Why not drop us an email with any news, press releases or new product updates you have – Send them to Melissa ([email protected]) Welcome Thanks Nick!

Sometimes a positive can come out of a negative. Perhaps a cliché, but like most clichés there is some truth to it. CRICKET GROUNDSMEN HONOURED AT LORD’S That’s what I feel about this year’s Ryder Cup. If Europe had performed to the level expected of them the 16.5-11.5 scoreline could easily have Four groundsmen were honoured recently at the home of cricket as they been reversed. If that happened the Americans would have experienced each received a Cricket World & Pitchcare Cricket Groundsman of the Year four defeats in a row, three of them thumpings and the excitement levels Award for 2008. would have dropped. Not to the same scale, of course, but it would have The awards, now in their fifth year, recognise the hard work and high harked back to the days of American dominance when it was more an standards achieved by cricket groundsmen in the recreational game and are exhibition of great golf than a contest. split into four categories – ICC Europe, educational establishment, private club and local authority. That was remedied when the rest of Europe – Seve, Bernhard et al Treble the nominations were received for this year’s awards compared – were brought in and the matches from ’83 to 2002 became the most to last year. exciting events in all of sport, Nip and tuck, no-one could have made a The presentations were made to the winners Ian Vautier, Phillip McCormick, fortune by predicting the outcome and that goes for the overall match Les Stephens and Graeme Flett by Head ECB Pitch Advisor Chris Wood and score as well as the individual games. Director of ICC Europe, Richard Holdsworth, in the presence of sponsors and invited guests. In the morning, the winners took to their Executive Box seats to But thanks to Nick Faldo it’s levelled the playing field and it’s game watch the Cockspur Cup Club Cricket Final between Malden Wanderers and on again. Kibworth and enjoyed lunch at the Lord’s Tavern. Unfortunately, the weather closed in during the afternoon and the match will be replayed, however, the Right from the off, and his omission of the in-form Ryder Cup specialist, winners were taken on a behind the scenes tour of the ground facilities by Darren Clarke, Faldo made a right pig’s ear of his Captaincy. There were Chris Wood which was an experience of a lifetime. the photographed pairings which he described as sandwich lists; his David Brent-like speeches; his bizarre pairings – fourball specialists playing foursomes and rear-loading his singles when a fast start was required.

And what was he doing while his guys were in need of his support on the final afternoon? He was tossing cans of beer to the gallery and discussing matters with one of those men known only by one name – not Seve, Monty, Woosie, Ollie or even Tiger. Faldo was seen picking the brains of Spoony! Whatever the outcome of that particular Brain’s Trust it didn’t change the course of events and Europe went down with a whimper. Only General Custer could really look up to Faldo in terms of leadership.

But the good news is that when Terry Matthews and Jim McKenzie welcome the teams to Celtic Manor, it will be a much more inviting contest. America will be fired up to retain the Cup and will have Tiger Woods back in the team, while Europe will be looking to return to the form which made them dominate the early part of the Millennium. It’s CAMPAIGN URGES INDUSTRY TO an exciting prospect. CHECK YOUR SPRAYER One thing that does disappoint in terms of the Ryder Cup is that only those people with access to satellite television can watch the matches live. I know Sky paid for the rights to watch but it’s a shame that it leaves The importance of well-maintained and carefully calibrated spraying equipment the majority of the population to listen to the excellent Radio Five Live is being emphasised in a new campaign by the Amenity Forum. coverage or wait for the highlights which are on either extremely late at Launched at this year’s Saltex show, ‘Check Your Sprayer’ is aimed night or even the next day. at everyone in the amenity sector whose job involves the spraying of pesticides. Golf would receive a huge popularity boost if the Ryder Cup, one of The Amenity Forum has received sponsorship from Scotts to produce the greatest sporting events on any calendar, could be watched by golfers a leaflet, sticker and dedicated website to assist managers and operators and non-golfers young or old. in this key component of ‘Best Practice’. The leaflet and website contain essential information on how to comply with the Code of Practice including when equipment should be checked, who should check it, what training is required and what to record. The Knapsack Operator Checklist stickers can be affixed to their sprayer where they will serve as a reminder to check the equipment each and every time it is used. More comprehensive information is available at www.checkyoursprayer.co.uk

4 Greenkeeper International NEWS

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INTERNATIONAL DESIGN LECTURE TURNER GROUNDSCARE (CHESTER) GOLF DAY Ken Moodie, EIGCA President, was “delighted” that the EIGCA diploma students – 16 in number and from 10 countries - had the opportunity to listen to internationally renowned, Tom Doak, at this Turner Groundscare (Chester) recently held their year’s Toro International Design Lecture, delivered at County Louth Golf Club, near Drogheda in

NEWS round of the qualifying round of this year’s John Ireland. Deere Team Championship. “Tom Doak has been involved in many of the most exciting golf developments over the past few The event took place on August 7, at Hesketh years. His minimalist approach is a welcome contrast to the mass land movements involved in some Golf Club in Southport; the weather was glorious other developments,” said Ken. sunshine with 16 teams competing for the first Tom’s interest in the game of golf started as a boy of 10 years when he was able to play on a prize of entry to the John Deere Championship Geoffrey Cornish designed course called Sterling Farms, just ten minutes walk from his home, for $1 event to be held at Turnberry on August 21. a time. The event was extremely close with the He strongly believes in the benefits of networking and of travel. During his landscape architecture eventual winners being a team from Warrington course at Cornell University he wrote letters to the best golf courses in the US, explaining that he wanted Golf Club comprising of Paul Pearse, Duncan to be a golf course architect and would like to come and walk round and to take pictures. By age 20 McPhee and Ray Bernard. Tom Doak had already visited and played such places as Merrion, Pine Valley and Oakmont. Rules and scoring were administered by BIGGA After graduating he spent a year travelling in the British Isles. While in Scotland he caddied at St Regional Administrator, Peter Larter. Andrews and gained much from his conversations with Walter Woods. His tour of the UK & Ireland covered 13,000 miles and 160 courses. The picture (below) shows the Warrington Team He now reckons that he has personally visited just about every great golf course in the world, being presented with the TGC Shield by Brian Spruce gaining knowledge that he put to great use when writing “The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses” (Branch Manager TGC) and Kevin Pickering (Sales which was published in 1996. Indeed Tom was famous as a golf writer long before his skills as a golf Manager TGC). course architect received recognition. Tom worked for Pete Dye for three years after graduating and learned first hand about construction. He was taught how to run a bulldozer. “Now I have four or five of the best shapers who have ever lived working for me. They loved golf first and learned to drive the truck second – the other way round is harder.” He illustrated his lecture with images from some of the great courses he has designed including Barnbougle Dunes, Tasmania; Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand; Renaissance Club at Archerfield, Scotland and the one which made him famous, Pacific Dunes Golf Club at Bandon, USA. “Understanding construction is one of the keys to golf course architecture - that and the ability to visualise a topographical map in three dimensions, even when the land in question is covered in vegetation. Pete Dye once said, ‘Lots of people have opinions – only a few can get them on the ground’.” Andy Brown, Toro Corporate Accounts Manager for Europe Middle East and Africa, said, “In Tom Doak we have someone who can really inspire the students to look at the whole business of golf course NEW NORTHERN LOCAL architecture and show them the way to go forward in their careers. AUTHORITY AMENITY Hopefully they will get the opportunity to work occasionally on some outstanding pieces of land and to show what they can do.” FORUM

A group of key Local Authorities have decided to form a regional forum and become a member of the Amenity Forum. The Northern Local Authority Amenity Forum will have a two pronged approach. First to hold local meetings to discuss specific topics relevant to the group. Second it will have representatives on the Amenity Forum to work closely with the other members and establish a strong communication between these important groups. One of the key objectives of the Amenity Forum is ‘Best Practice’ in the use of pesticides in amenity areas. The decision to set up the group was made at a recent meeting arranged by Calderdale MBC with managers attending from Barnsley, Bradford, Photograph taken at County Louth shows Tom Doak (8th from left); Andy Brown of Toro (2nd from left); and Doncaster, Kirklees, North Lincs, Oldham and Ken Moodie, EIGCA President (first on right) Wakefield authorities.

6 Greenkeeper International BIGGA MIDLAND AND NORTHERN REGIONS

Accident Reporting And Health & Safety Workshop

The Midland Region is holding a practical Accident Reporting and Health NEWS & Safety Workshop at the Bedfordshire Golf Club on Tuesday, October 21, 2008. The Northern Region is holding the same workshop at Childwall Golf Club on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. The workshops will run from 9am to about 4pm and will involve practical exercises in groups looking at a simulated vehicle accident; health and safety hazards in the greenkeeping shed; a risk assessment on a hole and an interview with a disgruntled golf club chairman. Attendance is open to BIGGA members and Golf Club Officials. Invitations will be sent out in September. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. For more information please contact Peter Larter, Midland and Northern Region Administrator on: 01476 550115 or email: [email protected]. COURSE MANAGER WEDDING

A large number of Course Managers attended Robert Hogarth’s recent wedding at Cardrona Hotel & Golf Course. Course Manager at Remedy Oak, Robert previously took on this role at Cardrona.

Back row L to R: Colin Noble, Hugh Morgan, Stuart Hogg, George Barr, Robert Hogarth, Paul Murphy, Ian McLeod and Ian Semple. Front row: Alec MacIndoe (left) and Donny Campbell.

KEY ENGINE POST

Kawasaki’s European engine business has been given a boost with the announcement of a key appointment within the company’s re-structured Engine & Power Products Division. Having unveiled ambitious plans to commit more resource to the development of its industrial engine business targeting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for industrial, groundscare, turfcare and utility markets, the Japanese manufacturer has brought in experienced Horst Britze to help drive sales to record levels. With nearly three decades of experience in the small engine sector on the import, export, sales and consultancy side, Britze is well placed to make a positive impact and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

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NEWS