Following the success of The R&A’s inaugural Golf BioBlitz at Carnoustie Golf Links in 2024, a second event will take place at Lindrick Golf Club on July 5-6.
In addition to highlighting the organisation’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainability within the sport, the Golf BioBlitz will raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment and natural resources for future generations.
The event at the wildlife-rich course in South Yorkshire has been made possible by a generous donation to The R&A Foundation in memory of a much-loved colleague, Helen Goodman.
Helen dedicated nearly 40 years to The R&A from 1979, working in the Championships department throughout, until her death in 2018. Her passion for nature and sustainability inspired the Golf BioBlitz to showcase the positive impact of golf on the environment.
‘Bio’ means ‘life’ and ‘Blitz’ means ‘to do something quickly and intensively’. Together, they make ‘BioBlitz’, an engaging and collaborative race to discover as many species of plants, animals and fungi as possible within a set location in just one day. The goal is to create a snapshot of the rich biodiversity present on the course.
Lindrick Golf Club was selected for its diverse range of calcareous grassland, woodland and scrub habitats. Local school children, nature volunteers, local conservation groups and community members will come together to record and better understand the range of wildlife supported by the course.
The event will be led by wildlife experts, including The R&A’s sustainability team and Lindrick Golf Club management, to deepen understanding of the natural world for all involved. Ecologist Sophie Olejnik (Oleo Ecology), Marie Athorn from the RSPB and Lindrick Golf Club’s General Manager, Jon Duck, are coordinating the activities.
It will also provide an opportunity for R&A staff to attend, thereby supporting sustainability efforts and raising awareness of the positive impact The R&A Foundation’s funded projects can have in bringing people together through golf.
With nature continuing to decline and almost one in six species threatened with extinction in the UK (State of Nature, 2023), there is a need to be as informed as possible to take further action for nature in golf.
Sophie Olejnik has played an instrumental role in organising this year’s event and highlights why monitoring and recording species on golf courses is so critical. “From rare and declining bird species to nationally notable plants, golf courses can serve as sanctuaries for a variety of animals, plants, and fungi Establishing a baseline can help clubs protect nature and tailor their approach to help endangered species flourish again.”
Over the 24 hours of the BioBlitz, there will be six organised walks to look for bats, birds, butterflies, hedgehogs, moths and wildflowers.
John Kemp, Assistant Director – Sustainable Golf Development at The R&A, is looking forward to building on the success of last year’s Golf BioBlitz. “The reaction to the event at Carnoustie Golf Links was extremely positive and unearthed many fascinating findings, including two bat species no one had spotted on the course previously. We’re committed to raising awareness of how golf and nature coexist in harmony with these BioBlitz events, and are looking forward to exploring Lindrick Golf Club in July.”
To attend the Golf BioBlitz event at Lindrick Golf Club, book your free tickets today.