Feature TOURNAMENT INSIGHT With the Masters out of the way our attention now turns to the high profile international tournaments that will take place in the UK this year. In future editions Greenkeeper International will feature the excellent work undertaken by BIGGA members Chris Kennedy, Paul Smith and Curtis Tyrrell MG for the BMW PGA Championship, Open Championship and Ryder Cup Matches respectively. This month, Jim Cook kicks off a series of articles offering an insight in to the preparations for the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall

for this year’s event in certain areas to allow for more accurate water hazard definition. On the 8th hole Preparing they have also been removed to provide a fairer, more visible land- ing area which will make one of the Senior Tour’s toughest holes a little easier whilst helping considerably with pace of play. Slaley Hall The early June position on the schedule is a little early for the lati- tude and altitude of the course so Steve has had to bring forward his Slaley Hall Golf Club will, for rain except for two weeks in March for the tournament. He said: “The usual routines and programmes the fourth year running, host and even snow in the middle of bands around the green, the sur- including verti-draining the greens the De Vere Club PGA Seniors April. Since the previous tourna- rounds, are cut at 7mm and then and top dressing in March and The PGA Seniors Championship event this ment last summer, the team at the were up to 25mm on the areas out verti-cutting regularly from then Championship, is summer. club have been putting a lot of effort from that. The PGA wanted that on. The fertiliser programme was organised by the Win the ultimate golfing Steve Cram, Course Manager at into improving drainage especially lowering a little so it was a bit easier also brought forward considerably PGA, who along Slaley Hall, spoke about the prepa- around the greens. for the guys to chip onto the greens. to late February and has certainly with BIGGA and experience at Slaley Hall ration involved for this Seniors Tour Steve said: “We had some greens So we’ve lowered that. paid dividends. the GCMA are event and improvements made areas that weren’t draining very We’ve also widened a few of our He added: “Unusually for a high jointly working This June will see the return of European Senior Tours since Andrew Oldcorn secured his well so we got a drill and fill machine approaches because some of them profile televised tournament we together in the Golf flagship event, the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship, Maiden Senior victory last year and we’ve done some major work were previously quite narrow going don’t close the course to general Club Management to De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland. He said: “Last year we got really on them, so they will drain pretty into the green. We widened the 4th play until the Sunday prior to the Partnership, which Taking place over the venue’s stunning Hunting Course from the good feedback from all the players, well now if we have any downpours. and the 18th so the players have event. Because we’re so busy divots aims to improve the 7th – 10th of June, the event promises to boast one of the strongest who said the greens were running “When we were hollow coring are a major issue so we do a lot of interaction between fields of the season. well and the tournament officials some of the problem areas, we preparation work about six weeks all these who are We’ve teamed up with De Vere to offer one lucky reader the were pretty happy with it. brushed in crumb from shredded before the tournament on the fair- “The weather has been involved in the ultimate golfing experience, as the winner and guest receive a “We did a lot of drainage work on rubber tyres to keep them moving ways and especially on the landing management of golf complimentary Sunday Driver at Slaley Hall. They will enjoy luxury fairways with our Sandmaster and and we’ve had great results with dreadful this year with almost areas. clubs accommodation at the stunning Slaley Hall Hotel and golf on the saw improved surfaces all around that as well. I’m willing to try any- “We have ten full-time staff and continuous rain and even venues two championship courses, The Priestman and The Hunting. the course. thing to keep them draining,” he two casual workers over the 36 For your chance to win this great prize, simply answer the “Our 9th fairway was a big prob- continued. holes.” snow in the middle of April!” following question: lem so we used the Sandmaster on Of the two championship-stan- Steve has prepared both courses that and put about 80 tonnes down dard courses at Slaley Hall, it is the for numerous European Tour and Who won last year’s PGA Seniors into the landing area. Four years Dave Thomas designed Hunting a chance to run the ball on rather Seniors Tour events in the past. So Entry to the ISPS Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall? ago you couldn’t walk on it, it was course which will see the action in than fly it all the way to these tricky does he still get a buzz preparing Handa PGA Seniors a. Barry Lane so wet you could nearly roll the turf June this year. holes. The 18th is one of our most the course for a tournament? Championship is b. Andrew Oldcorn up and now we’ve sorted all that,” The course is challenging and difficult so with it widened they can “Oh yes! That’s what it’s all about free if tickets are c. Ian Woosnam he added. long, measuring over 7,000 yards fly over the left-hand trap and get a and I think it tests you out. That’s downloaded in Slaley Hall sits 1000 feet above from the back tees and is consid- bounce onto the green.” the way I look at it, to see how good advance, go to Please email your answers to [email protected] sea level, in Northumberland, and ered one of the toughest tests on the Tournament officials have also we can make the course look with www.devere- with your full name and membership number, by June 30 2012 the conditions are often cold and European Senior Tour. asked Steve to make some changes whatever conditions are thrown at hostels.com/ wet. The weather has been dreadful Steve went on to explain some of to help them as well as the players. us. Each year we strive to make it pga-seniors * Prize valid until end of October, www.devere.co.uk/golf this year with almost continuous the changes made in preparation Rhododendrons have been cleared better.” subject to availability

22 GI MAY 2012 MAY 2012 GI 23 Feature TOURNAMENT INSIGHT With the Masters out of the way our attention now turns to the high profile international tournaments that will take place in the UK this year. In future editions Greenkeeper International will feature the excellent work undertaken by BIGGA members Chris Kennedy, Paul Smith and Curtis Tyrrell MG for the BMW PGA Championship, Open Championship and Ryder Cup Matches respectively. This month, Jim Cook kicks off a series of articles offering an insight in to the preparations for the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall

for this year’s event in certain areas to allow for more accurate water hazard definition. On the 8th hole Preparing they have also been removed to provide a fairer, more visible land- ing area which will make one of the Senior Tour’s toughest holes a little easier whilst helping considerably with pace of play. Slaley Hall The early June position on the schedule is a little early for the lati- tude and altitude of the course so Steve has had to bring forward his Slaley Hall Golf Club will, for rain except for two weeks in March for the tournament. He said: “The usual routines and programmes the fourth year running, host and even snow in the middle of bands around the green, the sur- including verti-draining the greens the De Vere Club PGA Seniors April. Since the previous tourna- rounds, are cut at 7mm and then and top dressing in March and The PGA Seniors Championship event this ment last summer, the team at the were up to 25mm on the areas out verti-cutting regularly from then Championship, is summer. club have been putting a lot of effort from that. The PGA wanted that on. The fertiliser programme was organised by the Win the ultimate golfing Steve Cram, Course Manager at into improving drainage especially lowering a little so it was a bit easier also brought forward considerably PGA, who along Slaley Hall, spoke about the prepa- around the greens. for the guys to chip onto the greens. to late February and has certainly with BIGGA and experience at Slaley Hall ration involved for this Seniors Tour Steve said: “We had some greens So we’ve lowered that. paid dividends. the GCMA are event and improvements made areas that weren’t draining very We’ve also widened a few of our He added: “Unusually for a high jointly working This June will see the return of European Senior Tours since Andrew Oldcorn secured his well so we got a drill and fill machine approaches because some of them profile televised tournament we together in the Golf flagship event, the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship, Maiden Senior victory last year and we’ve done some major work were previously quite narrow going don’t close the course to general Club Management to De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland. He said: “Last year we got really on them, so they will drain pretty into the green. We widened the 4th play until the Sunday prior to the Partnership, which Taking place over the venue’s stunning Hunting Course from the good feedback from all the players, well now if we have any downpours. and the 18th so the players have event. Because we’re so busy divots aims to improve the 7th – 10th of June, the event promises to boast one of the strongest who said the greens were running “When we were hollow coring are a major issue so we do a lot of interaction between fields of the season. well and the tournament officials some of the problem areas, we preparation work about six weeks all these who are We’ve teamed up with De Vere to offer one lucky reader the were pretty happy with it. brushed in crumb from shredded before the tournament on the fair- “The weather has been involved in the ultimate golfing experience, as the winner and guest receive a “We did a lot of drainage work on rubber tyres to keep them moving ways and especially on the landing management of golf complimentary Sunday Driver at Slaley Hall. They will enjoy luxury fairways with our Sandmaster and and we’ve had great results with dreadful this year with almost areas. clubs accommodation at the stunning Slaley Hall Hotel and golf on the saw improved surfaces all around that as well. I’m willing to try any- “We have ten full-time staff and continuous rain and even venues two championship courses, The Priestman and The Hunting. the course. thing to keep them draining,” he two casual workers over the 36 For your chance to win this great prize, simply answer the “Our 9th fairway was a big prob- continued. holes.” snow in the middle of April!” following question: lem so we used the Sandmaster on Of the two championship-stan- Steve has prepared both courses that and put about 80 tonnes down dard courses at Slaley Hall, it is the for numerous European Tour and Who won last year’s PGA Seniors into the landing area. Four years Dave Thomas designed Hunting a chance to run the ball on rather Seniors Tour events in the past. So Entry to the ISPS Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall? ago you couldn’t walk on it, it was course which will see the action in than fly it all the way to these tricky does he still get a buzz preparing Handa PGA Seniors a. Barry Lane so wet you could nearly roll the turf June this year. holes. The 18th is one of our most the course for a tournament? Championship is b. Andrew Oldcorn up and now we’ve sorted all that,” The course is challenging and difficult so with it widened they can “Oh yes! That’s what it’s all about free if tickets are c. Ian Woosnam he added. long, measuring over 7,000 yards fly over the left-hand trap and get a and I think it tests you out. That’s downloaded in Slaley Hall sits 1000 feet above from the back tees and is consid- bounce onto the green.” the way I look at it, to see how good advance, go to Please email your answers to [email protected] sea level, in Northumberland, and ered one of the toughest tests on the Tournament officials have also we can make the course look with www.devere- with your full name and membership number, by June 30 2012 the conditions are often cold and European Senior Tour. asked Steve to make some changes whatever conditions are thrown at hostels.com/ wet. The weather has been dreadful Steve went on to explain some of to help them as well as the players. us. Each year we strive to make it pga-seniors * Prize valid until end of October, www.devere.co.uk/golf this year with almost continuous the changes made in preparation Rhododendrons have been cleared better.” subject to availability

22 GI MAY 2012 MAY 2012 GI 23