The Grange Golf Club Inc was first established in 1926 when a group of golf enthusiasts recognised the land structure and vegetation at Grange closely resembled features similar to Links golf courses. The natural land structure and vegetation was appreciated by the Club and has coincidentally resulted in conserving one of the few remaining areas of remnant vegetation along the Adelaide metropolitan coast.
The Club grounds feature over 100 native plant species. 5 of these species are listed as Uncommon, 3 are Rare, 1 is Vulnerable, and 1 is considered Endangered. Click here to download the Grange Native Plant Species List
To assist in the management of this native vegetation the Club wrote a Native Vegetation Management Plan. This plan has provided the Club with priorities to direct current and future conservation activities. The Grange Golf Club Native Vegetation Management is coming soon.
Native Vegetation Aims
Over the last 5-10 years the Club has been actively engaged in the conservation of these remnant plant communities through; revegetation and exotic plant control works.
Between 1995 and 2007 over 250 exotic tree and shrub species were removed and replaced with 5,400 native trees and 22,000 ground covers (Carter 2007).
The aim of the conservation work is to:
- To protect and restore areas of remnant vegetation, specifically species of conservation significance.
- To reduce the impact introduced plants and animals have on native flora and fauna.
- To create corridors of native vegetation for native fauna and flora.
- To increase the amount of land within the grounds occupied by native vegetation.
- To educate The Grange Golf Club staff, members and the greater community about the importance of native vegetation conservation.
Current Works and Future Plans For Native Vegetation at The Grange Golf Club
So far in 2008 the Club has created 4 new revegetation areas. These are on the West Course at the 4th tee, 12th green, between the 10th and 18th fairways and along the 18th tee. The focus of this revegetation has been to create sandy grasslands using a variety of native grasses and low shrubs. This has included; Stipa, Danthnoia, Themeda, Elymus, Chloris, Dianellas, Enchylena, Threkeldia and Myoporums.
In 2009 the Club aims to continue restoration activities in the remnant vegetation areas and carry out revegetation of native species in designated areas.
One of the areas scheduled for revegetation in 2009 is the entire western boundary. The aim is to re-create a native vegetation corridor which resembles past vegetation community, increase populations of native plant species, and screen housing from wayward golf balls.
Plants Of Special Environmental Intrest
The Sandhill Greenhood orchid (Pterostylis arenicola) is of particular interest as it only occurs at The Grange Golf Club and at a site in Tailem Bend, SA. This plant is considered Endangered. The presence of this endangered orchid has sparked interest from local botanists and conservation group, who regularly visit the site to complete plant surveys and conduct directed effective weed management.
The Orchid can be observed in the Pinary area from early winter through to spring.
