Rewilding our Academy Area Hawarden GC
Five years ago our club, Hawarden GC, in North East Wales, lacked members and was precariously underfunded. In 2025 the Club won the prestigious “Welsh Golf Club of the Year”, awarded by Wales Golf. Many ingredients contributed to this turnaround in fortunes but one essential feature has been the Club’s environmental record.
One of the key environmental projects has been the transformation of the Club’s Academy Area.
It was a somewhat forlorn and underused corner of the course, home to five flags in a flat old agricultural field. It has now become a distinct area in its own right, full of interest and features – altogether a much more engaging place to learn to play golf.
Our newly formed Sustainability Group successfully applied to Wales Golf for one of their “Environmental Kickstarter Grants” and we were awarded £2,750. A good chunk of this was spent on ground preparation. Contractors with the right machinery were employed to clear an area around the entire perimeter. This permitted the planting of trees and wildflowers. At the same time we were supported by the Woodland Trust who provided trees as part of a community project.
In all we planted over 400 trees. The work was done by a dozen or so volunteers and we had help from our Juniors in sowing wildflower seeds.The Academy Area is now distinctly separate from the main course. A copse between the two areas is beginning to emerge and birds are being attracted to it.
Working with our Course Manager and Greenkeeping Team we have mown a new 5-hole short course in between tracts of natural grasses which have been left unmown. The effect is visually pleasing especially in Spring and Summer when the colours are constantly changing. The planting around the other parts of the perimeter is creating a corridor effect providing habitat for wildlife beyond the existing hedgerow.
We have noticed the increased presence of small mammals and frogs and there has been a welcome return of the kestrel. Our wildflowers need regular support but it is a worthwhile task given the extra colour they bring, not to mention the variety of bees, butterflies and other insects attracted by them.
The trees have also required nurturing. Each autumn we try and cut the grass around them which we then remove. We plant yellow rattle each year and hope for the best. One thing which we are pleased we did was to plant each young tree with a weed suppressant mat around its base.
The project remains a work in progress but it has been well received by members and visitors alike.
For further information, contact Rob Capper
Sustainability Group Leader
Email rob.a.capper@gmail.com
