Written by: Ingmar Wolbert
2021
Portstewart Golf Course is trying to increase the size of rough 'ecological' grassland in the dune system and restore the natural character of the landscape within a links course environment By removing Sea Buckthorn scrub. A total amount of 12 hectares of Sea Buckthorn on golf course property has been reduced to only 1 hectare during a period of 10 years during winter months. The actual removal process evolved during the years. At first Sea Buckthorn was taken out with handsaws by the greenkeeping staff, a digger would take out the remaining root zones and stumps. This was a slow process and only small areas where cleared. The last 3 years a digger with a grabber is used to take out the total plant plus root-zone and cleared up to several hectares per winter season. The Sea Buckthorn is burned at the newly cleared areas to avoid any resettling of rest material. Marram grass is used to support and re stable the opened-up surface ground. This grass is hand picked and replanted.
