The Tahuna Golf Club in New Zealand has decided to make a significant change by replacing their flock of sheep, which has been maintaining their fairways for over 50 years, with mowers. This decision was made due to the high cost of replacing 125 ewes, amounting to NZ$25,000 ($14,787.50) this year. Frank Hopper, a life member of the club, mentioned that another reason for this change was to appeal to younger members who may not enjoy navigating through sheep dung while playing their shots.
According to Hopper, there has been a growing preference among players for a fully-groomed course rather than one with sheep roaming around. The absence of animal waste on the course makes it easier for players to clean their shoes and equipment after a game. While New Zealand is known for its large sheep population of 25 million, which surpasses the human population of around five million, the Tahuna Golf Club is not the only one in the world that has used sheep as groundskeepers.
For instance, the Eastern Sward Golf Club near Melbourne, Australia, introduced sheep, alpacas, ponies, and goats in 2019 as part of an environmental initiative to reduce the use of artificial chemicals in grass management. Similarly, the Green Eagle Golf Course in Winsen near Hamburg, Germany, which hosts the European Open on the DP World Tour, also employs sheep to maintain the rough areas of the course.
The decision to replace sheep with mowers at the Tahuna Golf Club marks the end of an era, but it reflects a growing trend in the golf industry towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. By transitioning to mechanical mowers, the club not only reduces costs but also eliminates the challenges associated with having animals on the course.
This shift aligns with the broader movement within the golfing community to adopt eco-friendly measures and minimize the environmental impact of golf courses. As clubs worldwide explore alternative methods for course maintenance, such as using sheep or other animals, the industry is moving towards a more sustainable future. While the sight of sheep on a golf course may be charming, the practicality and efficiency of using mowers ultimately outweigh the traditional appeal of having ovine groundskeepers.
