The Scottish Wildlife Group now has its own web site, housed on the Scottish Golf Union’s “Scottish Golf” home page. The site contains a wealth of information relating to the Group, its work and background. Specific sections deal with issues of course management and golf course development. There are guidelines to download, sections on nature conservation, turf and pest management, waste management, the “Golf Bag”, awards for good practice and case studies. Also there is a wide range of golfing and environmental links, publications for order, a chat room and the quarterly newsletter; “Golf’s Environmental News”.
The second project is the “Manual for Preparing Golf Course Management Plans”. Forward planning and strategic thinking are important aspects of all greenkeeper’s and golf club committee’s work. This publication breaks management planning down into an easy step-by-step process, enabling a start from scratch building up to a detailed and well-structured plan. It also provides advice on sources of assistance and ways to communicate ideas within the Club or Local Authority.
Copies are available free of charge to all Golf Clubs and Local Authorities in Scotland. Ideally the manual should be used in conjunction with a free advisory visit from one of the Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Advisers. Please get in touch if you wish a copy or would like to discuss the possibility of a first, or follow up, advisory visit.