Robots on the Fairways, Solar Panels on the roof

Aim

Hythe Golf Club to slash its carbon footprint with Biological Control of the course, solar panels with battery storage and robotic mowers

“They’re is no such uncertainty as a sure thing” - Robert Burns

One “undeniable certainty” as the custodians of Hythe Golf Club is our vision to reduce our carbon footprint.

Renowned for its natural beauty, peace and tranquility, easy access and stunning coastal views, the club is a sanctuary and charming leisure facility for members and visitors of a wide age range. 

Our small but vibrant club, with 240 members, is a lifeline for many older members who rely on golf as their primary source of exercise and social connection. We aim to increase this membership.

How do we operate?

Operating solely on membership fees, visitor paying fees and modest revenue from sundry sales, tea, coffee, and alcohol, we manage the course with passion and commitment. Volunteer efforts are the backbone of our operations, helping to ensure that the course thrives as a community treasure.

We are hoping to raise £33k towards funding of the following:

• Symbio programme for the biological management of the greens - £12k.
• One electrically powered Robot  for mowing fairways - £12k.
• Solar Panel installation - £9k ( to be added to a grant already offered  by Rural England through Folkestone and Hythe District Council)

Hythe Golf Club’s vision is to

• establish greener and affordable golfing for all, targeting the under 18s and older people who are inactive in the community;
• to engage with individuals who believe that golf is beyond their skills, ability and affordability thereby promoting sustainable participation in the game;
• reduce our carbon footprint in line with local, national and international targets, demonstrating that sport, conservation and the natural world can coexist;
• conserve water;
• improve our recycling systems;
• improve accessibility;

We will do this by

• managing the golf course greens organically without the use of chemicals;
• using plant based cleaning products in the clubhouse facilities;
• using solar panels to fuel the clubhouse and charge equipment so reducing our carbon footprint; 
• employing local people;
• using robotic mowers to cut the fairways thus reducing pollution from diesel fumes, cutting our carbon footprint, reducing compaction damage from heavy machinery and saving time and money;
• collecting rainwater and using it to wash down machinery and pathways;
• re-allocating recycling bins on and around the course;
• buying local produce for clubhouse catering ;
• maintaining easy access to the course in the longer term by investing in more solar powered buggies for older people and those with disabilities;
• marketing our club widely including schools, hotels, holiday clubs, retirement villages, Air BnBs;
• partnering with our local education providers and offer work experience and more apprenticeships;

Why are we doing this?

Hythe Golf Club values the iconic open space it occupies with all it has to offer to visitors and the local community, whether Club members or those who currently do not participate in sport.   We know that sport is good for mental and physical wellbeing. We are also aware that, since the pandemic, there are significantly more people with poor physical and mental health. We wish to reach these people and support the national drive to get people of working age back to work.

We know that our NHS does prescribe social activity for patient health. Golf is currently the subject of a health initiative in Scotland, with GPs prescribing golf for individuals to encourage a more active lifestyle. The aim - to help to keep our society fit, and reduce the burden on our NHS; to promote individual and social wellbeing.

Why is Hythe Golf Club such a special place?

Hythe Golf Club affords a real sense of place.  It sits on a natural flood plain draining large volumes of water from the escarpment above the town. It acts as a green lung giving out oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide during the day whilst working hand in hand with the sea to serve as a carbon dioxide sink. As a mature links course, the property has large areas of rough grassland supporting wild flowers, insects and pollinators, small mammals and reptiles, including grass snakes and adders.  The bird life includes Kestrel,Sparrow Hawk and Common Buzzard with the occasional Pheasant joining our Common Gulls and Herring Gulls.  Wagtails visit us from the beach and woodland birds visit from the trees bordering the canal.

What does coming to Hythe Golf Club mean to those who play and visit here?

Hythe Golf Club is a place of peace and tranquillity where the community comes to relax after a day at work or before breakfast to catch the sunrise.  It has a therapeutic influence on all who encounter it.  It is totally dark at night.  The absence of light pollution benefits the preservation of nocturnal wildlife as well as enthusiastic star gazers.  

For all members, but especially the older ones, or those who live alone, every round of golf is not just a sporting activity, it is far more. It is:

• meeting up with friends,
• having a walk and a chat with their playing partners during the 3 or 4 hours on the golf course,
• maintaining their physical fitness during their 5 mile walk and making their golf swings each round,
• entering competitions if they wish to, keeping up their competitive edge and drive,
• having a beer or a non-alcoholic beverage, or a coffee in the clubhouse after the golf, socialising with the staff and the players who have played on the day

All enjoy a warm welcome in the clubhouse, before and after their rounds. In fact, we get a small migration to Hythe Golf Club every year of older players who are finding their courses too strenuous to play, and who enjoy the welcoming hospitality and friendliness of our intimate setting.

Given the health benefits the game of golf affords, it is crucial for us to stay relevant and environmentally friendly.  Achieving success with this initiative will help us to achieve this objective.

To achieve all of the above we need your help.

For every £1 we raise SPORT ENGLAND has pledged to match fund us Up to a value of £15k so if we raise £15k they have pledged £15k.  This demonstrates how important and valued our project is not only locally but nationally.

By supporting us you will be contributing to a sustainable way of promoting affordable accessible golf for everyone.

By making a donation you can make a big difference. Please look at our rewards. They may influence your donation.

Thank you

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made