This morning, a few of us were invited for a walk around Harrogate Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Ken Ward. Although the course isn’t open to the public, they kindly welcomed us as direct neighbours to share how they’re looking after the land—and it turned out to be a thoughtful and eye-opening visit.
The course sits on what was once Belmont Farm, land gifted by the Slingsby Estate in 1899. Belmont means beautiful hill, and it fits—the views open up across to Knaresborough, and the land still carries the feel of its past. Remnants of Belmont Wood, thought to be part of the old Forest of Knaresborough, are still present, including the remarkable Belmont Oak, a 450-year-old tree with a quiet authority all of its own.
As we walked, Ken talked us through how their approach has shifted over the years—less focus on manicured perfection, more space given back to nature. Areas of rough are being left to grow out and managed for wildflowers. Ponds are being created to capture and store spring water. Moisture meters now guide irrigation, and drought-tolerant grasses are helping to reduce reliance on water and chemicals. One pond we passed was full of frogspawn—an encouraging sight at this time of year.
What’s particularly striking is how all of this has been done with intention. The club is GEO Certified, a recognised sustainability standard in the golfing world that reflects genuine commitment—not just to nature and climate, but to community too. That certification is the result of steady work by their small Sustainability Team, led by members David Rance and John Margerison, with support from Ken and the team. It’s a meaningful achievement, placing Harrogate Golf Club among a growing network of clubs working to show what golf can offer when it’s aligned with nature rather than in conflict with it.
Along the way, a golfer came over between holes and struck up a conversation with Shan about the birds on the course—a small, friendly exchange that said a lot. People care about this place, and it shows.
There’s a quiet, serious effort to strike a better balance. Trefoils, scabious, cowslips, and other wildflowers are returning. Roe deer pass through the woods. Birdlife is thriving, helped along by nest boxes and the shelter of old trees. The whole site feels more alive.
It was a calm and grounding morning—a reminder that even in unexpected places, there are people working patiently and practically to care for the land.
It was a pleasure to guide you around our beautiful course. We would love to welcome you back in the summer when the grassland management areas look their abundant best. KW
Thank you for this thoughtful account of what's happening behind the scenes at the Golf CLub. Really good to read about!