Golf Club Havelte

Notable Observations

• Holtingerveld Nature Connection The course borders the Holtingerveld Natura 2000 area, with parts of the protected area extending onto the golf course. These natural forest sections are kept outside the playing area and are not managed.
• New Heathland and Natural Roughs The club is creating new heathland, water features and more natural areas alongside less-used parts of fairways. The verifier also noted well-developed low, medium and high roughs across the course.
• Preventive Turf Management Fertiliser and soil amendments are managed to help prevent fungal disease and reduce reliance on plant protection products. Preventive management has reduced treatment for dollar spot from twice a year to once a year.
• Targeted Irrigation Upgrade A newly installed irrigation system allows water to be targeted more precisely across playing areas. Toro Links, a weather station and moisture-meter readings are used to help decide when irrigation is actually required.
• Robotic Course Maintenance Robotic mowers have been used on the fairways since 2024, alongside regular mowing equipment. The driving range also uses robotic mowing and ball-handling equipment, highlighted by the verifier as a sustainability improvement.
• Waste Separation System Glass, paper and residual waste are now collected separately in dedicated containers. A contract with waste processor PreZero is also in place.
• Winter Walk and Community Access A winter walk was organised on the course after snowfall, with everyone welcome and local villagers taking part. The club also provides a work opportunity for a person with a distance to the labour market.
• Charity Golf and Local Schools The annual Stefan Bokaal raises money for the Princess Máxima Center Foundation, while another charity is selected each year. A local school also visits the course to experience golf.

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“With a golf course located in a very natural environment where there is room for more nature in many places, there is a nice basis for nature and golf together. With the development of a nature management plan, it can be seen that there are even more opportunities and possibilities for the preservation and enhancement of nature. With a newly integrated irrigation system, the green team involved is making a sustainable effort to reduce the demand for water, which will only become more relevant after the dry summer of 2026. The adjustments to the driving range with robot grass and ball machines, as well as robot mowers on the fairway, are also sustainable steps. Now that the recycling of the waste stream has been initiated, it is also good to start thinking about the incoming waste stream from the clubhouse. With a future plan for possible water storage on the golf course, more support can be created with the surrounding residents of the course.”

Ewout Sala (GEO accredited independent verifier)