Gorse and heather management

During the recent spell of frosty weather we've made good progress on gorse management by coppicing.  We've also been cutting back gorse where it is invading an the area of recently established heather right of the 11th hole.  Although areas of coppiced gorse look unsightly at first, they soon recover and the resultant fresh growth provides an excellent habitat for wildlife.  The photo below illustrates how old stands of gorse get very leggy and open, this offers limited opportunities for nesting birds and other wildlife compared with dense young growth.

Gorse coppicing

Removing gorse from a recently established area of heather

Golf Environment Awards and GEO certification

Aldeburgh GC were one of four finalists in the Environmental Golf Course of the Year category in the  2018 Golf Environment Awards, the winners were Carnoustie golf club.  The awards showcase sustainable golf course management and the work that golf clubs do to develop and improve wildlife habitats.   Golf Environment Awards web site 
We have also recently achieved GEO certification which recognises our commitment to sustainable golf course management.  The GEO foundation works worldwide and is "Dedicated to inspire support and credibly share golf's commitment to nature, resources and community".  GEO website

The Aldeburgh team at the Golf Environment Awards presentation dinner

Storm damage

The recent high winds destroyed the shelter by the 1st tee; there were also quite a number of branches broken off trees and lots of debris scattered around the course.

Weather summary for January

January was a wet month with close to average temperatures but more frosty mornings than we've experienced in recent years.  The total rainfall was 62.2mm (the January average is 45.7mm) with the rain spread fairly evenly over the month, there were only 9 days with no rain at all.  The average temperature was 5.5°, with a maximum of 13.6° on the 28th and a minimum of -1.5° on the 27th.