• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Walter Woods reveals the trials and tribulations which went into producing the acclaimed new Kingsbarns course just outside St Andrews Makinof a masterpieceg^ Kingsbarns Golf Links is just SLX grassy sea bank. This allowed golf to that an outstanding traditional Links miles south of St Andrews on the east be played and enjoyed for many years embraced with coastal sea views could coast of Scotland. The village itself is but to their disappointment it would be constructed which would eventu- picturesque containing a small church be closed down to allow war exercises ally reflect the heritage of Scottish with a large steeple which dominates to be practised. traditional golf the skyline. The remaining Kingsbarns golfers Following initial introductions, the Being close to St Andrews it is not then joined other local golf clubs but first few months were occupied by surprising that golf was a favourite pas- still to this day play annually for the meetings and planning. Kyle Philips time among the locals and this original trophies at nearbv Crail Golf who originally worked with Robert dictated that there should be a golf Club. Since 1939 the golfing ground Trent Jones Jnr was contacted then course of their own to allow them to had been allowed to grow for cattle selected as the Architect to work in co- improve their skills. To achieve this a grazing purposes. ordination with Mark Parsinen. Kyle compact but delightful nine hole golf The new Kingsbarns was resurrect- Philips designed the routing from one course was created and founded in ed when a local businessman spotted to 18 with Mark following up by 1793 on a flat piece of land adjacent its golfing potential. He contacted two designing the mounding, slopes and to the sea and protected by a large American investors who soon realised hollows which are the features which January 2001 Greenkeeper International 29 add character to rugged sea-side Links. plans of contours and levels to be mod- The design of the new course was ified. split into two levels, the upper and This discovery at first was alarming lower, with the objective of having as but did instigate discussions which many playing areas as close to the sea indicated that a comprehensive as possible. The upper level because of drainage system be designed by a its more agricultural type soil required drainage expert then installed as work to have the heavy texture balanced by progressed. This decision paid imme- exchanging and mixing a plentiful sup- diate dividends as we were about to ply of sana taken from the lower level. experience the wettest winter then fol- This was time consuming but would lowing summer since weather records be beneficial in the long term. were initiated. When I was contacted by Mark As the development progressed Parsinen it was mainly to give advice much slower than anticipated owing and also to contribute my Links expe- to excessive rain, it did provide the rience gained by working at St opportunity to plan and organise Andrews for over 20 years. I was also important side issues such as mains given the authority of promoting electricity large enough to supply many projects whicn are required in maintenance and Clubhouse the forming of a golf course. demands. Fresh water was piped from Large bulldozer earth moving equip- the village with irrigation water taken ment operated with skilful trained from underground aquifers by two 90 shapers can grade any mound or con- metre deep bore holes. tour specified to the plan or drawing. Maintenance buildings were sourced This can be applied to any golf course and investigated with the view that whether it be Links or inland - with this building would he the nerve cen- the added benefit that sand can be eas- tre of the project, large enough to ier to move than clay Kingsbarns contain all necessary machines to because of its location would be serve a high standard well-maintained designed and created to have rugged golf course. natural appearance which has been Over the next few months frequent sculptured by mother nature. rain showers inflicted many delays Following the which were frustrating. Every day, or Tees were almost similar to greens first day of earth each dry spell, had to oe taken advan- but had a percentage of Poa-Pratensis moving it was tage of. Motivation and organisation added with a slight reduction to the discovered to our were the key words required to drive for- creeping red and chewings. concern that a ward every inch of progress. Roughs on a Links, particularly the thick band of clay Once a fairway green or tee was com- periphery mounds and dunes, is where which existed pleted they were assessed by the the whole visual aspect can be high- some four feet Architects then passed onto die con- lighted like a beautiful lady all dressed below the sur- tractors for cultivation, preparing, then up. We chose sheeps fescue as the face, was being seeding. Large areas were seeded by main variety mainly because of its disturbed and machine drilling lines of seed at varying upright slender graceful stance which spread, contami- angles. The mounds or slopes were changes to a delightful pinkish hue nating all of the hydroseeded which is a machine con- towards the late summer. surrounding sur- taining a large tank which water seed During 1998 seeding continued to faces. Owing to and a paste-like substance is mixed then all areas. While achieving this two out- this all work was high pressure powered sprayed onto the of-play locations were selected for stopped to allow surface at equal thickness allowing die heather planting by plugging small seed to stick and germinate much potted heathers into the ground but quicker. before doing so the selected ground Owing to the traditional aspect fine was made acid by spreading alumini- blends of grasses were selected capable um sulphate. Gorse bushes which are of blending to form a uniform sward. common to links were also planted at These were mainly consisting of fes- chosen points mainly to provide cue and bent grass which provide the strategic playing issues. Broom which seaside appearance but are also capa- has a similar appearance to gorse but ble of withstanding the vagaries of our is not so hardy, was attempted by ever changing weather. adding the broom seed into the Seed selected for fairways would be hydroseeder tank when seeding the 20% slender creeping red fescue, 30% outer perimeter mounds. This became chewings fescue, 30% strong creeping surprisingly successful. red fescue, 10% Browntop Bent with 1998 progressed slowly often with 10% Poa Pratensis for qirick healing unexpected difficulties experienced purpose. mainly by heavy rainfalls creating For greens the seed selected wotrld flooding tnen gathering force washing he 30%) slender creeping red fescue, out many of the newly cultivated 40% chewings with 30% Browntop slopes finishing up with depositing Brent grass large heaps of soil and seed. Patience and hard work were necessary using grade and level the base for the same motivation as a colony of locally quarried hard-core ants. Soils had to be pushed back again to be delivered and then to be prepared and seeded, sandbag- spread at equal thickness ging and silt fences erected with the before being vibrated in sol- same mental illusion employed by id then followed with a King Canute topping of compacting grit- Work regularly would be interrupt- ty ash material. Drainage to ed to the dismay of the contractors low lying parts of the road and owners patience would be were also installed so that stretched to the limit. Four golf holes excess water could be and haulage routes remained incom- removed quickly. plete but with the intention of The old saying of March cultivation and preparation ready for winds and April showers completion the following year. In the give way to May's flowers meantime bunkers, although roughly is usually an accurate pre- shaped by machines, required to have diction. March allowed us the dimensions agreed so that they to cultivate, de-stone and flowed with the appearance matching prepare, April provided light beauti- and light rain showers, and this pro- been employed by me to work on the the surrounding topography. Some fully spaced showers which assisted duces personal satisfaction to whoever St Andrews Old Course for a period were selected for revetment, others rapid germination. May arrived pro- seeded it. Our seeding was satisfacto- of time. Staff now brimming with would have rounded grass faces. viding us with welcome sunshine ry, pushing through and growing enthusiasm, all armed with the latest Drainage in the bases would be essen- which encouraged the grass to grow. vigorously dictating that properly ride-on cutting machines, engrossed tial as would be the surround close area Once established it was gently rolled skilled greenstaff be employed witn with the image of St Andrews fairways to prevent water running into the followed up with a light application of the first appointment of a Golf Course or the long snaking putts of Augusta bunker. Sand used for filling was stock- sulphur orientated organic fertiliser. Manager then a Deputy Manager greens, went forward in the creation piled from the lower bowl of the site. Once satisfactory grass cover became right down to the labourers whose of fast running Links-type surfaces It was of good particle size, ideal for established it would be mutually duties would entail the million and which was our number one prime any golf course. decided by the contractors and own- one jobs still to be completed. objective. A decision was also taken to plan a ers that completion documents could Stuart McColm, who was the Growing the grass in to provide play- series of network roads to run the be agreed and signed.

Load more

  4

Copy Link