GEO Certification
Zaanse Golf Club
Wijdewormer, Netherlands
Verification Report
Guido Hamelink, GEO Accredited Verifier December 11, 2009Executive Summary
Golf course Wijderwormer is the homecourse of The Zaanse Golfclub.
The course is about 53 ha and provides 18 holes and practice facilities. The location below sea level is characteristic for this part of the Dutch landscape. The integration of the golf course in the landscape is good and therefore a contribution to nature and landscape. The golf course is of great value for nature conservation, because of the large number of bird- and plant species.
Local Translation
Golfbaan de Wijderwormer is de baan van De Zaanse Golfclub. Dit in totaal ca. 53 ha. grote terrein heeft 18 holes en oefenfaciliteiten tot haar beschikking. De ligging van meters onder zeeniveau is karakteristiek voor dit deel van het Nederlandse landschap. De inpassing van de golfbaan is goed, waardoor de bijdrage voor natuur en landschap een feit is. Met een grote vogelrijkdom en een behoorlijke diversiteit aan planten speelt de golfbaan een natuurbeschermende rol.
Scope of Application
Zaanse Golf Club consists of:
Courses
- Zaanse Golf Club (18 holes)
Clubhouses
- Chipping Inn
Maintenance Facilities
- Onderhoudswerkplaats
Other
- Pro Shop
- Practice Facilities
- Halfway House
- On Course Toilet Facilities
Observations
Nature
The annual ecological examination, resulted in approximately 120 species of plants and 85 bird species (35 of them had chosen the golf course as a nesting area). The golf course is situated on the edge of a meadowbird habitat. Because of the difference between the old and the new 9 holes, there is a natural diversity. The new part is suitable for its openness and is better for grassland birds, while the old part attracts more forest birds. The entire golf course is characterized by the ponds and associated banks. The recent improvement in management has led to an increase of biodiversity and flowering herbs. Because of the planned development there is a possible further increase of biodiversity.
Landscape & Heritage
The golf course is located in an old polder (1626) with a tragic history. Several floods as a result of collapsing dikes, had an major effect on the landscape. These floods were in the years 1665, 1669, 1675, 1712, 1786 and 1825. During the last flooding (1852) the polder was covered with 3 meter of water. All that remained after the flooding was a big hole. Part of this hole is still visible through the pond where the first 9 holes have been constructed.
Openness, mills, clay and peat are key concepts in this landscape. The golf course tries as much as possible to express this, by maintaining the landscape characteristics.
Water
The central pond is a source for irrigation of the game elements (greens, tees, fairways and driving range). Water quality is frequently measured and is brackish. With an up to date irrigation system, the use of water for irrigation is minimized. Nothing is changed in the water composition before using for irrigation. This means that the grass species need to be adapted to the water quality. It will not be easy to achieve extra savings on water consumption. With a washwater recycle system the cleaning off the machines is environmentally sound. Water consumption in the different facilities are separately measured and recorded. There are no specific objectives for minimizing water use.
Turf
The choice of applying grass mixtures is based on a low fertilization level, good disease resistance, relatively high salt tolerance and low water demand. Part of the rough mixture is combined with a flora mixture. Fertilizer is being applied on golf related elements only. The quality of the grass and soil is being measured objectively, the reason is to determine the need for fertilizer. Spraying happens only on aggressive weeds, not on insects or fungus.
Waste
Where possible, waste is composted on-site. Other waste is collected by a disposal company. Branches and leaves are processed in the planting. The branches and small trees are used on wood pile's. This material is also used for the artificial snakes and amphibians nesting.
In the present situation it is hard to setup goals and objectives for waste reduction because the quantity is not measured.
Energy
Energy saving bulbs and other obvious means are employed to minimize energy consumption. There is also chosen for a kitchen where a large proportion of the devices are powered by gas. In a renovation a few years ago, was chosen for the installation of high efficiency boilers. The research on energy savings shows that major interventions are required, to reduce more energy in the clubhouse. Currently, this operation is to costly. The recently renovated greenkeepers accommodation, is provided with several energy saving measures like isolation.
Education & awareness
The Golf Club attaches importance to the sustainable management. During the construction of the new 9 holes, this importance is proved again. A variety of nature and environmental groups are involved in the management on the golf course. Also the water board is directly involved in the management of the waterways. Towards members of the Club, inter alia, published in the newsletter on the progress of the journey and on topics related to nature and the environment. Local natural and environmental groups are invited for a tour, they responded very enthusiastic to this.
Management planning
The club is involved in the sustainability aspects of the management and maintenance. An expert team of greenkeepers ensures the practical implementation, but is also actively involved in the planning. Planned management is increasingly important for the club.
Long term plans are made for many components to create a clear path for the management. Important is that the organization retains, quantity and quality, especially by updating and evaluating policy and plans in the coming years.
Documentation Reviewed
- Environmental policy
- Environmental management plan
- Action plans & project proposals
- Certification report
- Newsletters
- External surveys and reports
- Internal reports
- Emergency incident plan
- Environmental data
- Register of accidents
- Training log
- Awareness raising materials
Conclusions
The Zaanse Golf Club is aware of the importance of nature, the environment and the countryside. A good relationship between the club and the greenkeepers provides a healthy work environment. In recent years, the Club managed to create a bigger biodiversity and decrease pressure on the environment. Although there are several possibilities to enhance sustainability are the necessary enhancement may be, the Golf Club has a good starting position and leave the initiative to see further progress in the coming years.
Recommendation
I Guido Hamelink, Golf Environment Organization Accredited Verifier, recommend that Zaanse Golf Club be awarded GEO Certified status for excellence in environmental management.
About this Report
This report represents the opinion of an independent environmental professional accredited by the Golf Environment Organization. The environmental performance of Zaanse Golf Club was assessed against the GEO Certification criteria: http://www.golfenvironment.org/about-certification/
