ABC Gardening Australia Showcases Our Club

In 2024, Sophie Thomson and ABC Gardening Australia visited Glenelg Golf Club to showcase the incredible biodiversity work taking place across our course. Amidst a landscape often associated with manicured greens and fairways, visitors are often surprised to discover thriving native habitats and diverse plant species flourishing in areas not typically used for play.

For the past seven years, Monina Gilbey has dedicated her efforts to transforming non-golfing areas into vibrant, ecologically rich zones. Naturalised roughs, areas in front of tees, and other out-of-play spaces have been carefully planted with a diverse range of native species to enhance local ecosystems and promote biodiversity.

One of the most remarkable plants found on our course is Podolepis jaceoides, an endangered species on the Adelaide Plains. This golden flower, a member of the Compositae family, can be seen near the 14th and 18th fairways. Each flower head contains hundreds of tiny florets rich in nectar and pollen, attracting a variety of insects. The reintroduction of this species has also supported local conservation efforts, with seeds collected and distributed for broader restoration projects across Adelaide.

Nearby, you’ll also find Austrostipa nodosa, a striking local grass species that isn’t endangered but adds stunning texture to the landscape, especially when backlit by the sun. Another rare find is Podolepis rugata var. littoralis, an endangered coastal variety that continues to thrive in carefully protected areas of our course.

Glenelg Golf Club’s unique topography, with areas ranging from sea level up to 23 metres above, creates a variety of microhabitats that support different species of plants and wildlife. To date, the course is home to over 344 insect species and more than 95 bird species, highlighting the success of ongoing environmental stewardship.

Through initiatives like these, Glenelg Golf Club continues to balance championship golf with meaningful environmental care, proving that golf courses can play an important role in supporting biodiversity even in the heart of urban Adelaide.

Watch Episode 32, from 9 minutes and 40 seconds of the video to watch the segment about Glenelg Golf Club