Golf Course Architecture - Issue 59, January 2020

72 HOL ING OUT Club de Golf Alcanada has hired two new recruits to help maintain an area of land next to its golf course W hen Club de Golf Alcanada in Majorca, Spain, identified an area of land near the par-five thirteenth hole that needed maintaining, it decided to employ two donkeys rather than spending money on new machinery. The new recruits, named Estrella and Tomás, arrived at the Mallorcan club in December and have taken up residence in their own purpose-built shelter in an area of unused woodland near the thirteenth. “That area was our property but not part of the course,” said director of golf Kristoff Both. “It was overgrown and was becoming a potential fire hazard, so it needed to be cleared. We cleared the area ourselves, but it needs to be maintained, so Estrella and Tomás will be doing that for us. “They are great – two staff members who are no trouble at all! They clear away vegetation, they’ve got a nice place to live with some great views and it’s an environmentally friendly way to keep an area relatively clear. “The only issue we have had is when members bring along carrots and feed them with a few nice treats, which means they are not as hungry as they should be!” Alcanada has recently introduced a variety of new measure as it seeks to remain committed to the sustainability of its Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed golf course, which opened in 2003. The club renovated all its greens in winter 2018/19 as part of a €700,000 investment in the course, which included repairing cart paths, upgrading the irrigation system and replacing sand in all bunkers. “It all adds up to an extra element of environmental sustainability,” said Both. “I think it’s a good option as we don’t require any chemicals, since the application of herbicides is eliminated, in addition to fire prevention.” The club has also eliminated plastic cups and bottles – all water is now in Tetra Brik packaging. And last year, it partnered with Austrian environmental technology company DAS Energy to fit all buggies with solar panels. Recently, the course joined the European Challenge Tour as a host venue after it was selected to stage the Challenge Tour Grand Final. GCA Photos: Club de Golf Alcanada Doing the donkey work