Here’s why a historic British course is banning plastic tees

The oldest golf course in England is making a major change — no more plastic tees.

According to The Telegraph, Royal North Devon Golf Club in Northam, England, recently decided at a committee meeting to allow only wooden tees. As for the reason for the ban? It’s due to the fear of the harm they could cause animals and birds who eat them. The National Golf Club Managers’ Association told The Telegraph that Royal North Devon Golf Club is believed to be the first club to have banned plastic tees.

The ban begins on Jan. 1, 2020.

“The simple fact is that plastic tees are more likely to harm the birds and animals we share our wonderful course with,” the club said in a statement. “The greenkeepers will also tell you that they can do a great deal more harm to their equipment than a wooden tee. So from the start of the new decade we would like all golfers to only use wooden tees and the pro shop will only supply wooden tees. If you see a plastic tee (or a wooden one for that matter) that has been discarded please place it in one of the tee bins provided. There will soon be more of these for the other tee areas. Look after our environment and hopefully it will be there for many years to come.”

The course, which was founded in 1864, is near Westward Ho! beach and is a commonly graced by sheep and horses.