Koninklijke Haagsche Golf & Country Club

Notable Observations

• Dynamic Parabolic Dune Landscape The entire course lies within a high parabolic dune system, where natural dynamism is deliberately maintained as the core ecological driver of the site.
• Long-Term Bird Monitoring Since 1958 Bird populations have been monitored continuously since 1958, with records archived at SOVON, making this one of the longest-running bird datasets linked to a golf course.
• Comprehensive Species Inventories Professional inventories cover almost all species groups, including flora, vegetation, mushrooms, moths, amphibians and reptiles, supported by detailed vegetation mapping completed in 2021–22.
• Grazing as a Core Habitat Tool Habitats are actively managed using sheep grazing and year-round cattle, alongside sod cutting, sinus mowing and selective felling to maintain open dune grasslands.
• Significant Energy Reductions Achieved Gas consumption has fallen by around 30%, supported by high-efficiency boilers, smart controls, heat recovery ventilation, and widespread LED lighting with sensors and timers.
• On-Site Renewable Energy Generation Since 2007 the club has purchased green electricity and now operates 149 solar panels across three locations, directly powering equipment including robotic mowers during the day.
• Electrification of Maintenance Equipment Around 40% reductions in diesel and petrol use have been achieved through electrification of machinery, including robotic mowers, fairway and green mowers, brush cutters and leaf blowers.
• Exceptional Volunteer Engagement Approximately 235 volunteers are actively involved in activities such as habitat management, weed control, nest box care, turf work and large annual winter work days.

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“As the oldest golf club in the Netherlands (1893), the Royal Hague Golf & Country Club ranks among the most sustainable golf clubs in the Netherlands. De Haagsche has been certified since 2010. GEO is in good hands with the Terrain and Nature Committee (former CtG committee), which includes manager, head greenkeeper and professional members. Compliments for the excellent preparation and arrangement of documents. There is a strong guarantee through contacts with external professionals, experts in the field of sustainable golf, the local community and nature organisations. Many successes can be mentioned, but the most striking are the professional inventories of all species groups, including an area-wide vegetation mapping, and the strong reduction in energy consumption in recent years. The points for improvement from the previous audit have been tackled energetically. For example, work has been done on broadening external communication, fossil-free energy production on-site and a conscious purchasing policy. The growing number of volunteers involved is also seen as very positive. I wish the Haagsche every success with the further (green) plans, such as the major metamorphosis that awaits the forecourt. 'The golfer is a guest in nature' is always your wonderful guideline."

Paul van Kan (GEO accredited independent verifier)