Dundonald Links which has been three times host of Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open and Scottish Open venue has recently been named a finalist in the 2020 Golf Environment Awards.
The Golf Environment Awards (GEA) are administered by STRI the world leading sport surface research and consultancy organisation. The Golf Environment Awards are now in their 25th year and give recognition to Ecological and Environmental best practice within the UK golfing industry.
Dundonald Links Golf Club Manager Ian Ferguson said: “The awards are seen through the Golfing industry as the pinnacle of environmental excellence and achievement.
“I am extremely proud that Dundonald Links has been named in the Project of the Year category. The team have earned their place on the finalist list with their vision, and enthusiasm for working in collaboration with fellow golf clubs, wildlife groups and neighbouring businesses creating our Nectar Network”.
The Nectar Network, originally set up by Dundonald Links, is now a working partnership steered by the golf club and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
40 other local golf courses, and businesses stretching the length of the Ayrshire coastline from Irvine to Girvan are also part of The Nectar Network.
The group came together to share ideas, implementation and policies, before turning its focus to conservation. Initially the aim was to re-introduce the small blue butterfly, UK’s smallest butterfly, which was last seen in Ayrshire in 1982. It has since become the flagship species for the project, as habitat fragmentation and loss of its primary food source led to its extinction in the area.
The overall aim of the Nectar Network is to link Ayrshire’s most important local wildlife sites, often by improving the quality of degraded land, in order to help pollinating insects colonise new areas. The project has provided opportunities for all involved to learn new skills that help them take ownership of protecting and enhancing the local environment.
Bob Taylor, Head of Ecology & Environment STRI said: “Golf clubs represent more than the sport, they provide places for nature and people, the management of our golf courses enables clubs to secure a place within our diminishing countryside.”
Notes to Editors
Dundonald Links based in Ayrshire in Scotland has hosted a wide range of prestigious golfing events including the Aberdeen Standard investments Scottish Opens in 2017 was purchased by Darwin Escapes in 2019. For further information about Dundonald follow them on Twitter or Facebook: @DundonaldLinks