Golf & Country Club Lauswolt

Notable Observations

• Extensive Nature Coverage and Habitat Management Around 70% of Lauswolt’s 100-hectare property is managed as nature, including forests and stream valleys connected to the Koningsdiep. Habitat work follows a 5-year Nature Committee plan supported by Landschapsbeheer Fryslân and Bosgroep Noordoost Nederland.
• Ecological Work Protocol and Natura 2000 Linkage The estate lies within the Natuurnetwerk Nederland and connects two Natura 2000 areas through the Koningsdiep valley. An ecological work protocol (2024) ensures all maintenance complies with the Dutch Nature Conservation Act.
• Non-Chemical Course Management No plant protection products have been used for over ten years. Turf health is maintained through prevention, nematodes against grubs, and natural predation by starlings — part of a data-driven approach to turf management.
• Water Conservation and Collaboration with Wetterskip Fryslân Irrigation water use is very low. A new stream-valley water system built in cooperation with Wetterskip Fryslân retains water longer into spring, delaying the need for irrigation.
• Solar Power and Efficient Buildings Solar panels covering 320 m² on the driving range roof generate about one-third of total electricity use. The clubhouse is well insulated, uses LED lighting, and is equipped with timers and daylight access to minimise energy demand.
• Circular Use of Local Materials All construction has followed a closed soil balance — no external soil was imported. Paths use limestone factory by-products, sand from on-site ponds is reused for topdressing, and old furniture was reused during clubhouse renovation.
• Strong Volunteer Network and Charity Events Around 100 volunteers contribute regularly through committees, habitat work, and maintenance. The club hosts annual charity events, including cooking together for the Foppe Fund.
• Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Lauswolt partners with Bosgroep Noordoost Nederland, Landschapsbeheer Fryslân, and nearby estates (“Green Pearls”) on forest and nature projects. It also participates in research on dollar spot prevention and precision fertilisation, sharing expertise with the NGF’s Sustainable Golf Course Management network.

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“The first construction of the golf course of the Golf & Country Club Lauswolt dates back to 1964. The current course consists of 18 holes in a very spacious course around a forest core. The holes are laid out along lines of sight from the country house that houses a five-star hotel. The area is over 100 ha, 70% of which is nature. During an (18-hole) round, you walk 10 km through a quiet and green area at the transition from sandy soils to the stream valley of the Koningsdiep. The support for sustainability within the club is great and the high degree of self-reliance is also worth a compliment. Management of the game components and nature has been in good hands with the highly experienced headgreenkeeper / nature manager for 30 years. The cooperation that is sought in all possible areas is also very positive. For example, there is participation in dollar spot research, precision fertilization and Player First. In the field of water management, projects are carried out together with the Wetterskip Fryslân. There is close cooperation with the Bosgroep Noordoost Nederland, Landschapsbeheer Fryslân and neighbouring estate owners. The relationship with local entrepreneurs, residents and landowners is also good. G&CC Lauswolt has been certified since 2011 and recertified in 2014, 2017 and 2020. All points for improvement mentioned have been addressed positively. There is great confidence that sustainability will continue to have a permanent place within the association in the coming years. There are still challenges, including in the field of energy transition and storage and the purchase of raw materials. In the field of nature management, the 5-year plan of the Nature Committee forms a wonderful basis. Good luck and keep sharing!”

Paul van Kan (GEO accredited independent verifier)