The Role of Management Planning And Ecological Evaluation Within The Golf Course Environment

The nature and extent of the nature conservation resource provided by golf courses has been well documented (Brennan 1992, Dair and Schofield 1990). In Great Britain over 100 courses lie partially or wholly within Sites of Special Scientific Interest. An awareness of golf courses as part of the ‘wider countryside’ and their wildlife value has lead to initiatives which bring golf and nature conservation together (Nature Conservancy Council 1989). Golf courses are ideally suited to pro-active conservation as, unlike many other areas, management rather than cultivation is the primary objective. As a result, much of the course is available for wildlife.