Fife Golf Trust

Notable Observations

• 10,000 Native Trees and New Hedgerows: Across the seven courses, around 10,000 native trees have been planted alongside 1 km of new hedgerows. These measures create additional habitat and improve wildlife connectivity.
• 17 Hectares of Species-Rich Grassland: Around 17 hectares of species-rich grassland have been introduced to support pollinators and soil health. Seven new wetlands and five ponds have also been created, alongside the naturalisation of freshwater ditches.
• Glenrothes Course Naturalisation: Glenrothes has shifted from predominantly wall-to-wall cut grass towards a more varied landscape with naturalised grasslands, wetlands and managed rough. Similar reductions in closely mown grass are being pursued across the Trust’s courses.
• £2.6m Electric Machinery Investment: More than £2.6 million has been invested in a new machinery fleet, now comprising 63% fully electric and 11% hybrid equipment. The report states this has contributed to a 70% reduction in carbon outputs and 65% reduction in fuel and maintenance costs.
• Solar-Powered Maintenance Facility: Solar panels have been installed at the new maintenance facility at Glenrothes. The building was also constructed using local suppliers, with reused, recycled or locally sourced materials generally preferred where possible.
• Site-Specific Irrigation: Glenrothes has an upgraded irrigation system, supported by Pogo moisture testing and a detailed wetting-agent programme. Treatments are adapted to individual sites and greens according to how they retain or shed water.
• Free Junior Golf and Accessible Putting: Children can play the new six-hole facility at Dunnikier for free, with club volunteers heavily involved in its design and construction. A new Himalaya putting green at Lochore has also been designed to be accessible to all.
• Park Golf and Community Partnerships: Programmes include Park Golf, schools initiatives, support for older adults and intergenerational activities bringing schoolchildren and a dementia group together. Partnership working has also helped create a nine-hole Park Golf course at Craigtoun Park, opened in 2024.

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“Fife Golf Trust manage and maintain their facilities with environmental sustainability at the forefront of all their practices. To be awarded ‘Best Sustainability Project’ at the Scottish Tourism Awards and also for the ‘Impact and Innovation Award’ by Scottish Golf says it all. The full team at Fife Golf Trust should be commended for their continued efforts to champion across all areas of the OnCourse programme with impactful highlights across Nature, Resources and Community. ‘Nature’ has seen enhanced wetland/grassland habitats being created at Glenrothes and other sites. Building a new maintenance facility at Glenrothes has all been implemented using local ‘Resources’ and ‘Community’ sees many inclusive programmes such as bringing the local school kids and dementia group together.”

Stuart Rennie (GEO accredited independent verifier)