Golfbaan Het Woold

Notable Observations

• Newly Created Nature Landscape Golfbaan het Woold has grown from a former par 3 course into more than 85 hectares with 18 holes set within newly created nature. The landscape has developed from former agricultural fields into a mix of natural areas across the course.
• Long-Term Species Monitoring Since 2011, IVN volunteers have carried out inventories of species groups throughout the year, with a very thorough and complete of the site.
• Starling Boxes for Natural Pest Control Starling boxes are used on the course as a natural control measure for leatherjackets in the turf. Native tree and shrub planting has also been added in pine forest areas to increase habitat variety.
• Targeted Irrigation Management Only 15 hectares of the 76 hectare site are irrigated, with water used as minimally as possible. Irrigation is controlled through a computer programme that considers course and weather conditions.
• Rainwater Collected on Site Rainwater from buildings is collected in water features on the golf course rather than being drained through the sewer. This supports the site’s wider water management approach.
• Robotic and Hybrid Mowing Robotic mowers are used on the greens, with the club exploring further expansion. Hybrid mowers and electric hand tools are also used to reduce diesel consumption.
• School Learning Partnerships The course runs several projects with schools in the region through the Joost Luiten Foundation, introducing children to golf. This collaboration is also being developed into wider teaching opportunities linked to nature, biology and course maintenance.
• Volunteer and Memorial Forest Engagement More than 70 volunteers are involved across the golf course, with IVN volunteers playing an important role in nature activity. The site also includes the “Gedenkbos Asten” memorial forest, where people can have a tree planted in memory of someone.

“

“The newly developed natural environment is clearly developing in terms of growth and management. The efforts of the course, volunteers and the close cooperation with the IVN are visibly paying off. Now it is important to get a picture of the different types of nature with the associated target species in order to be able to adjust future management accordingly in a nature management plan. In addition to a thorough use of good knowledge of course maintenance by the greenkeeping team, sustainable steps are being taken through the use of the robot lawnmowers. And finally, it is a good example that the golf course works with several schools and would like to take future steps in this to offer opportunities for lessons on the entire site. The collection machine for plastic bottles and cans is also sustainable eye-catcher in the facility. Waste separation is done where possible, but is certainly still a point where profit can be made since the catering industry is run under its own management.”

Ewout Sala (GEO accredited independent verifier)