was named ‘Near the Drink’ in the hole-naming initiative in 2021; a very apt name for the hole following this fabulous development. Ecology and woodland management The club benefits from many varieties of wildlife living within our ecologically diverse environment and one of the main aims of the development plan was, and continues to be, to enhance the club’s ecological reputation. Enhancements, particularly through woodland management, the installation of an additional pond on the 18th hole and a sympathetic attitude to the use of fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides have always been part of the club strategy, but our desire is to create further biodiversity over the coming years. Woodland management is an important task that is under constant review by Jasper Fulford-Dobson, a club member and well-known local arboriculturist. A number of the original mature woodland copses are of a similar age which is not ideal. However, the age profile was significantly enhanced at the beginning of the millennium when over 4,000 new indigenous trees were planted around the course. Discussion with the South-Oxfordshire tree officer always takes place in the run-up to any tree being pruned or removed so the result is a net gain both in numbers, types and age of trees following any specific hole- improvement works. Badgemore also has its own bees and an abundance of plants and flowers for the worker bees to collect their nectar from each year – local beekeeper, Chris Pye, creates the delicious B:MORE honey. Towards the end of our golden anniversary celebrations, the club and members will be supporting the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by planting 50 specimen trees around the Badgemore Park course and estate as part of the Queen’s ‘Green Canopy’ initiative.
Improvements continue to be made across a whole range of areas from staff selection, induction, and ongoing development to encourage and foster career and team development within the club. This delivers excellent staff satisfaction and retention. A stable team results in positive engagement with members and visitors, who are welcomed with a warm smile when at the club. The golf course ‘The strategy of the golf course is the soul of the game. The spirit of golf is to dare a hazard, and by negotiating it reap a reward, while he/she who fears or declines the issue of a carry, has a longer or harder shot for his/her second, or his/her second and third on long holes; yet the player who avoids the unwise effort gains advantage over one who tries for more than in him/her lies, or who fails under the test.’ Creative Golf, 2013 In 2013 Ken Moodie, from Creative Golf Design, was appointed to undertake a proposal for course improvement. The programme of improvement from that report commenced in 2013 and continues to the present day. From the creation of new greens at the first and fifth holes to the complete renovation and re-siting of all bunkers, re-shaping of several fairways and installation of new teeing areas to a number of holes – the improvement programme has been extensive. In 2004, installation of a fully automated Rainbird irrigation system to all greens, tees, approaches, and fairways was undertaken. As a direct result of this investment Badgemore Park’s reputation for producing quality playing surfaces for golfers of all abilities to enjoy all year round has grown considerably. 2022’s golden anniversary sees the addition of a spectacular finish to a round at Badgemore with the opening of the new pond at the approach to the 18th green. The 18th
“2022’s golden anniversary sees the addition of a spectacular finish to a round at Badgemore with the opening of the new pond at the approach to the 18th green”
ABOVE: AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE NEW 1ST AND 5TH GREENS
63 / THREAD THE NEEDLE
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