Recent heavy snow in the UK has lead to these thoughts from Tim Lobb on January 6th, 2010.
In Surrey we have had a good fall of snow in the last 12 hours. We probably have about 8-10 inches on the ground and roads are impassable. Working from home today and below is the scene from my house. It is a magical scene but gets you thinking about climate change and how it is all going to affect us in the future if the current trend continues.
Will this be a common scene in years to come?
The winter in the UK thus far has been one of the coldest on record with quite a lot of snow already. In recent weeks I have been lucky enough to attend various environmental and climate change seminars. The overriding story is that our weather is becoming more extreme and unpredictable. Colder winters and hotter summer with rain events becoming more extreme will be the scene in the future if we don’t change our ways.
So how does this affect us in the golf course design world? Well in our world of golf course design TPL have always tried to create a golf course that melds perfectly and in harmony with the environment that we are working in. For example if we are in the desert we try to produce a water conserving design with a minimal grassed footprint to reduce the water consumption requirements. In Northern Europe or colder climates drainage is key and the need to keep playing surfaces dry and playable as a primary concern. But in the UK prolonged snow and icy conditions has meant that some of our courses are struggling to recover from the conditions and to remain open for play.
Whilst working at European Golf Design I was lucky enough to work on a project in Finland called Linna Golf (Opened in 2005). During that project many things were learnt to help the golf course cope with snow and the effects of extreme cold weather of Finland. Whilst the snow was a beautiful blanket in winter it also could cause damage for the Spring time opening and playing season.
Some of the tactics used in the design of Linna Golf might have to be adopted for the UK should these extreme winter condition continue. Tactics included:
- Cut off drains to capture snow melt in early Spring prior to it hitting the playing surfaces.
- Where possible avoid north sloping greens so as the green would receive maximum sun exposure.
- Ensure plenty of sun light from the southern side.
- Flush out and empty irrigation lines prior to the onset of winter.
Perfect playing conditions at Linna Golf, Finland
With the UK and many parts of Europe currently covered in snow should we start to consider these extreme winter design techniques? Will rainfalls start to get so heavy that major storm water drainage systems (like in tropical areas) be common practice for traditional constant rainfall locations such as the UK and Ireland?
At all costs we need to stem the effects of this rapid climate change and revise our practices to create a smaller footprint of consumption. Golf is also part of this picture as our designs and practices need to ensure that a complementary golfing environment is designed and implemented in all various conditions encountered. Additionally the need and necessity for specialist environmental consultants such as GEO or the STRI being part of the design team is never as important as it is right now to create a golf course that is in fact an advantage that the pre-existing environmental conditions encountered and not a burden.
To be continued with further thought.
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