PHOTOS: BRETT ROBINSON
ENVIRONMENT
Beyond the edges... ATM environment expert Kate Torgersen enlists leading Australian golf course architect Harley Kruse to discuss
I
the concept and importance of golfing sustainability and biodiversity in the first of a two-part article.
am always interested in hearing about different views on sustainability and the environment within the sports turf industry and also the outside community. For this edition I approached respected Australian golf course architect Harley Kruse to get his thoughts on the importance of golf course sustainability and biodiversity from an architect’s standpoint. In this first of a twopart article, Harley looks at these concepts, how golf clubs can play a major role in our communities and how starting small can lead to something significant. 64
STARTING THE CONVERSATION “A lot has been talked about over recent years in the golf industry of biodiversity and sustainability around golf courses. But what does it all really mean and what can golf courses do about it? The R&A has defined golfing sustainability as “Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management”. Certainly, the economic, environmental and social challenges facing golf today means that
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 22.1
sustainably is a key priority for all golf courses. I would suggest there is a moral obligation too, with golf courses being the custodians of relatively large areas of land, which brings with it broader community responsibilities. To give some perspective on the significant scale of golf courses and their great potential, if we break things down a typical 18-hole golf course occupies some 70-80 hectares of land. Often where the natural terrain is flatter it can be less, but where the land is steep and hilly a course may occupy well over 90ha for 18 holes to comfortably fit.