The Official Magazine of the GCSAI • www.gcsai.orgSeptember • 2010 Greenside
G Mac Another Irish Major Winner
Going Dutch
Also In This Issue •Woodenbridge Woes • Regional Roundup • Heritage Trees of Ireland • Helping out at The Open •The Heath Uncovered • Illness Insurance Protection • Wasps - Anti Social Behaviour In 2005 we made history introducing ‘it’. In 2010 we made history again
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Our Contents Page Wasps - Anti Social Behaviour 10 Important A Dutch Course Made in Scotland 12
3 Irish Open Review 22
Contribution The Woes of Woodenbridge 24
Illness protection 28 make no apologies for influencing the success of many of our top golfers. for putting Graeme The Heath Uncovered 30 McDowell’s photo on the Let us not forget, too, the many I groundsmen who have maintained front cover of this edition of Regional Reports 36 their GAA pitches throughout the Greenside, as I thought that year - pitches that were used to stage AIB Irish Ladies Open his US Open win should be a the various inter county games, which Review 42 reason for celebration. have culminated in the All Ireland hurling and football finals at Croke “McDowell’s victory has no real Park. All these pitches needed to Awareness of Skin Cancer 44 significant relevance for Irish be in top class condition, so that greenkeeping, or has it? “ When the county teams could perform the So you think you have Challenges 45 I asked myself that question I skills of their sport. I immediately immediately thought of Padraig think of the successful Kilkenny team, Are you Making an Exhibition of 48 Harrington’s three Major titles in who have dominated the game of Yourself 2007 and 2008. Was it not Irish hurling for many decades. They too greenkeeping that indirectly helped to need a quality pitch, ably maintained Heritage Trees of Ireland 50 shape his career? Harrington’s home by skilful groundsmen, to practise club is Stackstown, while McDowell on, in order for them to enjoy their Helping out at The Open 54 started off in Rathmore Golf Club in many successes. So take a bow, all Portrush; this course is maintained of you involved in turf maintenance; by the greenkeepers at Royal Portrush your efforts are contributing to the Golf Club, one of whom is Graeme’s successes of many of our sporting brother, Gary. The conditions of heroes. Stackstown and Rathmore must have contributed to the success of these two players, as they both spent a lot of time, practising on the fairways and greens, when they were growing up. I often wonder that if these two courses were not up to standard, would Harrington and McDowell ever have considered taking up careers as professional golfers! So, as greenkeepers, let us take a tiny bow 50 Front Cover: Graeme McDowell, Reminder Back issues US Open Champion of Greenside can Photo by Alan Mahon The deadline for receiving now be seen on the The views expressed in contributed advertising and editorial for articles are not necessarily the views the next issue of Greenside is GCSAI website expressed by the editor of this publication. Editorial content and photographs Visit cannot be reproduced without prior October 22nd 2010 www.gcsai.org permission from the editor.
3 greenside magazine | September 2010 News
Dates For Your Diary
GCSAI Charity Day Barenbrug and STRI to reveal Despite the ongoing recession, the GCSAI charity golf day new golf green trial results will be going ahead as usual. It will take place on Monday 27th September at Naas Golf Club. It is only €250 per team at Druids Glen and all proceeds will go towards the Irish Cancer Society. The results from an innovative new trial, the first of its Additional sponsorship for prizes is welcome. Contact kind in Ireland, are to be presented at an open-day on 16 David Behan on 086 8269242 or Tom Carew on September at Druids Glen Golf Resort in County Wicklow, 087 6260182 for more details. Ireland. Specialist grass seed breeder, Barenbrug and STRI, the independent sports turf consultancy, have been working Presidents Cup together on a research trial to determine the influence of All regions have finalized their teams for this years ‘standard’ and ‘relaxed input’ maintenance regimes on Presidents Cup. It will be held at the beautiful Dromoland different grass species on golf greens. Castle Golf & Country Club on Friday October 9th next. The research into maintenance regimes began back in Scotts Professional will be generously sponsoring the event 2008 at STRI’s trials ground in Bingley and the idea of again this year to which the GCSAI are hugely indebted to. an ‘Ireland’ specific trial was developed into reality when Druids Glen agreed to host the research at their golf course, and the seed was sown back in September 2009. 2011 TGA Turf Show The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA), the organisation dedicated to the advancement of quality turf production in the UK and Ireland, has announced that J & B Farnaby will host its 2011 Turf Show. The biennial event will be held at the 500 acre turf farm run by husband and wife team Jeff and Barbara Farnaby along with son Paul, situated just off the A1 at Scotch Corner on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th June 2011. Focusing on all aspects of turf production, the show attracts growers from as far afield as Italy, Slovenia and Norway who visit to see demonstrations of the latest machinery and product innovations used in the growing and harvesting of quality cultivated turf. Druids Glen It was important for the performance of different species to ALCI Awards be assessed on Ireland’s unique terrain with its increasingly This years ALCI Awards and AGM are being held in the adverse weather conditions, and the results from the trial beautiful Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle, Co. will provide important data that promises to be of great Down on 16th October next. In a change to previous years benefit to the Irish greenkeeping industry. the Awards and AGM are both being held on a Saturday, Course superintendent, John O Sullivan, at Druids Glen with the AGM starting at 2pm and the Awards Gala at 7pm. has been working closely with Dr Ian McClements, STRI’s You can contact the ALCI office on 0404 44789 to book tickets. manager for Ireland and Jayne Leyland, Barenbrug’s research and development manager to monitor the performance of seven separate grass species and mixtures under the two different maintenance regimes. The open-day will include presentations from Druids Glen, Barenbrug and STRI on the trials, with some practical demonstrations on overseeding from Keith Kensett, and aims to provide information for greenkeepers and golf courses to further understand grass species and the related effect of maintenance to develop and improve their greens. If you are interested in attending the open-day on 16th September at Druids Glen please contact the STRI Sales & Marketing team on +44 (0)1274 565131 or email [email protected] 4 www.gcsai.org Education Report
hope the season has gone really well for everybody with the weather being kind and club competitions running smoothly. Hopefully it will be a year to I remember at long last. This may be the time to keep your head down and keep doing what ever is required to keep your course in pristine condition. It may also be a time to look at your current qualifications and be quietly thinking to yourself that maybe it is time to up skill. You do not have to reinvent yourself, but maybe a basic managerial course could help you with your lack of confidence when, for example, attending committee meetings. A mechanics course is always useful to save on those expensive call outs that could save your club some money. Whichever course you are interested in, please feel free to give me a call when I can discuss the details with you. Two days are being arranged for deputy Superintendents in November in Bobby your area to discuss the role and relationship between Superintendents and McDermott their deputy’s. I would appreciate if you would text Y for Yes I am interested in attending or N for no I am not interested to 086-2627839. The reason for this Foxrock is that it could save time and money if we knew in Golf club advance if people are interested or not; so a quick text would really help. Thank you kindly in advance for your response.
If you would like to contact me please do so: PH: 086 2627839/01 2065136 Email: [email protected] [email protected]
5 greenside magazine | September 2010 News
Croke Park Gets World IGF Announces Appointment First Award of Antony B Scanlon as In May 2010 Dublin’s Croke Park Stadium gained BS 8901:2009 certification, making it the world’s first stadium Executive Director to receive this prestigious award for sustainable event The International Golf Federation (IGF) has announced the management. appointment of Antony B Scanlon as Stadium Director Peter McKenna says: “We decided its Executive Director. Scanlon, an from the start there could be no half measures when it came Australian based in Lausanne, will to sustainable development – it was going to be the way take up his duties on 1 November 2010. we managed all our processes at Croke Park. From our Scanlon joins the IGF from the International Olympic organisational principles right through to all our operational Committee (IOC) where he has worked since 2004 as Head of Olympic Games Coordination, Operations and Services. activities and those of our contractors, sustainability is now He has rich experience in delivering Olympic infrastructure the key pillar in the way we manage our business.” and has worked on Olympic Games since 1998, including BS 8901 is a sustainability management system for events. roles with the organising committees for the Sydney (2000), This relatively new standard is designed to help events Salt Lake City (2002) and Athens (2004) Games before organisations recognise their impact on the economy, joining the IOC full time. society and environment. It aims to maximise positive In his current role, Scanlon holds key liaison responsibilities with organising committees for both the impacts, minimise negative impacts and foster balanced, summer and winter Games, including the Rio Organising enduring growth. Committee for 2016. He has a close understanding of the requirements for developing and managing Olympic venues Who is BS 8901 for? and, throughout the period of his tenure, he has forged - Venues (hotels, conferences, festivals, stadiums etc ) strong working relationships across the entire Olympic family. - Suppliers of event equipment, marquees, “Antony Scanlon has a wealth of Olympic experience; stage gear etc his skills and contacts will provide the IGF with a strong foundation upon which to build golf as an Olympic sport”, - Marketing and design companies said Peter Dawson, Joint Secretary of the International Golf Federation, “We are truly fortunate to have found an - Tourist destinations (museums, gardens, executive of Antony’s calibre.” historical sites) Passionate about sport, having played rugby league and semi-professional cricket in Australia, he is an avid golfer, - Local Authorities that run public events having been introduced to the game at the age of six by his - Private companies that wish to demonstrate uncle who is a professional golfer in Australia. He currently plays to a handicap of 12. ethics to 8901 by third party certification
New Practice Facility at Donaghadee
Donaghadee Golf Club in Northern Ireland has recently opened its newly completed practice facility. The old practice fairway was transformed into a multi- functional training facility, which includes a practice range, short-game academy and 9-hole short course. Funded by Sport Northern Ireland, the new facility will be used by Donaghadee’s members as well as youngsters from local schools and youth groups.
6 www.gcsai.org
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What are the legal and practical implications of Pay Cuts?
ue to the difficult economic climate we have all experienced over the past 2 years, there has been an increase in the number of employers wishing to implement pay cuts/reduction in hours Dto their workforce. While concerns have been raised that some of these measures are not necessary and that employers may be “jumping on the bandwagon”, in general, pay cuts and related activity can be an alternative to redundancy.
The Legal situation brings a claim in respect of the reduction of The Payment of Wages Act, 1991 provides that wages under the Payment of Wages Act, 1991. an employer is not entitled to reduce the wages While the Rights Commissioner will hear such a of an employee without the prior agreement claim, he/she is likely to consider all sides and if of that employee or unless it is expressly he/she feels that the action is necessary to retain provided for in the contract of employment. jobs, he/she may recommend acceptance of pay cuts or pay freeze. Prior Agreement If the terms of the employment contract allows Practical Tips for changes in the hours of work, rate of pay etc If your employer wishes to reduce your hours of and the employee has signed up to this either on work or reduce or freeze your rate of pay, you engagement or at a later stage, then the employer have the option to accept this arrangement or to is entitled to adopt the terms of the contract. refuse it. However, an employer must act reasonably Fiona when varying the contract of employment and If you refuse, and the employer unilaterally if the reduction in working hours is significant reduces your pay, you have a right to claim Browne then it would be reasonable for the employer to unlawful deduction of pay as set out above. If Johnson always seek employee consent to the reduction you choose to accept the arrangement, I would in hours and corresponding reduction in income suggest that you agree a review date with your Profile Training regardless of the right to vary set out in the employer in writing recording in the agreement & Development contract. that the hope at the review date is re-instatement of former pay and/or benefits. No Prior Agreement If there is no such clause within the contract Please note, article above is an incomplete review and thus the employees’ consent is required of the legislation referred to therein. and is to a reduction in working hours/pay, then, therefore not a legal interpretation. For further consultation with the employees in relation to the information, please see below. proposed changes is required.. Such notification and subsequent agreement should be in writing. Fiona Brown Johnson runs Profile Training What if the Employee does not agree and Development providing HR and to reduction? Employment Legislation training and support While there are a number of routes an employee to small and medium size organisations. could take if an employer implements a reduction in working hours unilaterally, the most common Fiona can be contacted through the Members redress is a claim for an unlawful deduction of Free HR helpline on 086-8551369 and wages under the Payment of Wages Act, 1991, [email protected] or [email protected] An employee may be awarded compensation by a Rights Commissioner if he/she successfully
The Right Approach “There are two things you should avoid approaching from the rear: restaurants and horses.” Evelyn Waugh 8 www.gcsai.org DARGolf Construction Ltd
Tuckmill, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. From one green or tee to a Tel: 059 - 6481509 Fax: 059 - 6481723 “state of the art” Golf Course Email: [email protected] DAR GOLF have the expertise. Contact James Darcy at 087 2573550
9 greenside magazine | September 2010 ‘social’ wasps found in this country revolves around the queen who is the only
Greenside acknowledges Pitchcare magazine for reproducing this article. Ireland A Dutch Course Made in Scotland
.....With a Little Help from the Irish
by Alan Mahon Photo: Niall Richardson
hat happened to the old idea of forming a golf club for the love of the game? WMost of the over four hundred golf clubs in Ireland today were formed by a group of golf enthusiasts who wanted to have a golf course in their area so that they could play and enjoy their game of golf. As long as the club could pay the bills, that’s all that mattered. Most modern golf clubs (or resorts Three of Niall’s fifteen staff are also to. Meeting with these people, he as is the new term) have been Irish. There is a remarkable story witnessed the enthusiasm coming established with the purpose of to be told about the start of this from them about the project. This making as much money as possible. ambitious project. enthusiasm had such a strong It is, after all, a business. Some have The year is 2008 and Niall influence on Niall, that when he even used the course as a way of Richardson is working at Moy was offered the job to head the increasing the value of the property Valley Golf Club. He has just come construction, and grow in, he had that adjoins the course. That was out of the construction and grow in no hesitation in accepting the offer - the case until the property crash in at the club and is now concentrating and that is how it all started. 2008 saw many such resorts go into on maintaining the new course. Moy After breaking the news to his wife, receivership. Valley was designed by European Alexandra, they both set off to a There is one new course in Holland Golf Design (EGD). Around this foreign country to start a new life. that has a different business time Niall asked Jeremy Slessor On arriving at the site of The Dutch ethos. It is The Dutch golf course of EGD what projects had the course, Niall saw nothing only 72 situated in Gorinchem in central company got in the pipeline. hectares of flat uninteresting land, Holland and was designed by Colin Croatia, Dubai and Holland were but plans were in place to bring in Montgomerie. There is a bid in for mentioned and jokingly Niall 650,000m3 of subsoil, 90,000m3 The Dutch to host the 2018 Ryder remarked “Holland sounds nice”. of topsoil and 100,000m3 of sand, Cup. So what has this got to do with A week later Jeremy phoned Niall which would take 400 days to Irish greenkeeping? As it happens, and asked him if he would consider bring in. the Superintendent at The Dutch is meeting with the owners of the Niall began his greenkeeping Irish. His name is Niall Richardson. Holland project, which Niall agreed career at The Grange Golf Club 12 www.gcsai.org The Irish Abroad
working under Johnny Plummer, (giving a 16cm depth of sand/topsoil). almost 1m gaining lots of experience from him Stage two involved putting a further deep. The and also from John Jennings who 4cm of sand on top of the mixed green was was Johnny Plummer’s Assistant topsoil/sand. The idea behind this then built at the time (John is now Course was to create a phased rootzone from on top of the Superintendent at Castleknock Golf sand to topsoil and thus avoiding any final section & Country Club). When Johnny layering being formed. of concrete moved to Carton House, Niall The greens were constructed to USGA (average followed and was involved with the specifications but before this was done green size construction and grow in at Carton it is necessary for one to understand is 600m2).
P hoto: courtesy The Dutch G.C. House. An opportunity arrived in the land in which The Dutch course Any mounds 2006 for Niall to head a project at was built on. There is a 6m depth of that were Niall Richardson Moy Valley and he did not let this pure peat under the opportunity pass by. soil which, as you can imagine, is very The Dutch construction spongy and wet (just The 650,000m3 of subsoil already wander through mentioned was spread over the the bogs in the entire site at a minimum depth of midlands to get the idea). If disturbed, 1.5m, which was placed using GPS, and this was shaped according to this peat would Montogomerie’s design, incorporating cause the ground fairways, tees and mounds. The greens to shift and become would be treated differently and this very unstable. To overcome the risk of will be explained later. When the P hoto: Niall Richardson the greens becoming subgrade was in place and shaped, The three levels of foamcrete prior to greens construction 90,000m3 of topsoil was spread over destabilized and it to a depth of 20cm. Then 100,000m3 losing their contours, of sand was placed on top of the floating foam concrete foundations surrounding the green were built topsoil but in two stages. Stage one (foamcrete) were constructed for on top of polystyrene sheets which involved putting in an 8cm depth of each green, built in three 30cm depth was used to reduce any settling and sand and mixing it with the top 8cm sections. The first section was the base subsidence. of the underlying topsoil which was and covered an area of 1200m2. On The course was built in two phases. top of this was built another section Phase one saw holes one to ten and important to make a proper connection 2 to the field drainage which was but this was reduced to 1000m and eighteen completed in the summer of 2 installed after the topsoil was spread the top section covered 800m , thus 2009 and these were overseeded in giving a pyramid shape of concrete August and September of that year.
The Greenkeeping Staff at The Dutch Photo courtesy of The Dutch G.C.
13 greenside magazine | September 2010 The Irish Abroad Photo: Alan Mahon
Paul O’Donoghue, checking one of the sprinkler heads well as these had been sown in August/ September 2009. I was tempted to play some shots into these greens but I valued my personal safety as I could have easily ended up being thrown into one of the many lakes that meander around the course, never to be seen again. What was even more remarkable to see was how much enthusiasm each member of staff showed towards the project. I never came across so many people, from all walks of life and from all over the world taking pride in what they did and willing to share information with me as I walked around the course. Niall said as much himself. “I have a truly amazing staff. They have all Photo: Alan Mahon worked hard since they arrived here, The spectacular 16th green shortly after the seeding they have put in long hours and still they want to keep going with the Phase two involved the construction the shaping was of the remaining holes which had just finished but the been overseeded in July. The pressure seeding was just was on for Niall and all his staff, as about to start:- Monty is to pay a visit to the course the middle stage on 6th September to see how it should which had all look. There is a countdown clock in the shaping and the staff canteen to remind all staff that seeding completed time is getting near for this big day. but the grass still Walking around the course on a hot needed that extra July day was spectacular in many bit of time to cover ways. It would have been a perfect the ground:- the place for greenkeeping students to mature stage visit and see at first hand the start where holes two and finish of a grow-in project. You to seven, nine, Photo: Alan Mahon could see three stages of construction ten and eighteen all at once:- the first stage, where all were looking so Topdressing the surrounds is carried out regularly 14 www.gcsai.org The Irish Abroad
project.” As I was walking around the staff on the course I even saw one of the company course seven directors out with his bucket, hand days a week. weeding in the rough. During Niall is part of a sixteen man team that the winter is working directly on the golf course, months the three of whom come from Ireland. staff work Patrick Ryan (who is one of Niall’s for only two Assistants and was Superintendent twenty seven at New Forrest Golf Club in Ireland), hours in the Paul O’Donoghue (he wrote a super week, so it all article in the December 2008 edition balances out of Greenside on his Ryder Cup nicely over experience at Valhalla), and Robert the year. Photo: Alan Mahon McCloskey (senior greenkeeper and The greens irrigation technician). Niall also has six have been staff from Holland, one from England sown with Overseeding one of the tee boxes (his head mechanic), two from creeping Scotland, one from New Zealand, two bentgrass (A1/A4 mixture) while The new irrigation system which has from Poland and an intern from the the rest of the course is sown with 1,100 sprinkler heads, was put to the USA – a truly international line up. fescue, which will give the course test and thankfully there were no They all work hard during the growing the look and feel of a links course. problems with leaks and/or burst pipes. season, each one working one of two After establishment the fescues will It is hoped that The Dutch will be shifts (1st shift from 6.30am – 5.15pm, be given less feeding. During July, officially open for play in May 2011. 2nd shift 10.00am – 8.45pm) for six when Ireland was having its fair Niall and his staff will be kept busy consecutive days and then they have share of rain, mainland Europe was up to then but it does not stop here as two consecutive days off. This is a experiencing a heat wave, which there are plans to begin constructing clever way of managing time with staff. meant that all the grass sown from tee a second course across the road next Not all the crew work the same six to green had to be constantly watered year. This will be a Sam Torrence days so in effect there are always ten using portable and pop up sprinklers. designed course.
The 18th fairway Photo: Alan Mahon
15 greenside magazine | September 2010 The Irish Abroad Photo: Alan Mahon Director Tim Giles helps with some of the hand weeding The story behind 2018 Ryder Cup was The Dutch discussed Back in 1996 four golfing professionals and so a based in Holland, and who happened strong bid to be good friends, were sitting in front for this was of a roasting fire at Loch Lomand drawn up. Golf Club. These men were Alan The other Saddington, Jonas Saxton, Mauk countries de Booy and David Burnside. They also bidding came up with the idea of forming are Spain, a golf company that would involve Germany, providing a service for companies to France, and meet, network and play a round of Portugal. It Photo: Alan Mahon golf with a golf pro attached to each will be April group. Everything would be looked 2011 when The construction of the clubhouse is almost complete after for them from beginning to end. it will be Dutch is designed in such a way that They called this golf company Made announced which country gets to stage the location of the grandstands will be In Scotland (as the idea was thought this world famous competition. I asked viewer friendly. You will be able to see of in a Scottish Golf Club). In 2003 Phil Helsby why would the Ryder Cup several holes from the same location. another golf professional, Phil Helsby, committee chose The Dutch as a venue There is also easy access to the course who was Head Coach of the Dutch for the Ryder Cup when there have with a good motorway infrastructure.” Golf Federation at the time, joined the been no Dutch golfers of significance It will not be an easy sell to have team and shortly after that the idea of competing on the European tour the Ryder Cup in Holland as that acquiring land to build a golf course in let alone having played in previous country is also looking to host the 2028 Holland was high on the agenda. Land Ryder Cups? “I believe we can bring Olympic games and the 2018 soccer became available in 2005 and seven the Ryder Cup to a new level. The design companies, including Nicklaus World Cup. Design, were considered for designing an eighteen hole championship course with a practice facility. Of all the seven companies considered, only one refused to get involved as they could not guarantee designing a spacious and safe course within the 70 hectares of land (most golf courses in Holland have crossing and close parallel fairways and Made in Scotland did not want this for safety reasons). This was Colin Montgomerie’s design company. Monty said that if another 2 hectares of land were made available he would consider getting involved. Made In Scotland bought extra land and so Montgomerie reconsidered and was hired. It was around this time Photo courtesy The Dutch G.C. that the idea of The Dutch hosting the Left: Niall Richardson, Colin Montgomerie, Phil Helsby.
16 www.gcsai.org The Irish Abroad
Tall fescue forming part of the rough Photo: Alan Mahon
What is remarkable about Made In to say that the passion that my fellow Ryder Cup or no Ryder Cup, The Scotland is that they have the old directors and I have for this project Dutch will indeed be a great place to tradition of why a golf club should be is also evident amongst Niall and his play golf. formed - the love, passion and interest greens staff. Wander in the game of golf. There are no out to the golf course at plans to build houses or hotels on The any time and you see the Dutch. “We are committed to building enthusiasm for this project the best golf course in Holland,” just oozing out from each said Helsby “We have no plans in of the guys. It is a pleasure profiting from property. The board of and joy to witness” Phil directors that form Made In Scotland concluded. The 650 are mostly golfing professionals membership is already and golf is what we do best. We are sold and there will be no committed to making The Dutch green fees or societies course a great place to play golf in an playing the course.
environmentally and economically This will be a uniquely Photo: Alan Mahon sustainableCampey qtr way”strip:Layout he added. 1 “I15/7/10 have 11:31‘members Page 1 only’ golf club. Fairways have to be regularly irrigated
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17 greenside magazine | September 2010 News
Life begins at 80 Working with Ransomes, Sims and those days was Miss Russell in the Jeffries from the late 1940s began office. a life long love affair with golf for Coming from a farming background John Emerson. John, who celebrated in Collon, Co. Louth equipped him his 80th birthday on August 19th, is well for his new job in sales. He pictured on a golf course in Fiji earlier travelled the length and breadth of the this year. country, selling mowing equipment John began his career with to greenkeepers and farmers. John Ransomes in their Ipswich head office gained an encyclopaediac knowledge back in the late 1940s. Through them of every nook and cranny in Ireland, as he studied Mechanical Engineering well as an ability to identifiy regional at a local Technical College, which accents almost as well as Niall Tobin! he loved, having a natural aptitude Ironically John wasn’t a golfer in blinds, which he ran until recently. for mechanics. He celebrated his 21st those days, preferring motorsport, He has lived in Dundrum for more birthday in the Suffolk town with but in time he took up the sport with than 40 years. He and Audrey have his Ransomes colleagues. One fond gusto and has been a member of three children, Lesley who lives in memory was a trip to the Epsom Rathfarnham Golf Club for more than Westport, Co. Mayo; Debbie who lives Derby in 1949 where a three way tie 40 years. He still plays enthusiastically. in Dalkey, and Russell who is in New was decided by the first ever photo Earlier this year he took a trip with Zealand. They also have three lovely finish. For the record, the winner his wife Audrey to visit his son Russell granddaughters of whom they are very was Nimbus by a short head from and his family in New Zealand, proud. the French horse Amour Drake and stopping off in Australia on the way. John is quite literally 80 years Swallow Tail. He worked there for Along with his Fijian born daughter- young. He sees age as merely a four or five years before transferring in-law and her parents they spent a number and is infamous for being full into sales back in the Ransomes memorable week on the Pacific Island, of action and vitality. He puts people Dublin office in Barrow Street which taking the opportunity to play a round half his age to shame using computers was then headed up by a Mr Trent. of golf of course. and email – although he hasn’t yet John worked directly for George John Emerson left Ransomes in the joined his older sister on Facebook! Meredith who became a close friend, mid-sixties, working in the motor trade Congratulations John on reaching 80 and in time John became godfather to and then setting up his own business, and we look forward to your 90th. George’s son. Another colleage from supplying curtain rails and roller
Woodward steps down from GCSAA chief executive officer position Golf Course Superintendents who has made solid contributions to board of directors conducts a Association of America (GCSAA) GCSAA,” Fitzroy said. “He has been nationwide search to determine President James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, a fine representative and a strong Woodward’s successor. Prior to announced today that Chief Executive steward for the organization. We wish arriving at GCSAA in July 2009, Officer Mark Woodward, CGCS, has him well in his future endeavors.” Evans was director of the parks, resigned, effective immediately, to Fitzroy noted that Woodward recreation and commercial facilities pursue other career interests. has been instrumental in guiding division for the city of Mesa, Ariz., Woodward was appointed GCSAA GCSAA through one of the nation’s where he managed a staff of more chief executive in April 2008 and most severe economic downturns in than 700. assumed those duties in July of that years. His leadership also served to The search process to fill the chief year. He came to GCSAA after serving position GCSAA prominently for its executive position will involve the as operations manager for the city research, programs and education services of an executive search firm of San Diego, including host of the regarding golf’s relationship with the with the ultimate selection by the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf environment. GCSAA Board of Directors. The Course. He also served as GCSAA Rhett Evans, GCSAA chief process will begin immediately, president in 2004. operating officer, has been named although no timetable has been “Mark is a talented individual interim CEO while the organization’s established to identify a replacement.
Bank Policy “A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain.” Mark Twain 18 www.gcsai.org Eclipse 322 A4 Brodericks new style_Layout 1 19/07/2010 09:36 Page 1
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Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd West Road, Ipswich, IP3 9TT UK Tel: +44 (0) 1473 270000 Web: www.ransomesjacobsen.co.uk Driving Environmental Performance Code:Code: GS/06/10/E322 GS/09/10/E322 3 Irish Open Success Report and Photography by Alan Mahon
After many months of preparation, the Course Manager at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, David MacIndoe and his greenkeeping staff, can take a well deserved bow on the pristine condition that the course was in during the 3 Irish Open which was held there from July 29th to August 1st.
3 Irish Open Champion, Ross Fisher Previously, the tournament was held position since turning pro. at the end of May but, because of This victory will surely help poor weather conditions in the last Fisher earn his place with few years, the date was forwarded by this victory at Killarney two months with the hope that kinder earning him €500,000. weather would prevail. There was no Harrington received a pay heatwave during the tournament but cheque of €330,330 for his any rain which did fall was quickly second place finish which dispersed as soon as the sun came out. will also do his chances of Moving the date forward also helped making it to Celtic Manor the organizers attract Europe’s top the power of good. Belfast golfers as the race is on to try and pro Michael Hoey was secure a place on Colin Montgomerie’s second best of the Irish. He Ryder Cup Europe team at Celtic finished at 11 under in 7th Manor in October. A win at the Irish place. Open improves any chance of being The Killeen Course at included as the prize fund totaled Killarney Golf & Fishing €3million. Club is stunning with Ross Fisher was the eventual winner wonderful scenery all but Padraig Harrington put in a brave around it. The famous lakes effort with his round of 64 on the final of Killarney shouldered by day. It was Fisher’s round of 61 on the McGillycuddy Reeks Friday and his final round of 65 which adjoin the course. Not saw him win the title at 18 under, only did the spectators two shots clear of Harrington, who enjoy superb golf but, if was runner up – his 27th runner up they wanted a break from Johan Edfors makes a splash from the water hazard on the 18th 20 www.gcsai.org Feature
The greenkeeping staff and volunteers at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
efforts. The payers were delighted with the course. Darren Clarke said that Killarney was the winner this week. “The venue is fantastic, all the players love it and I hope they decide to keep the Irish Open here for a few more years to come.” David MacIndoe in conversation he said. Padraig Harrinton put in a brave finishing round to finish runner up with Ross Fisher watching the golfers, they could take a leisurely stroll around the course and admire the beautiful scenery with the possibility of catching sight of some deer. Over thirty personnel were involved with looking after the course during Irish Open week, including over twenty volunteers. They worked long hours starting very early each morning so that the course would be ready for the competing golfers. At the end of the week they were tired but it was worth it in the end as each one got a sense of achievement and satisfaction from their 21 greenside magazine | September 2010 The Woes of Woodenbridge
etting a phone call on the morning of January 16th telling me that my golf course was under water was not the start I needed for 2010. I arrived at GWoodenbridge Golf Club to discover that seventy to eighty percent of the course was under a torrent of flood water. Many thoughts went through my mind such as “wow, it looks very picturesque”, and “ how quickly will this subside so that we can start cleaning up”.
I was always under no illusion when very confident that my greens staff in fairways and rough. Silt and gravel I started my career in Woodenbridge Woodenbridge would have no problem from the river bed had dispersed out Golf Club that some day the course with the major task ahead. onto the 3rd, 18th, 11th, 12th, 13th, would be flooded, it was only a matter What we saw that morning could and 14th fairways. A number of trees, of time. I had done a serious amount only be described as carnage. Not only that had been washed down from up of research to find out what had been were three greens badly damaged, with river, also found their way onto the damaged and at what cost the last time two of them needing the course was flooded back in 2000. total rebuilding, That Saturday morning I went about but the rest of taking photos and notes on the route the course had the river had taken. The following debris everywhere. morning I had scheduled a meeting Pathways around with my Greens Convener, Captain the course were and Club Chairperson of our board completely of management to survey the damage. destroyed, their That Sunday morning revealed the contents offloaded full extent of the damage but I was out on to the Silt and gravel from the river bed had dispersed onto many fairways 22 www.gcsai.org Feature
submerged in The greens that bore the full brunt water and needed of the flood were the 8th, 15th and either repair or 14th. The 8th was so badly damaged replacement. that there was not much of the putting A run through surface left. The 15th had a major part the system was of the green gouged out, which was badly needed similar to the damage caused on this and with the green in the 2000 flood. Also the 14th help of Stephen green had a minor part gouged out and Alan from which could be repaired by ourselves. Esker irrigation All I could think of was how much sod we got things up we could save and reuse to carry out and running very any repair work needed. The other quickly. greens on the course would need to be The bunkers cored to remove as much of the silt as took a real possible out of the surface. battering. There Since our machinery shed had also were only three been flooded, it was hard to know bunkers on the where to start, as all the machines had course that did to be fully serviced before we could not need cleaning move them. Mick Doran and Lukie out or a total Finn started work on this immediately. rebuild. The With our tractors and utility vehicles bunkers where moving the clean up could then begin. cleaned out by A number of our members offered another member to help, so we organized teams with By Trevor Dargan of staff, Michael members of our staff over seeing them Course Superintendent at O Toole. I can so that we could make the most of Woodenbridge Golf Club say I have never this extra work force. I had Gavin seen a blade on a Short and John Lacey liaise with bunker rake used them - not an easy task at all but the Photography: Trevor Dargan with such skill at two got a major amount of work done. the way Michael We bought rakes and gloves for all used it. I then members willing to help and they got a phone call started at the first tee and walked the course, one of which got stuck on the from Pat Conway complete course raking and piling smaller bridges at our eighth green of Blainroe offering the services of twigs and small stones, we would then crossing. The irrigation system was two of his staff , Wayne and Robert. pick them up after the end of the day. damaged with the main I was amazed at the members line attached to one of the attitude; they had a real bridges. All the irrigation “Some day the course would fighting spirit as they wanted boxes had been completely be flooded, it was only their course back ASAP so covered in with silt and they got stuck in and got gravel and they had to be a matter of time” dirty. The following Saturday emptied out with a garden the Greens Committee, led trowel and a plastic cup so by Donal Duffy, managed to as not to do any damage to the cables They were brilliant in helping with round up approximately 100 members and decoders. This was a very pain the resanding of the bunkers and for the final push on the stone and staking job indeed and it is a credit the general clean up. We had 25 gravel clean up on the 12th to 15th to my staff Chris Doyle and Michael bunkers that needed to be rebuilt and holes, which were the worst hit. They Furlong for having the patience of that would be done by an appointed managed to pile all the major debris saints. Our irrigation pumps had been contractor. ready for collection. Members brought
23 greenside magazine | September 2010 Feature
line and to raise the level. The 15th green had been destroyed with the torrent of water and the bunkering was completely destroyed. We needed a complete rethink on this hole if we did not want the same thing to happen again. Patrick had some wonderful ideas and he put them to our greens committee to discuss. We finally settled on the designs, which, for the 8th, meant we would move it back 9 yards and raise it by approximately 2m. It would be out of the initial flood route and would be significantly Debris piled and ready for collection raised up off the rock armor which is in their own mini diggers and drivers parts of the 7th, 9th, 10th and 18th currently in place. This would make it to load up our equipment. It really fairways. These fairways always held a tougher hole with lots of movement was a job well done. We hired a power water so it was very important that on the green surface. For the 15th sweeper to lift the sand/silt and any we could move water off the surface green, with such damage done by all fine stones off the fairways. Mick in the event of this happening again. the bunkers on this hole, we decided Doran. my assistant, did a superb job. We also had to topdress the fairways only to have one bunker at the tee end We brushed the debris into lines, got so as to dilute the silt pan which was of the fairway. This would mean we our core collector and then made them on a number of fairways. We decided would lose five bunkers. The damage into piles for them to be lifted off by to topdress them all and change to a done by these five bunkers to this hole Paul Staunton, the son of one of our members. This guy could scratch your back with a mini digger bucket. He was so good that we did not have to repair any part of the 18th from which he had lifted the sand.
The rebuild The flood damage did not cause too much doom and gloom as we were able to release our ‘flood fund monies’ which the club had been putting away for the last number of years. It could only be used in the event of flood damage so we had to show exactly that the money was used for this purpose. Construction of the greens begin We planned to rebuild the 8th and regime of sanding fairways twice a because of the water gouging out the 15th greens, twenty five of the lower year in order to aid the drainage in the sand and sub soil and depositing it on course bunkers, along with nearly future. the fairways and roughs meant that all our pathways, as well as draining We contacted our Course Architect, we would avoid this damage repeating Mr. Patrick Merrigan, to assist in the itself. We made grass hollows where development of these holes. Patrick the old bunkers were and moved met with Donal, our Greens Chairman the green over to the left, creating a and myself to survey how we could channel to allow any further flood minimize the damage done to our water to escape without any obstacles. new development. We looked at the We appointed RSJ to develop our damage done to the eighth green and plans. RSJ consists of Sean Keane, All the irrigation boxes had to be emptied out decided to relocate it out of the flood John Kenny and Roger Prestige, three of debris using a garden trowel 24 www.gcsai.org Feature
guys who set up their own company within the last year. A brave move on behalf of the club to allow a new company to construct what we hoped to be a world class addition to a very fine and picturesque golf course. These guys are a first class operation. We discussed the routing of materials to the site, and the movement around the site with little or no disruption to the rest of the course or golfers. It was so important that we could still play golf within this area for revenue purposes. Daily meetings would commence to ensure that everything was on time Some of the renovation involved turf laying and would finish on time.
“We pulled through with planning, a lot of hard work, and long hours”
The reconstruction operation was hampered by severe frosts, rain, dry spells and tough growing conditions. But, in the end, the work was indeed completed on time and, more importantly for the treasurer, within our budget. It was a busy start to 2010 for the Woodenbridge staff and its members, but we pulled through with The 8th green under construction planning, a lot of hard work and long hours, and it was worth it. I have a lot of people to thank for getting our course back to what it was, if not better. Namely the Woodenbridge green staff, the club’s General Manager, Gerry Coleman, Greens Chairman, Donal Duffy, who simply let me get on with what needed to be done with only a couple of phone calls a day, to John and Paul Staunton, RSJ and of course Mr. Patrick Merrigan. My sincere thanks go to Andrew Jackson and Pat Conway of Blainroe Golf Club and last but not least, the Woodenbridge members for The 8th green ready for play their effort and patience.
Making the Beds A housewife was having a confidential chat with a friend: “Yes, Tom and I get on all right,” she said of her husband, “but when making the beds I do sometimes thump the pillows hard when I think of his trying ways.” 25 greenside magazine | September 2010 News
Tribute to Stuart Ireland Win the 2010 Boys Home Ashworth Bsc. Internationals at Southerness Ireland won the 2010 Boys Home Internationals after Technical Director and comprehensively defeating Wales on the final day of play agronomist for Indigrow Ltd at a blustery Southerness Golf Club in Dumfries and Stuart Ashworth’s long career Galloway. Their 10 ½ - 4 ½ victory ensured that they would in the Amenity Industry started finish the event with two and a half points out of a possible way back in 1985 at Edinburgh three, edging out nearest rivals Scotland who finished in University while studying second place on two points. Landscape Architecture. As The Irish, who have now won two of the last three Boys many people in the industry Home Internationals, led Wales 3 ½ - 1 ½, before winning that knew Stuart would agree six out of their 10 singles matches and halving two in a with, he was very headstrong dominant afternoon display. A stand-out performance came from Gary Hurley who won his singles match 5&4 to and showed this early on by leaving Edinburgh University remain unbeaten for the event, with five and a half points and moving “down south” to Surrey. During this time he from a possible six. was gardening, selling plants and he also started to show a The 17-year-old said: “I’m pleased with the way I played, natural aptitude for the soil. Following this discovery Stuart but it’s fantastic to be part of a winning Irish team. It’s been embarked on a soil science course at Newcastle University a great week of golf on a great course.” in 1986. “Had it not been for Gary holing a putt for a half yesterday An intelligent and determined man, of course he in the last game, Scotland would have won, so that was graduated and found gainful employment as the Estates massive,” added Paul Dunne, a full Irish International Manager at Close House in Northumberland going on to who captained Great Britain and Ireland’s Jacques Leglise work for Sunderland County Council. Trophy team during the 2009 match. Stuart had a very keen interest in scuba diving “I’m really pleased with how the boys played, especially and became a part time instructor at Hexham in with the young lads: they were fantastic,” said Liam Martin, Ireland’s non-playing Captain. “And I can’t speak Northumberland. It was during this time in 1995 that highly enough of the likes of Gary Hurley and Dermot Stuart met his wife of 14 years, Audrey, whilst he was McElroy, who didn’t lose at all during the event.” working at Rickerby Horticulture. Scotland finished in second place after overcoming Stuart developed his own inimitable style of agronomic England. They built on a one-point lead, which they had advice to greenkeepers and groundsmen based on sound established after the morning foursomes, winning five scientific principles. Stuart was never one to rest on singles matches and halving one to win 8 ½ - 6 ½. his laurels and his social life was as full as his work life with such pursuits as snowboarding, boating and the David wins Student of the Year aforementioned scuba diving. He was also an accomplished On Wednesday July 14th the Irish cellist and keen pot-holer although not necessarily at the Institute of Sports Surfaces held the final same time. In the summer Stuart was never far from the interviews of the Annual Irish Institute barbecue with glass of wine in hand. of Sports Surfaces Student Award 2010. In 1996 Stuart married Audrey at St. Oswald`s Church This award is proudly sponsored by the on Hadrian`s Wall, left Rickerby and joined Indigrow as Scotts Company through their sales and technical sales manager and moved to Devon. In 1998 technical advisor for Ireland Colman Stuart was promoted to Technical Director of Indigrow Warde. The Scotts Company continue to and was responsible for developing the Scandinavian and proudly sponsor training and education European amenity markets to great success, as well as for the Industry in Ireland. maintaining key accounts at home in the UK. Three finalists from Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, University Stuart Ashworth born on 14th July 1967 in Rochdale, College Dublin and the CAFRE Greenmount Campus in Lancashire; married St. Oswald`s Church, Hadrian`s Antrim. The overall winner was David Finn of Colaiste Wall September 1996. He died in Exeter on June 8th Stiofain Naofa. 2010 aged 43 and is survived by his wife Audrey and his David is currently working as a greenkeeper at the Adare Golf two daughters. Club Co. Limerick formerly the venue of the Irish Open. Tournament Golf Hole Changing
If you log on to the link below you will see on you tube the method used to change a flag cup for tournament golf. The video lasts a little over eight minutes long and shows in detail what is involved. Take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CodTw3xPzlc&feature=channel
26 www.gcsai.org The Integrated Turf Management programme from Scotts Professional Our iTurf programme helps us produce healthy, durable courts in preparation for The Championships Eddie Seaward, Head Groundsman at The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Wimbledon
When you’re preparing playing surfaces for a tournament played out in front of a television audience of millions, there’s no room for compromise. An iTurf programme combining Greenmaster Pro-Lite fertilizers, Greenmaster Liquid fertilizers and Primo Maxx plant growth regulator is helping Eddie Seaward produce courts which meet the demands of a summer’s intensive match play. To find out how your turf could benefit from a tailored iTurf programme, contact your Scotts Technical Advisor.
www.scottsiturf.com
Scotts Professional Colman Warde, Tel: +44 (0) 1473 201106 Tel: 08 777 99527 [email protected] [email protected] www.scottsprofessional.co.uk Feature Protect Yourself Against Illness By Michael Bevans, New Ireland Assurance
ver 70% of workers have no back-up plan if they cannot work due to Oill health, and those who are self employed may not be entitled to any state benefits. Financial Adviser Michael Bevans says that everyone needs to consider what sort of financial cover they have in place.
With many people facing new financial • 31% of workers who will receive Is it good value for challenges, all workers need to no salary at all or a salary for a money? consider what sort of financial cover limited period of time will depend Not only is Income Protection from they have in place should they be on State benefits (maximum weekly New Ireland competitively priced, you unable to work due to ill health, injury payment currently €204) as their can also claim full tax relief on your or accident. only source of income when they contributions, so a premium of €50 The issue of financially protecting are off work sick; per month would cost just E29.502 our single most important asset, our • 90% of workers think that having after tax. income, has never been so important. income protection cover is a good idea; In fact, 77% of full-time workers are • when it comes to actually buying now more aware of the importance of income protection, nearly half of How much income should income protection cover in the current workers (47%) think that an I protect? economic climate than ever before – average payment of €60 per month • You can choose the amount of yet less than three in ten workers for this cover is worth the outlay, income to protect, up to 75% have any form of financial protection and would consider taking out the of your current earnings. in place. cover; and, • With our Guaranteed Insurability Many of us will instinctively rely • 68% of workers were not aware Option you can increase your on our savings and investments, or that they could claim tax relief on benefit in line with salary increases our partner, as our financial cushion their monthly payments for as your career progresses and you should we become unable to work income protection cover. can index it in line with inflation. due to illness or disability, but what An income protection policy pays you • The Confirmed Income Option happens when you cannot return to a monthly income if you are unable to helps guarantee the amount you work for years if at all? Would our work due to any illness or injury. will receive at claim stage even if savings and investments last longer your income has dropped. than a few months on the everyday Below are some common questions outgoings we still need to pay out Is the premium fixed? including mortgage repayments, bills, How do I benefit? Yes, if you opt for a level premium, childcare, and medical expenses? Income Protection provides you with the amount you pay is guaranteed not Recent research carried out a replacement income in the event that to increase during the term of your shows that: you are unable to work due to any policy, even if you make a claim. • 72% of workers have no financial illness or injury. protection in place if they cannot What if I change my job? work due to ill health; How long am I covered? Your cover continues if you • 32% of private sector workers, You will continue to receive an income change job, regardless of your new will not receive an income if they until you get back to work, and if you occupation. You can also stay covered cannot work due to ill health, are not well enough to return to work, if you become unemployed, while a further 15% have no your replacement income will be paid idea what income, if any, they will until your chosen retirement age (that’s Added Benefits - helping you when receive in this situation; 65 for most people). you need it most • 41% of all workers who claim that • The Back to Work Benefit will help they will receive a salary while they Who is income with your finances when you return are off work sick will only be paid protection for? to work after a long term claim e.g. for a period of six months or less, Everyone who is in paid employment, one year. You’ll get 50% for the first and a further 25% don’t know for whether full-time or part-time month back to work and 25% of the how long they will be paid an (minimum 16 hours per week) and benefit in the second month. income when off work sick; relies on their income. 28 www.gcsai.org Feature
• If you are hospitalised a benefit is payable for every day you spend in hospital after day 7 up to a max of 90 days. • We provide access to professional support to help you return to work. We also facilitate those who return to work on a part time basis through our proportionate benefit. What does it cost? See the examples below
Tom a Green Keeper, non smoker aged 30, PAYE worker, salary €30k, NRA 60, max cover is €12,308 26 week deferred period (6 months) Gross Premium: €24.67 Tax relief: €4.93 Net Premium €19.74 13 week deferred period (3 months) €36.52 €7.30 €29.22
Peter a Golf Course Superintendent, aged 40, non smoker, PAYE worker, salary €40k, NRA 60, max cover is €19,808 26 week deferred period (6 months) Gross Premium: €61.96 Tax relief: €25.40 Net Premium €36.56 13 week deferred period (3 months) €91.79 €37.63 €54.16
Barry a Golf Course Superintendent, aged 40, NS, PAYE worker, salary €50k, NRA 60, max cover is €27,308 26 week deferred period (6 months) Gross Premium: €84.38 Tax relief: €34.60 Net Premium €49.78 13 week deferred period (3 months) €125.50 €51.45 €74.05
Premiums are indicative of having some element of manual work, hence there is a higher risk of injury which means higher premiums. If your job is lower risk than assumed the premiums will be cheaper. Indicative occupations include, green keepers and golf course managers.
Michael Bevans can be contacted on 086 3694695 or you can email him at [email protected] Distributed by Whites Agri, Ballough, Lusk, Co. Dublin
www.whitesagri.ie Tel: 01 8438521 Noel Walsh Mobile: 086 0494836 29 greenside magazine | September 2010 The Heath Uncovered
ravelling North on the N80 from Carlow heading towards Portlaoise, T you pass through Stradbally. On leaving Stradbally you will notice, on your right, the rock of Dunamase, on which is built a prehistoric fortress. When you see this magnificent spectacle you know you are not too far Course Feature away from the Heath by Alan Mahon Golf Club. Feature
he name of the club is derived from the lands which describe Tthis unique area, known, not surprisingly, as the Heath. This is a National Heritage Area covering 426 acres of which the golf course occupies 126 acres. It was a much larger area in times gone by. In 1995 a complex of monuments was 1930. The course discovered during the construction of lies on a free Photo: Alan Mahon the motorway about 1.5km south-west draining peaty/ Given the chance wild flora will thrive on The Heath of the Heath which would indicate loamy soil with that the Great Heath may have been a low PH which, his enthusiasm has rubbed off onto his much more extensive in the Early Iron on appearance, gives an inland links two staff, Fintan Dempsey and Owen Age. By the end of the 18th century, look to the place. There is no architect McRedmond. as farming increased, the Great associated with designing the Heath. They work seven days a week during Heath was reduced to 600 acres and It seems to have evolved over the last the growing season, starting at 6.00 a century later this was down to 426 century to what it is today. The course am during the height of the summer. acres. was upgraded to an 18 hole facility Part of their responsibility is looking After the Norman times, the in 1970. after the ten bay driving range which cultivation of crops ceased and the is open to the public. This involves Heath reverted to common land, on “For the wider community collecting the golf balls every Monday which the community had a claim. the Heath was a place and Friday. Local farmers had the grazing of it, of recreation and assembly” All the greens are soil based with and, with time, this small number of the exception of the 10th which people acquired legal grazing rights was reconstructed using USGA “by custom or tradition”. For the wider The Course Superintendent at the specifications in 2000. With the community the Heath was a place of Heath is Billy O’Connor. He started fine maintenance over the years the recreation and assembly. with the club in 1982, working under, sward on each green is dominated But as with common land the then Head Greenkeeper, Noel by perennial meadow grass which everywhere, nobody was eager to Delaney. In 1985 Billy took over produces very little seed heads. invest in the improvement of common from Noel and has been at the helm Each year during January/February grazing because it was shared. So, as ever since. There is a touch of the all the fairways are vertidrained the centuries went by, the vegetation Irish farmer in Billy. He never counts and slit to relieve compaction and to of the Heath evolved to become low- the hours of work he puts in. It is a give some aeration to the roots. No nutrient, semi natural grassland, with vocation with him and it seems that fertilizer is applied on the fairways a diverse flora and fauna, restricted by the somewhat impoverished nature of the soil and the acid character of the habitat. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the open common was used for horse racing but this ceased in the late 1800’s when, in 1891, a nine hole golf course was built. You can still see some parts of the race track which used passed through the golf course. The continuing use of the Heath today for community outdoor sporting activity and recreation may be seen as a further development of ancient traditional use.
The course The golf course on the Heath was established in 1891 but it did not Photo: Alan Mahon become affiliated to the GUI until Left: Owen McRedmond, Fintan Dempsey & Billy O’Connor 31 greenside magazine | September 2010 Feature
Playing The Heath offers splendid views of the open countryside Photo courtesy of The Heath G.C. and they are never sprayed for weeds. change in the vegetation occurred. The Heath Uncovered The only fertilizer input is on the Billy O’Connor describes this change. As mentioned earlier, The Heath is greens and tees. The greens are given “It was as if someone had waved a steeped in ancient history dating back a base feed of 22:5:22 two to three magic wand over the course. All of a to the Early Iron Age. It was always weeks after coring and thereafter are sudden the place was covered in flora known that some ring forts or ring given a liquid feed (12:6:8 + 10% iron) creating a beautiful colourful carpet of barrows existed within the confines every three weeks. Liquid seaweed wild flowers. Nature always surprises of the course. For example, the 13th with a wetting agent added is given you. It was amazing to discover green is built inside one of the larger every month when weather conditions that these flowers lay dormant for barrows as is the men’s 7th tee. More permit. many years just waiting for the right barrows were uncovered and rescued opportunity to arrive.” from the ravages of gorse on the 4th As the Heath is built on It seems that The Heath is a and 6th holes, while early plough common ground, the grazing nursery ground for up and coming ridges can be clearly seen on the of sheep is a familiar sight Superintendents. Many have learned 16th fairway. They are particularly their trade with Billy and have gone on noticeable on a sunny evening when to greater pastures, such as Anthony the sun is low. As the Heath is built on common Fitzpatrick ground, the grazing of sheep is a who went on to familiar sight. Up to 600 sheep are become Course grazed throughout the course from Manager at The April to December. Because of this Heritage, David there is no need to mow any of the Greene who rough, a great advantage to Billy and is now Course his staff you would think but there is Superintendent a downside. Each day the litter from in Abbeyleix the sheep needs to be gathered up Golf Club, and disposed of, and this cleaning and Paul operation can take just as long as it Sheeran who would if the rough had to be mown. is the Course During the foot and mouth disease Superintendent
outbreak several years ago the sheep at Portarlington Photo: Alan Mahon had to be removed and a remarkable Golf Club. Sheep are allowed roam freely throughout the course 32 www.gcsai.org Feature
During my visit to The Heath in June, there had been very little rainfall during the previous four months. As a result of the water shortage, marks from the original foundations of the race track grandstand were clearly seen beside the clubhouse.
Flora and Fauna The grassland on the Heath is dominated by a hardy species called sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina), which is palatable and nutritious for grazing animals and is able to withstand close grazing and cutting. Other prominent grasses are crested dog’s-tail (Cynosorus cristatus), common bent (Agrostis capillaries), sweet vernal grass (Anthoxantbum odoratum), red Photo: Alan Mahon fescue (Festuca rubra), Yorkshire Billy O’Connor stands in the middle of a ring fort on the 4th hole fog (Holcus lanatus), creeping bent characteristic plant of the Heath complex network of food webs. The (Agrostis stolonifera), and more locally flora, it’s dominance now needs to be most distinctive mammal of the Heath a tough grass called mat grass (Nardus checked, and its cover reduced and is the hare. Rabbits are common on the stricta), which is rare in lowland controlled in future. Thankfully, the fringes, and were probably important Ireland. area of the Heath covering the golf in the past in preventing the spread Much of the Heath is now dominated complex is under control. of furze. Other mammals include by furze, which has been extending its The plant life of the Heath supports badgers, foxes and bats. cover for several decades, smothering a wide diversity of animal life, the Of the nearly fifty species of birds the open grassland in the process. many species of which interact in a recorded on the Heath, the most Although furze has always been a Photo courtesy The Heath G.C. A view of the 18th fairway complete showing water hazard 33 greenside magazine | September 2010 Feature
distinctive is the stonechat, which is commonly associated with furze. Machinery used at the Heath Meadow pipit, moorhen and little • Jacobsen MF4 Greens and Tees mower x 2 grebe live on the lake, which is also • Jacobsen 38000 Fairway mower visited by mallard and heron. In winter • Jacobsen Tri-King the lake supports a small flock of • TYM T431 43HP tractor pochard. Snipe and merlin can be seen • Yanmar 22HP tractor flying low among the furze. • Iseki 21HP tractor When the course opened as an 18 • Massey Ferguson 135 tractor hole facility back in 1970, plenty of • Ryan pedestrian corer x 2 Leyland cypress were planted, as was • Ryan sodcutter fashionable in those days by people • Logic sweepers x 2 who wanted a ‘quick’ growing plant • Richard Long sweeper that would give almost immediate •Hardi tractor sprayer Sisis topdresser shelter. Since those days this tree is no •Honda quad longer used for such ‘quick fixes’ and • Ransomes Auto Certes the club have already started a removal •1.2m Siltrex topper policy of all Leylandii on the course. • Charterhouse verti-core Only the native tress will be kept and • Sisis greens slitter any gaps made by the Leylandii will be • Logic fertilizer spreader replaced with native species. “We will • Altra sand spreader remove the trees ourselves during the • Toro Workman next few winters, so some of us will • Wiedenmann Verti-drain have a roaring fire to keep us warm” • Tanco fairway slitter joked Billy. • Tipping trailer • Flymo With the superstitions that exist in • Kawasaki hand mower Ireland on fairy forts or ring barrows, there is no doubt that in the Heath Celtic spirits are lurking in the background. Should you do decide to play a round of golf, my advice to you is not to go alone and keep out of certain ‘hazards!’ Do this and you will have a most enjoyable round of golf. Open Day at Kilkenny Golf Club crowd of 150 people Terrence McShea opened the day attended to hear and view and gave a brief overview of the the latest and most up Irish Institutes services in training to date information on and consultancy services. A large Turfgrass management. range of training is available from Speakers included Iain the Institute to groundsmen and Ritchie (Consultant), Paul greenkeepers and the standard of these Campbell (Greenmount courses are approved by the Institutes College), Andrew Turnbull advisory panel. The Institute acts as (Allturf Management), an independent advisory to clubs and and Jeremy Kindle (DLF groundsmen in all areas of Triflorium). After the sports surface management. morning talks, the delegates were given Back Row Left: Donal Kearney (Irish Institute of Sports lunch and in Surfaces), Paul Campbell ( Head of Sportsturf Greenmount the afternoon College), Andrew Turnbull (Allturf Management) they got the Front: Iain Ritchie (Consultant), Terence McShea opportunity to (ISS Advisory Panel), Jeremy Kindle (DLF Triflorium) view various On the 26th of May in Kilkenny Golf machinery and Club, the Irish Institute of Sports equipment which Surfaces hosted an educational were being Seminar and Trade Show. A packed demonstrated outside. 34 www.gcsai.org News
What a difference in six Months These two photos were kindly sent in by Frank Carroll of Strandhill Golf Club.
The top photo shows the course as it looked back in January 2010 with the course covered in snow. The bottom photo shows the course six months later, in June, when the course experienced drought conditions leaving the non irrigated grass areas completely burnt out.
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35 greenside magazine | September 2010 Southwest Report by Michael F O’Connor, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
“Famous Seamus” Makes it Two in a Row at Killarney
fter his excellent performance at Lee Valley in April, “Famous” Seamus Lyons of Charleville was back on the winners podium once again. ASeamus returned a superb 46 points playing off a handicap of 17 on Killarney Golf and Fishing Club’s Killeen course on Wednesday 2nd June, which was venue for this year’s 3 Irish Open. This left him five points clear of his nearest rival Pat O’Rourke of Shannon Golf Club who had a very commendable 41 points, playing off a handicap of 19. Tommy Barrett also had 41 points, playing off a handicap of 15 and finished in third place. “Famous” Seamus scored twenty four points on the front nine and twenty two on the back nine. His card consisted of two birdies, nine pars, five bogies and two double bogies. Definitely a man in sparkling form! With the Standard Scratch being 37 points, there is no doubt that we won’t see Seamus playing off a handicap of 17 again for quite a while. For such a consistent performer, Seamus will L to R. Philip Tong (John Deere), Michael Weldon (Seamus Weldon Ltd), Tommy Sayers (Dingle), have no problem playing off a much Martin and J.J. Young (Tralee) relax after the game lower handicap. Well done Seamus on a magnificent score! of high scores would be the order of gift of being able to produce the most Conditions were perfect on the day the day. Category One winner, Tommy scrumptious of culinary delights at the and with reasonably fast greens and a Sayers of Dingle, who had a fine score drop of a hat and in the quickest of course, which was set up very fair, it of 39 points, playing off a handicap of time. We thank you most sincerely for was not surprising that a good share seven, recorded an eagle three at the the delicious food served up after the par five eleventh. competition. There is no doubt that we I would like to take this opportunity will be back for more of the same! to thank General Manager Maurice Last but not least we would like O’Meara and the Management Committee for the superb facilities which were made available to us. Also a big ‘Thank You’ to the bar and catering staff for always making a major effort to ensure that the customer is given top class service to the best of their ability and always with a smile. I would like to give special mention to the Catering Supremos at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club namely: Award winning Chef, John Sheehan and Denis Collins (Goldcrop) and Jerry Mulvihill Seamus Lyons (Overall Winner) his lovely wife Freda, who have the (Ceann Sibeal) take a break in Killarney. 36 www.gcsai.org Southwest Report
grateful for your enthusiasm and the eagerness to accommodate us at all times. Go raibh mile maith agat, Daithi!
Presidents Cup 2010 This year’s President’s Cup will take place in Dromoland Golf and Country Club on Friday the 9th October. The Michael F. makes a special presentation to David MacIndoe South West will be trying their very continued good health and happiness Tom Burke (Amenity Turf Supplies) best to defend the title they won at for the future. Will these three new winner of the Trade Prize. Castleknock Golf Club in 2009. We arrivals be the budding greenkeepers of look forward to the future? Only time will tell! Results from Killarney another great Golf & Fishing Club (Killeen Course) day out which Sympathy is so generously It was with deep regret that we recently OVERALL sponsored by learned of the sudden death of Sarah 1st. Seamus Lyons. Charleville G.C. 17h’cap. 46pts. Scotts and Gillis of Little Island, County Cork 2nd. Pat O’Rourke. Shannon G.C. 19h’cap. 41pts. for which the after a relatively short illness. Sarah 3rd. Tommy Barrett. Charleville G.C. 15h’cap 41pts. G.C.S.A.I. who was in her early thirties and whom Cat. 1. are extremely should have had her whole life ahead of 1st. Tommy Sayers Dingle 7h’cap. 39pts. grateful. her, was the daughter of Anthony Gillis Cat. 2. who is the Head Superintendent at 1st. Martin Young. Tralee G.C. 15h’cap. 37pts. Congratulations Cork Golf Club. On behalf of the South 2nd. Mark Dowling. Charleville G.C. 15h’cap. 33pts. There have been West Region, I would like to offer our some increases sincere condolences to Anthony, his Cat. 3. among the wife Susan and all their family on their 1st. Denis McCarthy. Tipperary G./C.C. 25h’cap. 36pts. greenkeeping great loss and to assure them that our Trade population thoughts and prayers are with them at 1st. Tom Burke. Amenity Turf Supplies 19h’cap. 31pts. recently and the this very sad time. 2nd.Denis Collins. Goldcrop Ltd 18h’cap. 31pts. following are just Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhilis! Guest Prize a few that come to William J. Griffin Killarney G.C. 11h’cap. 35pts. mind. The 3. Irish Open First up is Killarney’s hosting of the 3 Irish Open to pay special tribute to Head our Association was an outstanding success. The Superintendent David MacIndoe President, Michael Loughran and excellent weather as well as the superb and his dedicated staff for having his lovely wife with the birth of their ground conditions, and of course a the course in such immaculate fourth child, a daughter Emma. A magnificent venue, helped enormously condition. Great credit is due to future beauty queen no doubt! Also to to bring the crowds out in their everyone involved for a superb job. Dermy Jones, Head Superintendent at thousands. Many thanks for making our visit to Raffeen Creek and his wife, Maura on Reliable sources have indicated that Killarney Golf & Fishing Club a very the birth of their first born. They are the total attendance for the four days enjoyable one indeed! now the proud parents of a bouncing of the tournament was closer to ninety baby boy. thousand than eighty thousand and Presentation Craddockstown’s Head this total did not include the large The Chairman made a presentation of Superintendent, Tom Carew and his attendance at the previous Wednesday’s specially engraved crystal to Course wife also had an addition to their Pro-Am. Manager, David MacIndoe for the family recently. Tom’s wife also gave The final day of the tournament was outstanding help and support he has birth to bouncing baby boy. Hearthiest a spectacular event with fantastic golf given the South West Region over the congratulations Michael, Dermy, Tom being played by the main contenders last twelve years. We are extremely and their wives and families on these for the title of Irish Open Champion joyous occasions. We wish you all 2010. Padraig Harrington put on a 37 greenside magazine | September 2010 Southwest Report
who finished with a round of sixty five. We salute the well deserved winner and say “well done” to Padraig Harrington for an outstanding display of determination and class. We salute David MacIndoe and his dedicated crew for having the course in such fabulous and pristine condition.
Working all those early mornings and late nights really paid off.
Congratulations on a wonderful job. Well done to all concerned! We enthusiastically look forward again to next year. Will it be in Killarney again? We sincerely hope it will so we will Some of the large gallery that awaiting the arrival of be keeping our fingers crossed! Padraig Harrington on the 8th green Sponsors We would like to thank our sponsors most sincerely for their undying support as always. Please give our sponsors as much support as you possibly can. As I have said many times before “let’s not forget that we need each other”.
Christmas Outing The 2010 Christmas Hampers outing will take place at Fota Golf Club, County Cork on 4th November next. Tee time will be 9.45am to 11.15am. Numbers will be limited so Shane Lowry sinks a putt on the 12th green make sure you mark the date in your diary and book with Michael F. on 087 1276764 as soon as you receive the text super display recording a birdie and an eagle in the last notification in relation to the outing. Looking forward to four holes to finish with a seven under par sixty four which seeing you there! was just two shots behind the eventual winner Ross Fisher, GCSAI/GCSAA Relationship Development The GCSAI have for many continually being organised. years promoted the profile of the In the past few years the GCSAI Association on the international and the GCSAA have realised that the stage through its participation challenges facing Superintendents/ at international events such as Greenkeepers are fundamentally the educational summits and also by its same on both sides of the Atlantic membership of FEGGA, where it is and as a result both organisations the only Association to continually have recognised the benefits of closer have a board member since its cooperation, and the common sharing formation. of the expertise accumulated by each We have used these platforms to organisation can only be mutually highlight our educational and career beneficial. development programmes for people This development will mean that involved in the Irish golf turf industry, GCSAI members will have access to a The two Association Presidents Michael and this has helped greatly in raising wide range of educational and career Loughran and Jim Fitzroy the international image of the Irish development material normally not the formalising of the relationship Superintendent. available to non-GCSAA members. agreement. The Golf Course Superintendents This closer relationship will be In these challenging times Association of America (GCSAA) formalised during the Ryder Cup this Superintendents and Greenkeepers has for many years shown great September when both Associations need to have access to the latest enthusiasm for the endeavours of will compete against each other in initiatives so that they are best the GCSAI by witnessing at first a now traditional golf match which prepared to deal with the massive hand our National Conferences the started at the challenges facing them each day professionalism of its members and Ryder Cup in 2006. in our workplaces. We feel this the great desire to continually develop The teams will consist of four development will help greatly. their careers and through reading players from both Associations Greenside magazine, which show playing in a match-play format, Paddy Holohan cases the varied educational seminars and the evening will conclude with Public Relations Officer
38 www.gcsai.org Northeast Report by David Callanan Beech Park Golf Club
Westmanstown Golf Club Outing
ur recent visit to Westmanstown, where our qualifiers for The Presidents Cup took place, was regarded as an enjoyable and successful evening by all those who were able to attend. Praise Omust go to Michael McFeely and his team for having the course in such excellent condition. Unfortunately with the overdue good weather our numbers were down with work commitments which kept quite a few of our regular golfers away. Presidents Cup team at Newlands Golf Club. We had an This year the Northeast region is excellent turn out with 39 golfers hoping for success, with the following taking part on the day. Each and every team going forward to represent us at person that played golf was very Dromoland Castle in October:- impressed with the extensive work that Alan McArdle, Jason Corscadden, Newlands have undertaken recently Dean Brock, James Duggan, Edward in revamping it’s facility. The work Walsh and Joe Hanney. Our reserves that has been put into the course is a for the day will be Jason Whelan, credit to Gerry Byrne and his staff. Bobby McDermott and Kevin The members of Newlands have a Naughton. real gem on their hands following the redesign of both the Golf Course and Results from Westmanstown Clubhouse. Hcp 1-8 1st Alan McArdle 36pts The last North East outing was at the 2nd Jason Corscadden 33pts Hermitage Golf Club in August and a full report with photos will be in the Hcp 9-16 next edition of Greenside. 1st Dean Brock 36pts A new North East Committee was 2nd James Duggan 35pts formed recently and I would like to Hcp 17-28 A good turnout for the Philip O’Callaghan Trophy with the O’Callaghan family in attendance 1st Edward Walsh 28pts 2nd Joe Hanney 27pts take this opportunity to North East Committee Handicap Sec. Trade thank Bobby McDermott Chairman Alan McArdle (Newlands and Michael McFeely Brian Harvey (Unichem) John Egan (Rathfarnham Golf Club) 085 1510566 for their efforts over the years in Golf Club) 086 3470388 Committee Members the region Hon. Secretary Michael McFeely and their David Callanan (Beechpark (Westmanstown Golf Club) continued Golf Club) 086 3201763 087 23420511 work on the Hon. Treasurer Bobby McDermott (Foxrock Excetuve Dean Brock (Grange Golf Golf Club) 086 2627839 Committee. Club) 085 1411291 Going forward, the new committee wants to Results from Newlands maintain clear lines of 1st Dean Brock communication with all our members in order 2nd Gerry Byrne to develop the 3rd Frank Donlon association within the 4th Richard Doyle The winning team of the Philip O’Callaghan Trophy held at the North East region. Good Council Pitch & Putt Course With the support 5th Gavin Dillon of our members we 6th Paul Mathews Shamie Kelly Trophy feel that the association can 7th Bobby McDermott After a year away, the Shamie go from strength to strength. Kelly Trophy was again contested Trade: Frank Byrne (JFB Golf)
39 greenside magazine | September 2010 Northeast Regional Report
Southeast Report by Trevor Dargan, Woodenbridge Golf Club Rosslare Golf Outing This annual golf outing was once again a success event with everyone having a good time, even the weather held up and Rosslare was in great condition for the time of year (it was the end of November). Andrew Doyle and Dave Colley made us very welcome as always. We want to thank Rosslare Golf Club for the course on the day.To our ever loyal sponsor, D’Arcys Sand and Best SummerPat M urSincephy, thanks for the sup er2006? prizes and your continued ongoing support. We look forward to next year.
t long last after four years of rain we have finally got a reasonable summer. I think it really was A2006 when I last saw sunshine and this means plenty of golf. Not for me personally but for our and wait and see what the rest of the already looking for courses for next courses. Failte Ireland has been year will be like. This will have a direct year outings. If you are able to help working hard to advertise our courses effect on winter employment. If you out in this regard please email me at in all sorts of media. In the south east have not looked into the H.R end of [email protected]. I want to we have some fantastic courses and your club with regard to pay, short sincerely thank all our sponsors for they have produced the goods time time and change of working practices, their continuing support in our region. and time again for our members and Fiona Brown is at the end of the Our outings would not take place only guests. We cannot over emphasis this. phone to answer your queries (GCSAI for them. A true Irish welcome is needed by all members only). Prizewinners at Rosslare froFinally,m left: P canat M Iu onrp hbehalfy (spon ofso rthe), B rsouthian and none more important than from By the time you Breadyrn ethis, Ke nreport McM awenm on, Freastank Dregiononlon ,committee Tony D’Arc sendy (spo ournsor ) and Bobby McDermott. the green keeping staff when dealing will have played our last outing on congratulations to Tom Carew and his with the public. Gone are the days that August 26th at BunclodyRush Ch rGolfistm andas o uting wife on the birth of their child, also to we were seen and not heard. Guests Fishing Club. DuncanA fu lO’Shaughnessyl time sheet was in Royoper Butleration a tand Ru hissh wwifeith fonor tthey fo birthur of like to hear how we have changed the has done a remarkablecompe tjobitor maintainings taking part . Ttheirhis ye child.ar a s h Youotgu nguys star doingt was ianyn work course over the years and why. this beautiful course.opera Resultstion wh iandch m ade it pinos sKildare?ible for all to enjoy the post golf This year will be interesting as we look photos will appearCh inris thetma nexts fes tissueivitie sof t ogether in the clubhouse. Many of those at the last quarterly booking figures Greenside so watchthat thisdid nspace.’t play Wewel lare sti ll went home with prizes, such was the array of spot prizes available. Many thanks to Eddie Donlon and Rush Golf Club for holding this popular event, which is now in Scottsi tsSeminar 28th consecutive year. It is tradition that a GCSAI tie is Scotts in conjunction with the GCSAI recently held two presented to the Rush Golf Club captain as a token of excellent educational seminars at the Heritage G.C. and appreciation and this year Joe Landy was the recipient. Dromoland Castle G.C. Speakers included Dr. Ruth Mann of STRI, Simon Barnaby of Scotts and Dr. Simon Watson of Syngenta. Rush Christmas Outing Results Also in attendance was Keith Kensitt of Keith Kensitt Overall Sportsturf services who demonstrated the Graden 1st Donal Curtis (Navan) aeration machine as well as the latest technologies in 2nd Dean Brock (Grange) CDA applicators for turf managers. Topics included; 3rd John Jennings (Castleknock) application technologies using the new nozzles from 4th Gerry Byrne (K Club) Scotts/Syngenta; the latest impressive trial results on 5th Eamon Crawford (Royal Co. Down) disease management using a Scotts iTurf programmed 6th Frank Donlon (Malahide) approach which was presented by Dr. Ruth Mann and Visitor Simon Barnaby. 1sAttendingt Brian Ctheo Scottsburn (seminarRoyal Cato The. D oHeritagewn) Colman Warde commented “Scotts are committed to through2n thesed Ga rtypey C rofaw seminarsford (Ro andyal Cdemonstrationo. Down) days. bringing the latest cutting edge technologies for turf If anyone would like moreTra informationde on the topics to the Irish market.” He also stressed the importance discussed on 1thest Idayain pleaseRitch icontacte (Lely ColmanIrl) Warde on in delivering the latest information to superintendents 0872nd 7799527Frank B yorrn emaile ( JF Bhim G atol [email protected] Course Supplies Ltd.)
Advanced Landscape Services For Sale Private and commercial grounds maintenance Golf course re-modelling projects and aeration work Poa Greens Sod Hard and soft landscaping Agent for contract spraying with NAD For more details Installation agent for Waste2Water in conjunction with NAD Contact Mark Harris of Recycling units and back-up service Harris Turf Improvements Phone Karl Dooley on 087 9402650 Mobile: 087 2540166 Office/Fax 045 869527 or Email: [email protected] E-mail [email protected]
40 47 Greenside Magazine March 09 www.gcsai.org F.E.G.G.A. Report by Dean Cleaver CEO
them to experience what golf can offer. This works, because Facing Challenges I have seen it. During this economic downturn it is a time for maintaining and increasing investment in education and and Changing for training; it is a small percentage of a budget, but one that has huge benefits. Reducing the education and training budgets makes little sense as it has affects the long term the Future success of the golf club. The Czech Republic have a great model to look at. t has certainly been a very busy time since They have developed and grown a game to suit their own I shared my last column with you. At least people. They have designed and built golf courses to meet we have had a good summer, which has the challenge of people playing the game for the first time. I They have developed an industry that has grown to support encouraged golfers to come out and play golf, something the game has seriously needed. the game. They now have eighty two golf courses with forty six thousand players, of which fifteen percent of these are juniors. There is a tremendous green keeper association FEGGA held its last meeting at the wonderful golf club of Ljunghusen, situated in the south coast of Sweden on with two hundred members, and a good education system the Baltic Sea. We had a very productive meeting for the that works closely with the Agricultural College in Benesov, two days that we were together, and I mention Ljunghusen developing standards based on the EGEU standards because it is a club that represents a wonderful example (www.egeu.org). of how to get the business of golf right, especially in these One final thought - as we all know a game of golf can changing and challenging times. It offers wonderful golf often take a long time to play. I have recently come back and in an environment that brings young and old golfers from Iceland, where they have a total population of three together to enjoy this great game. It was so refreshing to hundred and twenty thousand. During the last year they see this at first hand, and to see how beneficial this was have increased their golf player numbers by five percent to the club. and currently have fifty thousand people playing golf, of which thirty thousand are playing five times of more per week. This is a success in itself, but of the sixty five golf courses in total, fifty are nine hole courses – interesting thought.
Ljunghusen Golf Course Business challenges differ from country to country. Countries that are new to golf are facing different challenges from those that have an already established golf business. There are numerous reasons why golf clubs lose members, such as lack of customer service and relationship skills, and these need to be seriously looked at. Many golfers today do not necessarily want to join a golf club, but instead prefer to play where and when they want. This creates challenges with budgeting, and ensuring that golf clubs maintain a healthy turnover. Offering the right product coupled with good customer service will meet the needs of these golfers. There are some great examples of member golf clubs in countries such as Sweden that are successful. One such example is when one club agrees to offer members of another club reduced green fees at certain times of the day. This gives variety and a wider golfing experience to their members. Some clubs also welcome non golfers into their facilities to enjoy the restaurant and allow 41 greenside magazine | September 2010 Gustafson Wins
AIB Irish Ladies Open ophie Gustafson enhanced her prospects of returning to Killeen SCastle next September as part of Europe’s Solheim Cup Team as she won a thrilling AIB Ladies Irish Open.
The Swede, who is a seven-time Solheim Cup player, shot a When asked what she superb final round 66 on a day of perfect scoring conditions thought of The 2011 to card 12 under par and edge ahead of Norwegian Solheim Cup venue, Marianne Skarpnord and South Korean In-Kyung Kim. the 36-year-old said: Gustafson showed her class by winning her fourth Irish “I think my win pretty Open following victories in 1998 at Ballyliffin, 2000 at much says it all: that I Faithlegg and 2003 at Killarney. It was her sixth title on like it! I expect to play Sophie Gustafson Photo: Alan Mahon Irish soil as she also won the 2003 BT Open in Northern my way onto the team.” Ireland and the TSN World Cup partnering Carin The 15,000 spectators that attended on the final day Koch in 2000. would have been impressed as they saw the drama Photo: Alan Mahon Lisa Maguire unfold on the course that will host The Solheim Cup from 23-25 September, 2011. Playing in the penultimate group ahead of the second round leader, Kim, Gustafson played a wedge from 130 yards to 10 feet at the par four closing hole in front of a packed Photo: Alan Mahon gallery and rolled the ball straight down the Gustafson with the Killeen Castle greenkeeping staff hill into the hole to edge one shot clear. “I love Ireland. This is my sixth win in Ireland if you count Kim had a chance to enter a playoff, but her long birdie the time I won in Northern Ireland in 2003 and at the putt on 18 finished just below the hole and she finished with World Cup in 2000,” said a delighted Gustafson. “I think a round of 70. Skarpnord, twice a winner on the Ladies maybe it’s the people. They are all very friendly and easy European Tour, fired a 69. going and they have always been very supportive of me.” Rebecca Coakley was the leading Irish player in a tie for The €75,000 first prize is Gustafson’s first winner’s cheque 17th place on four under par and 15-year-old Lisa Maguire since the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup, from Ireland took the Philomena Garvey trophy as the which she won in April partnering Anna Nordqvist. It was leading amateur in a share of 40th place. her 24th individual win worldwide and has helped her bid The condition of the Killeen Castle course was in superb to make Alison Nicholas’ 2011 team to take on the United condition ably maintained by Course Manager Mark States. Collins and his staff.
42 www.gcsai.org
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Watch Out, There May be a Mole About By Gabriel Loughran, Kilkeel Golf Club
t is not often that a piece of advice or information in any publication can be of benefit to those who read it but I hope that this article will warn readers about the dangers of working Ioutdoors.. I have been involved in sports turf management for 29 by this disease. I was surprised to discover that I was one years, 26 of them being in Ireland, from County Antrim to of those people. My father was involved in Green keeping County Cork. I have had a mole on my right forearm all for over 50 years and has not suffered from skin cancer. my life, well that is until recently. I was attending my new My twin brother who lives and works in Florida, does doctor and as I was going through the medical examination not show any symptoms of the disease. But the message he asked me was there anything else I was concerned I want to leave you is, check, check and re-check! Use about?. I pointed to the mole, it had “grown” in the last few sunscreen, wear a hat and get everything checked out by months, but it never oozed, itched or irritated me in any the professionals and if you are not satisfied, get a second way. He had a look at it. I said ”it is only a soft brown mole, opinion! nothing to worry about”. Some of my family members were The amazing thing is, the damage was done in THIS not convinced, so I was sent to check it out for a second country - not lying on some sun-baked Costa beach, opinion. The locum on duty said, ”this soft brown mole, drenched in cooking oil! should be nothing to worry about, but we will send you to the hospital to get a digital photo, then after a couple of months we will take a second photo to see if there are any changes”. I then went to the hospital and the same doctor looked at the mole. ”We will be in touch” he said and two days later I get a call to go to the hospital again. I arrived at the hospital and went to the Day Procedures Unit where I was brought into a consulting room. Three nurses and a surgeon entered the room. I was now concerned. We had a brief chat and then needles and scalpels were produced. A small “It is only a soft brown mole, nothing The black shows the approximate size of the mole to worry about” hole about 5mm was cut into my arm and my lifelong mole was no more. Several stitches and a box of painkillers later, I was on my way home. I thought nothing more of this until I got a phone call a week later. I was asked to return to the hospital two days later as some more ”precautionary” work was required. I arrived into the same consulting room with the same team as before, and a huge hole, and I mean huge, (50mm x 30mm) right in the middle of my arm was cut out and very expertly stitched together again. It turned out, as you have probably guessed, that my mole was cancerous - early stages but I thought ‘Better a hole in my arm than a hole somewhere else.’ Everybody knows someone who is, or has been affected My arm after the mole was removed 44 www.gcsai.org Feature So you think you have had challenges! By Michael J. Healy, Ph.D. his article chronicles challenges faced by golf course superintendents working in seven different countries. Challenges include animal fending-off and tending, keeping turf alive in a severe drought, Tgetting a course back open after a ten inch snow storm, and other significant challenges. This article is based on my travel to Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman, Turkey, The Grenadines, and Barbados earlier this year.
Brent Borelli, a native of the U.S. While Brent’s residence overlooks the snow had been cleared!” His course now working at Sung Nam G.C. Han River, the 20 minute or so drive to was closed for just seven days. Seoul, Korea. Sung Nam brings one to a whole other When I landed at Seoul’s International landscape. Low slung mountains with Mohamed Nizam Othman - Kuala Airport in early January, as soon as I dense woods surround this 18 hole, Lumpur G. & C.C., Kuala Lumpur, stepped outside the airport departure twin greens per hole golf club. I fully Malaysia area door I was reminded of my expected to see at least cross country Mohd Nizam Othman has had his growing up days west of Chicago in skiing, if not the downhill variety, hands full with the recently completed the middle of winter. when I was given my first tour of the total renovation of his 2nd 18 - hole course. course which had been preceded “So Brent”, I asked, “your crew by the complete renovation of his all working indoors, cleaning 1st 18 hole championship course. and painting, making repairs to equipment?” “Oh no” replied Brent, “virtually all our crew is on the course getting ready for golfers”. “You’re what?” I asked. I soon learned that in Korea a golfing Snow covered fairway at Sung Nam in reserved tee time made is a tee time early January kept! Brent had already cleared all As I soon learned from Brent Borelli, the cart paths using a snow blower G.C.S. of Sung Nam G.C., 25 cm attached to the front of a triplex (10”) of snow had just fallen, with air mower. His goal now was to clean off temperatures cold enough to allow at least one of the two twin greens per large sheets of ice to form on the Han hole, along with the artificial turf areas Mohamed Nizam Othman River which courses through the of each natural grass tee. As no piece center of Seoul. of equipment he had on hand was As both courses converted from gentle enough not to destroy turf while bermudagrass to seashore paspalum, removing snow, he had made large much additional care had to be taken wood paddles. And sure enough, those to avoid bermudagrass showing paddles worked! up in the conversion. Even though Of course, all the fairways and Nizam covered all his bases regarding roughs still had the accumulation of bermudagrass regrowth, a stringent snow. Later Brent confided that his program of finding, digging out, and crew was able to clear off landing replacing bermudagrass patches areas on one nine. But as Brent said with seashore paspalum appears to Brent Borelli at one of his wooden paddle “ Good luck if you didn’t land where be the final step in the process. His snow cleared bentgrass greens 45 greenside magazine | September 2010 Feature
championship course hosts two major Lee Sellars (expat. American GCS recharged by the sun. I never thought tournaments this year, the May Bank and consultant) and Dr. Eric Lee to ask whether or not the same 2010 Malaysia Open organized by (Hong Kong resident and horticultural technology was used to charge the the European Tour and a combined consultant), I noticed a low slung wire network of electric fences. Of course European/Asian tour event. The fence at the outside of every cart path. battery backup would be required to 2nd 18 is now undergoing additional “So what’s the fence for?” I asked keep the boars at bay during nighttime changes, for the hosting of the Sime Christine. hours! Darby LPGA tournament in October. Craig Hanney from Australia now working at Muscat Hills G.C. Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Is there anyone left actually living in Australia? Craig and Merryl Hanney’s son Noah, at age 13, is fluent in Swiss German and becoming fluent in Arabic. The only reason he speaks English with an Aussie accent is that he’s learned it from his parents- for Overall view of Kuala Lumpur G. & C.C. he’s never lived in Australia! His staff has included 80 for the golf A Hong Kong wild boar maintenance work, and another 80 “We have a bad problem with wild for the landscaped areas. While the boars damaging the turf” was her most recent golf course renovation reply. The boars have been on the was in full swing, the club house was island since day one of the golf course also undergoing a major renovation/ presence. At first they made excellent expansion. barbecue, but at some point they could At the end of my tour of the no longer be hunted or otherwise then about to be completed 2nd 18 controlled. And as wild boars breed renovation, Nizam told me this course like, well like wild boars, their was to have a new and different living numbers soon became quite large. So component in the course landscape. at night when the island is devoid of Scheduled to arrive soon will be the people, the wild boar population is Craig Hanney with his trusty dog Pythium resident deer and peacocks! Is there hard at work probing the electric fence any limit to the scope of golf course perimeters. When Craig came in for the Muscat superintendent responsibilities? Hills grow-in and remained on at the completed course, he had a feeling he Christine Chan- Kau Sai Chau Golf would be at the forefront of golf course Club, Hong Kong turf culture there. Muscat Hills was/ Christine Chan is head G.C.S. at this is the first modern design with modern 54 hole public golf course located turf varieties used in Oman. on an island in Hong Kong Bay. No He learned in a hurry that a golf one lives on this island; the 75 golf course in Muscat might just react maintenance workers, club house staff, differently to local environmental and golfers must go back and forth by conditions than elsewhere. While I A view of Kau Sai Chau Golf Club Note dedicated ferry boats each day. won’t go into detail about one of his the electric wire fence in foreground to Two of the courses are prevent wild boars from entering the course challenges, is not a picture worth a bermudagrass, with the third (and thousand words? The photo of Craig newest) being all seashore paspalum. As we rode back to the clubhouse with his trusty dog named “Pythium” On a clear day there are some I noticed what appeared to be should and does say it all! incredibly beautiful views from nearly photovoltaic panels atop the golf carts Another real challenge was getting every hole on the island. below me. Christine confirmed that a maintenance crew up and running, As I rode the course with Christine, those golf carts are being continually motivated and efficient. Key members
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of his crew now include Hameed Al and a real innovation for the area was Balushi (from Oman), and Waseem figuring out the right technique to Choudhary (originally from Pakistan). overseed the course at a point where I fully expect both these gentlemen to golf play was at a minimum, in order to someday become superintendents! maximize rounds played and resulting revenue generated in lean economic times. He achieved this goal.
Canouan Island Turtle, a common sight on Trump International G.C. Chris’s 18 - hole course has 50 acres of turf to irrigate, and another 30 acres of nonturf landscaped areas. His Muscat Hills assistants, Hameed Al Balushi irrigation water sources are effluent, (left) and Waseem Choudhary RO, and a fresh water reservoir, with the later two sources ordinarily Atilla Demirsoy - Lykia Links G.C., supplying 45% each of his total needed Antayla, Turkey Lykia Links sand fence minimum of 650,000 gallons per day. The day I visited this course located on Recently his RO source downsized to the edge of the Mediterranean Sea and A second challenge was that blowing a volume of under 20% of anticipated, to the east of Antalya, a fierce wind sand from the beach tended to and more recently his reservoir source with cold rain greeted me. I thought accumulate on the seaside holes. of water went to 0%. for sure the course would be devoid Once sand accumulation patterns He’s been able to keep the greens of golfers, but not so. I was reminded were known, Atilla set about to create the right color and healthy, the tees that at Seoul, Korea’s Sung Nam G.C., sand fences to prevent sand from are holding up, but the fairways golfers were likely now out playing on covering turf. The final fence design are doing poorly. As the course was the snow covered fairways. and placement appears both attractive renovated a few years back to become and functional. Sand fences, like snow an all seashore paspalum course, he’s fences, work by slowing the velocity investigating the option of bringing in of air borne particles to the point that brackish water to augment his meager they fall to the ground immediately on present irrigation supply. the leeward side of the fence. Growing golf course quality turfgrass without adequate irrigation Chris Biagi - Trump Int. G.C., water is perhaps a superintendent’s Canouan Island, St. Vincent and the biggest challenge; adjusting Grenadines management practices while All of the south Caribbean has been introducing brackish water can be undergoing a year long + drought. The equally challenging. last wet season (June-November) was dry with the most current dry season Eamonn McCarthy from Ireland in its normal state. now working at Barbados G.C.,
Attilla Demirsoy (right) with Barbados golf course designer, Perry Dye Barbados has not escaped the drought that has plagued St. Vincent and points Atilla is one of the select group of south into Venezuela. superintendents able to claim they Eamonn’s course is an all have successfully grown-in and bermudagrass kind, and on some days maintain the only seeded variety of he’s had only 80,000 gallons of water Seashore Paspalum used on a tee with which to irrigate. through green basis. Chris Biagi conducting irrigation head test on upper most hole on During the drought, Eamonn’s Atilla feels his biggest challenge Trump International G.C. responsibilities were increased 47 greenside magazine | September 2010 Feature
By Frank Newberry, Trainer and Conference Speaker Eamonn McCarthy at the Kensington Oval Overall view of Kensington cricket stadium Oval showing the cricket pitch area to include turf maintenance at the Kensington Oval, Barbados premier You may by now have concluded, professional cricket stadium. While he hasn’t yet needed to concern himself with some regret, that, after a lot of effort, you are finally at or near the about the ultimate turf abuse metered out at the “pitch” area, could that be far top of your game Perhaps you are one behind?! His staff and equipment travel back and forth between the golf course of the very best superintendents or and the Oval. greenkeepers in the country, but for Ed Paskins from New Zealand now working at Apes Hill G.C.- Barbados some reason the world still does not Ed is overseeing another drought stricken course. He calculates his 2000 heads beat a path to your door and bombard you with fabulous job offers. each get about 10 gallons of water a You may now even suspect that the night; 200,000 gallons to water this very world wants you to beat a path to impressive all seashore paspalum course. its door, leave a note of your e-mail The fairway areas showing the most address and your mobile number and drought stress have become his testing then wait for a call. ground for ways to minimize the Wouldn’t it be nice if Ralph Waldo drought-look along with reviving the Emerson’s famous misquote was true turf to a more normal look and growth. today? “Build a better mousetrap, He’s hit upon using a slurry of green dye and the world will beat a path to your Ed Paskins with his personally designed plus processed chicken manure through door“. For the record Emerson (1803- pig cooker 1882) apparently wrote: “If a man has his hydro-mulch unit. The dye helps good corn, or wood, or boards, or pigs, to mask the affected areas, while the application of organic fertilizer seems to to sell ... you will find a broad hard- bring the seashore paspalum growth rate back to a more normal condition. beaten road to his house.” His on-course resident animal population include the common Barbados Nowadays, if you want to get on monkey, which does no harm, and like Hong Kong, a resident population of you have to market yourself. Just like wild hogs. He’s begun installing electrified fence along with trapping the pigs. those exhibitors at Sportsturf Ireland What will be the fate of the captured pigs? All I can tell you is that I ate some you have to actively promote yourself. excellent barbecue while in Barbados. You have to look for opportunities to Superintendents featured in this article along with their display, and ‘sell’ your self. e-mail addresses are as follows: You could, of course, wait patiently for advancement at work to eventually Brent Borelli: [email protected] happen. Unfortunately (and I have Mohamed Nizam Othman: [email protected] bitter experience of this) your Christine Chan: [email protected] competitors are not waiting around Craig Hanney: [email protected] to be promoted or hired. Alarmingly, Atilla Demirsoy: [email protected] your own managers could actually see Chris Biagi: [email protected] your patience not as a virtue but as a Eamonn McCarthy: [email protected] vice. It might even be seen as a clear Ed Paskins: [email protected] sign of your apathy, an indication that you are not interested in advancement. The author of this article is a turfgrass pathologist and golf course consultant in private In fact they might even believe that practice. Mike Healy lives and works near the Gulf of Mexico in southern Alabama. they are doing you a favour by not He can be reached at: [email protected] promoting you! 48 www.gcsai.org Feature Are you Making an ‘Exhibition’ of Yourself?
erformance Consultant and GCSAI Conference Speaker Frank Newberry Plooks at what people may need to do to get on in their chosen careers. In this article he explores the do’s and don’ts of marketing your most valuable asset – yourself.
Meanwhile the proactive amongst These results are only disturbing to them about, something you want to your competitors have already raised the point of realisation that the people discuss, and something you want their their profile (in the eyes of your who make decisions about your career opinion about. People are flattered managers), networking and ‘selling’ may know little if anything about when you want their input but keep it themselves on their good points sports turf. These people may assume short, don’t take over their day. You and making it clear that they want that you know your stuff (your ability) could ask to see them at another time advancement in order to demonstrate and, if they know you at all, they know and place. Give them your card and/or that they are better than you and you only by reputation (your visibility) get theirs. Make a note on their card everybody else. and by the impressions you give them of when you met them and what you The first thing to accept about self- when you meet (your image). talked about, so that when you call marketing is that it is not about how If this is really true, and every for an appointment it is fresh in your you see yourself but how others see Superintendent and greenkeeper I mind. you. Your success is down to how well have asked about these results thinks If you are worried about your ability you can shape the way that others see they are largely true, then you must to speak confidently then review your you. A few questions you might ask learn to ‘play the game’ or ‘work the reading. You may need to upgrade yourself: Do you know how others system’. to a newspaper that will stretch your see you? Do you know how you Where can you start? A good place vocabulary. You don’t have to give up come across to others? Have you ever clearly is to ‘Plus One’ your physical your favourite tabloid but you might asked for feedback on your image as image. This means that you should try a quality paper one day per week. a professional? If ‘yes’, then have you dress to a standard that is one higher Again the ‘plus one’ rule applies. Your acted on it? If ‘no’, then perhaps this is than the standard people in your job challenge is to expand the range of your starting point. would normally adopt. Instead of your visibility by mixing confidently There is research that has calibrated going to trade show in jeans and a with people who do not know you or just what it is that contributes to tee-shirt, wear a crisp, smart shirt with do not know you well. your advancement and promotion in clean trousers and footwear. Get your As far as your current job is organisations. The results show three haircut by a good barber and trim any concerned you should put it in writing main characteristics: facial hair. Learn to ‘work the room’ that you want better work, more i.e. have something positive to say to responsibility and more involvement in people (no whinges) when you meet decision-making. If your employer is • Your ability (which accounts for them. Smile, shake hands briefly and nervous about this then suggest a trial about 10% of your impact); give good eye contact (especially when period for the arrangement. • Your visibility (your reputation you are listening). Take an interest in their day and nod whilst they speak to If you would like to talk to someone or how well known your ability show your interest and approval. Have about marketing yourself better you is – which accounts for business cards to give out to people can contact Frank direct by e-mail and tell them you hope to spend more at [email protected] 25% of your impact), time with them soon – then move on or via his personal website • Your image (whether you look with a smile. www.franknewberry.com the part, whether you make a good When you meet someone you really Please mention that you read this want to chat to in more depth then article in Greenside Magazine. first impression which accounts for ask if it is a good time or, should you 65% of your impact). meet up with them later. Offer them Frank Newberry © 2010 Frank Newberry a drink and have something to ask 49 greenside magazine | September 2010 Heritage Trees of Ireland
he search for Ireland’s Heritage Trees Tbegan in 2009 and already more than 800 records have been collected. The project is led by the Tree Council of Ireland in association with the Irish Tree Society and Crann and is part-funded by the Heritage Council.
By Mary Keenan National Tree Council of Ireland Feature
The search for Ireland’s Heritage Trees fortunate with began in 2009 and already more than the profusion and 800 records have been collected. The variety of mature project is led by the Tree Council of and significant Ireland in association with the Irish trees in Ireland Tree Society and Crann and is part- but the extent of funded by the Heritage Council. A the population heritage tree may be defined as a - scarce in tree of biological, cultural, ecological some areas or historical interest because of its and abundant age, size or condition. The project in others - is originated as an extension of the not properly Tree Register of Ireland which is a understood or record of Ireland’s champion trees. A documented. champion tree is defined as the tallest, One of the oldest, largest girthed or most massive legacies of British example of its kind in a given region. rule here are the Sycamore at Druids Glen Golf Club In the course of fieldwork to record remains of the their lifetimes. When we look at our Ireland’s champion trees many other old landed estates which were adorned history, our literature and poetry, our trees of significance were being located by trees. Fota in Co Cork, Killarney music and art, we find trees and what and identified but were not formally National Park and Avondale in Co they represent as part and parcel of recorded because they did not fulfil Wicklow, are some of the examples our identity and expression. As well the criteria for a champion tree. It is that come to mind. Many golf facilities as the “living history” they represent, these trees which the Heritage Trees and particularly those that have old trees and ancient woodlands have of Ireland project seeks to locate and been developed within the historical a high biodiversity and conservation record into a register of Ireland’s landscapes of parkland demesnes are value as they support a complex Heritage Trees. Many of the recorded well endowed with notable collections web of plants and animals and are champion trees around Ireland also of mature trees. unique in the quantity and variety have important historical associations. Our heritage trees are among the of life they sustain, above and below The Heritage Tree Hunt is ongoing oldest living objects in the country ground. Their scars and rugged barks as a nationwide search to record and and as such are an integral and provide homes and food supplies for a map our special trees throughout the valuable part of our natural and multitude of creatures from fungi and 32 counties. The field survey work is cultural landscape. They have been invertebrates to birds and mammals. being undertaken by Carlow-based part of our unfolding history for In some areas, local taboos and arborist and tree consultant Aubrey centuries. If trees could talk, many lore passed on from one generation to Fennell, with the support of tree of them would tell us stories of the the next has ensured the protection consultant Kate Crane. We are very rich history they have observed in of certain trees: nobody would dare damage them because they respected them and feared some misfortune if they interfered with the trees. Some of our heritage trees are however endangered either through neglect or lack of knowledge. Many more have been lost or felled to make room for development, intensive agriculture and forestry or for misguided safety reasons. The main problem and the principal challenge faced by our heritage trees is that existing legislative measures aimed at conserving trees of heritage interest are largely ineffective and impractical to implement. Up until now however, little could be done to effect the necessary changes required to improve the efficiency of tree-related legislation without evidence of the extent of the resource The third largest Liquidamber styraciflua at Adare Manor to be protected. Mapping and 51 greenside magazine | September 2010 Feature
that qualify for inclusion, for example: and so awful is the effect produced on rag trees; hanging trees; landmark the mind by its extraordinary canopy, trees; military trees (planted in military that many persons shrink back with formation to commemorate battles); terror on entering within its precincts, those of exceptional girth, height or and few can remain long without age; any associated with historical feeling an impatient desire to escape events, people or structures; and those from its oppressive influence.’ which are important to a community. Not all heritage trees are so dramatic. Two of the most well-known examples Some trees may be outstanding “We are appealing to as many people as possible to tell us about their trees”
Trunk of Sessile Oak at Coollattin Golf Club are the ‘Hungry’ Tree at King’s Inns, simply because they are of a great collecting data on this unique natural Dublin, which is a London plane that age or are exceptional examples of asset is a crucial first step towards appears to be consuming a bench, and their species. On Ballinrobe Golf a more enlightened approach to our Lady Gregory’s ‘Autograph’ Tree at Course, near to the 18th hole, there remarkable treescape. We are all the Coole Park, South Galway, a copper is a massive specimen of sycamore, guardians of our significant and special beech which has been signed by Acer pseudoplatanus. Reputed to trees with a duty on us to plan for their W.B. Yeats, his brother Jack, George be the oldest sycamore in County conservation and management into the Bernard Shaw, John Masefield, Sean Mayo, it is a particularly impressive future for generations to come. O’Casey and other famous people. example of the species with a height The mighty King of 20m and girth of 6.23m. One of Oak in Charleville the finest ancient sycamore trees in Estate in Tullamore, the country grows at Druids Glen. County Offaly is Estimated to be up to 300 years old, another example it measures 24m high and has a girth of a heritage tree. of 7.39m. An equally fine sycamore It is a pedunculate with a massive stem and crown oak and old trees occurs at Headfort Golf Course in in woods local to Co. Meath. Indeed some of the finest the King Oak have specimen trees in the country can be been ring counted found at Headfort which is renowned at around 450 years for its magnificent and botanically old. Tradition holds interesting collection of mature that when a member trees. Here, the trees are obviously of the Hutton-Bury valued and very well cared for and Sycamore at Headfort Golf Club family dies, a major have been cleverly incorporated to branch falls from the enhance the picturesque parkland We want as many of our heritage and tree. setting of both the old and new ancient trees to survive as long as One of the most famous ancient trees courses. The largest brewer’s spruce, possible by ensuring that they are well in Ireland is the Muckross Friary Picea breweriana, in the Irish republic cared for and protected. However, Yew which stands in the centre of occurs at Headfort and the new course to do this, we need to know where the cloisters of the ruined Muckross boasts a dawn redwood, Metasequoia they are. We need to find them, Friary in Killarney, County Kerry. An glyptostroboides, that is the second map them, photograph and record account in the Dublin Penny Journal greatest girthed specimen and one of them. We are appealing to as many (ANON, 1833) stated: ‘The stem of the earliest plantings of the species in people as possible to tell us about this remarkable tree, which there is the country. their trees. We want to hear about no reason to doubt is coeval with the Lough Rynn Castle Hotel at Mohill giant, important, mysterious, sacred, Abbey, is upwards of twelve feet in in Co. Leitrim is also well known for historical, fabulous, bizarre-looking or height, and about six feet six inches its diversity of mature trees although ancient trees, and generally trees with in circumference. It is preserved with regrettably a very fine oak champion a story! There are all sorts of trees religious veneration by the peasantry; known as the ‘Three Sister’s Oak’ was
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removed in recent years to facilitate strange shapes from natural growth because they make a particular the development of the new golf or human intervention. Oak trees design statement in the landscape or facility under construction. The estate in particular often exhibit unique architectural setting. These would features one of the country’s finest character. At Woodpark Golf Course, include groups of trees such as found tulip trees, Liriodendron tulipifera, at Mountshannon, Co. Clare there is a in avenues like the magnificent lime a height of 24m and girth of 5.68m. beautiful, barrel-shaped, burred oak avenue, over one kilometre long, at Here one can also see a magnificent while at Cahir Golf Club, located Carton Estate in Co. Kildare. One monkey puzzle, Araucaria araucana, alongside the 1st fairway is another of the earliest surviving avenues of with a wonderful crown that sweeps oak with a massive burred stem and Cedrus libanii also occurs at Carton to the ground and a curious-looking at Mount Juliet in Co. Kilkenny there Estate. The historic landscape setting specimen of a holm oak, Quercus ilex is an ancient pollarded oak with an at Farnham Estate in Co. Cavan with with a remarkable burred stem. The enormous burred stem displaying its extensive parkland and woodland western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, its own unique character. In the is the result too of a collection of is a signature tree of the estate with grounds of the old ruined church of St. exceptional specimen and strategically many fine specimens exhibiting perfect Nicholas of Myra at Adare Golf Club, placed landmark trees. spire crowns and reaching up to 32m a beech tree presents a rather strange If you are you the custodian of a height. sight as it has included an ancient heritage tree or if you have information Irelands largest Cedar of Lebanon, gravestone into its stem gaining it on any trees like these we would be Cedrus libanii occurs at delighted to hear from you Adare Manor Hotel and Golf and to have a record of it for Club. It is claimed to have the Register of Heritage Trees. been planted in 1645 but a We can help with advice, ring count of a low removed we can help you estimate its branch suggests it may be age. We can tell you if it is a younger. The 3rd largest record for your area and we Liquidamber styraciflua in will not encourage people to the country can also be found come and look at it unless growing at Adare Manor. you want us to. We need to In Wicklow, an exceptional know the location of the tree, specimen of sweet chestnut, a grid reference if possible, the Castanea sativa is located at ownership of the tree, your Powerscourt Golf Course contact details, the common in Enniskerry. This tree name of the species if known, is mentioned in ‘The Trees any photographs, the reason of Great Britain & Ireland’ Tulip Tree at Lough Rynn Castle Hotel you think the tree should written by Henry John Elwes be included and any story and Augustine Henry c.1906. The a mention in the recently published connected with it. tallest specimen of Ireland’s national ‘Trees of Inspiration – Sacred Trees Mail us with your information to: tree, the sessile oak, Quercus petraea & Bushes of Ireland’ by Christine Tree Council of Ireland, Seismograph occurs at Coollattin Golf Course Zucchelli. In Kilkenny, at Castlecomer House, Rathfarnham Castle, near Shillelagh and forms part of the Golf Club, there is a very striking old Rathfarnham Dublin 14. You can historical woodland landscape in the beech tree, with a fantastic exposed also e-mail us: [email protected] area. It has a magnificent fluted stem root plate resembling great knobbly or contact Aubrey Fennell and measures 37m in height. Also at toes! On a limestone ridge, alongside on 087 620 3906. Coollattin is a unique avenue of coastal the course at redwood, Sequoia sempervirens with Castlecomer is individual trees typically measuring what appears Pitch Care & Repair Ltd. in the region of 40m high and up to to be an ancient 7m girth while located nearby in the yew woodland Verti-draining, sanding, overseeding, grounds of the Church of Ireland in comprising hollow tining, spraying, sodding, Shillelagh is a very beautiful and rare approximately example of the cork oak, Quercus 170 scattered yew goal mouth repairs, fairway suber. trees interspersed scarifying etc. Some heritage trees might make you with ash, hazel and go ‘wow, because of their unusual sycamore. Contact Gerry Hanley character or peculiar appearance and Trees may also at 086 8254456 are usually termed arboricultural be of exceptional curiosities. They might have importance Carnmore, Oranmore, Co.Galway.
53 greenside magazine | September 2010 Helping at the Open Championship at ST. Andrews “The Home of Golf” By Finbarr O’Mahony, Kanturk Golf Club
t was a great honour to be picked on the B.I.G.G.A Greenkeeping Open Support Team, for the 139th staging of the Open Championship at the historic IOld Course at St Andrews.
It was a great honour to be picked on the B.I.G.G.A over the weekend to win his first Major with a total of -16 Greenkeeping Open Support Team, for the 139th staging to join such names as Woods and Faldo to have won an of the Open Championship at the historic Old Course at St Open championship around the old course. England’s Lee Andrews. Westwood finished 2nd on -9, while Rory McIlroy was tied This was the 150th anniversary of the Open and to mark for 3rd on -8 after two good weekend rounds to make up for the occassion there was a champions challenge for former his disastrous 80 on Friday. winners, scheduled for Wednesday, but this had to be cancelled, as heavy winds and rain battered the course. The course Around 30mm of rain fell in the period from Wednesday The Old Course at St. Andrews is located within a complex afternoon to late Wednesday night and the fairway area of five other courses which is run by the St Andrews Links around the Swilcan Bridge was flooded on Thursday Trust. It is situated on the east coast of Scotland in Fife morning. However this water was quickly pumped into the which boasts many other top courses in that region. This burren in the morning to ensure playable conditions again. was the 28th staging of the Open at the Old Course. For Hopes were high of another Irish win to follow on from this years championship, the course measured 7305 yards Harrington’s back to back success of a couple of years par 72. Since the 2005 Open very few changes have been when young Rory McIlroy led after the first day with a made to the course but the most significant one was the superb round of 63. This was the lowest ever first round at lengthening of the famous Road Hole by about 40 yards. an Open Championship. However on the second day his A new back tee was built this winter, which is located to hopes faded with a disappointing round of 80, which left the right of the 16th green at the edge of the Eden Course him well down the field. Playing conditions were atrocious practice ground. The Old Course is famous for its double that day with heavy rain in the morning followed by greens with seven in total, the biggest being the 7th and severe winds in the afternoon, which led to a suspension 13th which is about 1 hectare, the same size as 18 greens of play lasting for about an hour and a half. Eight or nine on an average course). The Director of Greenkeeping at St groups did not complete their rounds, but they were back Andrews Links Trust is Gordon Muir, with Gordon McKie at 6.30 am on Saturday morning to complete them and being the Old Course Head Greenkeeper. Gordon McKie Louis Oosthuizen led on -12 at the halfway mark. This was formally Head Greenkeeper on the Eden Course at St was a lead he would not relinquish and he eased home Andrews. 54 www.gcsai.org Feature
Regular overseeding is carried out throughout the year with pure fescue. The STRI was involved in monitoring the greens in the lead up to and during the championship. A speed of 10.5 was aimed at for championship days. A new device called a True Meter was used to assess the smoothness of the greens. This is a trolley like device which is pushed across the green at the speed of a 10ft putt, a golf ball is located in the centre of the device and any lateral deviation over the course of the 10ft is recorded in millimetres which gives an indication of how smooth the greens are rolling. A decision was taken not to roll or cut the greens for Saturday’s play as it was felt that the strong wind forecast for that afternoon might make the greens unplayable like it was on Friday afternoon. The greens were cut at 4mm for the championship and rolling was done in the lead up to, and during the championship when required, in order to maintain the greens at a speed of around 10.5. Individual greens were given extra rolls in the lead up as determined by daily stimpmeter readings when the desired pace was found to be lacking. Tees and Fairways The tees and fairways at the Old Course are predominately fescue which provided outstanding lies for the competitors. Heavy wear areas, such as narrow landings areas on fairways which had a lot of divot scarring, were plugged with hole changers in the months leading up to the championship to ensure perfect lies. Both areas were cut at 7mm for the duration of the championship with clippings Photo courtesy: Scott MacCallum, B.I.G.G.A. being boxed. The quality of cut achieved was outstanding, especially on the low lying areas of fairways, and any fairway contours really showed up well on the TV cameras. Greens Of all the links courses that I have seen I have never come The greens at the Old Course are probably the most across a better transition between green and fairway and sustainably managed greens in the world. They receive it was hard at times on tv to actually see where the green minimal nutrient and water input, which is aimed at joined the fairway. The fairways receive about 10 KG of N/ promoting the finer bent and fescue grasses which do not Hectare annually just enough to keep them healthy. rely on pesticide input as much as annual meadow grass does. Approximately 30 kg of N/Hectare are applied to B.I.G.G.A. Greenkeeping the greens annually - very low indeed. The grass species Open Support Team composition is approximately 70% fescue, 15% Browntop The team consisted of about fifty five B.I.G.G.A. members Bent with the rest being Poa annua and Yorkshire Fog. mainly from the U.K. but there were a few members from Sweden, Portugal and the U.S.A. as well. The team was responsible for following one match each out on the course and raking any bunkers that were found by any players from their group. The R&A requested that we rake fairway bunkers in the line of play and greenside bunkers towards the centre of the green. Since there was a cut on Friday about fifteen people missed out on a game on Saturday but you were guaranteed a game on Sunday if you missed out on Saturday. We were also given a scorecard each to record how many bunkers each of our players visited during their round, as B.I.G.G.A has kept a record of this since 1995. Interestingly, St Andrews has the least number of bunkers visited of any of the Open championship courses since records started. I was with Shane Lowry’s match on Friday but I got a great draw on Saturday as I was with Kaymer Testing the greens for trueness using the stimpmeter and Watney - the game behind Woods and Clarke and the
55 greenside magazine | September 2010 Feature
staff from local clubs for the week of the championship. The only time we were needed was on Saturday morning as there were eight or nine groups to finish their 2nd round and they were teeing off at 6.30 am which meant we were at the course at 4 am for divotting and bunker raking. All and all it turned out to be a very successful Open championship and I would like to thank the B.I.G.G.A. staff for another great week and on behalf of everyone involved in the sports turf industry here in Ireland compliments to Gordon McKie and his staff for a superbly presented course.
There was a tinge of sadness within the BIGGA greenkeeping support team as, Anthony Gillis, Course Superintendent at Little Island, Co. Cork and one of the BIGGA support team members, got news on Thursday that his daughter, who had One of the greens being rolled using the turf iron been suffering from cancer, took ill. Anthony left St. Andrews noise was incredible as there were huge crowds following to fly back to be with her before he could do any volunteer these matches. Amazingly I had no bunker to rake with this work but sadly, the following Saturday, she died. She was match. only thirty two years of age. When news reached the crew Normally the support team would be out early in the back at St. Andrews, there was much sadness felt among the morning before play to give the bunkers a full rake and volunteers. A flag from the Old Course and a hat was sent to after play to divot tees and fairways, but we were not Anthony which he appreciated very much. May she rest in peace. required as Gordon had organised about fifty additional Trade News
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56 www.gcsai.org Trade News
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57 greenside magazine | September 2010 President’s Report By Michael Loughran Hilton Templepatrick
Contact Points Healthy Course Alan Mahon (Communications Manager) Rathjarney Piercestown, Co. Wexford. Tel/Fax: 053 9158606 Mobile: 087 6260889 Healthy Club Email: [email protected]
Michael Loughran (President and NI Rep) Healthy Business Hilton Templepatrick - (0044) 797 4229343 I was checking online for some product has been performing very Email: [email protected] information, so I put in a search well. While things may feel quite Damian McLaverty (Vice- President) for ‘Golf Course Maintenance’, tough on the ground at present, Ballinasloe Golf Club - 086 8301048 this gave me a result of 330,000 this product that we are an integral Email: [email protected] pages to chose from. So I put in part, of would seem to be in a very ‘Greenkeeper’ and received a result healthy condition and to have a Michael McFeely (Hon. Sec & FEGGA Rep) of 190,000 pages, I spent a bit of very healthy future. Westmanstown Golf Club - 087 234 2051 time then pondering whether these If you start counting up the number Email: [email protected] should be considered positive or of Tour Players from our small indifferent numbers. part of the world you run out of Bobby McDermott (Education Officer) When first digesting these searches fingers quite quickly, and very few Foxrock Golf Club - 086 2627839 and for a while after, I have to of these guys are there to make up Email: [email protected] admit to being impressed that the numbers. When you consider ‘Golf Course Maintenance’ and the whole industry, and, of course, Paddy Holohan (P.R.O. & G.T.C. Rep) ‘Greenkeeper’ would have such accepting that consumer trends Dundalk Golf Club - 087 0517043 high numbers as results of a web have been, and are continuing Email: [email protected] search. I then typed in ‘Golf’ to change, and when the dust expecting this figure to be much settles on the current issues, we Tom Carew (Treasurer) larger, put was somewhat surprised will unquestionably be able to Craddockstown Golf Club - 087 6260182 when it totalled just 625,000; taking continue to provide an integral Email: [email protected] this into account the figures for the part in supplying the expected and original two searches seemed even required end product that ensures David Behan (Immediate Past President) more impressive. our chosen industry success. Naas Golf Club - 086 8269242 Until that is I put in a search I hope things have been Email: [email protected] for ‘Tiger Woods’, the result for progressing well for everybody this was a figure of 28,200,000; through the season and that the Michael F. O’Connor (SW Rep) everything seem to be put coming few months don’t throw up Killarney Golf & Fishing Club - 087 1276764 perspective with this search. It too many surprises. Email: [email protected] possibly suggests that the real I would like to finish by interest is always in the end acknowledging the newest member Jason Podris (NW Rep) product, and that the level of of the Loughran family if I may, Galway Bay Golf Resort - 087 1222697 interest in what goes on behind the our baby daughter joined us on Email: [email protected] scenes is normally very limited. the 28th July, with both the better Whether this is involves Rule half and baby doing well. I would John Egan (NE Rep) making, Tournament organising or be open to all words of wisdom on Rathfarnham - 086 3470388 Golf Course presentation, the real this matter as the previous three Email: [email protected] interest is in how all these things have been boys and I am feeling come together and how the final seriously out of my depth already Trevor Dargan (SE Rep) product performs. This I think this time round. Woodenbridge - 086 1721640 equates to how Tiger and co. are Email: [email protected] perceived and are performing. Regards, If you agree with this angle of GCSAI Website: www.gcsai.org thought on any level, you would Michael. maybe also accept that our local 58 www.gcsai.org
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