Golfbaan Prise d'Eau

Notable Observations

• Large-Scale Habitat Creation for Amphibians and Birds Between 2019 and 2022, the club created eight breeding pools, plus thickets and bush strips, to support species such as tree frog, partridge, viviparous lizard, common spadefoot toad, and nightjar. These habitats expand the ecological value of the course and link with surrounding natural areas.
• Grain Field Restored for Farmland Birds A dedicated grain field has been established as a partridge reserve, recreating historic small-scale farmland habitat that once existed in this region. It directly supports species like lark and partridge.
• Sheep Grazing in Natural Roughs Sheep are used to manage nature areas around the playing field. Their grazing creates more varied vegetation structures and reduces mechanical mowing, improving ecological quality.
• Rainwater-Driven Water System Rainwater is collected across the site via a stepped system and is used for irrigation and machinery cleaning. No tap water is used on the playing field, and only targeted watering is applied based on moisture, temperature, and salinity measurements.
• Robotic Fairway Mower to Reduce Energy Demand Fairways are maintained with a robotic mower, lowering fossil fuel use and reducing the energy intensity of routine turf maintenance.
• Bokashi Composting Experiment for Circularity The greenkeeping team is experimenting with producing bokashi on-site to convert organic material into a soil-improving amendment, supporting circular resource use.
• Major Charity Partnership with Gijsje Eigenwijsje Every two years, the entire golf course is donated for a full day to the Gijsje Eigenwijsje foundation, which provides holidays for families with seriously or terminally ill children. The club also donates funds raised during the event.
• High Volunteer Participation Across Ecology and Operations Around 150 volunteers are involved at the club—supporting flora and fauna inventories, maintaining birdhouses, helping at events, marshalling the course, and more. This creates a strong community connection and boosts ecological monitoring capacity.

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"Prise d'Eau has invested heavily in expanding the breeding habitat and habitat of crested newt, tree frog, partridge and smooth lizard, among others. Pools have been created, thickets, flowery fields, bushes and space has been made for structure-rich heathland. This makes the course a nice connection with the surrounding nature reserves. The club is very accessible and has a great appeal for the younger golfer."

Tom Del Tin (GEO accredited independent verifier)