St Andrews Links Blog

A look back on Dunhill week

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship careered into town last week accompanied by television towers, trucks, giant screens and tons of foot traffic – did it affect the Links’ wildlife? Not at all! The areas where these giant machines were located are regularly mowed and checked for any ground dwelling critters or hibernation zones – thus minimising any disturbance. The gorse, wild rose, fungi and any remaining flowers are not bothered by all the commotion so there are lots of places to hide if things get too heavy for the smaller Links wildlife – but you would have thought that they would be used to it by now wouldn’t you!

Speaking of wildlife, The Castle Course is proving to be a hidden gem of late. Blackcap, blue tit, buzzard, kestrel, weasel, hare, shrew and so on have all been sighted this past week but I think the highlight was a playful seal which made an appearance in the sea just off the left hand side of the 9th green. Another smashing spotting was a small group of roe deer alongside the 2nd hole. They are regularly sighted by the early morning greenkeepings so the trick is to be around at daybreak.

Above: Blue tit at The Castle Course

Above: Jackdaw on the ‘out of bounds’ fence, Castle Course

Now onto the important stuff – eco management of the golf courses. Actually there’s not too much to report on other than we have been nibbling away at the gorse shrubs again. The team were removing the centre section of a gorse stand on the 17th of the Jubilee this week as this hole was not part of the composite course which has been set up to allow golf to continue throughout the Dunhill. Only two of my team from last week are shown in the below photo. We did have another member (Gary) but he seems to be slightly camera shy and sneaked out of shot. Thanks for the help guys!

Above: Jamie (left) and Lorenzo (right)

 

Words by James Hutchinson, Environmental Officer