How Fife Golf Trust Is leading the UK in sustainable golf course restoration

Across seven public golf courses, Fife Golf Trust is proving that ecological restoration and quality golf can go hand in hand.

Species rich grassland at Glenrothes Golf Course. 

Charged with overseeing the initiative is David Gray, Golf Courses Manager at Fife Golf Trust who is responsible for both playing standards and long-term landscape stewardship, he has been instrumental in embedding environmental sustainability into day-to-day course operations following on from CEO Paul Murphy’s hard work.

David played a key role in delivering the trust-wide Seven Golf Courses for Nature programme. The project was funded by Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot which has transformed extensive areas of managed greenspace into more resilient, nature-rich landscapes - all while protecting the quality and accessibility of the golfing experience.

What were the key drivers behind implementing a large-scale ecological restoration programme across all seven courses?

Since Fife Golf Trust was established in 2011, environmental sustainability has been embedded in the organisation’s ethos under the leadership of CEO Paul Murphy. While a number of smaller, in-house initiatives had been delivered over the years, the main barrier to achieving meaningful, landscape-scale change was the ability to invest at scale.

David Gray, Golf Courses Manager at Fife Golf Trust with Ecology Advisor, Johanna Willi/ Edelweiss Consulting  - planting at Lochore Meadows Golf Course. 

That opportunity came through the Nature Restoration Fund. Working closely with our Ecology Advisor, Johanna Willi, we developed an ambitious trust-wide plan that viewed our seven golf courses as a connected network of green infrastructure. The aim was creating, enhancing and connecting habitat on the courses to improve biodiversity, strengthen ecological resilience and create nature-rich landscapes that deliver tangible benefits for wildlife, golfers and local communities alike. That vision ultimately became the Seven Golf Courses for Nature project, which was successfully funded and delivered across all sites.

How do you integrate biodiversity enhancement without compromising playing quality and presentation standards?

Maintaining high playing standards remains our primary focus, but we strongly believe that golf and nature can thrive side by side. The key has been effective engagement and clear communication with stakeholders, including golfers, staff, volunteers and partner organisations, to explain both the purpose and the benefits of the work.

This was supported through regular biodiversity blogs, on-course interpretation and volunteer sessions, which helped build understanding and enthusiasm. Many of the interventions have also enhanced the visual quality of the courses. For example, formerly straight, steep and eroded ditches have been reprofiled into gently meandering, naturalised watercourses, while hard treeline edges have been scalloped to improve habitat structure. These changes soften the landscape, improve resilience and enhance the overall golfing environment.

Heather Young, undertaking Freshwater Monitoring. 

What were the main operational and logistical challenges in delivering a trust-wide, funded restoration project?

Delivering a funded project simultaneously across seven sites was a significant challenge, particularly with a small operational team and tight delivery timescales. Each project required careful coordination of staff, contractors, machinery, materials and deliveries, often moving rapidly from one site to another.

The success of the programme was very much down to staff buy-in. The entire team embraced the wider objectives and understood the long-term value of the work. That collective commitment allowed us to meet all delivery targets on time and to a standard we are extremely proud of.

Which interventions have delivered the greatest on-course benefits so far?

Tree planting has arguably delivered the most immediate and visible impact. More than 10,000 native trees were planted across the seven courses, creating 8.7 hectares of new copses and extending hedgerows by over one kilometre. This has significantly improved age structure and species diversity across the sites.

From an ecological and hydrological perspective, the wetland creation at Glenrothes Golf Course stands out. What was previously an unmanaged, waterlogged grassland has been transformed into a diverse wetland mosaic. The area now provides valuable flood alleviation benefits while supporting a wide range of wetland species.

The Wiedenmann Super 600 mows and collects arisings efficiently.

What changes to mowing, inputs and maintenance regimes were required to establish meadow management successfully?

Meadow management has long formed part of our maintenance programme, but the project expanded this considerably, bringing an additional 17 hectares of rough grassland into active meadow management.

To support this, we invested in a Wiedenmann Super 600, allowing us to mow and collect arisings efficiently. Meadows are cut in the autumn, ideally while there is still active growth and before nutrients are returned to the soil. Removing arisings reduces soil fertility and encourages a more diverse, wildflower-rich sward. While late-summer cutting would be preferable from a biodiversity perspective, operational pressures on golf courses mean this remains a careful balancing act.

How did the appointment of a dedicated conservation worker improve delivery and outcomes?

The project plan included funding for a seasonal conservation role, and we were delighted to appoint Heather Young, a Wildlife and Conservation graduate. Initially recruited for the first delivery phase, her impact was such that we retained her for the full 18-month programme.

Heather now plays a central role in ensuring habitats are established, monitored and managed appropriately. We have since secured internal funding to continue the post and intend to develop it into a permanent Conservation Officer role. This reflects our long-term commitment to embedding biodiversity into everyday course management and strengthening partnerships with local trusts and community groups.

One of the freshwater channels at Glenrothes Golf Course, reprofiled to aide biodiversity and flood alleviation. 

You have transitioned to predominantly electric machinery. What operational differences will this bring?

A £2.4 million fleet renewal will see us move from mainly diesel-powered machinery to electric and hybrid equipment. Around 63% of the fleet will be fully electric, delivering an estimated 70% reduction in carbon emissions.

Beyond cutting fuel use, the transition will lower noise levels and operator exposure, creating a cleaner, quieter working environment for staff, golfers and wildlife. This shift complements the ecological gains achieved through the ecological restoration programme and supports our wider carbon-reduction strategy.

What metrics are you using to assess ecological success over time?

Monitoring is essential to demonstrate impact and feed back into management. Our conservation officer Heather carries out pollinator surveys using UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme FIT counts, alongside regular wildlife recording shared with the local biological records centre.

Freshwater quality is assessed using biotic indices to measure how habitat improvements are influencing ecological health. We are also participating in an R&A-led carbon sequestration study analysing carbon stocks across our courses, which will provide evidence of the role golf courses can play in climate mitigation.

How has national recognition influenced staff motivation and internal buy-in?

The recognition has been hugely motivating. The project was a collective effort, and national awards have reinforced its value.

Being recognised beyond the golf industry, particularly through the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards, created a strong sense of pride. The project has received multiple national accolades, and if it encourages other course managers to take similar steps, that will be an important legacy.

What practical advice would you offer to course managers considering similar initiatives?

Many course managers are already delivering environmental benefits, often without realising it. Engage with peers who are passionate about sustainability and share experiences.

Start small, build confidence and look for opportunities to scale up, including external funding. Registering with GEO provides a strong framework for benchmarking progress and working towards certification. Mapping your course, identifying habitat opportunities and involving an ecologist can help guide decisions. Above all, communicate clearly with stakeholders so they understand what you are doing and why.