What's Happening On The Course 

Following the great success of the bird boxes we introduced around the course last year, it was felt that we could carry out a few more initiatives to  improve our on course biodiversity and create a more natural setting for golfers to enjoy. Golf courses often get criticised for their negative impact on their natural surroundings with chemical usage, water inputs and loss of habitats but in my opinion golf plays a vital role in preserving our natural environment, with Prestonfield being no exception. As a golf club it is our duty to work with nature to maintain, conserve and enhance an environment that will promote biodiversity on the course. With this in mind, we have trialled a wildflower plot at the back of the 3rd green tee to see if we can create a bit of colour and interest on the course, plus more importantly providing a haven where bees can thrive. This area will be maintained correctly going forward and if a success we will look to create other areas around the course.

Our Association With The Scottish SPCA

An exciting development that has happened to us recently is that the golf course  has been chosen as a rehoming site for the Scottish SPCA. After a site visit their representative was blown away by the natural areas we have on the course and felt it would be a perfect site to release mammals and birds back into the wild. Our first rehoming was 4 hedgehogs who arrived  over Easter, who have made themselves at home very quickly as they have disappeared from their boxes already (which is a very good sign). This sort of initiative will not make any difference to the golf course or effect golf play at any time but it is a privilege for the greenstaff to play a vital role in getting these animals back into the wild again. This is only the first instance and there will be many more new arrivals in the future.

What a Year 2023 was!

2023 was a hugely succesful year for us with course projects. Here's a look back at some of the projects we completed. Let's hope for another successful year in 2024. 

Solitary bees can be found in most gardens, parks, heathland, meadows and urban areas. They are active from March (on warmer days) right through to the end of summer, although the peak of activity and breeding takes place in May and June.  They don’t live in colonies like bumblebees or honeybees. They also don’t make honey and don’t serve a queen, meaning that they aren’t aggressive. 

All bees are essential pollinators and it is said our shops would have less than a third of the choice of fresh produce currently available if the all the bees died out! From the flowers in the borders to many vegetables and all our fruit trees, all bees solitary and social, are critical to our survival and deserve a high priority of care in our efforts to promote a vibrant and ecologically friendly wildlife environment. There are currently about 20,000 species of bees in the world of which approximately 250 reside in the UK. However, a number of species have already become extinct, with others in serious danger. Recent years have been witness to dramatic declines in bee populations and whilst the causes are still being studied, assistance from us by providing a bee house or bee tubes can only help to stem this decline. As part of our biodeversity program we are introducing bee homes around the course to encourage an increase in population and you can help! 

We are looking for donations to purchase some Mason Bee Nesting Boxes around the course. If you would like to help, the boxes cost £29.95 and if you speak to the office they will be delighted to assist you with your donation. 

Thank you!