Our hosts at Sunningdale Golf Club have a raft of initiatives to help make the ISPS HANDA Senior Open a sustainable event.
Sunningdale is surrounded by one of the most ecologically rich and scenic landscapes in the country.
The golf courses span around 250 hectares but only around 48 hectares are actively maintained through mowing, irrigation or fertilisation.
The rest is largely left wild, providing a safe haven for wildlife and linking seamlessly with the surrounding natural areas.
To the south of the course, the land blends into a heathland reserve that has been managed for decades by the greenkeeping team, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) and Nature Conservation Services.
This landscape includes dry heath, sandy clearings, boggy patches and wet valleys which make ideal conditions for diverse plant life, including bell heather, bog asphodel and purple moor grass.
Sunningdale is one of the few places in the UK where you can find all six of the country’s native reptile species: adder, grass snake, slow worm, common lizard and - thanks to successful reintroduction efforts - sand lizard and smooth snake.
It is also home to a collection of rare birds, with Dartford warblers, stonechats and nightjars all calling this area home.
Rethinking the greenkeeping compound
One of the ways Sunnningdale is putting its sustainability values into action is by transforming the greenkeeping compound.
What was previously just a place to store equipment is now evolving into an environmentally friendly space that blends into the landscape and supports local wildlife.
This includes:
• Solar panels to help power the facility
• Electric mowers and tools to reduce noise and emissions
• Wildlife-friendly features such as bug hotels, bat boxes, hives, and hibernacula (special shelters for amphibians and reptiles)
The idea is simple: care for the course in a way that also cares for the environment.
Water use
With hotter, drier summers becoming more common, water conservation has become a key focus.
In 2021 and 2022, Sunningdale upgraded its irrigation system to one that is far more precise, delivering water only where and when it is needed. This change alone has helped reduce water usage by around 30 per cent.
Sunningfdale also uses moisture meters and wetting agents to monitor and manage soil moisture levels effectively. This allows the club to retain water in the soil for longer and avoid over-irrigation, which is not environmentally sustainable.
Working with experts
Sunningdale collaborates closely with organisations such as Surrey Wildlife Trust, ARC and Natural England to help protect and enhance the habitats around the course.
Their expertise guides the club in making informed decisions that benefit the land, the wildlife and the wider environment.
Sunningdale is a GEO Certified® club - an internationally recognised mark of sustainability in golf.
This certification means the course is managed in a way that protects nature, uses resources responsibly and supports the local community.
From enhancing biodiversity and conserving water to reducing waste and engaging with local groups, every aspect of the operation is shaped by environmental and social responsibility.
