The Official Magazine of the GCSAIl www.gcsai.org l September 2012 Greenside

summer 2012 - one we would like to forget!

Proper disposal of empty containers

Also in This Issue l Living and Working in the Emerald Isle l Multifunctional Golf Facilities l The Irish Abroad l Trade News l Feature - Tullamore1 Golf Club l A Ghanagreenside Experience magazine | December 2010 Greenside

www.gcsai.org 2 Greenside

“You’ll Never Beat the Irish” Contents Living and Working As I write this, the 2012 London Olympic Games have just in the Emeral Isle 6 concluded. They included so many sporting events I rarely got to see and they were all wonderful to watch. The sixteen days Multifunctional Golf Facilities 12 of games and sportsmanship obscured, temporarily, the cloud and rain filled days of this summer. Watching Michael Phelps Disposal of Empty Containers 16 become the greatest Olympic medal winner of all time was a great occasion to witness. And as for Katie Taylor, the whole Delivering Sustainable Golf country swelled with pride on her gold medal achievement, in Africa 20 along with our boxing and showjumping medals. The Irish Abroad 26 hen there was the great achievement of Rory McIIroy winning the USPGA, his second Major Feature -Tullamore Golf Club 30 Tvictory. Before the Olympic Games there was Euro 2012. Regional Round-up 36 Ireland did very badly in the tournament but it was great to be Irish during the championships as the Irish Feature - Semple Stadium 44 fans in Poland got the respect of every other competing Utility Vehicles 50 nation. Ireland got a special prize for ‘Best Fans’ of the tournament. When other countries comment on how friendly Irish fans are it does make Grinding Advice 53 you feel good. We do have a reputation for our friendliness and long may it last. I remember bringing a Polish friend of mine to Graiguenamangh in Co. Kilkenny on a Trade News 55 photographic day out. We both share photography as a hobby so Graiguenamangh was an ideal location for photographic opportunities - the barges, canal walks and old buildings. When we arrived, we agreed to part company and meet back for coffee at 5:00pm. I wandered around the quayside and met some elderly men who had gathered around one of the barges. I started chatting with them and before I knew it, I ended up getting a trip down the River Barrow on one of the barges. It was a great moment and the ‘captain’ of the barge was a lovely character, full of chat. Of course, with a camera in my hand, I took photos of him. He didn’t mind. I met my friend for coffee at 5:00pm and told him about my adventures. “You Irish are good at that” he said enviously. “Good at what?” I asked. “Meeting strangers and talking with them. That never happens back home in my country. That is why I like living here. You walk down the street and strangers salute you”. When he said this to me I was amazed. I took all this for granted but when I thought about it I realized he was right. Maybe there is some truth when people from other countries comment on how friendly we are. We may not be the best nation to take home lots of medals at the Olympics but maybe we might be the nation with the biggest smiles. If that is the case then the weather and economic climate should not get us down too much.

Front cover: The Royal Dublin Golf Course. Photo: Alan Mahon

Editor: Alan Mahon Tel: 053 9158606 | Email: [email protected]

Greenside designed by: S DESIGN www.sdesign-belfast.com The deadline for receiving Back issues of Greenside advertising and editorial for can now be seen on the The views expressed in contributed the next issue of Greenside is: GCSAI website: articles are not necessarily the views expressed by the editor of this publication. www.gcsai.org Editorial content and photographs 19 October 2012 cannot be reproduced without prior permission from the editor.

3 greenside magazine | September 2012 Recruitment

Thank You GCSAI I would like to thank the GCSAI for their assistance in providing volunteers for this year’s Irish Open which was held at Royal Portrush. We could not have presented the course as well as we did without them. To each and every one of the volunteers I want to say ‘Thank You’ for all your help. Your efforts have been very much appreciated by me, Royal The Island Golf Club Portrush Golf Club, and the players. I hope that you returned Corballis, Donabate, Co Dublin home with happy and fond memories of the occasion. Head Greenkeeper Joe Findlay Course Manager Royal Portrush The Island Golf Club, founded in 1890 is a unique championship links course, consistently ranked among the top golf courses in Britain and Ireland. We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated Head Greenkeeper who can demonstrate strong abilities in all aspects of greenkeeping and golf course management in a traditional links environment. The FOR SALE successful candidate will be capable of organising, motivating and managing the existing greenkeeping team and must bring a high standard of presentation to the links. The successful candidate will Poa Greens Sod have a recognised greenkeeping qualification and a proven track record of success in a similar working environment. The candidate For more details contact: should have or be able to demonstrate experience in the following: Mark Harris of

• Recognised industry qualifications in greenkeeping and pesticide Harris Turf Improvements application techniques Mobile: 087 2540166 • A working understanding of current health & safety legislation Email: [email protected] • A working understanding of budgetary preparation, forecasting and monitoring • An ability of motivate, manage and supervise the greenkeeping team • Be able to implement an environmentally sustainable maintenance programme on the links • Prepare and implement personal training plans for the needs of the existing staff • Manage and maintain the existing pool of maintenance equipment • Manage and maintain the existing irrigation system

The salary for this position will be commensurate with the successful candidates qualifications and experience. Closing date for applications is 12th of September 2012 Applications in writing including a full CV to: [email protected]

GCSAI Update

As and from the last week of August, the GCSAI office will only be open on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week. Any enquiries will be dealt with on these days.

From the GCSAI National Executive

www.gcsai.org 4 News

Ash Dieback Alert!

sh dieback disease caused by the fungal pathogen Chalara fraxinea is a relatively new serious disease of ash which has caused extensive damage in several AEuropean countries. The organism has been relatively recently identified and its biology is not yet fully understood but the disease has spread rapidly in continental Europe over the past 10 years and is now widespread in several countries. The Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) which is responsible for forest health has been very concerned about the disease and although the disease is currently not regulated under EU plant health legislation, it has been carrying out surveys for the disease to determine its status in Ireland. The Forest Service is also concerned that it may inadvertently have been introduced into Ireland through imports of ash plants and wood, including firewood, from other European countries. In this regard the Forest Service has been monitoring imports. To date the disease has not yet been found in Ireland but it has been recently detected in Great Britain, largely associated with imported plant material. If unusual disease symptoms of ash are observed they should be reported for investigation as part of its surveys to Forest Protection Section, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, either by email to forestprotection@ agriculture.gov.ie or by telephoning 01 6072651. Symptoms of ash dieback include leaf and shoot wilting and dieback of branches. It should be noted though that other damaging agents can also cause similar symptoms.

5 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature Living and Working in the

By Cameron Cooper

I had wanted to do an internship in Ireland since before I went to school at the State University of New York at Delhi for golf course management. I didn’t know where in Ireland or why Ireland. I have never been here before; I have never even been out of the States.

ll I knew about Ireland is great introduction to links golf what I had learned from and Irish greenkeeping. Eddie was the stories of people who kind enough to tell me about the Ahad been on vacation and golf troubles he’s encountered on his trips here, and from books such course and how he had dealt with as Tom Coyne’s A Course Called the issues. Over the next week I Ireland. I grew up falling in love would travel to Portmarnock, to with golf at Cazenovia Golf Club meet Gary Johnstone; The Island and from all that I had heard at Club to meet Johnny O’Sullivan; the course, from golfers who had County Louth Golf Club “Baltray” played in Ireland, I knew I would to meet Paul Malone, and have to go there. Woodenbridge to meet Trevor I began my search in early Dargan. I’m very thankful to all October for a course that would of them for taking time out of take me on. I contacted Jon Kiger their days to show me around of TurfNet and, with his massive the courses. It was great to talk amounts of help, got accepted with these guys about how they at Mount Juliet Golf Course in manage their courses and deal Thomastown Co. Kilkenny. Jon has with the different problems they have. The most shocking thing for me was to see how the courses were kept in great condition with the crew sizes much smaller than most courses I had worked The most shocking on. During my first week I also had the thing for me was to see chance to see some tourist attractions such as the Guinness Factory and Kilmainham how the courses were Gaol. I went to a High Kings concert, which kept in great condition was great, because I had been listening to them long before I came here. The with the crew sizes traditional sessions in the pubs were great Above: Teeing off at Rush Golf Club much smaller than to experience as well. That’s something you Below: Playing out of a links bunker only hear about back home. most courses I had Playing a links course is extremely worked on. difficult for me. I wouldn’t consider myself a terrible golfer, playing to a handicap of eight, but when the wind is whipping on the course I can’t seem to find the fairway about my work details. Getting my passport at all. Hitting out of the tall wispy rough and visa were top of the list of what had to makes it nearly impossible to make par. I be done and after that I, with help, found found it true that when playing links you housing with Moira Bevan close to the need to play through the course not over it course and a bike to get back and forth to like I have been used to in the States. I do work and to town. enjoy playing links courses very much but The first week here I got the chance to it’s a different game that calls for completely been taking trips to Ireland with TurfNet travel around to see the country a little different shots that I don’t seem to have in and American superintendents for many before I began work. Right off the plane I the bag. years and has made lots friends here. I went to play Rush Golf Club with course Once at Mt. Juliet I was involved in spoke with my future boss Aidan O’Hara, superintendent Eddie Donlon. It was a aerating fairways on my first day. It was www.gcsai.org 6 Feature

great because I always had to return to school before the other courses I worked at were planning on doing it. The first week I was there I got to do a lot of different jobs, from fly mowing to mowing tees. One of the best things about working at Mt. Juliet is that you don’t get stuck doing the same thing every day. It keeps you on your toes and makes it hard to get stuck in a rut. I’ve been learning a lot during my internship. I had the opportunity to spend some time in the shop with the mechanics and “helped” them with grinding and re-assembling reels. Even though I have taken classes about maintaining mowers and equipment at Delhi, there was so much I didn’t know. An intern should try to gain as many different experiences as they can and I’m glad Aidan is giving Blowing away cores off the fairway at Mount Juliet me the opportunities to do so. Another task I have is blogging about my At Lahinch Golf Links experience here for TurfNet.com. Syngenta is sponsoring the blog, which you can find at turfnet.com/ camcooper/ I knew it rained a lot in Ireland but I had no idea it was this much. A lot of the lads are telling me that this is the wettest summer anyone can remember. My rain suit has surely been put to the test; I must have worn it more in the last couple months than I did in the last four summers. Thankfully though, I’m getting a chance to learn about dealing with excess water. One of the biggest issues was bunker washouts. It happens everywhere, but I’ve only had to deal with it a few times. The last four summers have, for the most part, been very dry and hot so washouts and too much rain weren’t a concern. It’s nice not to be hand Hand mowing greens. There’s more to it than you think watering all the time. When I have a weekend off I usually try to I’m enjoying my time in Ireland very now to see Lahinch for the South Ireland hang out with some of the guys from work much. The atmosphere has been great and Amateur Open because I had a friend or a few other friends I have made. We’ll laid back. I enjoy working in a place where playing in it. That’s a course I’m glad I had end up at a pub watching soccer, hurling, I’m trusted to get the job done and not the chance to get to, and I know I’ll have (which I had never seen before), or some rushed on how fast I can do it. The crew many jealous golfing buddies back home golf. Hurling is not well known in the States at Mt. Juliet is unlike others that I have when they hear about it. I’ve tried to take so I had many questions about rules and worked with. Many are very experienced advantage of every opportunity to travel scoring. It’s a lightning fast game, which I and are certified (or working to become and see something new any chance I get. I’ll really enjoy watching. I can’t wait to go to a certified) in greenkeeping, including the be heading out to Galway with some lads match and watch it live. summer staff. It’s a great collection of from work for a weekend in late August and I’m living fairly close to Thomastown and people. If more courses back in the States am very much looking forward to seeing it. I get around with a bike that a friend lent hired people with more knowledge and So far work has been great, I’m learning me for the summer. Biking and working experience they might be able to cut back a lot and having a great time. I’m very have got me in good shape. Luckily, one on their staff, although it surely is difficult thankful to Aidan for taking on a Yank, and of my buddies has been picking me up for to find those kind of guys. giving me every opportunity to try new work, and after work a few times a week I’m heading back home in mid-October tasks and become familiar with all aspects we’ll play golf. He’s a good golfer and I’ve and I know there’s much more for me to of golf course management. lost a few euro in a friendly bet with him. see before then. I’ve had the opportunity

7 greenside magazine | September 2012 News A Northern Ireland Success Story It has been a truly phenomenal success story for golf and Stephanie Meadow won the Ladies British Open Amateur greenkeeping in Northern Ireland. Royal Portrush was the Championship after beating Spain’s Rocio Sanchez Lobato 4 and 3 in venue for the 2012 Irish Open Golf Championships in June and the final at Carnoustie. Twenty-year-old Meadow from Jordanstown it proved to be a magnificent contest with Jamie Donaldson is a student at the University of Alabama. She is the first Irish player from Wales winning the title. The Irish Open was officially sold to win the title since Lilian Behan in 1985. out on Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July, The European Tour announced that, for the first time in its history, it had to close tickets sales for any day of a regular Tour event as the Irish Open became the best-selling tournament on the schedule this year.

Photo courtesy of ILGU

Dunbar and Meadow took the Amateur Championship trophies back to Northern Ireland, hard on the heels of Graeme McDowell Staff and volunteers with Irish Open winner Jamie Donaldson at Royal and Rory McIlroy winning the 2010 and 2011 US Opens, Darren Portrush GC Clarke’s victory in last year’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s. nd why wouldn’t it be? The course was excellently prepared by Royal Portrush Course Manager, Joe Findlay, and his McIlroy wins staff. Volunteers, many of whom were GCSAI members, 2012 USPGA Aarrived at the start of the week to help Joe and his crew with the Championship many tasks needed to make the championship a success. Having the To complete the volunteers on board gave Joe the opportunity to concentrate on the Northern Ireland finer details of tournament course preparation. It all paid off as the fairytale, Rory McIlroy players gave rave reviews of the state of the course. It was important won the 2012 USPGA for them (the players) to compete on a quality links course as the Championship at British Open was only three weeks away. Kiawah Island, his But the Irish Open was not the only claim to fame Royal Portrush second Major at Golf Club could boast about. Two of its young members, Alan only 23 years of age. Dunbar and Stephanie Meadow, won the Amateur Championship McIlroy beat the field at Royal Troon, and the British Amateur Open Championship at by a record breaking Carnoustie, respectively. Two members from the same club winning eight strokes, the same the top amateur tournaments in the world in the same year is a margin he won the remarkable feat. 2011 US Open by, Twenty three-year- leaving the field in a old Dunbar defeated competition on their Austrian teenager own for second place. Matthias Schwab by Rory’s victory has one hole to become the brought him back to third Northern Irish Number 1 Golfer in winner after Michael the world. Hoey in 2001 and McIlroy became the Garth McGimpsey in youngest player, to 1985. win a second major, Dunbar’s experience, beating Tiger Woods and his putting stroke, and Jack Nicklaus. Is paid off against the this a sign of Major 17-year-old Austrian things to come for in the first final since young Rory? Time 2002 to go all 36 holes. will tell.

Photo courtesy of R&A Photo Alan Mahon www.gcsai.org 8

GreensideNews

Andrew Mellon, BIGGA Ballybunion Golf Chairman, Middle East bound Club Unveils Course At the latest BIGGA Board of Management meeting Chairman Enhancements Andrew Mellon informed the Board of his need to relinquish his role. The circumstance being his appointment as General Ballybunion Golf Club announced Manager for a company in Qatar. recent enhancements to further benefit playability and aesthetics of its Old Course and Cashen Course. ony Smith of Teesside Golf Club, has taken over for the remainder of the year, before beginning his s part of a multi-year project, respected golf course Tintended full year of office at the AGM architecture firm Hawtree Limited fashioned several in January. On tendering his resignation modifications last winter to greens, tees, bunkers and Andrew said, “BIGGA has always been Aplaying corridors while maintaining the integrity of both iconic a great support to me, from the very first designs. day I became a greenkeeper, and right On the Old Course, rated among the world’s Top 20 by GOLF through to my current role. It has been Magazine, work included: an honour and a privilege to serve on • Altering tees on the second and fourth holes so they nestle the Board. I wish Tony Smith all the best into dunes and blend with the natural surrounds during his term as Chairman.” • Removing “relic” bunkers just off No. 4 tee and adding a Andrew is leaving his position as Golf Operations Manager at new bunker to the modern landing area Elmwood College having been there for nearly 12 years. Starting • Building a forward tee on No. 7 to join the White and Blue as a student greenkeeper he steadily rose through the ranks to tees atop a dramatic cliff Greenkeeper Instructor and then to his present position. He takes • Decreasing the size of three bunkers on No. 8 and up his new post on September 1st with Hydroturf International, a converting them from sod-faced to more of a grass-faced Middle East golf course and landscaping supply company. style for greater course-wide uniformity In the two and a half years Andrew has been involved on the Board • Changes to the Robert Trent Jones-designed Cashen of Management he has served the membership with great drive, Course involved: passion and commitment. The entire board and staff of BIGGA wish • Planting fescue grass around No. 1 tee box to evoke a to recognise his huge contribution and wish him all the very best greater links feel and re-grassing the backs of fairway with his new challenge. bunkers which had become parkland-like over time • Adding mounds and grasses behind the first green and along the first and second fairways to further promote a one-with-nature aura • Enlarging the first, second and 15th greens to create The Dutch Becomes additional hole locations • Repositioning No. 2 green to the edge of the Cashen Newest European Tour Estuary to amplify scenic views • Lengthening the par-5 15th hole and widening the last 100 Destination yards to augment strategic options The Dutch, a signature 18-hole Championship course, • Expanding the par-3 16th tee to uphold turf health maintained by Irishman Niall Richardson and featured in the September 2010 issue of Greenside, has been announced as The Old Course the fifth European Tour Destination, part of The European Ranked consistently in the world’s top 20 courses by GOLF Tour’s exclusive network of world class golfing facilities. Magazine, the par-71, 6,802-yard Old Course radiates majesty The Dutch was designed by 2010 Ryder Cup Captain Colin and charm. Beautifully contoured fairways fuse with a blanket Montgomerie in conjunction with European Golf Design. of grassy dunes to fashion a classic test of links golf. The Old Course has mesmerized guests for decades, a tribute to its entrally located in the heart of The Netherlands, with easy embodiment of the game’s greatest traits. The 402-yard No. access to the cities of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Utrecht, 11 hole is widely heralded as one of the finest par 4s in the The Dutch is a 6,518 metre, par 71 course which opened world, while the long par-3 15th is both remarkably scenic and Cofficially in May 2011 and was the selected venue for Holland’s treacherous. official bid to host The 2018 Ryder Cup. The Cashen Course The golf course has, in a short space of time, become renowned for its superb drainage and pristine conditioning. Ground-breaking Opened in 1984, the Cashen Course was designed by the construction techniques were used to create a dramatic and legendary Robert Trent Jones. Situated on an even more undulating landscape, featuring rolling fairways framed by imposing, dramatic parcel than its sister layout, the par-72, 6,306-yard gorse-clad mounds. An inland links in style, The Dutch also boasts course is one of the most challenging in Ireland. Bold and smooth, lightning-quick greens and many different types of water flirtatious, it requires acute precision off the tee and into the features, including lakes, canals and traditional Scottish ‘burns.’ greens. Wildly undulating with breathtaking views throughout, Niek Molenaar, CEO of The Dutch and Made in Scotland, said: the Cashen Course is consistently rated among the best modern “We are very privileged to be part of this distinguished network. layouts in Great Britain and Ireland by Golfweek. The Netherlands is the first country on the continent where golf was played and has the highest density of golfers so it’s more than fitting that one of our beautiful courses is a European Tour Destination.” www.gcsai.org 10 Feature June Breaks all Previous Records - Blame the Jet Stream

Jet Stream: Normal summer weather pattern Jet Stream: Weather pattern summer 2012

It is not a figment of your imagination. June The Jet Stream in summer is usually located north of Ireland 2012 has officially been the wettest June with the Azores High following in its footsteps. The Azores High, when positioned over Ireland, brings more settled weather in on record. Data from three separate golf summer and can even lead to heat waves and drought. The Jet courses in Ireland show this to be the case. stream also helps to steer our Atlantic depressions from their normal easterly movements. If the jet stream moves south of Each location broke previous records (see Ireland then the cold wet depressions will get “trapped” over us table below). The months that followed have as happened this summer. While the North Atlantic jet stream fared out no better with July having above generally points roughly due east, straight across the Atlantic, it often meanders north and south. normal rainfall and the first half of August The strong winds along the jet stream generally blow from west has followed this trend. to east due to the rotation of the earth. That is why, especially in winter, flights from the USA often land early in this country as o what is the reason for the bad summer? Many will say that they are blown along by these very strong winds. (Incidentally it is down to global warming and that mankind is paying it is also the reason for some “bumpy” rides with clear air the price of abusing Mother Earth. We cannot put it down turbulence). Sto global warming alone. For example, it is now becoming clear So the next time we are having a bad spell of rain, you can that the position of the Jet Stream, plays a significant part in blame the jet stream. determining the type of weather we get each season. So what are jet streams? They are narrow fast flowing “rivers” June Rainfall statistics of air and are formed by temperature differences in the upper Location Rainfall (mm) atmosphere, between the cold polar air and the warm tropical air. This abrupt change in temperature causes a large pressure Galway Bay 156.00 difference, which forces the air to move. In our latitude the jet Killarney 214.50 stream is generally found at around 35,000 feet and is called the Mount Juliet 195.50 Polar Front Jet Stream. The polar jet stream, as its name implies, separates the cold polar air to the north and the warm sub- Much appreciation goes to Damien Coleman of Galway Bay Golf tropical air to the south. Jet streams are typically thousands of Resort, David MacIndoe of Kilarney Golf and Fishing Club and miles long, hundreds of miles wide and a few miles deep. Aidan O’Hara CGCS, of Mount Juliet for providing the above data.

11 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature Multifunctional Golf Facilities – an Underutilised Resource

Maria Strandberg, STERF Director, [email protected]

Multifunctional golf facilities are beneficial for golf and for society. Golf courses have several roles to play in addition to providing playing surfaces for golf. Considering golf from an outsider’s perspective, it can be seen that golf courses can provide a wide range of services that should be exploited, promoted and developed.

uring 2010 and 2011, STERF (Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research DFoundation), together with the Nordic Council of Ministers carried out the project ‘Multifunctional Golf Courses – an Underutilised Resource’. The aims of the project were:

• To create networks and exchange experiences between experts and groups in society with an interest in the land areas used by golf courses • To produce a guide book with good examples of multifunctional activities • To create a new international research and development programme focusing on multifunctional golf facilities.

Case studies at seven Nordic golf facilities show that a multifunctional golf facility views its activities from the perspective of Copenhagen Golf Club in the broader public. In addition to offering Denmark is open to guests and a high quality arena for golf, it provides the public various services that are beneficial to on sustainable development, society at large, e.g., increasing biological better collaboration with the diversity, conserving natural and cultural authorities, environmental environments and providing a venue for a and recreation organizations wider range of outdoor activities, without and other sports clubs, a better compromising safety. public image and greater The authorities in the Nordic countries are political support. In order to demanding establishment of multifunctional create multi-functionality, golf courses, which can help to achieve there is a need for good, environmental targets and help improve effective interdisciplinary health and quality of life, particularly in cooperation in which all parties stand to The guide ´Multifunctional Golf Courses - areas around towns and cities where a large gain. An Underutilised Resource’ can be downloaded number of golf courses are located. The at sterf.golf.se guide ‘Multifunctional golf courses – an Collaboration underutilised resource’ published within the residents, industry and others. Hässelby project has been sent to more than 1 000 Collaboration is the most important factor golf lies in an old cultivated landscape in politicians, civil servants and officials in the in creating multifunctional golf courses. Stockholm. In 2005 a decision was made to Nordic countries. Sixty percent responded, of The cooperation must be adapted to the restore and extend the facility´s pond system. which 40% are interested in collaborating in requirements and the specific challenges A far-reaching collaboration was set up order to create multifunctional golf courses. facing golf and other interests in the region. including voluntary organizations, the county For golf courses, the multifunctional It must also be interdisciplinary, in other administration board, the local authority, the approach is profitable. It provides words encompassing a range of interests natural history museum, a university and opportunities for additional streams of such as local authorities, national authorities, others. All those with a possible interest in income, deeper roots in society through work sports and recreation groups, landowners, how the pond system was constructed were www.gcsai.org 12 GreensideFeature

invited to give their opinion and share their knowledge and experience, which they all did for free. This not only resulted in a new pond system, but also gave the project a strong footing so that there was no opposition to construction of the ponds.

Accessibility

The accessibility of golf courses varies. Some golf courses are private and are therefore only open to their own members, but most are open to guests and the public. Copenhagen golf club leases its land, which is located in Jägerborg Animal Park. The park is a large nature reserve with huge old trees and open areas where large numbers of visitors come to walk in the forest, play golf, cycle, jog or ride. Everyone has an equal right to be in the area and all show great respect for others. The multifunctional approach gives the golf club right to continue to lease the land in the very exclusive Jägerborg Animal Park. The multifunctional approach has also increased The golf course is an environment where biotypes such as dead wood and wild flora can provide the number of visitors, potential new golfers, threatened species with new habitats. Kristianstad Golf Club, Sweden at Copenhagen golf club. which have decreased drastically in the to build an additional 18-hole golf course on Increasing biodiversity agricultural landscape, are restored and condition that the club worked to achieve provide threatened species with new environmental certification of the courses. A golf course is an artificial environment habitats. Kristianstad golf club in Sweden The outcome was inventories of plants, where biotopes such as pools and ponds, was given permission by the local authority insects, birds, amphibians and bats in order

13 greenside magazine | September 2012 GreensideFeature

Culture trails have been installed and signposted at Arendal & Omegn Golf Club, Norway to identify nature values and adjust its management of the roughs accordingly. The cultural heritage of the area was also documented. A maintenance plan was drawn up for the areas outside the playing surfaces. The results are monitored through an annual inventory of the flora and fauna.

Conserving Cultural Environments

Many golf courses have revealed their cultural monuments through setting up information boards and installing footpaths leading to these objects. Through collaboration with the Board of National Antiquities, museums and the local history society, golf clubs can obtain guidance and perhaps even practical and financial support for renovating or preserving ancient monuments and the history of the area. Nes Verks Golfpark is the course of Arendal & Omegn golf club in Norway. It is built on land used by the Nes Iron Foundry from 1665 to 1959. When the golf course was being planned, it was considered extremely important to preserve the rich cultural environments in the area. In addition www.gcsai.org 14 Feature

to old buildings, industrial premises and machinery, there was a constructed pond Scandinavian Turfgrass and and a romantic park from the 1800s, framed Environment Research Foundation by the attractive cultivated landscape. The cultural heritage sites have been signposted and made easily accessible to golfers and to STERF is a research foundation that supports existing and future research and the public. Culture trails have been installed development efforts and delivers ‘ready-to-use research results’ that benefit the and signposted in collaboration with the local golf sector. STERF is set up by the golf federations in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, history society and the Foundry Museum. Finland, Iceland and the Nordic Greenkeepers’ Associations.

Further actions underway and intended Vision The Nordic golf sector’s vision with respect to golf course quality and the The aim of the next phase of the project environment is: is to increase the benefits of golf to To promote high-quality golf courses, whilst guaranteeing that ecosystem society, improve the business gains from protection and enhancement are fully integrated into golf facility planning, multifunctional activities, and help maintain design, construction and management. the values of ecosystem services through: The aim of STERF is to support R&D that can help the golf sector to fulfil this • Arranging workshops with vision. The activities of STERF are intended to lead to improvements in golf representatives of golf courses in order course quality, as well as economic and environmental gains. to identify opportunities and challenges for multi-functionality. International Thematic Areas • Arranging collaborative meetings with Global challenges need international collaboration. Therefore STERF has set up representatives of different interests in and aims to show leadership within four international thematic areas by ensuring society. that R&D activities within these platforms are coordinated and carried out and • Carrying out an inventory of current new knowledge is delivered. These are: knowledge with the aim of exploiting knowledge and experiences from related • Integrated pest management areas. • Multifunctional golf facilities • Identifying important partners to • Sustainable water management jointly initiate and run R&D on • Winter stress management multifunctional courses. • Creating a research and development More information about STERF and ongoing research projects can be found on: programme within multifunctional golf sterf.golf.se facilities.

15 greenside magazine | September 2012 aGreenside Good Practice Guide for Empty Pesticide Containers This Good Practice Guide provides simple guidance for the safe and environmentally friendly recovery of empty plant protection product containers, which are sometimes referred to as pesticide product containers or PPP containers. These empty containers arise from using plant protection products such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides on crops and grassland. Only triple rinsed PPP containers managed in accordance with this Good Practice Guide can be classified as non-hazardous waste.

his Good Practice Guide provides simple guidance for the safe and environmentally friendly recovery of empty plant protection product containers (PPP). TThe Guide works on the basis that farmers (including turf managers) manage the containers properly on the farm/ workplace, collect them and hand them over to authorised bring centres. The containers should be completely emptied, triple rinsed, drained and punctured and presented for collection at bring centres, which are operated by Farm Plastics Recycling Ltd. Farm Plastics Recycling Ltd. works in partnership with Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG), which is the national farm plastic recycling compliance scheme. It operates 200 bring centres annually across the country for the collection and recycling of farm plastics. The triple rinsed PPP containers must be placed in purchased recycling bags and brought to an authorised bring centre where they are inspected, and if accepted are then bulked and baled and sent to recycling facilities for processing. The residual pelleted plastic is used for the manufacture of non- food contact products such as plastic wheelie bins and plastic piping/posts. This guide is based on existing statutory requirements of Good Plant Protection Practice (GPPP) outlined in SI No. 83 of 2003 specifically in relation to triple rinsing empty PPP containers. Additional guidance is provided to ensure that PPP waste containers are managed in such a way to ensure any risks to the environment are minimised. A Technical Background Document, prepared in conjunction with this guide, shows that when PPP containers are correctly rinsed and managed as described below they can be classified as non- hazardous waste. The classification of these containers as non-hazardous waste allows for the implementation of best practicable environmental option.

Triple rinsing diagram www.gcsai.org 16 Feature

Step 1 - 3 Triple Rinsing & Puncturing Step 4 - 6 Management of PPP Containers on Farms and in the Workplace PPP containers should be immediately triple rinsed after emptying. Triple rinsing involves three sequential separate rinsings and should Currently, Farm Plastic Recycling Ltd., in partnership with IFFPG always be carried out as follows: is the sole approved body in Ireland for the purposes of operating a compliance scheme for the recovery of farm plastic waste* A Drain the empty PPP container fully into the sprayer; Information on the service offered by Farm Film Plastics Recycling B Fill the empty container 10 – 20% full of water, replace cap Ltd., can be found at www.farmplastics.ie. Only triple rinsed PPP securely; containers managed under this compliance scheme will be deemed C Shake the container vigorously; to be non- hazardous waste. D Remove the cap, add the washings to the sprayer and let the The following steps need to be undertaken by farmers/contractors containers drain for 30 seconds or more. to ensure compliance with the collection scheme offered by Farm Plastics Recycling Ltd**. Repeat steps B to D three times to ensure that the containers are clean. In addition to the triple rinse procedure the following steps 1. Currently recycling bags can be purchased at the local Co-op should be undertaken: or agri-merchant. Recycling bags are manufactured from durable low density polyethylene (LDPE). One bag (2,400mm x • Carefully rinse any plant protection product residue on the 1,350mm x 1,150mm) can hold approx. 80 chemical containers outside of the container and add to the content of the sprayer (1, 5, 20 litres). Instructions are provided on the recycling bags for use; for different waste categories. • The threads of the container must be washed and free of 2. Place the triple rinsed, clean and punctured PPP containers residue and the cap washed and retained for collection and and washed caps in the recycling bag. recycling; 3. Place only one waste type per bag, i.e., bag should contain only • Inspect the containers after triple rinsing to ensure that all triple rinsed PPP containers and caps. visible residues are removed; 4. Store bags in a safe dry place while filling. • Containers should be fully drained before being offered for 5. Bring filled bags to your local authorised bring centre. The collection and recycling; location and dates of bring centres for collection of triple rinsed • Empty, rinsed and fully drained containers should be PPP containers is available on the Farm Plastics Recycling web- punctured to prevent re-use. site at www.farmplastics.ie

* Only authorised waste collectors can be used. An authorised waste collector can be determined by requesting to view a copy of their local authority issued Waste Collection Permit. (Source: DAFM) ** Farm Plastics Recycling Ltd. also collect and recycle fertiliser bags, feed bags, twine and netting. (Source: IFFPG)

17 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature

Step 7 Authorised Bring Centres

The following steps will be undertaken at the authorised bring centres:

1. Only PPP containers and caps presented in Farm Plastics Recycling Ltd. bags will be accepted. 2. The bags and PPP containers will be inspected by the Farm Plastics Recycling contractor at the bring centre. 3. Inspectors from the local authorities may carry out site inspections on the day of collection to inspect the wastes to ensure that the wastes presented for collection are appropriate. 4. Any PPP containers that are contaminated will be rejected. 5. Bags containing PPP containers will be tagged with the farmers’ identification details. 6. The recycling bags are taken by the contractor operating on behalf of Farm Plastics Recycling Ltd. to an authorised facility, where they are again inspected further, bulked and baled. 7. Bales of containers are delivered onwards to a facility for recycling and reprocessing.

End-Uses for Recycled PPP Containers

Acceptable end-use products will be guided by the precautionary principal to ensure that the risks to human and animal health, as well as to the environment, are minimised. In that regard, the recycled plastic regrind shall not be used in either the human or animal food chain processes or products. Any recycling plant receiving the triple rinsed PPP containers is required to demonstrate to Farm Plastics Recycling Ltd. that the recycled plastic is used in non-food applications thereby eliminating any risk to human or animal health and the environment.

Information Sources

1. The Technical Background Document - empty pesticide containers which supports this Good Practice Guide is available at www.epa.ie and www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie and www.environ.ie 2. The locations of Farm Plastics bring centres are available at www.farmplastics.ie or call 1890 300 444 3. Farm Plastics recycling bags can be purchased at your local Co- Summary Guide op or agricultural merchant.

Step 1 Produced by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Triple rinse empty plant protection product containers after use and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, this Good wash container caps and threads Practice Guide provides simple guidance for the safe and Step 2 environmentally friendly recovery of empty containers. Inspect and fully drain the triple rinsed containers Step 3 Puncture empty PPP containers Step 4 Purchase Farm Plastic Recycling Ltd. bags from your local Co-op or agri-merchant Step 5 Place the triple rinsed, clean and punctured PPP containers and washed caps in the recycling bags Step 6 Store bags in a safe dry place while filling Step 7

Bring filled recycling bags to your local authorised bring centre. The location and dates of the bring centres are available on the Farm Plastics Recycling web-site: www.farmplastics.ie

www.gcsai.org 18 Nature on the Golf Course Starlings - Let the Show Begin This autumn, dark clouds will gather over our skies. Far from being foreboding, they herald the start of one of nature’s great spectacles.

Starlings will gather on overhead wires this autumn Inset: Starlings need to avoid birds of prey

tarlings are all year round residents in starlings will flock together over the coming Murmuration Mystery Ireland and most never leave us. However, weeks, with numbers swelling to 10,000 or It is thought that starlings come together this number almost doubles every winter more in some places. in their dusk flocks to protect themselves Swith the arrival of thousands more birds from European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) create against predators such as hawks or peregrine Eastern Europe. Hard weather there forces these flocks upon returning to their roosts falcons. That might explain why individual them to migrate west in search of food. In from foraging trips up to 40km away. For birds keep changing places, as they are October and November, you can see flocks centuries they have fascinated naturalists, but minimising their risk of being killed. That of migrant starlings arriving along the east amateur and professional biologists alike could is because the edges of a flock are most coast. Most have flown from Belgium or the not explain why the flocks occur, how they vulnerable to aerial predators, so individuals Netherlands, after travelling across northern move in such seemingly perfect synchrony, limit the time they spend there. Europe. wheeling and turning at sharp speed, or how It was observed that peregrines attacked Most of these birds continue migrating each starling can avoid the hundreds of other whole flocks rather than lone flying starlings westwards until they have spread across the birds performing similar aerial acrobatics during 90% of their hunts. Generally, they whole country. They join our resident starlings around it. Gradually, more specific studies took starlings during one in four of their to form huge flocks, often roosting in parks, were conducted, some for instance showing attacks, with the most fruitful approach being reedbeds or city centres. that starlings have a reaction time of under 100 the so-called “surprise attack” where the In spring the migrant starlings return to milliseconds, illustrating just how quickly they falcon flies directly into the flock from a long Eastern Europe, while our own resident birds can respond to another’s flight pattern. distance out. set up breeding territories at home. They nest It was found that the crucial factor Researchers found that starlings are at in holes in trees and buildings, where they lay determining the shape of a flock is not the greater risk of predation by peregrines. They 4–6 eggs. The young spend about 21 days in distance between each bird, but the number of come to form more compact flocks, adding to the nest, and are then fed by their parents for a birds flying between individuals. the evidence that murmurations might well few more days before leaving to join up in late Scientists also found that starling flocks are be an anti-predator tactic. summer flocks. not homogeneous, as the birds pack more After centuries of watching murmurations, Over the coming weeks, thousands of tightly in the flock’s centre than at the edges. we are still yet to fully comprehend why and starlings will take to the air performing a series Birds also keep altering their place in the flock, how they do it. The starlings’ displays are so of breathtaking aerial ballets each evening taking turns to be at the front, sides and back. complicated that they are being researched before dusk. Such murmurations, as they are Fewer starlings also fly in front and behind one by physicists, aeronautical engineers, called, are a testament to the amazing, complex another. Instead most fly alongside each other. mathematicians and computer scientists, as behaviors that animals are capable of. Yet That maybe due to the structure of the starling’s well as biologists. All are keen to reveal their scientists are only just beginning to understand eyes, which see best to the side, and have a secrets. how they do it. It is expected that many blindspot when looking to the rear.

19 greenside magazine | September 2012 Reel-tech & irish International School of Golf Course Assisting Paul Mechanics have been awarded a great McGinley Golf opportunity to work in Ghana, West Africa. Course Design to Barry Drennan of Reel-tech writes the first Deliver Sustainable of a two part report on his African experience. Golf in Africa

How would you like to be involved with providing equipment and training in Africa? ... It will be about 40°C and it’s the dry season, so it should suit your pale skin perfectly

n a cold Day last November on my way into work, I got a phone call from Joe Bedford which began O“How would you like to be involved with providing equipment and training in Africa?” Joe carried on, “It will be about 40°C and it’s the dry season, so it should suit your pale skin perfectly”. I would have headed straight for the airport there and then, except that little did I know how much planning needed to be completed. Behind Joe’s challenge was a monumental amount of research and feasibility driven by European Tour and Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley. Paul’s vision and strategy is to deliver sustainable golf in Africa. What I was being tasked to do was assist in providing an important cog in a huge wheel and I was excited with what I had heard. The Ghana Golf Projects are the brain child of one of Ireland’s Leading business men, Aidan Heavey, the CEO of Tullow Oil. Tullow Oil under their Corporate Social Responsibility Department (CSR) and Invest in Africa initiative has undertaken Barry with the crew at Achimota to invest in golf throughout Countries and of golf course equipment to three strategic the equipment requirements. Paul and regions in Africa where they have a business and important Clubs in Ghana”. If Reel-tech Joe felt it would help for me to see the presence. As part of achieving this objective, could meet the strict criteria then we had the courses and meet the staff to ensure their Paul McGinley Golf Course Design was chance to provide the equipment, training recommendations would be fit for purpose. commissioned to investigate and report, and support to ensure the sustainability of In advance Joe showed me many photographs initially on golf in Ghana. “Paul McGinley this part of the investment. of the course and we discussed, over more see’s the bigger picture”, Joe explained “and Following a number of briefing meetings than a few coffees, the turfgrass conditions a key finding and recommendation he set with Joe, it was decided by Paul that I and the existing equipment at hand, to ensure for the project is to supply three full fleets would be dispatched to Ghana to establish that I was well briefed before travelling.

www.gcsai.org 20 Feature

The objective of Invest in Africa is to empower people to Hard red soil on Achimota golf course become self sufficient and improving the standards of the golf courses would make it possible to market Ghana as a Golf tourism destination, which has 15 golf courses, and an ideal climate. It would also make it possible to hold some bigger golf events and help put Ghana on the golfing map especially now that golf will be an Olympic sport in 2016. The three golf courses chosen were Achimota Golf Club, Tema Golf Club, both near Accra the Capital City and The Royal Golf Club - Kumasi which is located in the rainforest area of Ghana. The courses were built by the British and the oldest, Achimota, was opened in the 1920’s. Paul McGinley Golf Course Design was chosen to manage the project, including designing and building, as part of a stage 1 process, three Paul McGinley/TaylorMade® Golf Academies, as well as investigating the possibility of re-designing the courses. The project is being coordinated by Joe Bedford and the initial construction headed up by Pat Pearmain, Project Manager in Ghana. Other experts drafted in for the project were Stephen Daly of Aquaturf Solutions, Hector Nelson Topographic Surveys and Sylvain Duval Agronomist and warm season grass expert. A large portion of the budget was assigned to each club to cover training, tools and machinery. Reel-tech/ISGCM, all going to plan, would be lucky enough to be given the task of sourcing good quality new and pre-owned machinery for the clubs. Paul and Joe wanted to be 100% sure that the machinery being supplied was right for the job so a flight was booked for me and I travelled to Ghana for a week. I was teamed with Sylvain which in fairness was a great idea; as I was able to learn so much about Bermuda and other warm season grasses. Here we met Pat Pearmain who was already getting stuck into the construction planning and the Tullow Ghana people including Kevin Quinn and Fred Campbell. As soon as you arrive in the capital Accra, you realise the size and vibrancy of Ghana. In 2011 it was the largest growing economy in the world and the people are busy working to improve their country. Ghanaians are a very passive gentle people and are great to deal with. They have a passion for sport and love football. One famous Ghanaian of note and from Kumasi is Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United

21 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature

Clubhouse and 18th hole at Achimota Glof Club

Above: Giant termite mounds border many of the fairways Right: Sylvian Duval, International agronomist, taking soil samples

Nations (1997- 2006) and a man constantly their mowing with gang mowers and toppers. mowers, badly in need of a grind. Good working for world peace. I can imagine this being a brilliant golfing cylinder mowers and grinders became top First we visited Achimota Golf Club, which experience unlike anything I have ever seen. priority, as well as an aerator and sprayer. I can only describe as amazing. Huge vultures In Achimota the ground is hard red soil and Next we visited Tema Golf Club, about 25 flap around the eighteenth green, giant in need of proper irrigation, which is done miles up the main costal road. Tema is the termite mounds border many of the fairways by hand, the fairways, surrounds and tees first purpose built city in Africa and is a main and a busy main road crossroad splits the golf are cut using a “slasher” which is a topper port and power supply hub for Ghana. course. I watched in awe as the greenkeepers on a tractor and a domestic ride on mower. The first thing that struck me about Tema negotiate through the busy traffic to complete The greens are cut using John Deere hand was the greens! They were really green and www.gcsai.org 22 Feature

had an excellent playing surface. They were cutting at about 5mm using a Ransomes Certes donated by the Royal and Ancient a few years previously. The greenkeeping staff in Tema had a great passion for their work and had made their own aerator from nails, they top dress regularly with sand that they sift by hand to remove stones and watering is carried out every second day (by hand). Again the fairway surrounds are cut using a slasher, so we decided to add gang mowers, Allen National cylinder mowers and a compact tractor to the list.

Beware of the scorpions Kumasi’s local mechanics

Huge vultures flap around the eighteenth green, giant termite mounds border many of the fairways and a busy main road crossroad splits the golf course. Utility vehicle, Ghana style

We then took a one hour flight to The Royal the greens away. Beside the clubhouse they elated to hear from Joe, “Barry you’re in”. I Golf Club - Kumasi, which I would describe were building a new green which was done immediately set about sourcing the machines as a “Disney land for golfers”. The course is by cutting the existing “love grass” sod lifted through various golf equipment dealers the owned by King Osei Tutu II, and the King of from the surrounds of another green, slicing length and breadth of Ireland. I also dealt the Ashanti tribe (leader to over 88 million it into plugs and planting it into the green at with many golf clubs, swapping machines people). The course, on the edge of the city, one inch spacing’s. Then they would leave the that they needed in exchange for pedestrian is in the rain forest area with plantain (like hose running to irrigate. greens mowers, which they now don’t have banana) and huge mango trees lining the After a busy week we stopped off for a few enough staff to operate. fairways. With hills and lakes and a real pints and a plate of spuds in Ryan’s Bar in Reel-tech was awaiting three 40ft tropical buzz, it is an amazing experience Accra. containers, which were due the last week just to be there. We walked the course with It truly was an experience to be in Ghana in July, to ship the machinery to Ghana. Kofi the Superintendant and he explained surrounded by these experts, so passionate Stephen Mackey and I will be heading out the huge difficulty they have with water about the project and what these golf courses this September to install the equipment and supply in the dry season, which was pretty could become, I really enjoyed the trip complete three weeks of intensive training on much a domestic tap to irrigate the whole meeting some great characters and the very machinery maintenance and greenkeeping. golf course. They had to drain water from friendly and welcoming people of Ghana. I am delighted to be playing my part in the the lakes to keep the greens alive. Some turf As soon as I returned to Ireland I presented Ghana Golf Projects and I will fill you in on would burn away to dust, but in the rainy my reports which Paul and Joe studied and our next adventure in the December Issue of season the torrential rain would nearly wash discussed at length. And then the news I was Greenside.

23 greenside magazine | September 2012 News ‘Father’ of Irish Greenkeeping Education Retires

Pat Suttle recently retired from pressure from the development his post as Campus Manager, of further college training Teagasc Kinsealy Research and programmes led to the service being suspended. However, Pat Development Centre. In addition still found time to continue to managing the Kinsealy Centre to provide a service to a small he was also the coordinator number of clients. He designed of the various education and and supervised the construction training programmes conducted of Tipperary Golf and Country there as part of the College of Club (Dundrum, Tipperary) and St. Helen’s Bay Golf Resort Amenity Horticulture based at (Wexford) with Philip Walton the National Botanic Gardens, (who is now happily back on the Glasnevin. Up to his retirement European Seniors Tour), as well as Pat was also still actively involved Ballmoney Golf Course in Wexford in the lecturing programmes and Blarney Public Golf Course in Co. Cork. Pat also designed especially in the areas of Soils, numerous 9 hole extensions Drainage and Turfgrass. including Athy, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Carrick on Suir. at has always said that he is He has continued with his design most at ease when teaching career in remodelling courses such students, a fact that can be as Donabate in Co. Dublin. Pconfirmed by the many students In more recent years he was lucky enough to have been taught involved in a number of new by him over the years. His great initiatives: the development of knowledge, relaxed manner of Pat Suttle the, recently launched, Level 8 teaching, good humour and at honours Bachelor of Science in all times readiness to help both Horticulture degree programme students and work colleagues will be greatly missed. conducted by Dublin City University (DCU) in association with In 1977 Pat Suttle commenced his career in Teagasc when he Teagasc, College of Amenity Horticulture National Botanic was appointed a lecturer in the College of Amenity Horticulture Gardens; the planning and development of a major building based at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin. He programme to provide new teaching and training facilities for lectured in Arboriculture, Tree and Shrub cultivation, Landscape the College of Amenity Horticulture; all the while still managing Design and Machinery. the Centre at Kinsealy as well as having full teaching duties. Always having an interest in greenkeeping, Pat was the key person involved in starting the first formal training programme for greenkeepers in Ireland at the college in 1982 following a Pat was the key person involved City and Guilds syllabus and delivered to a small initial group in starting the first formal training of twelve students. Under Pat’s guidance this course grew and changed over the years and in 1995 he developed the first Level programme for greenkeepers in 3 (now Level 6) NCVA (now FETAC) National Certificate Ireland at the college in 1982 ... in Greenkeeping which is now recognised as the standard professional qualification in that area. In more recent years he helped in the migration of that award to the new Common However, Pat is really not retiring at all. He has recently Awards developed by FETAC which, in the near future, will lead established a partnership with Eamon Kealy to deliver quality, to the award of Advanced Certificate in Golf and Sports turf independent advice to golf course, football and turfgrass Management (FETAC Level 6). facilities. Eamon, is a former teaching colleague in Kinsealy and In 1987 Pat developed the Teagasc Golf Course Consultancy currently lectures in Turfgrass at UCD and at the Institute of Service, which he managed and operated from then until 2002, when Technology Blanchardstown.

Tree of Knowledge Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass I can appreciate persistence.” Hal Borland

www.gcsai.org 24 Greenside

25 greenside magazine | September 2012 Philip and Nigel Sweeney’s New Zealand Adventure

The irish abroad

Twins Nigel and Philip Sweeney worked in Palmerstown House Golf Club from April 2010. They had just come back from spending a year in Australia. They missed Ireland and returned home when their visa ran out. But it was not long before they returned to the southern hemisphere. The following article is Philip’s account of the twins’ adventure.

t was Christmas 2010 and Ireland was covered in snow for about five weeks. People were losing their Ijobs everywhere so we decided to look for work in New Zealand. We emailed the top three courses there, which were Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and Paraparaumi Beach. Kauri Cliffs was the only club to reply and after a few emails and reference checking they offered us seasonal work from September 2011 until April 2012. After saying our ‘Good Byes’ in August 2011 we left for New Zealand. We made a short stop at Kuala Lumpur Airport before flying on to Nigel Auckland Airport. Just as we landed in Auckland, after spending 24 hours Philip flying, the captain told us that we were approximately one hour late, as the left in Kuala Lumpur. We had flown with We bought a car - a 1995 Rav 4, and two plane had lost one of its engines. It was just Malayaisa Airlines and they were very helpful days later we drove north for three hours to as well that he waited until we landed before to us. They gave us $200 each for our troubles Kerikeri, 30 minutes from Kauri Cliff Golf telling us. and delivered our bags to our hotel two days Club. Kerikeri is the biggest town in the far As we we were waiting at the baggage claim later. We spent four days in Auckland where north with only a few supermarkets and section, it soon emerged that our bags were we got to see the Japanese rugby team and two pubs and lots of coffee shops. Famous missing. It turned out that they had been the All Blacks, which was great. places nearby are the Puketi Kauri forest, the www.gcsai.org 26 The Irish Abroad

Rainbow Falls, Waitangi Treaty House and ninety miles of beach. We rented a two bedroom house at Kauri Cliffs was the only club to reply and after a Tapuaetahi beach, which is a private beach with about twenty houses around it . We few emails and reference checking they offered us bought surf boards which cost $400 each and seasonal work from September 2011 until April 2012. wetsuits for $150. The water is warm enough to wear board shorts in Summer. We learned how to surf, which was the best fun ever. I recommend it to everyone to have a go before you get too old. We also did some snorkling off the beach and some fishing. Most of the fish you catch are snapper and kahwhai. The only thing bad about New Zealand is the sun. We all heard about the hole in the ozone layer - well it is directly over New Zealand and burn time is ten mins in the summer, as we found out one day as we went to the beach. I was walking down the beach in a singlet and was no more than ten minutes before I put on my wetsuit to go for a surf. Over here when you forget sunscreen you don’t go oops you go OUCH. We started work on Monday September 5th. We met the Course Superintendent Andy Wood, who showed us around and gave us our uniform - bone coloured shorts, blue t-shirts and jumpers. There are thirty one

27 greenside magazine | September 2012 TheGreenside Irish Abroad

The beautiful par 3, 7th green at Kauri Cliffs people working on the course, which includes drive back to the shed at 2:00pm and wash two mechanics, three gardeners, the Course down our machines and finish at 2:30pm. Superintendent, his assistant, a foreman and Every Wednesday is flymo day around the one woman in the office. A round of golf bunkers and it takes five people all morning costs $520 and to stay in the owners lodge to complete. Greens are cut and rolled most costs $7000 for one night. Michael Campbell, days. We hollow cored greens and tees in the Kiwi golfer, had the name Kauri Cliffs on November and again the following May. The his jumper when he won the US Open. He fairways are normally verti drained as well made them a replica for the pro shop. The but this did not happen this year. Greenside golf course is ranked no. 35 in the world. bunkers are hand raked and the rest are done It hosted the Kiwi Challenge in 2008 and by machines. Fairways are cut nearly every 2009 which was won by Hunter Mahan and A round of golf day. Julian Robertson is the owner and he Anthony Kim respectively. Kauri Cliffs is comes over once a year for eight weeks in situated near Matauri Bay and the best view costs $520 and to Febuary. He also owns Cape Kidnappers and of the course is from the 7th tee. This is a Matakauri Lodge on the south island. lovely 175 yard par 3 hole beside a cliff edge stay in the owners Last November we sold the Rav 4 and where you could hit any club, from a 9 to Nigel bought a Nissan Skyline with a 2.5 a 3 iron, depending on the wind direction. lodge costs $7000 litre engine. I bought a Ford Probe with a 2.5 This hole has the beautiful Cavalli Island litre engine. Petrol is $2.20 per litre which is in the backround. The golf course also has for one night. equivalent to €1.40. You don’t need insurance three private beaches, one of them is called or tax you just buy rego. This costs about Pink Beach because the sand is so pink. $350 for a year which includes third party Sometimes the guests have picnics there. fire and theft insurance. You can buy other Work starts at 6:30am. The jobs are insurance such as fully comprehensive, but written up on the board beside your name that is up to you . and we have a meeting. Andy lets us know We went down to Auckland for the Ireland what is going on and if any big societies and Australia rugby match and watched it are playing. We then do our morning work down in the harbour on the big screen in and have a smoke break at 10:00am when the Viaduct. It was a great night - every Kiwi our evening jobs are put on the board. We thought they were Irish. www.gcsai.org 28 TheGreenside Irish Abroad

We played Business House Golf in Janurary for seven weeks in Kerikeri Golf Club. Four teams from Kauri Cliffs entered. There were fifteen teams all together. Nigel and I and two of our friends from work, Sam and Ariana, played each week. There were four prizes of $25 or $40 to spend at the bar. We won the overall prize after the seven weeks. It was the first time that any team won from Kauri Cliffs. We love it so much over here. People are so friendly and the weather is a lot better than in Ireland. We finished working at Kauri Cliffs on June 1st as our contract had finished. Andy Wood has offered us work again starting this September. In the meantime we tried to get some fruit picking work around Kerikeri until then but we were not successful. We decided to go to Auckland and see what work we could get there. Nigel got a cabinet making job and I got a spray painting job in Shear and Mac’s. They specialise in shop fittings and shop fronts. During the summer we did a lot of work in Australia for a Melbourne casino and an airport in Carins. We were only working there for a day and a half and our bosses said that they will help us stay in New Zealand after our visa runs out. We moved into a 6th floor apartment of the Volt building in Auckland where we have views of Sky City tower from our balcony. While in Aukland I got the opportunity to jump off the Sky Tower. This is the biggest building in New Zealand. Nigel hadn’t the nerve to do it. It looks like we will not be returning to Ireland for a while. We don’t want to go back to the doom and gloom. It also looks like we will not be returning to Kauri Cliffs either as the money, at the moment, is much better in our current jobs.

29 greenside magazine | September 2012 Tullamore Golf Club

Course Feature by alan mahon Photo: Alan Mahon Tullamore clubhouse as it is today. Photo Liam O’Reilly

Voted 24th best Irish parkland course this year by Golf Digest, Tullamore Golf Club is situated in the heart of the Midlands. It was established as a nine hole course in 1896 and this year the club celebrates the centenary of the ladies club.

hen you arrive at Tullamore Golf Club you are greeted with the sight of mighty oak, ash and Wbeech trees, many of which were planted as a relief scheme during the Famine. In 1896, however, the club was located at the racetrack in Ballykilmurray. It moved location in 1906 to the Briscoe lands at Screggan where the club existed for twenty years (rent free). In 1926 it relocated to its present home at Brookfield, part of the beautiful Charleville Estate (but outside of the demesne). When the club acquired the lands at Brookfield, Captain Lionel Hewson, an experienced course designer, laid out 18 holes and work commenced on his plan in the summer of 1925. In 1938 the club invited James Braid, a five times British Open winner, to visit Tullamore and inspect This photo was taken by Liam O’Reilly in 2007. The course and trees have matured a lot since then the course and recommend what changes should be made to improve the overall which also included a bunkering plan. The completed until 1945. standard of Brookfield. This was to be of bulk of the work on the course was carried In 1968, after lengthy negotiations, a new significant benefit, as Braid suggested four out over a three year period. The final part fifty year lease was agreed. The new rent was complete new holes among other changes of Braid’s plan, a new 18th green, was not now £500 per annum. The main advantage www.gcsai.org 32 tullamore golf club

to the club was that this removed the grazing sheep from the club. The course was to remain largely unchanged until 1995 when, under the direction of Patrick Merrigan, seven new sand based greens (sown then with a slender creeping red fescue and brown top bent mix), eleven sand based tees and three lakes were developed. Some unused ground to the right of the 12th hole was brought into play and over a thousand new trees were planted. Extensive drainage was also carried out on holes 5, 6, 7, and 8. The redesigned course was opened in September 1996, the club’s centenary year. Back in the early 2000’s, when Ireland was in the middle of the construction boom, many Irish golf clubs decided to turn their clubhouses into modern facilities, each development costing millions of euro. This giant sycamore is one of many mature trees growing around the golf course. Photo Alan Mahon Tullamore had its own plans of creating a two storey club house and was tempted to join the trend of other clubs but decided against this, working with Mark and each has remained putting the money instead into improving loyal to the club for many years. They are the course over several years. On hindsight truly a formidable team of workers with a this turned out to be a wise decision as many combined total of almost sixty years service clubs are still paying the price for lavish between them. developments. The first of these course improvement plans Trees was the redesign in 2003 of the bunkers. They had been encroaching towards the greens and If you take the trees away from Tullamore many of them had different types of sand. In then you also take away its soul. It boasts 2006 a new maintenance facility was built. some wonderful specimens. A major tree Patrick Merrigan was brought back again in planting scheme is carried out each winter 2007 when the remaining seven soil tees were to replace the aging mature oak and beech. converted to sand, sown with 70% American This includes hiring a tree spade to transplant Ryegrass (using Road Runner and Topgun), semi mature trees from areas on the course 20% Slender creeping red fescue (Barcrown) which were planted many years ago and and 10% Highland bent. 2008 saw the require thinning. “Hiring the tree spade redesign of the 16th hole, which included is very cost effective” says Mark. “Even new stone walls, at the river in front of the though it is very expensive to hire, when green (see centre page photo). The fairway you compare this to the price of buying in was graded back 50 metres so as to make the semi mature trees it works out a lot cheaper, wall more visible. New bridges were built at especially when we are constantly getting a the 15th and 18th holes, with improvements 95% success rate.” to the river banks at these holes and also In the nearby Charleville Estate stands the to the 10th. In 2009 more drainage and Course Superintendent Mark Murphy on the famous King Oak. With a girth of 8 metres sand slits were added to holes 10, 12, 15, 18th fairway. Photo Alan Mahon below its branches it is one of the oldest, and 17. All this was money well spent at a largest and best preserved oaks in Ireland. No fraction of the cost of a new state of the art Mullingar Golf Club in 1991, while studying one knows who planted the tree or whether it clubhouse. It is no wonder that Tullamore horticulture in Multyfarnham College. He sowed itself, but it seems to be a descendant is ranked at number 24 by Golf Digest. I loved working on the course in Mullingar of the great forests of common oak (Quercus wonder would it have been as highly rated and decided that greenkeeping was the Robur) that once straddled the plains of had the club decided to invest more money in career for him. After finishing his studies in central Ireland. Estimates of the age of this building a new clubhouse instead? My feeling Multyfarnham, Mark got work on the newly tree begin at 400 years but it could be double is probably not. Perhaps, some day, the built golf course at Luttrellstown Castle, that. In 2007 Rev. David Hutton-Bury, who remaining twelve greens will be converted to working under Gerry Byrne during the grow- represents the owners of the Charleville sand based greens. in period. He was promoted to Assistant Demesne, donated two oak trees to the club Despite the recession, membership at Course Superintendent at Luttrellstown which are grafts from the ‘King Oak’. The Tullamore has remained steady and has in Castle in 1997 and in 1998 he applied for trees have been planted, one at the back of excess of 1000 members. 2009 Irish Open and succeeded in filling the vacant position the 18th green and the other on the left of the Champion, Shane Lowry, is an honorary of Course Superintendent at Tullamore Golf 15th and 18th fairways and are thriving. member of the club. Club where he has remained ever since. In However there is a price to be paid for The course Superintendent at Tullamore is his fourteen years at the helm at Tullamore, having so many wonderful trees growing Mark Murphy. Mark started his greenkeeping Mark and his staff have transformed the around the course. Leaves cause a huge career on a work experience programme in course to what it is today. There are five staff headache for Mark and his staff. From

33 greenside magazine | September 2012 tullamore golf club

1999 – 2008, but due to financial constraints (no doubt due to Ireland’s economic climate), only the wetter areas are sanded today, including the wetter rough areas. The fairways are mown at 15mm during the growing season going up to 19mm in winter. Fairways are fed every 4-5 weeks in summer using a high Nitrogen soluble feed (46:0:0) at 1-2 bags (25kg) per hectare with iron (¾ bag/ha) and Primo Maxx added to the tank mix. In winter some sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of iron is applied. They are verti drained each spring and autumn using 25mm tines.

A high success rate is achieved transplanting large trees on the course using a tree spade. Photo Alan Mahon

A sapling from the original King Oak of the Charleville Estate. Photo Alan Mahon

Tees are cored twice per year and fed with a high Nitrogen feed such as 22:5:6 every eight weeks. They are also given three heavy sand topdressings each year. The tees are mown at Beautiful colours in Tullamore Golf Club during Autumn. However it is this time of year that 13mm in summer rising to 15mm in winter. Mark and his staff are preoccupied with blowing and removing leaves. Photo Liam O’Reilly Wildlife the end of October until Christmas, they by lowering nitrogen levels and raising the are mainly preoccupied with blowing and height of cut that this will encourage the Wildlife is abundant at Tullamore. Deer can collecting leaves and branches. bents to establish even more. The greens be seen early in the mornings, a pleasant fertiliser programme during the year is Maintenance started using 16:0:16 in mid April. After that, soluble fertilisers every 2 to 3 weeks, mixed As mentioned earlier, seven greens out with Primo Maxx is applied. A light sand on the course are sand based with the topdressing every second week is given to the remaining eleven being soil based. They are greens to keep them true for putting. Height so consistent that it would be hard to tell of cut on the greens is 3.3mm in summer the difference without digging down to see going back to 5mm in winter. for yourself, which is which. The greens are Being a midland course, the land at verti drained during March and hollow cored Tullamore is very heavy. Drains were in August when they are given a feeding installed over a number of years. The fairways of 6:2:4: granular fertiliser. They are now were sand slitted and topdressed. The results overseeded, using Highland brown top bent are evident today with the course closed Some areas of the rough have been allowed to grass, as a lot of native bents have established for less days from heavy rain. A vigorous grow uncut encouraging wild flora to colonise. on the old soil based greens. It is hoped that sanding programme was carried out from Photo Alan Mahon www.gcsai.org 34 tullamore golf club

sight for the staff and early golfer. The mixed with water, and the resulting deer retreat back into the woods during solution spread on the greens. the day. There are over 100 in the herd. Surprisingly, red squirrel populations are • The first tractor for the club was bought on the increase, despite them sharing the in 1937 for £210 but with the difficulties same territory as the dreaded grey squirrel. of kerosene supplies during World War One theory for this is that a pine martin II, the tractor had to be sold in 1943 has been sighted and as the grey’s spend when horses were again used with the most of their time on the ground, they can course machinery. fall victim to the lurking predator. When I walked the course with Mark, we spotted a • While playing the 7th hole, a member’s red squirrel climbing a tree behind the 14th ball went crashing through the trees, green. Other animals habiting the course Mark Murphy with Greens Secretary Ray Ryan. killing a heron in the process. include hares, badgers, and rabbits. Carp Photo Alan Mahon and Rudd were introduced to the lakes and • Iron stakes were installed around the are thriving. Some Interesting Facts course during World War II to prevent Tullamore is a challenging course to German aircraft using the golf course as play, so much so that the course record is a • In the early years, the landlord had the a landing strip. modest 65. right to graze sheep on the course. As fertiliser was not always easily available, • In 2009 Tullamore hosted the Bulmers the sheep droppings were gathered up, All Ireland Cups and Shields

Machinery Used

• 3 x John Deere 220A pedestrian mowers • John Deere 260 pedestrian mower • John Deere 2500E greens mower • John Deere 2500D tees mower • John Deere 2653A surrounds & semi rough mower • John Deere 8700 fairway mower • Jacobsen Mark IV collars & approaches mower • Toro 4000 rough mower • Graden Greens Iron • John Deere 1200A bunker rake • 3 x John Deere 6 diesel Gators • JCB Workmax • Kubota B2400 compact tractor • Kubota B6200 tractor • Kubota L3600 tractor • New Holland TN60 tractor • Massey Ferguson 20 with front loader • Hardi Jazz 200 litre sprayer • Yes 600 litre sprayer • Ferti mixing tank 1200 litre • Greenway sprayezr (used around trees) • Charterhouse 7416 vertidrain • 2 x Ultra topdressers (.75 & 4 tonnes) • Ultra high tip trailor • Trailor • Car trailor • Trilo SG 700 leaf collector • Selection of leaf blowers, hedge trimmers & strimmers • Chainsaw • Tip sand brush Back row Left: Mark Rowland, Paul Smyth, Michael Kilmartin, Mark Murphy. Front: Danny Dolan and Seamus Keoghan. Photo Alan Mahon

35 greenside magazine | September 2012 Southeast Report by Mark Murphy, Tullamore Golf Club

Weather Hurting Golf Clubs

As if golf clubs were’nt struggling enough this Heritage Results year, a wet summer was the last thing any of us needed. June and July have been two of Overall Winner: Robert Kilduff Second: Dave Garland the wettest summer months on record and Class 1 this has affected green fees greatly, with a Winner: Roy Butler Second: Mark Rowland combination of golf courses being closed and Class 2 Winner: Owen Phelan Second: Rory Sweeney golfers being fed up playing golf in the rain. Class 3 Winner: Alan Mahon Second: Mark Murphy This makes all our jobs a lot harder as we are unable to get the work done on the course and the fall in revenue could mean further Trade Winner Dave Casburn (Sea Nymph) cuts in course budgets. I know some clubs have stopped sanding fairways and have put off drainage work and that has certainly come back to bite them this summer. Kilkenny weekend away The Heritage Outing Two sponsors - Dar Golf Construction & Martyns Grass Lawns, After a night when over an inch of rain fell, not many thought we have kindly offered our region some funds to organise a weekend would be playing golf at all, but nobody wanted to miss the chance to Kilkenny in September. The schedule is to arrive on Thurs night to play this great course. Mark Kirwan and his staff had the course 27th with golf on Fri 28th with an overnight stay on Fri night. The in great shape and you would not think, when playing the greens, Sponsorship will include golf, prizes, meal and after meal drinks in tees and fairways, that they had anything like that amount of Kilkenny Golf Club on Sept 28th. Accommodation is not included. rain. Thanks to Mark and all in The Heritage, for making the day We have one hour for tee time (11:00am to 12 noon), so numbers possible. I had the pleasure of witnessing a hole in one by one of my are limited. If you are interested in taking part contact Roy Butler playing partners Mark Rowland, when he hit a 7 iron to the 15th on 087 9163777, as he has worked out a deal with a local hotel. Our to record an ace for the second time. The course played long on the sponsors have asked us to say that all GCSAI and Trade members day but we still had good scores in with Robert Kilduff winning. are welcome. A big thanks to James D’Arcy and Ken McMenamin for their sponsorship. Sympathy Our sympathy goes out to Tom Carew and his family on the sudden Golfer of The Year death of his father Tony. Tom was on holidays abroad when he heard Congratulations to Roy Butler on winning the 2012 Golfer of the of the sad news. May he rest in peace. Year.

www.gcsai.org 36 Southeast Report by Mark Murphy, Tullamore Golf Club

Ned Browne, Frank Browne and John Kelly pictured at The Heritage. Mark Rowland, Paul Smyth and Mark Murphy pictured at The Heritage

Some of the prizewinners from The Heritage outing.

Rough Tournament

“It is easier to complete a triathlon than 72 holes of a USPGA tournament. The Bermuda rough is deadlier than the Bermuda triangle”. Tim Rosaforte’s description of the 1987 event at Palm Beach.

37 greenside magazine | September 2012 NortheastGreenside Report by Alan McArdle, Newlands Golf Club

Whoever Said Greenkeeping was an Easy Job?

Another season has come to a close and another year without a summer. It’s hard to remember such a prolonged period of rainfall if, indeed, one ever existed, and yet we all have to present a course ready for play every day. It has been a tough year for many. Whoever said greenkeeping was an easy job?

Weather aside, we have had a busy few weeks in the Northeast region and we played some fantastic courses. The first one was at the Grange Golf Club. With a welcome break in Some of the prizewinners at the Grange Golf Club outing the weather, and a good turnout, an enjoyable day was had by all. The course was in great shape with lightning fast greens, a huge thanks to Jon Palmer and all his staff on a great job.

Grange Results

1st Dean Brock 2nd Stephen Kelly 3rd Alan McArdle 4th Aidan Donaldson 5th Val Sheridan Trade Giles McDonagh (Tacit Golf)

Our second outing was in Dun Laoghaire Left: Giles McDonagh, Frank Byrne, Jonathan Palmer and Eddie Connaughton pictured at the Golf Club. The only thing I can say is wow. If Grange outing you haven’t had the pleasure of playing this course, I urge you to do so, you will not be disappointed. On the day, the course was in magnificent condition, completely blemish free. This was a remarkable achievement, considering the amount of rain we have had. Again, a huge thanks to Des McGann and his staff for a great day.

Dun Laoghaire Results

1st Joe Henny 2nd Alan McArdle 3rd Gavin Dunne 4th Dean Brock 5th Simon Lewis Trade Giles McDonagh (Tacit Golf) Left: Bobby McDermott, Brian Harvey and John Kelly pictured at the Shamie Kelly Trophy outing www.gcsai.org 38 Northeast Report by Alan McArdle, Newlands Golf Club

Prizewinners at the Shamie Kelly Trophy at Newlands Golf Club

Shamie KellyTrophy Our most recent outing was the rearranged Shamie KellyTrophy in Experienced Mathew wins Newlands Golf Club. As usual the course was in great shape. Full credit at Killeen Castle must go to Gerry Byrne and all the lads. Unfortunatly the turn out was slightly down on previous years but the weather was on our side. Scotland’s Solheim Cup star Catriona Matthew continued her love affair with Killeen Castle as she recorded a one Shamie Kelly Results stroke victory in the Ladies Irish Open supported by Fáilte Ireland. 1st Jason Whelan 2nd Simon Lewis atthews could afford a 3rd Dean Brock bogey five on the final 4th Paul Fitzgerald hole to seal the win 5th Gerry Byrne Mwith a three round total of 209, Trade Giles McDonagh (Tacit Golf) seven under par, after a second successive round of 71. Her European Solheim Cup Sympathy teammate Suzann Pettersen of Jones Photo Tristan I would like to send my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Norway ended a stroke back after her second straight round of Northeast region to Ken Boyle and his family on the tragic loss of 69, with another Solheim Cup star, Laura Davies, three shots his wife, Michelle, after a short battle with illness. Our thoughts and further behind in third. The finishing holes provided drama in prayers are with you for the future. Condolences are also offered to The 2011 Solheim Cup and it again proved the case as Pettersen Gerry Byrne, Superintendent at Newlands Golf Club, on the death of pushed Matthew all the way on a warm and sunny afternoon his father, Tommy. May they rest in peace. mixed with showers in County Meath. There was a two shot swing when Matthew, playing in the last group behind Pettersen, holed a tricky five-footer to reach eight under with a hole to play. Pettersen missed her downhill birdie putt on 18 and although Matthew dropped a shot, finding the bunker right, behind the green, two putts were enough to seal the win and the €52,500 first prize. England’s Curtis Cup winner Charley Hull is another player to watch and she ended in a share of 18th place, taking home the Philomena Garvey trophy as the leading amateur. Despite the rainfall that fell during the weeks leading up to the tournament, the course was presented in excellent condition, by Course Manager Mark Collins and his team.

39 greenside magazine | September 2012 Southwest Report by Michael F. O’Connor, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club

Barrett is Best on Home Turf It was a case of ‘winner all right’ for Tommy Barrett who returned a superb score of forty two points on his home course of Charleville at our outing on 31st May. Tommy, who was playing off a handicap of fifteen, covered the first nine holes in a fantastic twenty three points and followed this up by scoring nineteen points on the back nine.

earest to Tommy was his work colleague, Mark Dowling, The signature hole at Charleville with forty points playing off fourteen handicap, followed by Killarney’s David MacIndoe Junior with a very steady thirty Neight points in third place. Overall, the scoring was pretty good but at the end of the day it was Barrett who was best on his home turf. Trevor Prestige of National Agrochemical Distributors won the Trade Prize with thirty two points. We would like to thank Secretary Manager Pat Nagle for his courtesy and hospitality and also for the use of their excellent facilities. We also wish to thank Course Superintendent Seamus Lyons and his staff for the pristine condition of the course, especially having had to put up with the adverse weather conditions which we have been having all year long. Much appreciation to the catering staff for the delicious food and the prompt service received after the competition. Last, but not least, we would like to acknowledge the participation of everyone who contributed to making our day a very enjoyable one. Well done to all concerned!

Sincere Sympathy It was only a very short time after our outing to Charleville Golf Club that we learned with regret of the sudden and untimely death of Edward Joseph Nagle of Hazelwood Drive, Killarney. ‘Joe’ as he was known to his friends was the brother of Pat Nagle, Secretary Manager of Charleville G.C. On behalf of the South West Region of the GCSAI we wish to take this opportunity to offer our sincere sympathies to Pat and his family and also to Joe’s wife and family on their great loss at this very difficult time. The holy sacrifice of the mass has been offered for the repose of Joe’s soul. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhilis! Overall winner at the Charleville outing, Tommy Barrett

O’Mahony Strikes Gold in Killarney Charleville Results Kanturk’s Assistant Superintendent Finbarr O’Mahony, playing off a handicap of four, showed real class when striking gold with Overall a fabulous performance in winning the overall prize at the South 1st. Tommy Barrett Charleville G.C. 15h’cap 42pts. West Region’s outing on July 24th to Killarney’s Mahony’s Point 2nd. Mark Dowling Charleville G.C. 14h’cap 40pts. 3rd. David MacIndoe Jnr Killarney G.C. 12h’cap 38pts. Course. Finbarr played superb golf throughout the afternoon, clocking up no fewer than four birdies and twelve pars, and the Category 1 only hiccup in his round was dropping three shots to par, which 1st James Madigan Kanturk G.C. 7h’cap 37pts. otherwise was a perfect round of golf scoring forty one points. The weather changed quite a lot during the day and we Category 2 witnessed at least three seasons in one afternoon which included 1st. Pat Carroll Mahon G.C. 18h’cap 35pts. a heavy downpour over the final nine holes. A big ‘bula bás’ is due 2nd. Johnny Ryan Fota G.C. 17h’cap 35pts. to all who braved the elements on the day. A few years ago Finbarr was playing off a handicap of four but Category 3 due to a hand injury, he had to give up golf for a while. When he 1st. Colman Fitzpatrick Kanturk G.C. 19h’cap 27pts. started playing again his handicap rose to seven but with lots of Trade physio he is back to playing excellent golf once again. You can 1st.Trevor Prestige N.A.D. Ltd. 8h’cap 30pts. be sure you will hear a lot more of Finbarr now that he is back in top form. Just remember ”no matter what the obstacle, if you are Guest Prize patient and persevere, you will eventually succeed.” 1st. Mark Cagney Charleville G.C. 5h’cap 32pts. Another member who also scored very well on the day with an excellent forty points was none other than David MacIndoe Junior. www.gcsai.org 40 Southwest Report by Michael F. O’Connor, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club

David showed fine skill with birdies at the fifth and tenth holes. Killarney Results Charleville’s Seamus Lyons finished one point further back in third place with a very creditable thirty nine points. Overall The Trade Prize went to Trevor Prestige of National 1st. Finbarr O’Mahony Kanturk G.C. 4h’cap. 41pts. Agrochemical Distributors who won for the second time in a row. 2nd. David MacIndoe Jnr. Killarney G.C. 12h’cap. 40pts. Will it be third time lucky for Trevor? The rest of the reps will 3rd. Seamus Lyons Charleville G.C. 17h’cap. 39pts. have to try to put up a much better challenge at future outings. We take this opportunity to thank General Manager Maurice Category 1 O’Meara for the use of their superb facilities and the courtesy 1st.Tommy Sayers Dingle 7h’cap. 37pts. afforded to us on the day. We must mention the bar staff for their pleasant service and also the catering staff for the fine food Category 2 served to us afterwards. 1st. Tommy Barrett Charleville G.C. 14h’cap 37pts. Last, but not least, we would like to sincerely thank Course 2nd. Con O’Driscoll Fota G.C. 18h’cap 30pts. Superintendent David MacIndoe and his staff for having the course in superb condition despite having the wettest June and Category 3 July since records began. A most enjoyable day was had by one 1st. Pat O’Rourke Shannon G.C. 19h’cap 36pts. and all. Special mention must be given to Michael Weldon of Seamus Trade Weldon Lt. and Denis Collins of Goldcrop Ltd who supplied extra 1st.Trevor Prestige N.A.D. Ltd. 7h’cap 34pts. prizes for the outing. Mile buiochas dhiabh go leir!

Trevor Prestige N.A.D., double winner of the Trade Prize at Killarney Overall winner at Killarney, Finbarr O’Mahony of Kanturk (left), and Charleville receives his prize from Micheal F. O’Connor

Sponsors

A sincere thank you to all our dedicated sponsors who have supported us over the years and a Céad Míle Fáilte to our more recent ones. We sincerely appreciate your undying support and look forward to meeting you at all the outings. We wish you and your companies continued success for many years to come.

Bambi and Family at Killarney

A Double Life

American comedian and entertainer Jack Benny often claimed to be thirty-nine years old. So it was fitting that Frank Sinatra’s gift to Benny on his eightieth birthday was two copies of Life Begins at 40.

41 greenside magazine | September 2012 F.E.G.G.A. REPORT By Dean Cleaver CEO International Summit in Australia Well it’s certainly been a trying summer for greenkeepers and their golf courses, many areas suffering from record rainfalls, and with very little drying time to, at least, give an opportunity to carry out regular maintenance tasks. Hopefully, as you read this, you will have had a change in fortune with at least some real summer conditions.

was very fortunate to travel to Melbourne, Australia in June to attend the International Summit, and also to have Ithe opportunity to attend Australia’s own Conference and Show. Associations that attended the Summit were Australia, BIGGA, GCSAA, New Zealand, Norway, and FEGGA. The Summit focused on three main areas, including education standards and levels that are currently available, and how these can be used to create more continuity across the globe. The European Standards that had been created by the European Education Unit (EGEU) were recognised as being benchmarks that could be adopted and used across the world. The Standards are also supported and endorsed by the R&A, adding real value for the industries commitment to supporting the Some of the delegates who attended the International Summit in Melbourne, Australia game of golf. The Environment was also a major focus branding of superintendents, course managers opportunity to visit and play three of its finest within the Summit, and discussion took place and greenkeepers, and looked at the profile of sand belt golf courses, these being Woodlands, on what is being done, both currently and the profession, and how best to develop it with Kingston Heath, Australia’s number one, in the future. There is no doubt that there is a unified voice. and the famous Royal Melbourne. All three tremendous commitment from all areas of For me The Summit provided a real provided natural golf at its best, and for me golf, but more has to be done to support this opportunity to focus on core events of walking these famous fairways completed a in reaching out beyond Golfers. The GCSAA association work and the challenges that we all dream come true. It’s hard to pick one course presented a very substantial draft document face. It was rewarding to see some of the great out, as they all provided something unique, aimed at the Sustainability and Environmental work that is currently being done to aid the but for me Royal Melbourne offered so much principles. All agreed that this was something sustainable benefits to superintendents, course in terms of golf course architecture, which created a level of golfing experience that would be hard to match anywhere in the world. The day before we played, I was watching the Golf Channel and it was interesting to hear Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo talking about the wonderful green complexes at Royal Melbourne, how they felt they were some of the best world-wide and how much they always enjoyed the challenge of putting there. They were not wrong, the complexes looked stunning, were such fun to play on, and all framed within some of the best bunkering I have ever seen. Irish Open On my return home though, It was nice to see the wonderful Royal Portrush Golf Club play host to the Irish Open. The course Royal Melbourne Golf Club looked stunning, and was truly matched by the wonderfully massive crowds that turned for all associations to both review, and aim to managers, greenkeepers, and the game of out to support this event. It was nice to see a adopt, as a global commitment to managing golf. We need to continually work on ways of tournament so well supported and a shame and conserving resources and inputs, and delivering our message to the wider world. It that it did not produce an Irish winner, but reducing wastes while providing quality was also great to visit the conference and show Jamie Donaldson was a worthy winner, and playing surfaces for golfers of today and of the AGCSA which followed the Summit finished with a rare quote saying it was the tomorrow. and spend time with superintendents that had best golf course and tournament he had ever The Summit also continued to look at gathered in the wonderful city of Melbourne. played - well done to all! improving the worldwide recognition/ Whilst in Melbourne I also had the www.gcsai.org 42 News

Operation Pollinator

A gathering of up to thirty people attended the Operation Pollinator Open Day at Naas Golf Club on 24th May last. This event was organized by Everris and included an indoor talk and outdoor demonstration by Bob Taylor of the STRI. Whatever it is about Bob, he seems to bring out the sunshine wherever he goes and the delegates were treated to a warm summer sunny day, which enhanced the demonstrations.

ob gave advice on the best location on the golf course, the growing conditions needed, and how to prepare for the introduction of wild flower mixes into the grass sward, of Bselected rough areas on the course. Naas Golf Club has started trials using the Operation Pollinator method and the delegates were impressed with the results that David Behan, the Course Superintendent at Naas, has achieved. Operation Pollinator is a new project designed to reverse the plight of bumblebees and pollinating insects by creating valuable new habitats in out of play areas of golf courses. Its aim is to establish a total of 250 hectares of pollen, and nectar rich habitats, on up to 500 golf courses across Simon Watson, David Behan, David Coleman and Bob Taylor at the Operation the UK and Ireland over the next three years, to provide the Pollinator Open Day at Naas Golf Club essential food sources and nesting sites for pollinating insects - including bumblebees and other important wild bees. For more information on Operation Pollinator contact ColmanWarde The Operation Pollinator programme is based on the at [email protected] or phone him on 087 7799527. experience gained from the scientifically acclaimed 5-year Buzz You can also visit http://www.operationpollinator.com/golf/ Project and on over four years of trials carried out by the STRI.

43 greenside magazine | September 2012 By Alan Mahon

It was a typical summers day in July 2012 when I arrived at Semple Stadium - damp and murkey. However when I met the stadium’s head groundsman, Philly Butler, the mental clouds, at least, soon disappeared as Philly started to talk about how he maintains the iconic pitch.

Photo courtesy of Semple Stadium

amed after Tom Semple, Semple the demands which a crowd of up to 60,000 end of the field was completed in 1981 at a Stadium is located just at the edge of would make. The embankments around the cost of £500,000. This development and the Thurles, the town where the Gaelic field were raised and extended and the stand terracing at the Killinan end of the field were NAthletic Association (GAA) was founded accommodation was also extended. However, part of a major improvement scheme for the in 1884. The grounds on which Semple the jubilee final was held in Croke Park celebration of the GAA centenary All- Stadium is built were formerly known as and it was another 50 years before Ireland Hurling Final between Cork Thurles Sportsfield. The site was offered for the Stadium would host the long- and Offaly in 1984. sale in 1910 at the wish of Canon M.K. Ryan awaited All-Ireland final as a Recently, an architectural and was purchased by local Gaelic Games showpiece to mark the GAA consultancy was appointed enthusiasts for £900. To meet the cost of the centenary. to lead a design team, tasked purchase, an issue of shares was subscribed In 1968, further developments with preparing a Masterplan by the townspeople. The grounds remained took place when the Dr Kinane for the redevelopment of Semple in the hands of the shareholders until 1956 Stand was completed and opened. Stadium. Currently the stadium has when they were transferred to the GAA. In 1971 the stadium was named after a capacity of 53,500, of which 26,000 In 1934 in anticipation of the All-Ireland Tom Semple, famed captain of the Thurles are seated, but with limited facilities for Hurling Final being held in the grounds “Blues”. He won All-Ireland Senior Hurling additional use by spectators. In April 2006, in commemoration of the golden jubilee Championship medals in 1900, 1906 and Tipperary County Board announced an of the GAA, extensive improvements were 1908. The “Ardan O Riain” opposite the €18 million redevelopment plan for the made to bring the field requirements up to Kinane Stand and the terracing at the town Stadium. The three-year project aimed to www.gcsai.org 44 Head Groundsman Philly Butler boost attendances to over 55,000, as well as providing a wide range of modern facilities such as corporate space concessions, dining and changing areas within both main stands. Proposals were also made for upgrading the present standing terraces and providing for the installation of a modern floodlighting facility. Phase one of the upgrade project, upgrading the Kinnane Stand side of the stadium, involved expenditure of €5.5 million. On 14 February 2009, the new state of the art floodlights were officially switched on by GAA president Nicky Brennan before the National Hurling League game.

Maintenance Philly Butler has been working at Semple Stadium for many years. He became head Groundsman in 2006 when his predecessor, Jimmy Purcell, retired. There are three training

pitches up the road from Semple Stadium at Dr. Morris Park and these pitches are maintained by Pat Canlon. They are available for all the Tipperary teams to train on throughout the year. It was a busy day, when I arrived, for Philly and his two seasonal helpers Mary Carew and Pa Bourke. They were

45 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature

preparing for a GAA Championship Hurling quarter final double header the following Sunday with Limerick against Kilkenny, and Cork against Waterford. Cork won the contest but were beaten by Galway in the semi-finals. Incidentally Pa Bourke is a County hurler with Tipperary, having won an All-Ireland Minor Hurling and a National Hurling League medal in 2006 & 2008 respectively and winning an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medal in 2010. Pa will be keeping a close eye on these matches because Tipperary will be playing the winner of the Kilkenny V Limerick match in the All Ireland hurling semifinals (Kilkenny were the eventual winners). The turf at Semple Stadium is mown three times per week during the growing season and Philly told me that the height of cut he mows the pitch at depends on the upcoming game that is going to be played. “I mow at one inch for a hurling match and 2 inches for a football match” he says.

Hand tools play an important part in the maintenance of the pitch

last eight years has meant that a good layer of sand has developed within the top few inches of the turf. Philly gets a lot of advice from Mick Carroll who is retired from Teagasc. Mick has a lot of knowlwdge when it comes to agronomical advice. When a match is being played Philly and a team of six volunteers rush out to the pitch at half time to fork in as many of the divots that have been created by the players in the first half. The volunteers are increased if the teams are playing on a wet pitch where the potential for more damage is increased. Slow release fertilizer is applied twice a year. The combination/ strength of the fertiliser used depends on what the soil requires. Besides maintaining the turf in the stadium, Philly has to keep an eye on the goal mouths as a lot of the match action is played in these areas. Resodding the mouths is an all year round affair and a necessary operation. An irrigation system capable of applying up to 50,000 gallons of water at a time is available when needed. It didn’t get a lot of use this year but it only takes one or two weeks of dry weather to make it necessary to irrigate. Not only is Philly responsible for the maintenance of the pitch Philly Butler, Mary Carew and Pa Bourke but the stadium and buildings within the complex are also part of his duties. Jobs such as greasing the turn stiles, painting walls and The pitch in Semple Stadium has a fall of one meter from goal doors are all necessary. to goal (from the Killinan Stand to the Town Stand). This allows As I was talking to Philly about his work it soon became clear a gentle fall for the underlying drainage system to work. This that he really loves his work. Even though it involves coming herringbone drainage system was installed fifteen years ago and has in every day for seven days a week, after all his years at Semple made a huge difference in the quality of the turf. The pitch seldom Stadium he has not lost the enthusiasm for the job. He loves his gets waterlogged, even though technically it is soil constructed. pitch and stadium. No one will take that passion away from him. Applying 100 tonnes of sand each spring after verti draining for the At the time of Greenside going to print, Tipperary still remain in the All-Ireland hurling championships. Maybe Pa Bourke can bring home a second All-Ireland Senior Championship medal. He will have to overcome Kilkenny and Galway if he is to do so.

Equipment Used

• 1 x Jacobsen LF3800 mower • 1 x Snapper pedestrian mower • 2 x Shindaiwa strimmers • 1 x Shindaiwa leaf blower • 1 x Line marker • 1 x Knapsack sprayer

www.gcsai.org 46 News

Fota Island Resort on the Scott MacCallum takes over as Market Editor of Turf Pro Scott MacCallum, who was Editor of Greenkeeper International, the journal of Colliers International and Colohan the British International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) for 17 years, is & Downing are instructed by to be the new Editor of Turf Pro magazine. Pricewaterhouse Coopers acting as Receivers to bring one of Ireland’s Prior to joining Greenkeeper International, Scott worked foremost golf resorts, namely the Fota on golfing titles such as Golf Monthly, Today’s Golfer and Island Resort to the market. Championship Golf. He was also Director of Communications for the PGA European Tour based at Wentworth and acted as Press Officer at major events such as the Volvo PGA Championship and the World Cup of Golf. Scott has also been a member of the Association of Golf Writers since 1989. Since leaving BIGGA, Scott has also set up his own media agency, Straight Down the Middle Communications, handling writing and press work for clients, mainly in the turfcare industry. As well as editing Turf Pro, Scott will be closely involved in the 2012 Turf Pro Awards (www.proawards.co.uk) to be presented at the Pro Awards Dinner at the Macdonald Savill Court Hotel, Windsor on 4 September 2012. He will be joined by Mike Beardall, a former editor of The Groundsman magazine. Mike will become part of the judging panel for the Awards as well as contributing he 500 acre resort, with its special features to Turf Pro. championship golf course which Chris Biddle, the publisher and founder of Turf Pro, sister title to Service Dealer hosted the 2001 and 2002 Irish Open magazine, says “I am delighted that Scott has accepted the challenge of editing Turf Pro, TChampionships, is located approximately a magazine of which we are intensely proud, which I am sure will go from strength to 15km east of Cork City just south of the N25 strength in the coming months.” Cork/Rosslare Euro Route, and encompasses a 131 bedroom 5 star hotel, 27 hole championship golf course, club house, golf academy and 59 holiday lodges. The entire estate was bought by University Ireland Courses Claim Place in College Cork in 1975 and was subsequently subdivided. The Fota Wildlife Park, one World’s Elite of Ireland’s top 10 visitor attractions with Golf Digest - the number one distributed sports title over 390,000 visitors in 2011, was opened in the United States - asked its 6.5m-plus readers in 1983 and boasts more than 70 species of to name their favourite golfing venues around the exotic wildlife in open natural surroundings. world and Ireland came out with top marks. The Irish Heritage Trust took possession of the house and have undertaken an oyal County Down, beat off competition from extensive restoration programme and the some of the game’s most iconic venues including internationally acclaimed arboretum and The Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Melbourne, gardens were transferred to the care of the RValderrama and all the courses on the Open Championship Office of Public Works in 1997. These are a rota to be named top in Golf Digest’s Planet Golf “100 Best major tourist attraction in their own right. Courses Outside the US.” Planning permission was granted in 2003 Portmarnock Golf Club, finished 12th in the poll, one place ahead of Royal Portrush’s which allowed for the construction of 281, Dunluce Course - host of the 2012 Irish Open - while five other Irish layouts also featured three and four bedroom holiday lodges, prominently in the vote. arranged in detached, semidetached and County Kerry, in the south-west of Ireland, claimed an impressive hat-trick with terraced formats. A condition of the planning Waterville (23rd) Ballybunion (26th) and Tralee (82nd) all included in the top 100. is that the lodges shall not be used for Lahinch in Co. Clare, a long-term favourite among golfers visiting Ireland, also clinched permanent or principal residence and that a place in the elite table in 41st position together with Co. Wicklow’s The European occupation of any lodge by the owner, relative Club, who finished 88th in the poll. David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s head of business and of owner or tenant for more than 6 months in sports tourism, said: “Ireland has worked tremendously hard to promote itself as a golfing any calendar year is prohibited. 120 houses destination and it’s great to see this being recognised. were built with 61 being sold and 59 remain “As this poll shows, we have some of the best and most well-known courses to be found substantially completed, some available for anywhere in the world, but one of the joys of Ireland is that we also have some lesser- immediate occupation, some requiring minor known clubs that are equally as enjoyable and are just waiting to be discovered.” finishing works. With some of the most famous venues across the globe, Ireland offers golfers the Despite having being placed in complete package with top championship courses, stunning scenery, fascinating history administration the business continues to and some of the best craic around. generate an annual turnover of in excess of To see Golf Digest’s Planet Golf: “Top 100 courses outside of the U.S” list, visit €10m. Offers in excess of €20m for the entire www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/2012-05/100-best-golf-courses-outside-us offering is anticipated.

47 greenside magazine | September 2012 Dates for Your Diary

Amenity Horticulture at Horticulture 2012 STRI 2012 19 September 2012 19, 20 September 2012

This year, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) STRI is inviting greenkeepers, course managers, fine turf managers, is celebrating the centenary of its Greenmount Campus, near Antrim. To groundstaff and sports professionals to attend a research event which mark this historic anniversary, the College is running a one day event on will provide a unique insight into the future of sportsturf management. Wednesday 19 September 2012 from 11.00am until 9.00pm. It will include Following the inaugural event launched in 2011, STRI Research 2012 a programme of technical and business seminars, a trade exhibition, tours will once again give sportsturf managers an opportunity to receive first- and working demonstrations, all under the title of ‘Horticulture 2012’. hand detailed information on the latest developments being made in People will also be able to attend a programme of technical and business sports turf products, techniques and technology. The one day event will seminars targetted at those working in the commercial horticulture, run on both Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th September at STRI’s landscape and amenity sectors. research facilities in Bingley with demonstrations conducted at seven For more information on the programme, please contact CAFRE’s Kieran separate turf management areas. Delegates will be based in small groups Lavelle on 07990575893 or email him on [email protected] or to allow interaction and question time with advisory staff. visit: www.dardni.gov.uk/ruralni/index/crops/horticulture_2012 To make a booking or for further information contact the Sales & Marketing Team at STRI on: 00441274 565131 or email [email protected] STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) www.stri.co.uk International Nitrogen Workshop Success Closing date for applying is Friday 7 September, 2012 The 17th International Nitrogen Workshop took place in Wexford from 26th to 29th June. It was the first time the event took take place Irish Links Initiative 16,17 October 2012 in the Republic of Ireland, bringing together over 300 scientists from 34 countries. Organised by Teagasc and the Agri-Food and Biosciences The Autumn series of the Irish Links Initiative (ILI) will take place at Institute, Northern Ireland, this international conference focused on Rosslare Golf Links on October 16th and 17th next. This event has innovative solutions for the sustainable use of nitrogen resources in always proved popular with superintendents and secretary managers farming. Now In its 30th Year, the International Nitrogen Workshop who are responsible for maintaining and running Irish links courses. continues to provide scientists, policy makers and agri-food stakeholders For more information contact Tracy Coburn at: with a forum to discuss strategies for maximising the use of nitrogen [email protected] or visit the ILI website irishlinks.ie resources. This workshop highlighted advances in nitrogen science and how newly developed molecular biology tools can be used to help improve crop nitrogen utilisation and reduce environmental losses.

www.gcsai.org 48 Useful Publications

Turfgrass Management Useful Publications (Prentice Hall) By A.J. Turgeon Highly regarded for its thorough coverage of turfgrass Golf’s Unfolding Drama science and technology,Turfgrass Management, Ninth Edition, addresses the important features of By Evan Schiller turfgrass systems, interactions, and management. Rich with illustrations, This book is available for download on your this book unlocks the mysteries of turf and establishes the role of cultural iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks and interventions in achieving specific objectives. Among its many updates, on your computer with iTunes. Books must be this new edition features expanded coverage of history of turf, anatomy read on an iOS device. In this book, specially and morphology, climatic adaptation, and soil physics. designed for the iPad, professional golf course Hardcover, 9th Revised edition. Revised. 408 pages photographer Evan Schiller has assembled forty ISBN: 0137074352 ISBN-13: 9780137074358 of his most dramatic images of golf courses around the world. Enjoy this photographic journey that will transport you to four continents, Design, Construction, from the great links courses of Scotland and Ireland to spectacular Sports Fields: vistas at Pebble Beach and Hawaii. and Maintenance, 2nd Edition

Go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/golfs-unfoldingdrama A versatile how-to guide, Sports Fields, Second • Available on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Edition suggests solutions to common field problems • Category: Photography that are not only helpful for professional sports • Published: Dec 05, 2011 turf practitioners, but also for park and recreation • Publisher: Photography by Evan Schiller professionals, school athletic field managers, architects, landscape • Seller: Photography by Evan Schiller architects, and engineers. Chapter after chapter delivers on the promise of • Print Length: 98 Pages imparting well-grounded principles that can be applied to create athletic • Language: English fields that are long-lasting, visually dazzling-and eminently playable. • Requirements: This book requires iBooks 1.2 or later and iOS 4.2 or later. Books can only be viewed using iBooks on an iPad, Authors: Jim Puhulla, Jeffrey V. Krans, Michael Goatley iPhone (3G or later), or iPod touch (2nd generation or later). ISBN: 978-0-470-43893-0 Hardcover | 528 pages | Available from Wiley Books www.wiley.com

49 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature

James de Havilland takes a closer look at the intricacies of current machinery The Anatomy of Heavy Duty Utility Vehicles Choose wisely to make the most of your investment.

Utility vehicles come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, with a choice of petrol, diesel and electric power. The key to choosing the right tool is establishing what it will be used for.

tility vehicle choice, in its broadest players, there are not really any diesel sense, is arguably wider now powered machines that are a match; petrol than it has ever been. It is only powered heavy-duty alternatives are offered Uwhen you start to put together a few basic by the ‘big three’ but a lower retail price requirements, however, that the choice on has to be offset against the offer starts to be easier to work through. high cost and inconvenience As an example, the Cushman of petrol power in most Turf-Truckster, from Ransomes European markets. Jacobsen; the Pro Gator, If you are prepared to go from John Deere, and the a bit ‘left field’ you can find Workman HDX models, machines that perhaps from Toro, typically offer could do a similar job. As the capacity to carry an example, the Caron range attachments that can from BSG Supplies includes include core collectors, top the two - seat 847. This has a dressers and sprayers. It is 38hp diesel engine and a 16Fx8R no surprise that these are the default transmission and a payload of 3,000kg. It can heavy-duty models chosen by many golf be fitted with a top dresser or sprayer and clubs. comes with a three-way tipping body and The key models are pretty close on their cab. rated capacities too. Take the diesel-powered BSG Caron machines do not fit into the line-up that comprises the 24hp Pro Gator Current Toro Workman vehicles include expected utility vehicle niche, so it is all too 2030A rated at 1,182kg, the 26.5hp Workman the HDX. Looked at in isolation, these easy to neglect them. But they are well worth HDX-D-4WD offering a 1,289kg payload and other models from competitors do considering if you need a tool with greater and the 23hp Cushman Turf Truckster have a premium price tag. It is when you capacity. offering a 1,293kg capacity. In the real world cost in attachments, however, that they Similarly, if you are looking for a more their overall specifications are broadly start to make sense. general-purpose utility vehicle that will similar, with mechanical transmissions and a largely be used to move people and light kit choice of hydraulic packages to suit specific around, consider entry-level petrol models to attachments. package. Example? Take a sprayer. All the include the Kawasaki Mule 610 and Polaris Where the Gator – Truckster - Workman listed models will take a sprayer of around Ranger 400. Although petrol power is falling models come into their own is when they are 750 litres, with boom widths of around 6 to out of fashion due to fuelling costs, the fitted with purpose-designed attachments. 7m dependant upon model. relatively low initial purchase price of these This essentially enables end users to specify The sprayer will sit low on the machine, machines can make them a cost effective buy. an ‘off-the-peg’ vehicle to cover spraying to improve stability, with the weight more There are also diesel powered models to and top dressing, core collecting and other evenly spread between the wheels than consider to include the evergreen Kawasaki requirements, these attachments typically perhaps would be the case with a trailed Diesel Mule, together with alternatives from selling for less than trailed alternatives. unit. The same will apply to a top dresser. companies to include Club Car, Bobcat, So although the ‘on paper’ price of these When these attachments are not in use, they Kubota, JCB and well, the list is actually heavy-duty utilities can be high, their ability demount easily and free the vehicle for other pretty long. The key is to establish the to work with purpose built attachments work. key difference between basic utility units can actually make them a more ‘complete’ As to alternatives to these established designed to have a light footprint and modest www.gcsai.org 50 Feature

1 2

1 If your requirements will include the need to move personnel and materials over demanding terrain, a UtV with more serious off-road abilities comes into play. The Cushman 1600XD-R 4X4 utility vehicle is suitable for this.

2 BSG Supplies offer the Caron range of utility vehicles in both single and dual seat variants. If you want a vehicle with a three- way tipping body, adaptable load platform and capacities of 3 tonnes plus, a Caron is worth a look.

3 Kubota RTV900 vehicles feature hydrostatic drive and power steering. This type of tool makes an ideal general workhorse, particularly when equipped with a hydraulic tipping body. 3

51 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature

With their low centre of gravity, a utility such as the John Deere Pro Gator and HD SelectSpray make a stable spraying combination. Are you buying a self-propelled sprayer that can do something more or a utility on its own?

load capacity and machines that have a bigger payload and the ability to power attachments. Often overlooked are battery powered electric vehicles. These tend to go in and out of fashion, but there is no denying these tools do have a future. Polaris, for example, is selling increasingly large numbers of its Ranger E, this model essentially sharing the same chassis as its Ranger 400 sibling with the result of it delivering good performance in more extreme going. But there are other electric models to consider. These include vehicles that can be specified in road legal form. As an example, ePower Trucks has a range of electric utilities that have a 1,000kg payload. If your needs are for a runabout that may need to travel on and off the road, then these machines could be of interest. In terms of cost, a road ready electric truck will cost similar money to a heavy- duty ‘turf truck’. A key to selecting a utility vehicle is to work out what it has to do. Existing heavy-duty models actually fit the bill perfectly when used Light and relatively inexpensive to buy and run, small utilities as ‘self-propelled’ sprayers and top dressers. like the petrol powered kawasaki Mule 610 are also extremely But if you want a general carrier then you could do well to consider quiet. This can be a useful feature when working around a busy something else. The key to making the right choice is to have an open course. mind.

Greenside would like to thank BIGGA and Greenkeeper International for allowing permission to reproduce this article. www.gcsai.org 52 Feature

Often Overlooked

Superintendents and technicians all seem to have their own ideas on when and how to grind reels. For some, their grinding philosophies are as guarded as a certain colonel’s seven secret herbs and spices. So, for an expert look at reel maintenance, Erik Sides, training manager for Jacobsen Turf Equipment, offers a few basics superintendents and technicians should keep in mind when it’s time to grind.

Check the reel first with the bedknife can save hours of grinding time down the road. Do daily clearance checks. As a rule, you want between one-thousandth efore doing any grinding, thoroughly clean the reel and to two-thousandths clearance between the bed knife and reel blades. cylinder. Next, always check to make sure the reel and roller Avoid metal-to-metal contact, as that quickly wears down a reel. bearings are good and reel has proper end play. It is virtually Pulling a reel, mounting it in the grinder and replacing the unit can Bimpossible to get a good, consistent grind if there are worn bearings. take up to an hour per reel. Daily clearance checks take just a few Save yourself the headache and check these before wasting time at minutes and can help extend reel life and save shop time by extending the grinder. the duration between spin grinds. You should also look for a “coned” reel by using a pi-tape or other measuring device to check circumference. An uneven reel can Don’t overlook the relief angle affect cut quality as well as lead to contact with the bed knife. If you find a coned reel, follow the directions for your specific grinding When you do have to grind, don’t overlook the relief angle. There equipment to get the reel back to true. are two distinct schools of thought on grinding. Those that spin grind only and those that relief grind in addition to spin grinding. Maintain proper clearance I whole-heartedly recommend everyone maintain the relief angle throughout the life of the reel. The relief is key to keeping the reels Easily the most overlooked, but key component of reel maintenance and the tractor working the most efficiently. Without the relief angle, is to make sure bedknife clearances are maintained. A couple of you potentially increase drag on the reels or increase the likelihood minutes spent ensuring the reel blades are not coming into contact of metal-to-metal contact. This puts more strain on the entire tractor

53 greenside magazine | September 2012 Feature

and generates more heat in the hydraulic or electrical systems In Backlapping vs Grinding addition to adding wear to the unit as a whole, this additional strain can also start to have a negative impact on fuel economy. There are many practices and philosophies for maintaining reels Drag, wear and heat are minimized with a relief angle and proper and bedknives. Some choose to grind and utilize no backlapping, bedknife clearances. The proper angles for reels can generally be some will backlap only to get the longest life between grinds, and found in manufacturer’s manuals. others prefer a position somewhere in the middle. Regardless of your preference, the key to proper cutting is to have a sharp reel and bedknife. Time to grind The modern technology in backlapping valves provides all reels on a machine can be backlapped at the same time. Backlapping valves How often to grind is another question. While there is no hard and are innovative in that they sense the restriction between the reel and fast rule, this is a major factor that a lot of people overlook. How bedknife when the backlapping compound is required, and adjust often and how heavy you topdress will dictate how often you’ll hydraulic flow accordingly to keep reel speed constant for a premium need to grind. The more sand that goes down, the more frequently backlap. This makes the backlapping process the quickest method you’ll have to grind. to help maintain the sharpness to the reel and bedknife. The more One way to extend reel life and still aggressively topdress is to frequently a golf course backlaps, the longer they are able to keep a make sure the sand gets worked in well before mowing. Brushing pristine, sharp edge on both the reel and the bedknife, and extend or dragging will help keep the sand down at the root level where it the time between grinds. belongs and not up eroding the reels on your mowers. Backlapping is a very quick and simple process and, depending on the number of reels on the machine, should take no more than two to 10 minutes to complete an entire mower. In regard to how often to backlap, first determine what level of expectation you require for your cut quality. The lower your height-of-cut, the more maintenance is required for the turf and for the reel mower. There are also other variables – such as top dressing program, grass type, course soil conditions and the amount of grass being mowed by the machine. These variables and expectations for cut quality will determine how often to backlap and each individual course should determine its own program. It can be as frequent as after each mowing or it can be once every week or two. The key to backlapping is that you are maintaining the sharpness, while not trying to re- establish like when you are grinding. So, backlap before you lose your edge. Backlapping should never be a substitute for grinding. There will come a point in time during the reel’s life where simply backlapping alone will not be sufficient. The land area of the reel blade will eventually increase, the length of the relief angle will decline, and there won’t be as much surface area to hold the backlapping compound. At that point, the reel must be ground. However, backlapping is successful in extending the time between grinds to save maintenance time during the growing season. When a reel is ground, it is important to re-establish the relief angle to allow for backlapping again in the future. The relief angle is critical in that it gives a place for the reel to hold the backlapping compound when it is applied. More importantly, when both reels and bedknives are ground, backlapping after grinding matches the bedknife to the reel to ensure both components are operating in exactly the same cutting plane. Backlapping hones the reel and bedknife to the same cutting plane. Also, when a reel is ground, it’s common for a burr to exist on the backside of the reel blade. Technicians may sometimes experience issues where the bedknife-to-reel clearance opens up while mowing, causing the mowers to lose their cut. The cut may be shaggy, and grass blade tips may be torn and brown out. What causes this in a lot of cases is that the bedknife-to-reel clearance was set with the burr still present on the back of the reel blade. The machine cuts paper Lay out a grinding schedule when it leaves the shop, the fairway or green may be cut very well for a few holes, and then – all of a sudden – the mower is cutting poorly. This will help ensure that units get taken care of in a regular The burr on the back of a freshly ground reel wears very rapidly. By fashion as well as allows superintendents to plan enough time to backlapping after grinding, the burr is removed and the cutting unit get the job done. Too often, we see reels get overlooked because can be set properly before it goes out to mow and it will stay on cut there’s ‘Just no time to grind’. for a longer period of time.

Reprinted with kind permission of Golf Course Industry magazine

www.gcsai.org 54 Trade News

Heavy-duty Gator Lely acquires Wind Turbine Improved for 2012 Manufacturer Aircon Lely has acquired the activities of one of the most respected John Deere’s 24hp ProGator 2030A diesel utility vehicle has wind turbine companies, Aircon GmbH. The activities will be been improved for 2012 with the addition of hydraulic disk continued under the name of Lely Aircon B.V. brakes on all four wheels for increased performance, and a higher maximum payload capacity of 1594kg.

ircon, was founded in 2003 and is based in Leer, Ostfriesland. The German company, with seven employees, develops and his new version of the heavy-duty, two-seater ProGator also builds specialized wind turbines which produce a high energy features enhanced styling, including a green two-post ROPS Adensity and are low in noise. Since 2006, when their product became frame in common with other John Deere self-propelled commercially available, Aircon has installed nearly 100 wind turbines Tmachines. It can be equipped with a standard tipping cargo box worldwide. for use as a general materials transporter, or with specialist turf The demand for sustainable energy is growing and the market maintenance equipment for a wide range of applications in the golf potential for wind turbines is increasing, also in the agricultural & turf and commercial groundscare markets. sector. This is why Aircon decided to opt for a strategic partner These include sprayers (such as the John Deere HD200), to enable the further development and distribution of their MCS spreaders, top dressers (including John Deere’s own TD100), certified wind turbines. In line with Lely’s strategy, increasing its focus materials collection systems and other equipment capable of on sustainable farming by facilitating decentralized energy sourcing, utilising the vehicle’s factory installed auxiliary hydraulic services. the acquisition of Aircon is a logical step. Lely Aircon wind turbines The ProGator has a five forward, one reverse speed synchronised perfectly fit in an agricultural landscape. The wind turbines are transmission, now with a tighter gear shifting pattern, and a virtually no-noise, durable, 24/7 remote controlled and maintenance maximum speed of nearly 20mph. It offers a choice of two- or friendly. optional four-wheel drive plus full front and rear suspension, Interest in wind turbines is increasing strongly, also stimulated by hydrostatic power steering and a large 30-litre fuel tank. The tilting subsidies in a number of countries. That is why in the coming months steering wheel has five positions for maximum driver comfort. Lely will focus on setting up the right distribution strategy for these Cargo box capacity is 876kg and towing capacity at the rear hitch products. Aircon is working with around 30 dealers worldwide, and is 680kg, while overall payload capacity with driver, passenger and especially their dealers in the UK and Ireland are acknowledged as loaded attachment has increased by nearly a third. An optional cab strong distribution partners. All dealers need to be certified in order can also be fitted in place of the ProGator’s standard ROPS frame. to be able to install the wind turbines.

Grass ID Guide

Syngenta has published a very useful Grass ID Guide which shows detailed photos of the main grasses found on golf and sports pitches. The Guide includes a set of novel, easy to remember visual icons of the key features to look out for with each species, along with clear guidance of the grass species which will be controlled with Rescue, Syngenta’s successful graminicide.

To obtain a free copy of this Guide contact Colman Warde on 087 7799527 or email him at [email protected]

55 greenside magazine |September2012 Trade News

Ransomes Jacobsen Introduces New Iseki SXG Range of Compact Tractor Mowers

he entry level machine is the Iseki SXG216, which provides capacity. A high dump collector and road homologated (street year round, all weather cut and collection for today’s home legal) options are available. owners and gardeners. It comes with a compact design, Designed for the most demanding users the SXG326 features a Texceptional manoeuvrability, a dial-in height of cut adjustment larger operator platform for a comfortable working environment system, and efficient fuel economy. and has an impressive collection capacity of 600 litres. There’s a Like all SXG mowers it features blower-less collection, which choice of 1.22 metre (48”) or 1.37m (54”) mower decks with wider reduces the noise level for the operator and a large 320 litre low- overlapping blades. dump collector with hydraulically-assisted tipping mechanism. The high dump collector comes as standard on this model with Using a 1.02 metre (40”) mid-mounted deck it cuts and collects in low dump an optional extra. Both collectors are easy to remove wet conditions. for simple cleaning and maintenance operations and, as with The larger SXG323 offers power, performance and productivity. the SXG323, a road homologated version with lighting kit and It consists of a 1.22 metre (48”) mower deck with wider handbrake is also available. overlapping and the large capacity, high torque 1,123cc diesel engine is powerful and fuel efficient. A new design for the operator platform provides increased leg room and an automotive-style instrument panel provides clear information. It features an easy-to-use dial-in height of cut adjustment system and has improved engine bay access, wider floors for safer operation and an easy-fill fuel tank with 21 litre

Restricting Grass Growth is a Win-Win Situation Come Rain or Shine,

Restricting the growth of grass plants can reduce the frequency of You’re Covered mowing resulting in improved sward density and less clippings to The Kubota 22hp RTV900 and 25hp RTV1140 be disposed of. Reduced growth also means less frequent need for hydrostatic drive diesel utility vehicles deliver trimming edges of paths, pavements and flower beds and can be comfort, safety and economy. If you order either especially useful in difficult areas such as sloping banks. model from 1st August to Oct 31st 2012 you will be offered free additional accessories: lipless, from Headland, is a new plant growth regulator based on Trinexapac- ethyl for the management of amenity turf Careas such as golf course fairways, tees and greens, sports fields, parks, cemeteries and turf farms, in fact for use on all areas of amenity grassland and managed amenity turf. Clipless works by blocking the production of a specific gibberellic acid, a plant hormone responsible for promoting top growth in grasses within the plant leaf, stopping cell elongation and upward growth. The pesticide is absorbed by the grass foliage and transported to the growing points at the base of the plants. Application can commence as soon as proper spring growth has started. (typically mid-April on outfield or coarse turf and mid-late May on fine turf), with one application shortening the blades of grass for up to 4 weeks. This results in a more compact growth habit. Energy is diverted away from vertical growth towards lateral growth and root development, providing a closer, denser sward. The result is a turf that not only requires less mowing, with potential savings of A plastic roof, windscreen, wipers and security manpower and cutting machinery costs, but also producing a more robust plant device worth £1,029.00 + VAT (RTV900) or £705.50 with extra ground cover. + VAT (RTV1140). Particularly cost effective on large areas such as golf fairways and sports pitches, Take a test drive today at your local dealer, and feel Clipless can be applied with a variety of Headland products for additional the Kubota difference. efficiency. It can be tank-mixed with both Xtend soluble stabilised nitrogen and the new Elevate Fe non-staining liquid iron complex amongst others. www.gcsai.org 56 Trade News

Koro Top Drain Opens new Darra Flies the Avenues for Groundsmen Olympic Flag

The Koro Top Drain 1500 is a unique multifunctional A Nenagh turf expert at Sports Turf Research Institute machine that trenches, removes spoil, injects sand and (STRI), was one of the unsung heroes of the 2012 re-compacts all in one operation. It has been designed for Olympic equestrian event in London. working on sports fields and golf course fairways. arra Hudner has been playing a leading role advising Don the 12,000 square metres cross-country course site in Greenwich Park for the last two years which was graced by Olympian competitors in front of a worldwide TV audience. As site manager at the 140-acre south-east London park, Darra was responsible for the preparation of the ecologically-sensitive course that winds through a historic public park containing Roman antiquity and rare acid grassland. Darra, 34, is one of six qualified PhD staff who closely monitored the course every day in the lead-up It offers a number of significant benefits including; material to the Games, testing for strength and moisture content and labour savings, faster processing times and less surface to ensure an optimum surface was in place by the start of contamination than conventional methods. the Games. “It has been a particularly challenging project The sand grid created by the Koro Top Drain complements to deliver in terms of both the sheer scale as well as the existing drainage systems. sensitivities of operating within London’s oldest royal park It can do a one stage trench and backfill operation which with huge historical significance,” he said. allows for fewer return visits to sites where trench heave before Darra, who joined STRI in August 2010, has gained much backfill has resulted in sand displacement during establishment. of his expertise through the development and construction The Koro Top Drain 1500 can be used as an alternative to of golf courses including the K Club as well as further afield conventional sand slitting in Europe, USA and Asia. Darra added: ”I’m extremely More information is available at www.campeyturfcare.com proud to have played a leading role for much of the green Campeys are now on facebook – www.facebook.com/campeys grass we saw on our TVs at Greenwich that was graced by and they also have their own YouTube channel www.youtube. the world’s top equestrian riders. It has been two years hard com/CampeyMachinery work, admittedly in beautiful surroundings.”

Ransomes Jacobsen Approve Solar Panel for their Eclipse 322 Electric

Ransomes Jacobsen have teamed up with a leading manufacturer of solar equipment to create a solar canopy for use with the all- electric version of their Jacobsen Eclipse 322 ride-on greens mower.

The new solar canopy, developed by Danish company SunDrive, uses the most advanced solar technology available with mono-crystalline solar cells placed in high-transmission 3.2 mm tempered glass. This, according to SunDrive, produces enough additional energy to increase the range of the Eclipse 322 by up to 30%. Once the mower has completed its cutting cycle, it can be left outside to capture the sun’s rays and supplement conventional charging. Studies by SunDrive have shown that leaving the machine outside between 10am and 5pm saves up to 35% of energy consumption depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

57 greenside magazine | September 2012 President’s Report by Damian McLaverty, Ballinasloe Golf Club

Contact Points

Alan Mahon (Communications Manager) A Cháirde Rathjarney Piercestown, Co. Wexford. Tel/Fax: 053 9158606 Mobile: 087 6260889 Unfortunately we are experiencing one of our wettest summers for Email: [email protected] many years, with June having been the wettest on record and July not far behind. Apart from the obvious effect that this is having on playing Damian McLaverty (President) numbers and the consequences of that, it has made managing and Ballinasloe Golf Club - 086 8301048 presenting good playing conditions a nightmare, to say the least. Bunker, Email: [email protected] rough and grass management generally, in some parts of the country over the last 3 months, has been problematic, if not bordering on the impossible. Michael McFeely (Vice-President & FEGGA Rep) Westmanstown Golf Club - 087 234 2051 Email: [email protected]

Tom Carew (Treasurer) Craddockstown Golf Club - 087 6260182 Email: [email protected]

Michael Loughran (Education Officer, Immediate Past President) Hilton Templepatrick - (0044) 797 4229343 Email: [email protected]

Michael F. O’Connor (SW Rep) Killarney Golf & Fishing Club - 087 1276764 Email: [email protected] An all too familiar sight this summer his has added significantly to the pressure greenkeepers are under, as John Egan (Hon Sec, NE Rep) expectations from their clubs remain high. With, in a lot of cases, staff Rathfarnham - 086 3470388 numbers and budgets cut, the weather has only served to exacerbate what Email: [email protected] Tis already a difficult situation. The frustration we feel as greenkeepers, as we see our best efforts consistently thwarted by the weather, is compounded by the demands Mark Murphy (SE Rep) of clubs who, not only want to see standards kept up, but improved where possible. Tullamore Golf Club - 087 2609255 From talking to some of you around the country over the last few weeks I know the Email: [email protected] level of frustration is palpable. While there is no one simple answer to alleviate this frustration, trying our best, as greenkeepers, to manage the levels of expectation of our clubs through constant GCSAI Website: communication, either on a daily or weekly basis, so that relevant committees www.gcsai.org are well informed of how things are on the ground, is one key way of trying to manage the situation. Giving our relevant club officers the information they need to communicate effectively with the membership can, and hopefully will, relay some of the frustration and pressure that is felt by greenkeepers. Avoiding the development of the “blame game” scenario, and being the brunt of this situation, requires greenkeepers to be pro-active in making every effort to communicate effectively and efficiently with our clubs. I wish you all luck in this regard and hope your endeavours bare fruit. The sun, I know, will come out eventually and hopefully we will get, at some stage, a few weeks of decent drying weather. The deadline for receiving On a more positive note I would like to congratulate the Galway team, who beat advertising and editorial for Kilkenny out the gate in Croke Park to win our first Leinster title (spectacular), the next issue of Greenside is: without doubt the best moment of the summer so far. Galway went on to beat Cork in the semi-finals. Hopefully the Liam McCarty will travel west of the Shannon on the 19 October 2012 9th of September. We will have to meet Tipperay or Kilkenny (again). Gaillimh Abú. Finally I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the season and I am sure that your hard work and best efforts will pay off.

Is Mise le Meas Damian Mc Laverty www.gcsai.org 58 GCSAI Trade Members

The GCSAI thank each and every one of our Trade Members for supporting us throughout these challenging times. Please support them when purchasing goods and services.

Company Name Contact Telephone Email

Advanced Landscape Services Karl Dooley 087 9402650 [email protected] Amenity Turf Supplies Shay Phelan 087 2765259 [email protected] Barenbrug UK Ltd Paul Warner 00441359 272000 [email protected] Bayer Environmental Science Conor Egan 086 2643001 [email protected] Campey Turfcare Systems Ltd Brian O’Shaughnessy 087 9274521 [email protected] Cropcare Ltd Rose O’Donovan 01 2874485 [email protected] Dar Golf Construction Ltd James D’Arcy 087 2573550 [email protected] Declan Branigan Designs Ltd Ronan Branigan 041 9846627 [email protected] Drummonds Ltd Rosalyn Drew 041 9838986 [email protected] Dublin Grass Machinery Robert Mitchell 01 8386867 [email protected] Eddie B. Connaughton Ltd Eddie Connaughton 01 6283300 [email protected] Emerald Lawns Colin Sherrard 01 6852655 [email protected] Everris Colman Warde 087 7799527 [email protected] Goldcrop Ltd Mark Booker 087 9580110 [email protected] Harris Turf Improvements Mark Harris 087 2540166 [email protected] Headland Amenity Ltd Andy Russell 00 44 1223 597834 [email protected] Horta Soils Ltd Priscilla McFarland 048 38852888 [email protected] Irish Grass Machinery Ltd Michael Smyth 01 8991212 [email protected] James Coburn & Son Ltd William Cartmill 048 40662207 [email protected] Jeff Howes Golf Design Jeff Howes 056 7701007 [email protected] JFB Golf Supplies Ltd Frank Byrne 087 2374285 [email protected] John Deere Ltd Joedy Ibbotson 00441949 860491 [email protected] Kevin Broderick Ltd Kevin Broderick 01 2572255 [email protected] Leinster Turf Equipment Ltd Derek Inglis 086 8308033 [email protected] Lely Ireland Ltd Richard Harris 045 526170 [email protected] Major Equipment International Eibhlin Murphy 094 9630572 [email protected] Martyns Grass Lawns Ltd Brian Martyn 093 38012 [email protected] MSK Silversands Ltd Michael Kelly 087 2887016 [email protected] National Agrochemical Distributors Ltd Liam McMahon 01 8437808 [email protected] Rainbird Kneale Diamond 00447979 651765 [email protected] Ransomes Jacobsen Peter Driver 0044 1473276386 [email protected] Reel-Tech Barry Drennan 087 6388955 [email protected] Sanrose Ltd Bernard Kinsella 053 9137208 [email protected] Sea Nymph (Galway Bay Marine) Ltd David Casburn 087 6788481 [email protected] Spraychem Golf Ltd Yvonne Ritchie 01 8293990 [email protected] Summerhill Instant Lawns John Cribbin 087 2749860 [email protected] Syngenta Caroline Scott 00441223 883466 [email protected] Teagasc Pat Suttle 01 8459032 [email protected] The Buggyman Ltd Liam Ross 045 878200 [email protected] TurfCare Group Pat Galavan 045 409330 [email protected] Unichem Ltd Niall Dunne 01 8351499 [email protected] Whites Agri Jer Doran 01 8438521 [email protected]