The Sports Turf Research Institute - About STRI

Departmental Head of Ecology and Environment  

 Contact Bob Taylor

Bob is responsible for the day to day management of the Ecology and Environment unit. Bob set up the service for STRI back in 1989, which now employs a total of 6 full time staff. Much of Bob’s time is spent on golf courses throughout Europe carrying out wildlife Audits Habitat surveys and undertaking ecological and environmental assessments, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s). The later are an increasing part of his and the teams work.

Bob is the official environmental consultant to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and is responsible for managing ecological and environmental sensitivities on all of the of the Open Championship golf courses.

Bob is generally accepted as an expert in most aspects of habitat management and species identification and management, and he is very well known and respected both within and outside the golfing industry.

All advice offered is totally "independent" and without bias. 

Relevant Experience

Bob has a honours degree in Pure Botany (University of Sheffield) and many years of self development. Through his passion and commitment the Ecology and Environment Unit has grown to become the largest and most successful consultancy operating within the golf industry.

Bob sits on the technical development panel of Golf Environment Europe’s (GEE) European Forum for Sustainable Golf.

Bob is a full member of the Institute for Ecological and Environmental Management and is also a full member of the BASIS Professional Register.

Clients Include: Carnoustie Golf Links, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, St. Andrews Castle Course, Royal North, Devon Golf Club, Tralee Golf Club, LaHinch Golf Club, Royal County Down Golf Club

Speciality Areas

Bob is generally accepted as an expert in most aspects of habitat and species management, his species identification skills are considerable. Bob is an expert in mycology (the study of larger fungi), birds and flowers and is a very capable general field naturalist. He is recognised as the most experienced consultant dealing with all aspects of ecological and environmental management on golf courses.

Coastal erosion is an additional specialism and one that is forming an important part of his and the teams work. Bob has written widely and gives numerous talks, lectures and on-course walks each year to golf clubs and interested groups.