proactive action to manage the climate challenges ahead. In this testing landscape, they believed Frilford Heath is in the top 5% of golf clubs in the UK for its proactive management of water resources.
They cited the club’s success in precision resource management, headlined by a purpose-built on-site reservoir that stores winter rainfall for use during summer months. This infrastructure is further supported by new, app-controlled TORO irrigation systems on the championship Red and Blue Courses at the club.
Paul Sheather, Frilford Heath’s Director of Courses & Estates, added: “Water conservation and sustainability are top priorities for us. Balancing course conditions with the expectations of members and customers is challenging given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. But, working together, employing best management practices and investing in innovative solutions puts us in the best position possible.”
Summit attendee Andy Brown, Senior Sales Manager/Global Business Development at Toro, and club member, said: “This was an important opportunity to engage on the practical challenges of water security and long-term land management. As a long-standing member, I have a personal interest in seeing the courses maintained to the highest levels; and from a professional standpoint, it is vital to see how clubs can successfully align operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.”
Chairman Kevin Murray said the club is now discussing hosting a wider industry summit of experts and golf club managers to further the industry’s ability to manage challenging water issues.