Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club, part of BGL (Burhill Group Limited), has been named the winner of the Sustainability Project of the Year at the 2025 England Golf Awards in recognition of its pioneering environmental initiatives and long-standing commitment to sustainable practices.
A GEO Certified venue since 2013, Birchwood Park impressed judges with a comprehensive programme of projects aimed at enhancing the biodiversity, cutting waste, and improving resource efficiency.
In partnership with The Woodland Trust, the club has restored 1.2 hectares of woodland with native tree-species, boosting biodiversity, supporting wildlife habitats, and contributing to carbon capture. It has also achieved zero waste to landfill, increasing recycling rates by 35% through improved waste segregation, packaging recyclability, and team training.
An innovative water management system now captures rain and car park run-off to irrigate the golf course. This, in addition to the 14,000 cubic metre reservoir that was built in 2013, means that no mains water is used on the golf course whatsoever, also preventing pollutants from reaching local waterways.
“We’re really proud to receive this recognition,” said Stephen Norton, General Manager at Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club. “It reflects years of hard work by the team and our members, who’ve embraced a shared responsibility to reduce our impact and protect the environment for the future.”
He added: “Our goal was never to win awards. It was just to do the right thing. But we hope this recognition inspires other clubs to look seriously at how they can become more sustainable. With growing pressures on resources like water and chemicals, we all have a part to play in shaping a more responsible future for golf.”
This award highlights Birchwood Park’s role as a leader in sustainable golf within the UK and reflects BGL’s wider group strategy that places environmental stewardship and long-term thinking at the heart of its operations across its entire portfolio of golf venues nationwide.
Located in Dartford, Kent, Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club offers an 18-hole championship course, 9-hole short course, state-of-the-art gym, health club, spa, and modern clubhouse facilities, making it one of the region’s leading destinations for golf, fitness, and wellbeing.
To find out more, visit: https://birchwoodparkgc.co.uk/