Enhancing biodiversity through meadow creation

2026

Ennis Golf Club is actively enhancing on-course biodiversity through the development of native wildflower meadow areas. A key initiative has been the introduction of Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor), a native “meadow maker” species, planted in an out-of-play area near the 6th tee. As a semi-parasitic plant, yellow rattle naturally suppresses dominant grass growth, creating space for a wider range of native wildflowers to establish and thrive.

This area, previously characterised by dense grass, is now being managed using a low-intervention approach, including an annual cut and removal regime in late September. This supports the gradual transition to a species-rich meadow while reducing maintenance inputs. The club has set a clear ambition to significantly increase native wildflower diversity in these areas over the next 3–5 years, establishing a richer habitat that supports pollinators and wider biodiversity. Through this initiative, Ennis Golf Club is demonstrating how managed golf landscapes can deliver measurable, long-term ecological benefits.