Thank you Building Fund grows! for support

Over 100 golf clubs have to date This year for the first time responded positively to the letter BIGGA members were asked to sent by BIGGA President Viscount assist with the Volvo PGA Whitelaw asking for a contribution Championship held at Wentworth towards the building of BIGGA's Golf Club at the end of May. A new Headquarters and Training team of 80 members drawn from Facility. nearby clubs were on hand over the Among the golf clubs to donate to final two days of play. The main the fund this month is the recently role of each member was to accom- opened Merrist Wood Golf Club pany a game, from start to finish, based at Merrist Wood College in and rake any bunkers found by the Guildford, . College Principle players, a task normally carried out John Riddle presented the cheque by the caddy. There are several ben- to BIGGA's Education and Training efits arising from this course of Manager Ken Richardson (right) action:- during a recent open day at the col- lege. Merrist Wood is the first col- 1. The caddy is left free to con- lege in the country to make a dona- centrate on the game and the play- tion. er's next stroke. The Association would like to 2. It helps keep play continuous thank the following golf clubs for and thereby reduces delays. their donations. 3. While walldng the course the Clubs who donate £250 or more support team member is able to will each receive a plaque in recog- keep a watch for any divots, litter nition of their generosity, while etc which may have found their each golf club which makes a dona- way into a bunker and thereby pose tion will appear on a Roll of a potential problem for subsequent Honour within the new building. games. 4. The support team members were on hand to help the Coombe Wood GC Manchester GC Sandy Lodge GC Wentworth greenkeepers in the event of bad weather. Coventry Hearsall GC Masham GC Scarcroft GC Coxmoor GC Merrist Wood GC Seacroft GC The event was thoroughly Crompton & Roy ton GC Moor Hall GC Sherwood Forest GC enjoyed by all those who took part Dore & Totley GC Moortown GC Sonning GC and we have been invited by the Dunfermline GC Moray GC Stand GC PGA European Tour to look at pro- viding a similar team for 1999. Edenmore GC Mullion GC Sundridge Park GC Congratulations to Edward Enfield GC Murrayfield GC GC Kitson and his colleagues at the Flamborough Head GC Nairn GC Tain GC PGA European Tour and to Chris Kennedy and his greenkeeping staff Banchory GC Glenbervie GC North Hants GC Tandridge GC Goodwood GC North Oxford GC Temple GC at Wentworth for a well organised, Beaconsfield GC well presented tournament. Habberley GC North Wilts GC Tenterden GC Bedale GC Thank you to the Scotts Birchwood GC Haggs Castle GC Pollok GC The Wisley GC Company who provided each Bishop's Stortford GC Halifax GC Potters Bar GC Thorpeness GC BIGGA member with a shirt, jacket and baseball cap as well as the Blackmoor GC Ham Manor GC Purley Downs GC Tidworth Garrison GC catering in the BIGGA marquee. Brancepeth Castle GC Hampstead GC Pyle and Kenfig GC Tulliallan GC Bristol & Clifton GC Handsworth GC Ranfurly Castle GC Tynemouth GC Bromborough GC Hankley Common GC Roehampton GC Tyrells Wood GC Cardigan GC Haywards Heath GC Royal Birkdale GC Uttoxeter GC David heads Chestfield GC Hindhead GC Royal Burgess Golfing Wakefield GC Childwall GC Ipswich GC Society of Edinburgh WalmleyGC Chipping Norton GC Kilmarnock Barassie GC Royal Cinque Ports GC Walton Heath GC towards the Chorlton-Cum-Hardy GC Kirby Muxloe GC Royal Guernsey GC West Byfeet GC Churston GC Knowle GC Royal Liverpool GC Whitley Bay GC Deep South Clitheroe GC Lincoln GC Royal Porthcawl GC Whittington Heath GC Little Aston GC Royal St Georges GC Worcestershire GC ConwyGC Rigby Taylor has Loch Lomond GC Royal West Norfolk GC Worksop GC Cooden Beach GC appointed David Rogers Coombe Hill GC Longniddry GC Royal Wimbledon GC York GC as Technical Sales Representative covering the south coast of England from Dorset to BIGCA elect Howard Swan as new President Hampshire including Wiltshire. The British Institute of Golf Belgium, joining the Committee. architects and to advance our own David is well known to Course Architects has elected Martin Hawtree stepped down as educational efforts for our mem- greenkeepers and Course Howard Swan as its President for President, after 18 years of service bers and students alike," said Managers throughout the the forthcoming year. to the Institute. Howard. area having had extensive At its AnnuaI General Meeting, "I am privileged to have become In the Autumn the Institute will experience during the Swan's confirmation at the head of President of what is Europe's lead- stage its International Conference past 15 years most the Institute was accompanied by ing professional body in the field, at Wentworth on November 17 recently with Gem Jeremy Pern being made Vice and look forward to a busy and and 18, together with the Professional (Sta-brite President, and Neil Coles, Ken productive year. We have much to Barenbrug European Architects' Supplies) prior to joining Moodie and Bruno Steensels, from do to bring together all Europe's Trophy. Rigby Taylor.

July 1998 Greenkeeper International 7 Video firm Lord Whitelaw in the frame hires new director After eight years working on the development and operation of the Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Kevin Munt has moved into a new role as a Director of Plexus Projects Ltd. Plexus Projects is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lanyfax Group a leading design and installation company in the audio visual and video conferencing market. "I felt that after 25 years work- ing at all levels within the golf business it was time to/ull all my experience together an offer it to people who are working to further develop the game," said Kevin. The company has been formed to provide a high quality project management and consultancy ser- vice to developers, architects and commercial operators within the leisure industry. Through the Lanyfax Group's computer gener- ated design capability Plexus is able to offer a visually lead approach to the design and man- agement services currently avail- able to the leisure industry One of Plexus Projects first Having reached his 80th Birthday in June the Association's President, Lord Whitelaw, has moves in the leisure market has been reviewing his personal commitments. He has decided to step down from his position been to form a division in the golf with BIGGA after this year. In recognition and thanks for his support to the Association since industry, this has been achieved by its inception in .1987 Gordon Child presented Viscount and Lady Whitelaw with a framed print the acquisition Project Golf Ltd of the 13th hole at Nairn, the course where he spent many of his early golfing years. the owners and operators of the 1997 Senior Tournament of Champions. Kevin has developed a vast field of experience within the golf Watch the birdie! New project industry, encompassing course maintenance, design, construction The largest single day birdwatching exercise on golf courses and facilities management through produced a remarkable score of 272 species from the 116 beckons to toumament promotion and golf clubs in 18 European countries which took part. staging. His previous employers include Country Number Different Best site count for Phil of clubs species Royal Dornoch Golf Club, the Wentworth Club, John Jacobs Golf Ireland 21 102 Bandon (57) Associates and Kajima (UK) Phil Langdon has joined Wardle Engineering with whom he help to England 20 108 Corehampton (62) Consulting Engineers as Projects create the Buckinghamshire Golf Scotland 13 96 Hilton Park (64) Director, having worked for Club, one of the country s most Watermation since 1988. Phil successful new golf facilities. Wales 12 88 Woodlake Park (52) will be responsible for project Kevin was also instrumental in Denmark 65 Faaborg management and inspection of bringing tournaments such as the works by contractors on behalf of Andersen Consulting World Estonia 1 75 Niitvaija our clients in addition to under- Championship of Golf and the Finland 3 84 Virvik (61) taking site survey and appraisals Senior Tournament of Champions of existing irrigation systems in Iceland 6 46 Ness (28) to Buckinghamshire Golf Club. order to make recommendations Norway' 37 Meland as to system upgrade and exten- Sweden 2 97 Falsterbo (87) sions. A BTLIA committee member, Sir Michael ... Austria 4 71 Waldviertel (41) Phil's practical experience and Germany 4 82 Nordkirchen (56) knowledge of irrigation installa- Michael Bonallack, Secretary of tion ensures that our expertise the R&A, has been awarded a Hungry 50 Hencse National extends right across the board knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Netherlands 7 104 De Heemskerkse (58) from survey, feasibility study, Honours List. design, specification to installa- Switzerland The 63 year-old five time Amateur 1 41 Club de Bonmont tions supervision and inspection Champion who was already a holder Italy 8 137 Fiordalisi (79) of the contractor's works. of the OBE has been at the helm of "With Phil based in Scotland, Portugal 4 80 San Lorenzo (61) the R&A since 1983 and this latest Bill Hawthorn based in the honour comes on top of host of acco- Spain 7 142 Ulzama (93) South and head office the lades he has received from the game Midlands the company now has itself. true nationwide coverage giving Colin Montgomerie was also hon- Total 116 272 our clients a quality service," said oured in the same list with an MBE. Giles Wardle.

8 Greenkeeper International July 1998 New signings at St Andrews New Recruit for Millennium Open at BIGGA HQ

St Andrews Links Trust has signed two exclusive agreements aimed at ensuring that the Millennium Open will see the Old Course looking at its majes- tic best while the town's other courses are also kept in tip top condition. The two contacts are with The Toro Company for its irrigation systems for all five champi- onship courses and Barenbrug for its grass seed and related products such as wild flowers. Toro sprinklers are currently being installed on the fairways of the Old Course in preparation for the Millennium Open but other work includes irrigation to the walk-offs from the tees on the Jubilee Course. "Our selection committee liked Rebecca Watson has joined the the broad range of products and Association Headquarters' staff as flexibility that Toro offered," Membership Services Assistant. explained Links Manager, Ian A native of York Rebecca (24) arrives at Forbes. Aldwark Manor having worked in the "Using a total irrigation system membership department of a York-based is new for us. Working with Toro Health Care company. She is also a we know we have found the sys- graduate of Modern American History tem to keep our links courses in from Liverpool University. the beautiful and natural state Keen on sports, particularly athletics that has typified St Andews and tennis, her other interests include throughout its 600 year history." travel - she spent six months as an au pair The agreement was warmly in Switzerland. welcomed by The Toro "I am really looking forward to working Company. for the Association and getting to know "It highlights our commitment the BIGGA members," said Rebecca, who to create solutions to manage the will be working alongside Tracey world's landscapes. As water Maddison, the Membership Services resources become increasingly Officer. valuable, our ability to provide flexible systems that meet the needs of our customers is impor- tant," said Phil Burkart, Toro's Duncan's new International Director of Marketing. challenge The agreement with Barenbrug will see the company's grass vari- Duncan McGilvray, Course Manager at eties being used for the contin- Letchworth Golf Club for the last 11 ued enhancement of the playing years, has been appointed Course surfaces of all the St Andrews Manager at Potters Bar GC succeeding Links Trust courses. John Adamson, who will shortly be retir- "We are impressed by inK Barenbrug's research and devel- 'While I have had a long and enjoyable opment facilities and are confi- Michel Mulder, Managing is a pleasure and an honour to spell at Letchworth I'm looking forward dent that they will supply the Director of Barenbrug UK, said join up with them. St Andrews to my new challenge," said Duncan, who quality products and technical "Given that St Andrews is insis- can rest assured that they will is a well known speaker on the seminar support we here at St Andrews tent that its suppliers live up to receive our total commitment to circut and an occasional con tributer to look for," said Ian Forbes. its own world-class reputation, it service in the years ahead." Greenkeeper International.

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July 1998 Greenkeeper International 9 Course Ranger: Out for the count fever? It is a paradox that the simplest While Scotland were tackling question to ask of a golf club is Brazil in the opener to the World often the most difficult to answer. Cup in Paris another big event was "How busy is your course?" on taking place in . the face of it should be straightfor- Remarkably the result was simi- ward enough but coming up with lar with the London Scots coming an answer, which is anything more up short and losing bravely to the than an approximate may prove London English. Carl Crocher, of trickier than you might think. Orsett GC, and Steve Lee, from Yet knowing the amount of traf- Browns, are pictured being pre- fic a course copes with, and its sented with the winning shield. busy and quiet times would be extremely valuable information for both greenkeeper and secretary alike. Course Ranger is an infra-red detector beam which monitors the number of rounds played on a . The Course Ranger can work even in isolated parts of the course, owing to its independent power supply. It makes it possible to count how many rounds are played in any one day, week or year. The count is activated when an individual golfer interrupts an invisible beam between two discrete points, one a receiver the other a transmitter. The system is suitable for use over etest? Course maintainence can be the number of rounds played? any distance up to 15metres which carried out more efficiently and The Course Ranger is a low cost may be extended under favourable cause less intrusion to the playing answer to these questions and will operating conditions. membership. prove cost effective within a short The benefits it can produce are Which are the quieter days to time scale. wide ranging. Which part of the book societies etc? On Pay & Play For further information Contact day, week and month are the qui- courses - do green fees tie up with Mike Humphries on 01363 82273.

New appointments at Kubota

Kubota (UK) Ltd has made two throughout the UK. In addition to important appointments within its researching and identifying new North Staffs agricultural and grass machinery market and product opportunities, sales division, Tom is responsible for co-ordinat- ing sales promotion, new product Irrigation introductions, demonstrations, exhibitions and shows, ensuring that the company's marketing activities comply with the quality procedures required under ISO 9002, gained by Kubota in 1996. The second new appointment at

Newly appointed Marketing Manager is Tom Barnes (above) who has been with Kubota for 13 years, most recently in the posi- tion of sales manager responsible for Kubota's south east region. Prior to joining Kubota in 1985, Tom worked for an agricultural Kubota (UK) Ltd sees the compa- and horticultural machinery deal- ny's former Agricultural and Grass er in the eastern counties. Machinery Distribution Manager, In his new position, Tom takes David Roberts, (above), become on responsibility for all of the mar- Regional Sales Manager for the keting activities carried out to pro- south east, taking over the posi- mote and support Kubota's agri- tion vacated by Tom Barnes. cultural and grass machinery sales

10 Greenkeeper International July 1998 Incredible • Simon leads the way Journey Simon Ridland an assistant at Canford Magna Golf Club in Wimbome, Dorset, has become the for Joseph first man to achieve NVQ Level 2 through his prior experience and knowledge without going to college Lady members of Bude and and by being assessedat his own Golf North Cornwall Golf Club Club. thought they were doing the The assessments were carried out decent thing when they found a initially by Canford Magna Deputy new home for Joseph the Cat Course Manager, Matt Maryon, who who had adopted the golf club subsequently moved to become as his base for the last 18 Course Manager at YeovilGolf Club. months. The assessmentswere then completed Looked after by the members by his own Course Manager, Trevor who carried biscuits in their golf Smith. bags for him Joseph was in fine "I'm absolutely delighted to be the fettle until he was injured while first to achieve the qualification and Matt Maryon and Trevor Smith congratulate Simon Ridland (centre) out on the course. the club have rewarded my success Member Pam Lane took him to with a pay rise," said Simon, who ini- the vehicle towards the City and & Trevor who we trained to be work the vet and began to look for a tially worked on the construction of Guilds Level 2 Sportsturf. The practi- based trainers and assessors.The con- more permanent, and safer, the Canford Magna's 36 hole con- cal assessments were planned to be cept of NVQ's have made it possible home for him. struction before being retained on the done by observation on the Golf to release the potential of employees As luck would have it a woman greenkeeping staff to carry on the Course within the normal work sched- who have not previously had the in a village ten miles away was maintenance. ule and the knowledge evidence was opportunity to prove their compe- looking for a cat and the match "I'm now thinking of doing checked by oral questioning from the tence and value in the workforce to was made. Elmwood College'S HNC distance questions prepared form the under- gain nationally recognised qualifica- Unfortunately, though a few learning package which will hopefully pinning knowledge in the Training tions and to receive reward. Their days later Joseph went missing lead on to my NVQ Level 3 in Manual and everything was logged," appetite for self-improvement then and ten days later he turned Sportsturf Maintenance as I stillwant explained Matt. goes on," said GTC's N/SVQ Co-ordi- up ... back at Bude and North to further my qualifications but can't Trevoradded that they alsogathered nator Sue Gudgeon Cornwall Golf Club, a little afford the time to go to college,"said a lot of prior evidence of work Simon "I'm sure that Simon fully appreci- thinner but in good health. 35 year old Simon had carried out during the construc- ates the support that was given by Members are now organising "The assessments were initially car- tion of the course using photographs. Matt and Trevor and it will hopefully for a special house to be made ried out over a sixto eight month peri- "We at the GTC are delighted that encourage more experienced green- for him and are holding raffles od and the GTC TrainingManual was Simon has achieved his NVQ Level2 keepers to become qualified," said to raise money for his food. used as the training programme and in Sportsturf with the support of Matt Sue.

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12 Greenkeeper International July 1998