Horses and hang gliders add to the hazards on Moor John Lelean meets David Hannam, the inventive greenkeeper with plenty of problems to solve.

radford, the heart of the wool- structed on common land on fairways. len industry, was one of the Baildon Moor. It is still common Baildon's most famous neighbour Bwealthiest parts of the coun- land despite the private golf club. is show jumper Harvey Smith, try just before the turn of the century Adjoining land-owners have the whose extensive stables overlook so it was inevitable that areas of right to graze cattle and sheep, dog the ninth green. He exercises his sheep grazing on the residential out- owners are free to wander at will, horses across the golf course daily, skirts, but still in sight of the satanic horses are ridden daily and on a but keeps away from the playing mills would become, what was then warm Bank Holiday it is not surfaces as far as possible. the rich man's hobby - golf courses. unusual to find a family picknick- Nine courses were constructed ing on one of the greens. Fortunately he custody of the course is in within a ten mile radius of the city there are not too many warm week- the capable hands of the new between 1891 and 1900 among ends on Baildon Moor. TNorthern Regional Adminis- them Baildon Golf Club, once The latest hazard for golfers are trator, 40 year old David Hannam, known as Golf Club until trainee hang gliders who use the ele- for many years secretary of the the accolade was transferred to their vated slopes to launch themselves Northern Section. neighbour across the valley at into space in the hope of making a He came to Baildon as Head Hawksworth. soft landing in the moor mat grass or Greenkeeper nine years ago from The Baildon course was con- thick sedge at the edge of the the Sports Turf Research Institute MANAGEMENT where he was an experiment ground superintendent, following six years at Golf Club as an assistant greenkeeper. David is one of the few green- keepers in the country with man- agement qualifications obtaining a NEBSS certificate in Supervisory Studies in 1975, together with a City and Guilds Supervisory Management. He also holds an Intermediate National Diploma from the Institute of Groundsmanship and obtained a distinction at the Cheshire College of Agriculture, where he was voted best student of the year. Latterly he has lectured part-time at Wakefield and Shipley Colleges. We met out on the tenth green where he was re-modelling the bunker to the front of this par three. As my arrival on foot across the Stripping turf prior to re-modelling Baildon's eighth green. moor, guided by distant landmarks, coincided with the onset of rain, There are around 700 altogether and cost of £120,000. Part of the original neither of us needed a great deal of their fees have to finance most of the wooden building clad in masonry persuasion to adjourn to the com- expenditure as the surrounding still remains, brought it is said, at parative comfort of the tractor cab. courses cream off much of the green dead of night by horse drawn wagon David said his club, founded in fee paying visiting parties. from the Leeds Golf Club at Cobble 1898, has never been regarded as Last Easter, a fire gutted most of Hall. No one is sure whether the wealthy, but always well supported the interior of the club-house, but journey during the hours of dark- by a mainly artisan membership. this has now been refurbished at a ness was to disguise its eventual GREENFEED OFFERS A GREAT DEAL

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destination or to facilitate the move. times of severe stress, that is why he Most of the greens, regarded as puts such emphasis on deep green the driest in Bradford, have a pre- aeration to increase the root growth. dominance of bent, some annual All the greens at Baildon are cut meadow grass with fescue on the with hand operated mowers, adjust- better drained greens. One, the ing the height of cut and mowing newly constructed fourth, has more frequency consistent with the pre- fescue than any other because it was vailing climatic conditions, the sown that way and now after strug- amount of play and current green gling for a couple of seaons has pro- treatment. duced a fine sward. David has four Lloyds Paladins, The greens drain well throughout with two Ransomes Marquis to cut the year despite a lack of con- tees. Last year the club invested in a structed drainage. David puts this Beaver 508 with floating heads to down to a programme of intensive cut the fairways to replace the aeration throughout the winter star- mounted triple set. ting with hollow tining in October, A newly delivered Lloyds Paladin adds This has been a wise buy as the credit to Baildon's new fourth green. leaving the holes open. course can be cut weekly in just over He then deep slits about five of the soil, micro flora and a healthy the day compared to the two days of times with a "home made" 12in sward. work a fortnight it took previously. converted Sisis DP48 split in half, All agree the fairways have never just one of the pieces of mainten- looked better. ance equipment he has invented for ertilizers are applied twice in David has been a firm believer in use with a compact tractor. During the year, a spring dressing of the compact tractor since it was first the playing season aeration con- FSlow Release Nitrogen, fol- introduced to the market, Baildon tinues with a 7in slitter, as fre- lowed by a later application of the being the first course in the UK to go quently as possible. same feed. "compact" for total greens mainten- The soil is acid with a predomi- f Like most other Yorkshire green- ance. He bought his first in 1980 and nantely clay sub-strata, though keepers David needs to watch for a second three years later. He said David believes it is a "friendly" fusarium. As a preventative he alter- "As a general workhorse for this structure, allowing roots to penetr- nates between Vinclozolin and course there is nothing better." ate quite deeply through the Iprodione and gives his greens a Power is regarded as essential at fissures. periodic iron spray. Baildon and as well as the 12.5hp During the season he aims to There is no irrigation system at compact he has one 4WD-17hp, apply four top dressing applications Baildon, but plenty of water is close another of 37hp and a 4WD-60hp for with his own mixture of two to one at hand, a whole reservoir full, back- heavy duty haulage. sand and compost, supplemented ing on to the greenkeeper's sheds! with ground peat and a touch of When necessary he can dose 400 charcoal. gallons on every green in a day by As a traditionalist, Hannam filling a tank on a trailer, driving out inter construction projects makes his own compost from an on the course and pumping it on involve the building of at abundance of local horse "muck" with a petrol engine. Wleast three tees each year and quality top soil, in the firm Naturally time consuming, very despite the limitations of only three belief that a good organic balance labour intensive, hardly to be rec- greenstaff other than himself, but must be maintained for the benefit ommended, though a lifesaver in this has not stopped him building a

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Tlx: 975731 PRIME G THE AUTOMATIC CHOICE FOR IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT 1 OBITUARY aew fourth green from scratch on holds a full City and Guilds certifi- Mr John Field, one otthe most respected ground previously in the category of cate in greenkeeping, another Step- members of the golf course distributive scrub, as well as remodelling hen Gardner an ex-YTS student industry died at the end of January after a sh rt ,llnes a ed 66 another. from nearby Otley golf club, is on ° f' 9 " # . . # XT. -iir x- iL p. x i n i Amonyg the mourners at his funeral Nmety-six loads of rooting mix he first year course at Shipley Col- were ma py frjends frQm the WQr|d Qf gQ|f> went into the area, pulled across the lege. His tirst assistant Nick b aram including greenkeepers, business associ- course by tractor and trailer. It was has been at Baildon for 13 years. All ates, fellow members of local golf clubs as sown at the beginning of October are encouraged to attend greenkeep- well as a large number of personal friends with an 80/20 fescue/bent mixture ing lectures and exhibitions. and relatives. rather later than planned because of David's new role within the Asso- As a young man John represented bad weather, but now in its third ciation as Regional Administrator is Franks Keeps an old established firm sup- vear is developing a thick and expected to be even more time con- plying golf and sports clubs in the South healthy sward. suming than that of Northern Sec- East. Later he joined Maxwell Hart, Although Baildon has a Green ,ion Secretary. There „¡11 he more ^«J.-S-j« Committee, David said he is given meetings to attend, greater dis- Through his association with green- almost a free hand to maintain and tances to travel, particularly keepers he became closely involved with develop the course as he sees fit. because his kingdom extends from the BGGA attending local lectures and The club have adopted a very liberal Merseyside to Teeside, and South tournaments, taking an organizing role attitude to the work carried out and Yorkshire to the Scottish Borders. each year at the National Tournament, have the utmost confidence in the Asked how he saw his new job where his service proved invaluable, ability of his management and the developing, David said his pre- As a mark of the Association's appre- skill of his greenstaff. decessor David Golding would be a ciation he was appointed a Vice President They also subscribe to a sound hard act to follow, but he did have at National level as well as a Vice Pres.- progressive policy for greenstaff some new ideas which in time he ^¿^S^'l^ii with golf education and training and are to be hoped to implement. courses jt was inevitab,e he would take up

commended for what Hannam His primary objective would be as the game) jojnjng hjs )oca| dub Lang|ey believes is a very healthy attitude, a link between member and man- Park His wife Audrey also shared his unlike some clubs who still remain agement, feeding views from the interest and they shared many happy ignorant or apathetic to the profes- five Sections through to Headquar- hours on British courses, sional development of their ters. Meanwhile he still had the John will be sadly missed by his wife, greenstaff. bunkers around the tenth green to son and daughter as well as the many One of his staff, Scott Thompson, finish as soon as it stopped raining. fiends he made through the game of golf. Give your tuifa tonic! Whether your turf needs a vigorous 'clean-out' or just a gentle lifting prior to cutting, the McConnel Dabro Turf Scarifier is the answer. Its hydraulic operation gives total control from the driving seat where pressure can be instantly altered from ultra-light to extra-heavy rake. Under maximum pressure, the tines can produce a fine tilth in worn turf areas prior to reseeding. For 16-90 hp tractors. In 4ft, 6ft and 8ft widths. Built as only McConnel Dabro build. Contact your nearest dealer or call us.

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If you are interested in any of the above machines, contact Clive Lockwood or Alan Clarke on 0473 - 36 - 791 (t> A late reminder of the Spring Tournament to be held at Beadlow Manor on April 26th. Fee £17.50. Please contact Ken Bunting on 0442-843359. BRITISH AND INTERNATIONAL Please contact me if you have not received a copy of the 1989 fixture list, and note that my telephone GOLF GREENKEEPERS number is 0923-228703, and not as printed in the Jan/Feb issue of the magazine. ASSOCIATION Finally on behalf of all our members, I would like to convey our thanks to Bob Goodwin for ail his hard SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH WALES REGION Cyncoed and Huw took over at Caerphilly golf club work and efforts over the last ten years. South Wales Section where Graham was previously. P. Fitzjohn On February 21st, we visited Powerfab at P. Swain Tredegar. Manufacturers of backacting units for all Midland and North Wales Section types of machinery. The turnout from the South Coast Section Our March lecture at Telford Golf and Country Club membership was very poor but those who attended Westurf '89 was very well attended with 39 members present to were given an excellent time. Please support this Regional Trade Exhibition hear Richard Maw, the Testing Officer for the West We met at 1.45pm for coffee, then toured the whole which is talking place on Wednesday, 24th May at Midlands, give a talk on the Pesticides Law and factory, seeing it from the raw material stage to the Long Ashton Golf Club, near Bristol, Avon. answer numerous questions. There were unfortu- machining , welding and painting stages, through to A large number of exhibitors will be in attendance nately some unanswered questions which even Mr the final assembly. We also had a quick making the event one of the largest Turf Exhibitions Law said should be looked at more fully, and a demonstration on the versatility of all the machines to be held ion the South West. Your Committee has majority left feeling either unsure or complacent from front-loading buckets to the tracked vehicle proposed hiring a coach or mini-bus to take Section about these new regulations. A most interesting backacters. It was interesting to learn that members to the event. Please let me know if you afternoon was had and many thanks go to Mr Maw Powerfab export to virtually every country in the wish to take advantage of this offer. for sharing his knowledge. Thanks also to Telford world and that they would be prepared to make an Details of our Summer Tournament are as follows:- Golf and Country Club for the use of their facilities. attachment for any specific use, from clay buckets Cowdray Park Golf Club, West Sussex. For those who were unable to attend and would to bore drills. Our thanks to Mr Ken Johns and his Wednesday 12th July, 1989. Teeing off from like further information on the Pesticide Law and staff for their very kind hospitality. 2.00pm £12.00 per person. Closing date 4th July. modules, they can ring Mr Maw or Mr Delahay on The competition, consisting of a member and 021-550-0007. Obituary partner from their club, will be the usual format of I. R. Toon It is with great regret that I inform the membership an 18 hole Four ball better ball. of the death of Mr Arthur Price of Carmarthen. Written entries, giving name, address, name of East Midlands Section Arthur was a very popular character not just within partner and current handicaps, together with the Our Spring Golf Tournament is to take place at South Wales, but throughout the country as a past appropriate fee should be sent to:- Mr. J.Burdett, Mapperley Golf Club, Mapperley Plains, Notts on chairman of the former Association at National 948 Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, BH7 6SP. Wednesday, 17th May, first tee booked from 12.00 level as well as at Sectional level. Arthur attended Tel: 0202-483017. until 1.30pm. the meetings regularly throughout the years, from J. R. Dennis The Singles and Pairs knockout will again be run Sectional competitions to National competitions through the Summer and the draw for these and was a regular member of the Welsh team in MIDLAND AND NORTH WALES REGION competitions will be made at the Spring International competitions. Mid Anglia Section Tournament. I am sure that Arthur will be missed very much by Around 22 members turned out on Monday 27th Qualification for the Iseki Golf Tournament will be the members from South Wales and throughout the February at Welwyn Golf Club to hear a lecture by taken from the first three in the handicap categories country. We send our sincerest condolences to his Mr Finney of Ayletts Nurseries, St Albans. The 0-9,10-18 and over 18 at the Spring Golf family at their bereavement. subject was "Trees, Shrubs and Heathers for the Tournament. use on the Golf Course and Club House Areas", The Spring Golf Tournament is also the first Recent Appointments and was very informative backed by a range of qualifying round for the Rigby Taylor Golf Match We would like to wish every success to Graham coloured slides. Our thanks to Mr Finney for against the Midlands Section in October, the other Cox and Huw Parry on their recent appointments to stepping in at such short notice, and also to John qualifying round being the Autumn Golf new posts. Graham took over at Cardiff golf club at Wells for organising this event. Tournament. Qualifiers are the top ten in the 'one offfie with a choice of five grades of quality turf plus a full range of associated products and delivery service second to none, landscaping contracting service available Amenity Turf As-dug Topsoil Landscape mixtures Graded Bark and Super Sport Screened Loam Sports Turf mixes Mushroom Compost Super Turf Pre-turf Compost Wild Flower mixes Superfine Turf Turf Top Dressings Reclamation mixes Pasture Turf FAIRFIELD TURF CALLEYWELL LTD Fairfield Court, Brooklond, Romney Marsh, Kent TN29 9RX Tel: (06794) 731 (10 lines) NORTHERN ENGLAND REGION the Northern Section office. Chairman Colin ran ©jmukt North East Section Geddes. Vice-Chairman Phillip Sutton. Regional Spring Tournament Seahouses Golf Club, April Board Robert Lupton and Colin Geddes. 20th. Tee-off 10.30am - 12.30pm. Autumn Greenkeeper Liaison Training Committee, Northern aggregate nett scores. Dates for your Diary Tournament City of Newcastle Golf Club, Septem- Section Representatives Robert Lupton, Colin Wednesday 17th May, Spring Golf Tournament, ber 21st. Matches against the Secretaries and East Geddes and Alan Gamble. Mapperley, Notts. 14th-16th August National Lothian Section will be confirmed at a later date. D. Hannam Annual Golf Tournament, Lyme Regis, Dorset. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian Wednesday 27th September Autumn Golf Johnson of Stocksfield Golf Club for his support in After the 'winter' season of lectures, we are now Tournament, Scaptoft, Leics. Monday 13th the past two years as the North East Representa- looking forward to the coming year's golfing November AGM and Golf Competition, Melton tive on the Northern Regional Board, and wish him programme, but first I must bring you up to date Mowbray, Leics. well in his new role as Vice-Captain at Stocksfield. with some changes which have taken place in the At our Section AGM last November, the subject J. Richardson Section. First, it's congratulations to our former arose about the lack of interest and attendance at Secretary, David Hannam, who has been promoted most of our functions. It was proposed that a Northern Section to Regional Administrator. We wish him well in his questionnaire be sent out to 1988 Section So much for the wonderful weather, rattled on new venture. members asking if they were satisfied with how the format length in last month's billy-doux! After my brief reign as Chairman, I have now taken Section and Golf Competitions were being run, and A quite exciting change of scene will take place over from where David left off as Secretary, and asking for suggestions on what would make early May when the BIGGA Nerve Centre moves Colin Geddes has stepped into my shops as members attend functions, together with any from to new headquarters at Aldwark Chairman which has left Phillip Sutton with the job comments on the Section and Association. Some Manor, a large country hotel buried deeply within of Vice-Chairman. As I am new to this job, I would 54 questionnaires were sent out with stamped the Plain of York, about 12 miles north of the said like to hear from any members with their news, addressed envelopes, but only 27 came back!! city. This progression can only augur well for the information, ideas or problems. Please remember it R. W. Wi liars Association and its positively developing profile in is your Section and what you contribute to it has the greenkeeping and turfgrass industry generally. bearing on what you get out of it. So, please do not SOUTH EAST REGION We wish David Golding every success in his new hesitate to contact me regarding any matter at all. I London Section role as Education Officer to the BIGGA, yet more am waiting to hear from you! The Winter lectures have become a very friendly evidence of progress. Now onto some dates for your diaries:- night out and thanks to the following for the The bad or sad news is that Caroline Holdsworth, The Spring Tournament will be at Wakefield Golf lectures:- D. W. Jenkins, David Smart. David the BIGGA office Queenpin is leaving. Good luck Club on Tuesday 11th May. The Invitation Phillips, Nick Baldwin, Alan Stow, Caroline in your future, and thank you for your Tournament is set for Tuesday, 25th July at Ganton Watermation. charming assistance in the past. Golf Club. Please note, numbers are strictly limited We look forward to the lectures again next year. With the movement of Mr Golding, the position of to 40 for this event, so it is essential to book early This month we have two venues, first a match Northern Regional Administrator has fallen to yours for this to avoid disappointment. The Intersectional against the Stewards at Northwood Golf Club, tee- truly (!), opening up the way for Mr Robert Lupton, Match will be on Tuesday, 10th October. For those off at 1.00pm with ihigh tea to follow. This could be who is now Northern Section Secretary. Bob will taking part, please remember to dress correctly, in a useful warm-up for the Iseki Qualifier (bandits make a good go of it, perhaps injecting a bit of fact, why not push the boat out and buy some of welcome no risk to handicaps as this is a team fresh perspective into the job. I, for my part, will the BIGGA uniform available from me at a very event). The Iseki Qualifier is part of our Spring endeavor to do what is right and would like to seize modest cost! Tournament at Hadley Wood Golf Club on 24th this chance to thank all concerned for their Last, but certainly not least, I would like to welcome April. This is a 36 hole competition with coffee, encouragement and support during my six years as the new members to the Section who are Messrs:- ploughmans lunch, and four course meal. Tee off Sec to Northern Section greenkeepers. M C Tattersall, E M Paley, A D Smith, R A Smith, at 8.30am. Cost £15.00 Bob is now your Section contact, and his address C White, M R Wood and P Thresh. I hope they will If you wish to play at either of these events, please is:- 23 Hinchcliffe Avenue, Baildon, Shipley, West take full advantage for their membership by taking ring me on Northwood 28167. Yorkshire. Tel: 0274-590463. part in our events. M. Peters This development has brought about a re-shuffle in R. Lupton TheBest "TACIT Unit 3, 3 Millers Lane, Monks Kirby, Rugby CV23 0RJ. Tel: (0788) 832166

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