Kent
Kent can boast close to 100 Golf Clubs, including stunning championship links, parkland and downland courses, including three that have hosted the Open Championship
Sundridge Park Golf Club
Despite its suburban location in the London borough of Bromley, only seven miles from the City, Sundridge Park Golf Club is set within 288 acres of the beautiful grounds of a Grade 1 listed Mansion and can boast two 18-hole courses and a range of practice facilities.
The Club has a wonderful focus and respect for the ecology of the site; in conversation with Ben Riley the GM, he told us about some of the things being done to help manage their environment in a sustainable way…..
One of the fundamentals is the ongoing forestry management, including a program of planting and clearing copses, whilst also leaving some areas of native untouched woodland to provide a range of different ecosystems which will attract a variety of birds and insects. As an eco-friendly way to reduce the damage done by crows in their search for grubs, the club has an arrangement with a local Harris Hawk handler whereby they can use the courses to fly and exercise their amazing birds and in doing so it acts as a deterrent to the crows.
The Club also has established wild flower areas, ponds, thriving bee hives and bat boxes in situ, and has recently created a wetland area as part of a project to de-culvert a section of the River Quaggy which flows through the estate; once established this will become a safe haven for many more marsh birds and insects.The focus on the positive ecology of the site by Ben and the Team is to be commended.