When it comes to sustainability in golf, Colmworth Golf Club is up there as one of the most prominent, and the Club has once again been nominated for an award, recognising its commitment to their environment.
Colmworth has been announced as a finalist for the ‘Sustainability Project of the Year’ award at the 2026 England Golf Awards, recognising its bold, practical and community‑centred approach to environmental stewardship.
This year’s England Golf Awards will be held at Manchester Deansgate on 3 March, with Bedfordshire County Golf Ltd also up for a gong after receiving a nomination for the ‘Respect in Golf’ award.
Colmworth are up against two other clubs for the prize, with Surrey’s Burhill Golf Club and Redbourn Golf Club in Hertfordshire also nominated for the sustainability award.
Sustainability is embedded in every aspect of Colmworth’s operations, demonstrating that exceptional golf and ecological responsibility can go hand in hand.
The club has maintained its course entirely without fungicides for the past two years, supported by minimal herbicide use and hand‑weeding on greens.
This nomination adds to an already impressive collection, which includes two prestigious sustainability awards won at The Golf Environment Awards, and Sustainability Project of the Year at England Golf’s Centenary Awards – both earned in 2024.
Read: Colmworth Golf Club leading the way on tackling the sport’s environmental impacts
Their work continued into 2025, and there plans to be no let up this year either, with more projects on the horizon.
Strengthening the community
At the top of a long list are carefully managed wild zones to encourage natural regeneration at Colmworth, creating rich habitats that boost biodiversity across the estate.
Native trees and plants have been introduced to support pollinators and wildlife, while irrigation is supplied exclusively from the club’s own lake – eliminating reliance on mains water, and a new compost toilet on the course provides an inclusive facility for all visitors and avoids the use of harsh chemicals.
“Sustainability protects the future of Colmworth Golf Club and the planet we all depend on”, said Tilly Vesely, a Partner at Colmworth Golf Club.
“It enhances our environment, strengthens our community, and reflects who we are as a club. Most importantly, we’re passionate about bringing as many people as we can along for the journey.”
Once flat farmland, the 100 acres at Colmworth has been transformed into a true nature haven. The estate now features thickets, wild areas, wooded zones, and three large lakes that harvest water for summer irrigation.
These lakes, along with numerous small ponds, create abundant habitats for various creatures.
Otters and kingfishers are regularly spotted enjoying these waterways, and the holiday cottages overlooking the lakes host what is likely to be one of the largest house martin colonies in the UK each summer.
Staff at the golf club occasionally catch them building their nests and continue to watch them dive-bomb the lakes, which is described as “an absolute joy!” by those who are lucky enough to witness it.
A transition to renewable tech
Colmworth’s transition to electric and renewable technologies has also been transformative.
Electric tools, robot mowers and solar‑powered charging stations have already reduced fossil fuel consumption by more than 3,200 litres a year at the club, while expanded battery storage now enables the club to operate off‑grid for much of the summer.
A biomass boiler also heats the entire site using renewable fuel and green waste and food waste are composted on site, returning nutrients to the land and closing the loop on resource use.
“From turning pallets into member tags, to selling apple juice from our own trees and honey from our bees, we continue to reuse, repurpose and support local suppliers wherever possible”, added Tilly.
“We’re pushing even further this year with ambitious plans, including continuing our drive to operate fully off‑grid, more solar installations and a new electric vehicle charging points for visitors and members”.
Beyond the course, Colmworth has cultivated a vibrant culture of community engagement. Wildlife events, upcycling initiatives and home‑grown produce all contribute to a welcoming, environmentally conscious atmosphere that inspires all who visit.
The England Golf Awards awards celebrate the people making a positive impact on the sport, with special honours such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, Young Volunteer of the Year, and Hall of Fame inductees announced on the night.
The full list of nominees for the England Golf Awards can be found here.
