FIRST OPERATION POLLINATOR CHAMPION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Established in 1892, Massereene Golf Club in Co Antrim is a challenging and picturesque 18-hole parkland course, offering dramatic panoramic views across Lough Neagh. Now it has another attraction for golfers and visitors, as Northern Ireland's first Operation Pollinator Champion Club.

Over the next few months the greenkeeping team will be establishing the wildflower habitat that is set to create a valuable haven for pollinating insects and other wildlife, as well as an interesting and colourful feature for golfers. Along with the superbly presented greens and well maintained fairways, it is another element to enhance the overall playing experience at Massereene.

The Club's Greens Convenor, Allan Peoples, believes the ecological work will also be attractive to the members, as well as wildlife. "We aim to provide a great golfing experience to all our players. Operation Pollinator is an extension of the environmental initiatives and importance that we place on ecological care in management of the course which makes Massereene Golf Club such an exciting and interesting place to play golf.

"Helping to resurrect bumblebee populations will help to prove that golf courses can be managed in harmony with the environment and give both the players and managers immense pride in their club," he added.

Massereene is one of the clubs that has taken advantage of the Operation Pollinator training workshops provided by Syngenta and run by STRI Head of Ecology, Bob Taylor. It has also taken advantage of the free support material and player communication resources available on the GreenCast website, including presentations and a press release template designed to attract new players to the course.