WE SAY BIGGA's training programmes forge ahead

s I write, our new Education niques. The second will be inde- Conference venue AOfficer, Ken Richardson, is pendently produced and settling in, making contacts and financed by the Education and There has been much debate in hopefully beginning to see the Development Fund and will fea- recent months on the future tim- wood from the trees in terms of ture golf course preparation. ing and location of our National greenkeeper education and train- Our new library at Headquarters Education Conference. The ing. I am sure that with his train- will become accessible for these recent conference at the Univer- ing background he will have and future training videos as well sity of Warwick more than main- much to contribute to both our as books and will represent a tained the standards of previous own training programmes and to valuable training medium. conferences and the enthusiasm the development of education of delegates continues to be most generally within the profession. Ecology debate marked. Over the last year or so Indeed much is happening on the your Board of Management education front. You will read BIGGA in focus Discussions are ongoing with members have been made aware elsewhere in the pages of this BY NEIL THOMAS regard to the production of a of pressures from within the issue of the re-structuring of our practical guide to the ecological membership to hold the Confer- annual management courses. management of the golf course ence during the BTME in Harro- This is an exciting development vision. Whilst the detail remains and a decision will shortly be gate. providing members with the to be finalised this local training taken on the direction in which I am equally aware of the opportunity whilst pursuing a is likely to be both college or cen- this will proceed. Again financ- views of many regular confer- course at Aldwark Manor to tre based and incorporate a trav- ing will be provided through the ence attendees who would prefer move towards a nationally recog- elling roadshow. There is much Education and Development the conference to continue to be nised qualification. As part of our administrative work to be under- Fund. Ecological management is held separately in a university review this year we will be look- taken and there will need to be very much a current topic and location. Having given in depth ing at the Master Greenkeeper substantial financial provision by concern and as an Association we consideration to this matter your Certificate to see if any amend- the GTC. However I am opti- must be at the forefront in lead- Education Sub-Committee has ments are necessary to the certifi- mistic that this initiative will ing the debate on behalf of the recommended that the 1995 cation scheme after four years of commence in September 1995. profession. Conference be held during the operation. The status of the cer- BTME replacing the Workshop tificate continues to be enhanced Field Guide Needs analysis programme over the Monday and I remain impressed by the and Tuesday. This will be on a determination of members to Members will have recently There is concern at the lack of trial basis for 1995 and the situa- obtain the certificate. As in any received an on course field guide knowledge at Headquarters of tion will be reviewed thereafter. examination procedure there are for the major diseases and pests educational developments at The Conference will be held in referrals but a referral only seems of fine turf which can be incorpo- Region and Section level and the Majestic Hotel adjacent to to reinforce the determination of rated within their Training Manu- here I see a key role in future for the Exhibition Halls and this a member to reach his goal and als. This is yet another the regionally based Education hotel will now become the offi- this surely augurs well for his and development emanating from the Conveners. Our Education Offi- cial Headquarters hotel for the the profession's future. Recent Education and Development cer will be seeking an early meet- BTME. Additionally we will of comment indicates that those Fund and offering practical bene- ing with the Conveners course be running the usual Sem- referred are not clearly advised fits to greenkeepers. This fund is essentially to carry out a 'needs inar Programme during the Exhi- on aspects where they need to now in its third year, is firmly analysis' exercise. There must be bition and here the format will show improvement. Ken Richard- established and a vital source in better coordination in future and remain unchanged. We are cur- son is aware of this criticism terms of financing future educa- indeed common standards and rently planning an exciting which will be rectified in future. tional projects. Continued sup- structured programmes imple- speaker programme over the five There will be very real benefits in port of the fund at all levels is mented at Region and Section days and volunteers to present a the years ahead for those recog- extremely important. level. Any observations or com- paper at either the Conference or nised as Master Greenkeepers as This year will see two further ments you have will be wel- Seminar Programme will be indeed there will be for their pro- training videos produced. The comed by Ken Richardson who given every consideration - but fession and Association. first will be made commercially will seek to canvass a broad spec- please hurry up and let us have We will be looking to link the with BIGGA backing and advice trum of opinion on the way your name. Look out for early Management Courses with the and will feature mowing tech- ahead. news of BTME '95 in the BTME Training Manual and to examine Newsline which will be closely followed in September by a new- the feasibility of doing likewise BIGGA Staff Profile with the Master Greenkeeper Cer- look programme and booking SAMANTHA COLLINS (Sami) tificate thereby demonstrating a form. Clerk/typist coherent and logical approach to So there we have it - much is greenkeeper education in broad Maybe it's because she went to school in Colorado for | happening in greenkeeper educa- terms. a year, or maybe it's just because she likes American tion and with the review under- rock music, but Samantha Collins (or Sami as she way future initiatives are already Training initiative prefers to be known) is a big fan of the US of A. being discussed. Members can When she's not handling the subscriptions rest assured that, in accordance In discussion with the GTC we database for Greenkeeper International, answering the telephone or with our founding objectives involved in secretarial duties, you'll find Sami in a pair of Levis dancing to have agreed on the need for a back in 1987, the development of "Sweet home Alabama" in her favourite bar. Sami's also a computer whiz local training initiative and green- greenkeeper education and train- and before joining BIGGA worked for several computer companies. "Have keepers will thereby be presented a positive attitude - it makes life worth living," she says, philosophically. ing will continue to be our first with a choice of educational pro- and foremost consideration. Greenkeeper FLYING DIVOTS dies in mower • Muirfield's course manager, Chris Whittle, is heading back to his roots to take over the accident head greenkeeper's job at Royal Birkdale. Chris hails A part-time greenkeeper has died from nearby Formby and in a horrific accident involving a started his greenkeeping mower. career at Formby GC in the It is believed that 60 year old early 70s after a spell in a Ronnie Mitchell's anorak draw- bank. He is looking forward to string became entangled in the returning to Merseyside after ride-on mower's driveshaft, drag- nearly six years at Muirfield. ging him into the machine. Twelve-handicapper Chris, Although.the blades missed him, who has just turned 40, will his head and chest were crushed take over when Tom O'Brien in the narrow gap between the retires in October. He beat blade arms and the wheels. nearly 60 candidates to the The engine was still running job of keeping 18 new greens when a colleague at the Bradley on the Open Championship Hall Golf Club, Greetland, near course. Halifax, found him. A single man, Mr Mitchell had • Work has started on a new been the head greenkeeper there 18-hole parkland course at for 30 years until he retired two Walton, near Wakefield. years ago. Waterton Park Golf Club, set in 200 acres, is designed by Taking over the Simon Gidman/Chapman Warren partnership with input David Halford, a from Yorkshire's international senior lecturer at touring pro Gordon J Brand. Myerscough It will open for play in College near September '95 with Preston, has membership restricted to taken over the investors. late John Shildrick's job as secretary of the • Barry Neville, a former British Turf and Landscape Student Greenkeeper of the Irrigation Association. David Year, has been appointed says it will be a hard act to deputy head greenkeeper at follow: "John was, to all intents Stanmore Golf Club, and purposes, the heart of the Middlesex. He was previously Association. I will endeavour to first assistant at Whitehall Golf maintain the standards he set Centre. but it will be difficult." He will administer BTLIA • John Houston, 37, has left affairs from an office at Royal Blackheath GC to take Myerscough which has its own over the course manager's golf course equipped with Highest praise for position at Fulwell Golf Club, virtually every example of Hampton Hill, Middlesex. He sprinklers used on UK golf takes over from the late Hugh courses. BIGGA magazine MacGillivray. Your magazine, Greenkeeper International, is "superb". We're not • Work on a full nine-hole, blowing our own trumpet, it's official. Judges in the prestigious Waste not... double tee course has started Editing for Industry Awards, which are organised by the British at Rustington Golf Centre, Wessex Water is selling bags of Association of Industrial Editors, called it "a remarkable magazine", near Littlehampton, West dried human sewage to golf "which hits the mark spot on". Sussex. The centre, which is courses as fertiliser. The odour- Competing against publications backed by mega-rich companies, close to Ham Manor, already less pellets are made from sludge Greenkeeper International won a Certificate of Merit alongside has a nine-hole par 3 course that used to be pumped into the Esso's "Update". The winner was "Aspect" from British Gas. and a 30-bay driving range. Bristol Channel. The company At a presentation in Edinburgh, former Labour leader Neil Kin- Four greenkeepers will look says that, unlike chemical fertilis- nock presented the certificate to BIGGA's sales and marketing man- after the site. Head man is 24- ers, it can be used quickly while ager Bill Lynch. Mr Kinnock commented that he had seen the year-old Stephen Payne. the course is still in use and it magazine before at a golf course in his Welsh constituency - and does not make the grass grow too was able to recall an article in it from three years ago! • Bill Sibley has taken over fast. The judges took our description of the magazine - "Self-support- as Sisis ing through its advertising content and recognised as an industry Equipment's area leader" - and added: "Therein lies the perfect appraisal of this The East Sussex National representative for remarkable magazine. Jam-packed with full colour ads and till-jan- Golf Club has started giv- Kent, Sussex and gling small ad section providing a healthy platform for well-written, ing golfers information sheets Surrey. He is informative and genuinely interesting features that guarantee which show pin positions and married with a appeal even wider than the captive audience of greenkeepers. It is Stimpmeter readings before son of three and very difficult to fault such a superb magazine which hits the mark they tee off. newborn twin spot on in a specialist market." boys. EUROPEAN NEWS OUTLOOK Pocket-size Vigilance needed Golf has been lumped in with other sports as the Committee guide to for European Normalization tries standardising natural pests and sports surfaces. Of course this is crazy, but fortunately diseases is deliberations are going at the A touch of Florida in Sussex sort of pace that would make launched the slowest golfer look like A 'Florida style' course has opened in Sussex. The Cathedral Harry Weetman. A new all-colour course at the new Chichester Golf Centre, Hunston, boasts huge pocket-sized guide to 'Our' man there, Eric Shiel rolling greens, big expanses of water, winding streams, trees and of the Joint Golf Course Com- help greenkeepers enormous bunkers. There are long holes like the 605-yard 5th and mittee, says: "A lot of time has identify major spectacular holes like the par 3 15th with a bank of Portland stone diseases and pests behind the green and a small lake in front. been taken up trying to get of fine turf is now Consultant Jack McMillan MBE, pictured centre, and owner agreement among different available from Brian Langmead, far right, joined the greenkeeping team at the nations on 'standards for test BIGGA. And thanks opening for this photograph. methods', therefore there has to the Assoc- been no direct impact on the iation's Education game of golf so far. But watch and Development must be kept upon these non- Fund, which is supported by Award-winning golf boffins since, for exam- members of the Golden and Silver ple, when deciding a test Key Circles, it's free. method for 'ball roll' I had to The guide is designed to be used tell them that the Stimpmeter Bridie's 'brilliant' had been used in golf for over out on the course in all weathers with each sheet plastic coated. 40 years, something they Alternatively it can be knew nothing about. Other- incorporated within the GTC time in America wise they would have trainign manual. Diseases covered Bridie Redican, the first woman really is the chance of a lifetime - invented something else to be include fusarium patch, greenkeeper to carry off the cov- I would urge any young green- used for all sports." anthracnose, take-all patch, fairy eted Toro-PGA European Tour keepers to work hard at their col- In addition to ball roll, immi- rings, thatch fungi, red thread, Student Greenkeeper of the Year lege work to ensure that they are nent standard test methods seedling diseases, and insect pests. Award, has returned to Ireland nominated for this year's (Octo- being developed which will Future guides in the series will after her sponsored trip to the ber) finals at Aldwark Manor," impact on golf include: cover dry patch and disorders, USA. And she has joined the she said. organic matter, particle size, turfgrass weeds and grass newly-formed greenkeeping team Organised by BIGGA, the Stu- determination of thatch depth, identification. at the Adare Golf Club, a new dent Greenkeeper Award is spon- sward height and ground The first guide was prepared by Robert Trent Jones 18-hole design sored by Lely (UK) Ltd, Toro cover, saturated hydraulic a BIGGA working group being constructed close to Shan- mower distributors and the Euro- conductivity, water infiltration comprising Geoff Yelland of Rigby non Airport on the south-west pean office of Toro Irrigation - rates and angled ball Taylor Ltd, Gordon Irvine of Mill coast. plus the PGA European Tour. behaviour. Thankfully it was Ride Golf Club, Mike Drinkall of Recalling her recent experi- decided that golf did not need DowElanco Ltd and Neil Baldwin ences in America, Bridie, pictured a test method for a vertical of Service Chemicals pic. right, says she was "knocked for ball bounce, so at least that six" at the size of US greenkeep- was eliminated. ing budgets - and greenkeeper's • The European Golf Associa- Cameron's story salaries. They're about double tion Ecology Unit manage- what they are here. ment committee, which met A computer glitch meant that the final para- for the first time recently in graphs of our Stockley Park feature last Describing her six weeks turf month were missing. Here's a recap of course management course studies at the Brussels, is putting together a manager Cameron McMillan's story, includ- University of Massachussetts as document detailing the posi- ing the missing lines, with our apologies. "brilliant", Bridie teamed up with tive environmental attributes Then, last June, when Stockley of golf courses. The director, Park opened, the father-to-be moved the only other female (an Ameri- round the M25 - and was impressed can) attending the residential David Stubbs of Environmen- with what he found: the flat landfill course "to reduce the odds. There tal Golf Services, says it will site had been turned into a pretty were two of us (women) and over be for distribution to the golf- country park with some of the newly- ing community and will serve made hills giving excellent views of 60 male greenkeepers!" to counter opposing claims the City in one directon, Windsor After completing her studies, about the environmental Castle in another and Concorde tak- Bridie visited the Toro Mower ing off in another. impact of the game. A long- Division's complex at snowbound Director of golf Peter Oosterhuis, term scientific study is also to Minneapolis, before flying to the 46, joined Stockley Park in the win- be undertaken comparing the ter. The site has a lot of potential and Californian sunshine. impact of golf courses before he believes he could see 45,000 In addition to touring the Toro and after construction and/or rounds a year being played there in a Irrigation Division's offices and few years. But he's unlikely to see any reconstruction. of his customers from the Riviera production lines at Riverside, Country Club. These included Dean south of Los Angeles, Bridie spent The EGAEU is funded by Martin, James Garner and Columbo a day looking over golf courses in the R&A, the PGA European star Peter Falk, whom he once had to Palm Springs. Tour and the European Golf tell to play quicker. "The Toro-PGA scholarship Association. Constructor is given golf course FLYING DIVOTS

• If you want to see an Etesia UK Ltd product in action, for in settlement of six-figure debt example the new RKE pedestrian rotary olf course constructor Brian D Pierson has mower with grass Gopened his own course. Run by eldest son collection, then Mark, Hamptworth Golf and Country Club, on the Spencer edge of the New Forest, was given to the Piersons to Southall is the settle a six-figure debt by the original developers, man to contact. Hamptworth Park Leisure, who had a 125-year lease The 24-year- on the land. old table The Piersons started building the course in 1991, tennis champion then stopped halfway through when the developers' has been appointed money ran out. Eighteen months of negotiations demonstrator for the Ross-on- later the company which has built more than 180 Mark Pierson, Robert Key MP and Brian Pierson Wye company. golf courses worldwide took over the whole project, Based on a Philip Sanders design, it measures Tel: 0462 490190 scaling down the plan for a grandiose clubhouse. 6,500 yards off the back tees and features several Laid out over 175 acres, running in and out of the intimidating, tree-lined tee shots, some monster • More than 220 companies 700-acre English Nature-managed Langley Wood, bunkers and a par 5 of 582 yards. are booked in at the Hamptworth has the potential to become one of the Water hazards are provided by the River Blackwa- Landscape Industries show best courses in the south-west. ter as it meanders through the course, which was June 8/9 at the National Newly-appointed head greenkeeper Keith Hill- opened last month by Salisbury MP Robert Key. Agricultural Centre, Jones says he wants to make it the best course in the Other hazards are natural too - plenty of trees and Stoneleigh Park, area in the next couple of years. hedges and only 19 bunkers. Warwickshire. Greens are built to Jim Arthur specifications. The 9th and 18th holes finish on a double green guarded • The Greenkeeping Supply by a massive bunker which one over-enthusiastic Company has been set up by writer described as being "as big as the Isle of Liam Galway. He will be Wight". supplying course furniture One of the most daunting holes is the 360-yard from Tacit, Pattissons and 14th which doglegs slightly to the right once you Standard Golf, as well as have driven through an avenue of trees that may clothing and tools. make even the best players consider using a 4 iron. Tel/fax: 0245 248880. Construction of a 6,500 sq ft clubhouse is planned for next year. DESIGNED FOR THE 90s Slitters/aerators from Amazone Ground Care

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• Arcot Hall Golf Club's Ian the cards, warns supplier Duncan, 32, is off to Germany to take over the head There could be a shortage of some types of amenity this year's spring trade has been later, causing trad- greenkeeper's job at grass seed and a firmer price pattern during the next ing over a longer period," he says. "This has helped Sennelager (British Army) few months, warns Derek Whelbourn, wholesale to clear what initially was an apparent surplus and .Golf Club. director of Johnsons Seeds. now replacement stocks of seed are urgently needed The situation, he claims, has arisen through a for filling empty spaces in merchants' premises." • McNab Sports combination of factors. "The weather has meant that Additional factors which have contributed to the Supplies of stock shortage are: considerable exports of seed Kinross have from Europe to the USA; and lower seed production appointed Neil New courses to open acreage in Europe and the UK than in previous Mitchell as area years. representative near Gatwick Airport "The combination of factors has occurred at a time to cover golf of the year when replacement stocks are not easily clubs in Fife, Two new golf courses are being built near available," said Mr Whelbourn. "New crop seed will Tayside, Grampian and Gatwick Airport. The 18-hole Duxhurst Estate not be available until the autumn trading is well Highland regions. Neil course, on a mature parkland site south of under way, meaning that the balance of the spring previously worked for Perth Reigate, is to be laid out as a 6,250-yard par trade and the coming autumn trade will have to be and Kinross District Council 71 course with comprehensive practice and supplied out of current stock. During the late spring as a greenkeeper, looking teaching facilities. and early summer it is almost certain there will be a after golf courses, bowling Architect Howard Swan says it will feature shortage of certain types of grass seed, leading to an greens and cricket squares. modest remodelling of the natural terrain inevitable hardening of prices." In 1989 he was awarded the and have some water features on the lower title of Young Groundsman of parts of the land. Work began mid-May with the Year. Tel: 0577 864198. full play scheduled for late spring '96. Castle Combe bought The Home Park Golf Academy at nearby • The Whitbread Group of Castle Combe Golf Club in Wiltshire has been Horley, also designed by Swan, is a 2,700- Hotels, whose golf courses bought by the son of a local hotelier. Danny yard nine-hole par 34 course with range, include Forest of Arden, St Pecorelli, whose father Guiseppi owns the nearby chipping and bunker areas. Continental Pierre, Dalmahoy, Meon Manor House Hotel, is believed to have paid Landscapes are constructing the academy Valley, and Tewkesbury Park, £2.5million for the course which cost £8million to and ISS are supplying the Toro irrigation has been renamed the build in 1991. Pecorelli plans to run the Peter equipment. Home Park is likely to open its Country Club Hotel Group. doors later this year, with the course in play Alliss/Clive Clark-designed course in the same way mid-'95. as his other club - Mannings Heath in West Sussex where a second 18 holes is under construction.

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