Learn about the process, benefits and rewards of GEO Certification.
Use our A-Z to find facilities around the world that are Registered and Certified.
RJ National
Ipswich, United Kingdom
Certified 02 / 2010
Golf Club La Pinetina
Appiano Gentile, Italy
Certified 02 / 2010
Viborg Golfklub
Viborg, Denmark
Certified 09 / 2009
Forsgårdens Golfklubb
Kungsbacka, Sweden
Certified 05 / 2009
Golfbaan de Rottebergen
Bergschenhoek, Netherlands
Certified 10 / 2009
Golfpark Nuolen
Wangen, Switzerland
Certified 12 / 2009
Rossdhu House, Luss by Alexandria, Dunbartonshire
Scotland, United Kingdom, G83 8NT
This On Course™ Report indicates the commitment of Loch Lomond Golf Club to become a GEO Certified facility by May 1st 2012
It has been automatically generated from data submitted to the Golf Environment Organization by Loch Lomond Golf Club. Publication of this data is the first step towards becoming a GEO Certified facility.
To achieve full certification Loch Lomond Golf Club will be required to submit further detailed data and be assessed by a GEO Accredited Verifier against the GEO Certification Criteria. You can download the criteria from this page.
Each section in this report covers a key area of environmentally sound facility management. As defined by the Golf Environment Organization, these are: Nature, Landscape & Heritage, Water, Turf, Waste, Energy, Education & Awareness and Management Planning.
The Loch Lomond site is abundant with habitats and wildlife. The club is committed to preserving and enhancing these habitats and works closely with the national park to incorporate their management aims and objectives.
Loch Lomond Golf Club features areas that are designated or protected at the following levels:
The following ecological surveys have been undertaken:
| Title |
|---|
| Botanical |
| Birds |
| Mammals |
| Invertebrates |
| Amphibians |
| Fungi |
Estimated area of habitats at Loch Lomond Golf Club:
Loch Lomond Golf Club has undertaken the following activities to enhance nature protection:
| Activity |
|---|
| Leave deadwood wherever possible |
| Stack logs for habitat wherever possible |
| Monitor bird breeding |
| Good water conservation programmes |
| Engage staff and golfers about wildlife conservation |
| IPM approach |
| Work closely with SNH, NPA, SEPA, FC to ensure correct methods are undertaken and utilise them for a source of advice |
| Working with STRI on a bee study |
| Install 100's of bat boxes across site |
| Install owl boxes |
| Increase naturalised areas |
| Increase acreage of ponds within site |
| Vary water depths in ponds |
The overall character of the estate is that of a high quality parkland landscape set within the majestic scenery of Loch Lomond. Prior to the construction of the golf course, the estate had a sporadic history of planting and management spanning a period of 600 years.
During course construction many surveys were undertaken and as a result a number of recommendations were made, including: to retain as many trees and ecological habitats as possible; and to ensure that the golf course was integrated sympathetically into the landscape features.
There are many listed building throughout the estate which have been restored and are used as accommodation for members and guests.
The overall landscape management aim is to maintain and enhance the distinctive designed character of the site and its components, recognising their vital contribution to the outstanding scenic value of the NSA, National Park and it role in the local and Scottish Natural Heritage
Loch Lomond Golf Club features the following landscape designations:
Loch Lomond Golf Club features the following cultural heritage designations and protected features:
The following landscape assessments and appraisals been carried out at the site:
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 2007-03-01 | Environmental appraisal |
| 2007-11-05 | Tree survey |
The following archaeological and heritage surveys have been carried out at the site:
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 2005-08-01 | Archaeology survey |
Loch Lomond Golf Club undertakes the following activities to enhance landscape and cultural heritage:
| Activity |
|---|
| Localised bracken control |
| Drainage to improve health of trees and planting and lower water table |
| Tree surveys and annual inspection |
| Erosion control |
| Necessary on-site tree surgery |
| Rhododendron ponticum removal programme |
| Increase naturalised areas |
| Replacement of indigenous tree species |
| Slow replacement of commercial woodland to broad leaved species |
We practice environmentally responsible management of naturally occurring water resources across the golf course and estate as a whole. Turf is managed to the highest possible quality using an IPM methodology. We continue to introduce sustainable grasses across the site in order to reduce irrigation needs.
Water quality in all ponds, burns and streams, and at our irrigation abstraction point in Loch Lomond, is frequently monitored.
| Primary Source | Secondary Source (if used) | |
|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse | Public / Potable | Recycled Drainage & Irrigation |
| Golf Courses | N/A | N/A |
| Accommodation | Public / Potable | N/A |
| Maintenance facility | Public / Potable | N/A |
| Other | Public / Potable | N/A |
The following areas are irrigated:
| Area name | Approx. Hectarage |
|---|---|
| Greens | 1.5 ha |
| Tees | 2 ha |
| Fairways | 11 ha |
| Wall garden/formal lawns | 2 ha |
Loch Lomond Golf Club undertakes environmental monitoring of water quality.
| Chemical | Biological | Last Test Date | Tester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflow | Yes | Yes | 2009-02-03 | Yara |
| On-site | Yes | Yes | 2009-02-02 | Yara |
| Outflow | Yes | Yes | 2009-02-02 | Yara |
Loch Lomond Golf Club has undertaken the following activities to conserve / reduce / minimise water consumption:
Loch Lomond Golf Club undertakes the following activities to protect and enhance water quality:
Our overall aim is to manage the turf to the highest quality, based on proven agronomic techniques, and placing greatest emphasis on Integrated Pest Management.
Loch Lomond is located on one of the most scenic areas in the world but climatic conditions are some of the most challanging. We average around 2000mm of rainfall annually.
The club has invested heavily in drainage over the years to ensure improved playabability and long term cost-effective management of the golf course. All efforts have been made to follow an IPM approach and grass selection is adapted to particular surfaces.
Loch Lomond Golf Club maintains the following turfgrass species:
Loch Lomond Golf Club regularly undertakes the following practices to improve turf health:
The turfgrass nutrition programme is based on a variety of considerations.
1. The playing requirements and recovery needs of the particular surface. e.g greens vs fairways
2. Nutritional status of the soil. e.g USGA greens spec vs. native soils
3. Climactic conditions 2000mm rainfall, humid, cloudy conditions
We are maintaining USGA spec greens. Our nutrition programme during the season is based on a "light and when required" soluble application dependent on weather conditions, clipping yield, tissue analysis, size of green, traffic flow and visual health.
Tees and fairways are based on similar programme as above but because of size area and soil type application frequency is lower.
Roughs follow a similar pattern but even lower frequency.
The greenkeeping staff feed the following areas of the golf course:
Our pest and disease control programme is based on an Integrated Pest Management approach. Drainage and cultural practices are essential in this unique climatic location to ensure this approach is achievable. Good draining and diluted turf surfaces prevent unnecessary usage of pesticides and their efficacy.
Combining effective cultural practices with the monitoring of environmental and pest control conditions, appropriate plant selection, making informed decisions and adapting nutrition programmes are critical to ensuring a succesful IPM strategy.
Loch Lomond Golf Club keeps detailed records of pesticide application.
Loch Lomond Golf Club undertakes the following activities to minimise / reduce pesticide use:
| Activity |
|---|
| Intensive drainage installation to prevent waterlogged plants |
| Frequent scouting for pests and diseases |
| Soil and tissue analysis to improve plant nutrition |
| Minimal irrigation usage |
| Spraying is only undertaken in favourable weather conditions |
| Water testing to ensure no chemical loading of waterways |
| Increased naturalised areas |
| Organic matter measuring and management |
| Introducing finer ecological sustainable grasses |
| Reduce stress - adjust height of cut |
| Ensure mowers reels are sharp daily |
| Trials to define more precise pest tolerance thresholds |
| Good in-house training to ensure that staff identify pests early |
| Traffic management measures - pin placements moved daily |
We are striving to minimise the amount of waste purchased and produced by all departments; eliminating waste if possible and reducing the amount produced on site. We aim to be sending zero waste to landfill by the end of 2009.
The entire facility ensures that all handling and disposal practices meet and often exceed environmental practice and legislative regulations
| Avoid | Re-use | Recycle | Landfill | Incineration | Registered Uplift | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Plastic | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Aluminium | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Paper | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Cardboard | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Electrical | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Grass Clippings | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Cores | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Turf | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Sand | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wood / Timber | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Leaves | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Detergents | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Cooking Oils | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Lubricants | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Pesticide Containers | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Fertiliser Bags | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Oil Filters | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Batteries | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Loch Lomond Golf Club has secure storage for hazardous material.
Loch Lomond Golf Club has undertaken a waste audit:
2006-07-10 - Mike Gosford
| Discharges to: | Legally Compliant? | Formal Discharge Agreement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse | On-Site Treatment Plant | Yes | N/A |
| Accommodation | On-Site Treatment Plant | Yes | N/A |
| Maintenance Facility | On-Site Treatment Plant | Yes | N/A |
| Wash Pad | Closed Loop Recycling | Yes | N/A |
Loch Lomond Golf Club undertakes the following activities to reduce resource consumption or minimise waste:
Waste management is a very important aspect of the clubs overall environmental plan. The club have a goal to a zero waste to landfill by end of 2009. The club have formed a waste/energy committee and with the help of a consultant have reduced the amount of waste produced, set up recycling procedures and ensure all disposal and handling meets with relevant ligislation and best practices.
Loch Lomond Golf Club has undertaken an Energy Audit:
2006-07-17 - Mike Gosford
Activities undertaken to record energy consumption:
Activities undertaken to reduce energy consumption:
Green purchasing activities undertaken:
Departments involved in energy saving activities:
Employees of Loch Lomond Golf Club receive the following formal and informal environmental education:
Loch Lomond Golf Club keeps formal staff training records for these departments:
Loch Lomond Golf Club keeps the following record of accidents in the workplace:
Loch Lomond Golf Club undertakes the following internal environmental communications:
Loch Lomond Golf Club undertakes the following external environmental communications:
Loch Lomond Golf Club works with the following external groups:
Environmental Policy Statement.pdf
Loch Lomond Golf Club has an Environmental Management Plan covering:
Loch Lomond Golf Club has an environmental working group, comprising the following individuals/organisations:
