Current Reservoir
Built in 2001 and holds 40,000 m3
Sustainability
Our actions are part of the solution.
Our Sustainability
Burhill Golf & Leisure Ltd, running eleven golf venues across England, has a long track record in delivering meaningful improvements in sustainability, with all BGL Golf venues already having achieved carbon neutrality through Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. BGL’s key goal is to become net zero in 2027. The group were the first in golf accredited by the Golf Environment Organisation back in 2013, with clear evidence of long-term commitment and investment in improving biodiversity, switching to green energy sources, developing sequestration and building of reservoirs to create drought resilience.
Meet our
Executive General Manager
Nick Moran has made 7 fundamental commitments to guide our Net Zero strategy. Burhill Golf Club, part of the BGL Group, has led sustainable golf and climate action for the past decade and will continue to pursue a greener future. Our commitments align with the Sustainable Golf Themes, Action Areas, OnCourse® tracking, Annual Scorecards, and 5-year Certification from GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. We are proud of our achievements in Energy, Water, and Waste and remain dedicated to sustainability to reduce our environmental impact for the benefit of employees, members, and guests.
Our 7 Commitments
For the last decade, BGL & Burhill Golf Club have been sector leaders in sustainable golf and climate action. These are our commitments for the coming years.
Planning Policies & Procurement
Staff & Golfer Engagement
Taking Climate Action
Conserving Resources
Fostering Nature
Strengthening Communities
Tracking and Reporting
Planning Policies & Procurement
Staff & Golfer Engagement
Taking Climate Action
Conserving Resources
Fostering Nature
Strengthening Communities
Tracking and Reporting
We are
Carbon Neutral
At Burhill Golf Club, we’re committed to protecting the beautiful surroundings that make our venue so special. That’s why we’re proud to have achieved carbon neutral status — a milestone that reflects our dedication to sustainable golf and responsible stewardship of the environment.
By reducing emissions, working with local suppliers, and supporting verified offset projects, we’re helping to create a greener future for our members, guests, and community.
Natural Habitats
Burhill Golf Club is dedicated to maintaining and creating wildflower meadows, a vital component of our commitment to environmental sustainability. These meadows provide numerous ecological benefits, including enhanced biodiversity by supporting a variety of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. By fostering these habitats, we contribute to the preservation of local flora and fauna, promote soil health, and improve water absorption, helping to mitigate flooding. Furthermore, wildflower meadows enrich the landscape, offering scenic beauty for our members and visitors while playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration.
Wild Garlic
Burhill Golf Club’s initiative to foster wild garlic along its riverbanks offers several sustainability benefits. Firstly, wild garlic acts as a natural ground cover, preventing soil erosion and stabilising riverbanks, which contributes to the overall health of the water ecosystem. The presence of wild garlic also aids in improving water quality; its roots help filter pollutants and enhance the aquatic environment. Moreover, wild garlic can attract beneficial insects and repel harmful pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Bluebell Carpets
Burhill Golf Club champions the ecological and aesthetic benefits of bluebell carpets in its woodlands. These beautiful blooms support biodiversity by providing habitat for pollinators, small mammals, and ground-nesting birds. Their dense root systems help improve soil health and prevent erosion, while the visual appeal of bluebells enhances the natural beauty of the landscape.
Our Natural Habitats
Tree Species
Burhill Golf Club is proud to feature a diverse range of trees on its grounds, including oak, pine, eucalyptus, beech, lime and wellingtonias. This variety not only enhances the beauty of our landscape but also plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability.
Each tree species contributes uniquely to the ecosystem: oaks support a wide array of wildlife, providing habitats and food sources, while pines and eucalyptus help improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide. Beech trees offer excellent shade and shelter for other plants and animals, fostering biodiversity. Wellingtonias, known for their impressive size, can store significant amounts of carbon, further aiding in climate change mitigation.
Animal Life
Burhill Golf Club is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, badgers, rabbits, foxes, and even mink. The presence of these animals contributes significantly to the ecological health of our grounds. Deer play a role in managing plant growth and promoting diverse habitats, while badgers, as burrowing animals, help aerate the soil, enhancing its quality. Rabbits and foxes maintain a natural balance in the ecosystem by participating in the food chain, which helps control plant populations and supports overall biodiversity.
Moreover, these species thrive in the natural landscapes we protect and cultivate, fostering a resilient ecosystem that can better withstand environmental changes.
Birds
Burhill Golf Club is a vibrant sanctuary for birdlife, hosting an estimated 75 species, including majestic kites, colourful feral parakeets, graceful geese, and elegant swans. This rich avian diversity enhances the ecological balance of our grounds and reflects our commitment to sustainability.
Birds play essential roles in the environment; they assist in pollination, seed dispersal, and natural pest control, all of which contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Kites and swans help maintain the populations of smaller animals.
Our dedication to protecting and nurturing birdlife underscores our commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Caught on camera
Bug Houses
We are proud to show you our very own bug houses, designed to support local insects and boost biodiversity! These little habitats provide safe spaces for pollinators and other beneficial bugs, helping to keep our ecosystem balanced and our grounds thriving. We hope the bugs love their new home!
Burhill Recycling
Burhill Golf Club is taking a big step toward sustainability with the introduction of our own recycling bins throughout the property. These bins make it easy for everyone—members and visitors alike—to recycle waste properly, helping to reduce landfill contributions and conserve resources. By promoting responsible waste management, we aim to cultivate a culture of sustainability that encourages everyone to rethink their environmental impact.
New Initiatives
Lithium Power
A significant step toward enhancing our sustainability efforts. By switching to lithium air blowers, greens mowers, and greenkeeping team vehicles, we are reducing our carbon footprint while maintaining the high standards of our course maintenance.
Re Usable Mug
Designed with both functionality and the environment in mind, this mug helps reduce single-use waste while keeping your favourite beverages hot and fresh. Made from eco-friendly materials, it embodies our commitment to sustainability and encourages a greener lifestyle.
Energy
We take pride in powering our facilities with 100% renewable electricity from the UK’s green energy grid. This commitment reflects our dedication to sustainability and our responsibility to protect the natural environment that makes our club so special.
By choosing renewable energy, we are reducing our carbon footprint and supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future. Every unit of renewable electricity we use contributes to a healthier environment, cleaner air, and a more resilient energy network for everyone.
Waste
Zero waste is sent to landfill at Burhill Golf Club, through our partnership with First Waste, we ensure that all waste generated on-site is collected, sorted, and processed responsibly, with materials recycled, reused, or converted into energy wherever possible.
By keeping waste out of landfill, we help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, conserve valuable resources, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier community.
Water
100% of water used on our courses comes from sustainable sources. By carefully managing how we collect, store, and use water, we ensure that our beautiful greens stay in top condition without drawing on local mains supplies or placing pressure on community resources.
This responsible approach helps protect local water reserves, supports regional biodiversity, and ensures that our surrounding environment remains healthy and resilient.
Waste
Ultimately our goal is to be taking in more energy than we are emitting. Which we will calculate through our measurement and calculations of scopes 1 and 2 detailed below.
In the short term we are reviewing the potential for the installation of solar PV and the transition to a Certified Green Gas supply to further reduce consumption and emissions.
Reservoir
Burhill Golf Club is delighted to announce plans for the construction of a new on-site reservoir, a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to sustainability and course excellence.
This forward-thinking project would allow the Club to become fully self-sufficient in water, ensuring that both our Old and New Courses remain in immaculate condition, even during the driest summer months.
It represents an investment in our environment, in the long-term future of the Club, and in maintaining the exceptional playing conditions our members and guests expect and deserve.
2nd Reservoir Position
Next to the 13th fairway on the New Course
Design of new reservoir
The second reservoir will feed the original reservoir, which then feeds into the pump houses, with the pump houses feeding the golf courses. Having the second reservoir will give Burhill 72000 m3 of sustainable irrigation sourced from mainly winter flood water from the River Mole. The equivalent of 29 Olympic swimming pools covering 2500 irrigation heads across both courses and practice area.
NET ZERO BY 2027