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THE PROFESSIONALS CHOICE ON TURF. Call us or your local Jacobsen dealer for further details JACOBSEN Jacobsen Textron Telford Way TEXTRON Kettering NN 16 8 UN Jacobsen Division of Textron Tel: 0536 417777 Fax: 0536 310245 President The Rt. Hon. Viscount Whitelaw K.T., C.H., M.C., D.L.

BIGGA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT Chairman: John Millen International Vice-Chairman: Barry Heaney

BOARD MEMBERS MAY 1994 FREE READER Richard Barker George Malcolm REPLY SERVICE Gordon Moir John Crawford Huw Parry Dean Cleaver Jeffrey Mills George Barr Use the post- paid Reader EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Contents Reply Card Neil Thomas B.A. facing Page 54 for further ADMINISTRATION MANAGER information on John Pemberton All eyes on the products and services advertised in this Tegcs^- Dartmouth issue. Just state the companies' Ad Ref Seven water hazards will numbers, post the card to us and make this year's BIGGA we'll arrange for further informa- tion to be sent to you direct. GRBNKBPER National Tournament a real challenge. Chris ADVERTISERS' INDEX is the official monthly magazine of a quick reference guide the British & International Golf Boiling travelled to Devon Greenkeepers Association. Ad Ref Page Contact us at Aldwark Manor, to find out how head greenkeeper Terry Farkins is preparing Aldwark, Aine, York Y06 2NF ALS 408 42 his course for the onslaught Pages 18-20 Amazone 116 33 EDITOR Amenity Technology 431 6,24 Chris Boiling Atterton & Ellis 7 39 Tel: 0347 838581 • Fax: 0347 838864 Hot tips from the conference Bob Andrews 381 38 DESIGN/PRODUCTION EDITOR Dixon & Holliday 214 8 Tim Moat The National Education Conference was the platform for Echo 446 8 Tel: 0904 610611 • Fax: 0904 643074 Enviromulch 459 43 greenkeeping luminaries to share their knowledge. We pass on Fisons 102 56 SALES AND MARKETING Gloster 204 12 MANAGER a selection of hot tips Pages 10-12 Bill Lynch Golf Maintenance 440 16 Tel/Fax: 091 413 7218 Grundon 437 41 Golf course presentation Hayters 90 55 SENIOR ADVERTISING SALES Irish Greenkeepers Association EXECUTIVE A guide to what's available to brighten up your golf course 458 8 Carol Dutton Tel: 0347 838581 • Fax: 0347 838864 plus a report from Stockley Park GC, where presentation has a Jacobsen 4 2 Lely 61 10,11 SALES AND MARKETING high priority Pages 12-15 Major Equipment 419 41 ASSISTANT Multicore 347 41 Louise Lunn Netlon 373 21 Tel: 0347 838581 • Fax: 0347 838864 A day in the life Pattissons 35 12 PRINTING ...of seven greenkeepers. We asked a random selection to send Rigby Taylor 127 36 Hi-Tec Print, Unit 7, Universal Crescent, Shelley Signs 364 14 North Anston Trading Estate, details of what they were up to on a particular day. The results Sisis 176 44 North Anston, Sheffield S31 7NZ Standard Golf 421 21 Tel: 0909 568533 • Fax: 0909 568206 reveal a rich variety of different approaches ....Pages 22-23 Supaturf 164 43 Please send all editorial contributions, Tacit 438 54 advertising copy, subscriptions and Turf Management Systems address changes to BIGGA at Aldwark 457 42 Manor, Aldwark, Aine, York Y06 2NF Regular features Turf Machinery Hire 101 34 Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise Buyer's Guide • 46-50 reproduced without written permission. Return Classified • 50 postage must accompany all materials submitted News All the news from throughout the industry, including BIGGA in Focus, a if return is requested. No responsibility can be Recruitment • 51-53 assumed for unsolicited materials. The right is staff profile and your chance to win a trip to San Francisco Pages 4, 5, 7 reserved to edit submissions before publication. Although every care will be taken, no responsi- Crossword Mark G Smith compiles another greenkeeping brain baffler. Solve bility is accepted for loss of manuscripts, pho- it and you could win £50 or a BIGGA blazer Page 17 tographs or artwork. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association and no Around the Green Regular updates from our correspondents. Find out what's responsibility is accepted by the Association for such content, advertising or product information going on: Pages 25-30 that may appear. Circulation is by subscription. Subscription rate: UK £34 per year, Europe and Eire £44. The magazine is also distributed to BIGGA members, golf clubs, local authorities, the turf industry, libraries and central government. Cover £50 CASH IN OUR ISSN 0961 - 6977 Avoiding a water at BUYER'S GUIDE © 1994 British & International Dartmouth, venue for this year's COMPETITION: Golf Greenkeepers Association TURN TO PAGE 46 National Tournament ADVERTISING WORKS IN GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL:

^^^ Greenkeeper international Greenkeeper Education and Development Fund H has done a good job for us The Fund provides the key to the future for ^^ from day one. We were so greenkeeper, golf club and game. Individuals and pleased with the results we decided to add a second colour to our full pages. companies can join the Golden Key Circle and Silver Results continue to be good which has Key Circle. For details, contact BIGGA on 0347 838581. enabled us to retain our posi market leaders in the GOLDEN KEY CIRCLE COMPANY MEMBERS: production of cylinder • ET Breakwell Ltd • Hardi Ltd • Hayters PLC grinding equipment. BIGGA • ICI Professional Products • Jacobsens • Kubota UK Ltd - DAVID SMITH, Managing Director, • Lely UK Ltd • Rigby Taylor Ltd • Toro Irrigation GOLDEN KEY Atterton & Ellis Ltd. SILVER KEY CIRCLE COMPANY MEMBERS: and SILVER KEY FOR MORE DETAILS CALL: • Ransomes • Risboro' Turf CIRCLES Bill Lynch on 091 413 7218, or Carol Dutton or Louise Lunn at BIGGA HQ on 0347 838581. For an information pack on BTME '95 call Louise Lunn on 0347 838581 A privilege under threat?

ne issue which the Associa- Yet if BIGGA is not prepared to agree more. Indeed this was never Education Otion will need to address this make a start in locating and initi- the intention in implementing the year is the use of membership ating such literature the profession review. Of necessity much of the cards for seeking courtesy of the will continue to bemoan the lack work entailed has to be under- officer is a golf course. This is a privilege of a vital resource in disseminating taken by your duly appointed pro- extended only to full greenkeeper information and enhancing the fessional staff who will report in high flier members who are reminded on learning process. So whilst an the first instance to the Board of the reverse of their membership authentic library is not going to Management. There will then be BIGGA's new education officer cards of the etiquette involved. appear overnight, I would urge circulation of an initial draft to is Kenneth Richardson. These cards are most certainly not our readers to blow away the attic Regions and Sections in the early Previously a senior training a passport to free golf and they dust and see if they can discover summer for comments to be for- manager in the Royal Air need to be used both sensitively some long lost literary master- warded by the beginning of Sep- Force, Kenneth achieved the and conservatively. The vast pieces which might be better tember. It is during the autumn rank of squadron leader in majority of BIGGA's greenkeeper located at BIGGA Headquarters. that the final plan will be drawn training and education special- members respect the privilege of Book donations, loans or sales up for approval by the Board of isation. obtaining courtesy of the golf will all be welcomed and this Management and ratification at With proven experience in course and benefit greatly from library will only be a success if the 1995 Annual General Meeting. training development, com- the opportunity not only to play there are concerted moves within However, as of now and through- puter based training, distance golf but to experience other golf the membership to support it. Let's out the process, any member learning and lecturing, he courses in many varied conditions, be hearing from you. In thanking either independently or through brings well developed leader- thereby enhancing their own the R & A for this grant, we thank his section has the opportunity to ship and communication skills knowledge and expertise. Long them not only for the finance put forward a view. Views can be to one of BIGGA's key posts. may this continue but some notes submitted either individually, by Commenting on the of caution need to be struck. sections or by regions. You may appointment, executive direc- Whilst we are talking of a small wish to see a change in procedure tor Neil Thomas said: "Ken- minority, there is increasing evi- or policy at section, region or neth brings specialist skills, dence of misuse of cards not only national level. If so, please let us knowledge and experience to by greenkeepers seeking to use know. If you have a concern com- the education officer post cards over frequently and for municate it to Headquarters. which will serve the Associa- purely golfing purposes, but by Members should not see this as an tion well in the future and members in categories of member- intimidating or onerous task - it enable us to move forward ship other than full greenkeeper, was never meant to be and the progressively with education who, quite simply, are not entitled administrative details will fall on and training programmes for to seek courtesy of the golf course. your Headquarters office. This our members." It is essential that members exercise should not be viewed as becoming aware of card misuse an attempt to restructure the Asso- report such instances to Head- BIGGA in focus ciation. We would not be the quarters in order that appropriate BY NEIL THOMAS growing and successful organisa- action be taken. Turning a blind tion we are today if our structure eye will achieve nothing other and policies were fundamentally than I suspect an increasing reluc- involved but also throughout the unsound. Essentially we are seeing tance by golf clubs to grant cour- last seven years for their steadfast where the existing structure and tesy. During the course of BIGGA's and ongoing support of BIGGA. policies can be improved and BIGGA review this year we shall be look- The R & A was instrumental in the strengthened. Viewed in this con- Staff ing to tighten our procedures still formation of BIGGA and it contin- text I hope that many members Profile further to protect this privilege ues to actively support our growth will feel able to make a contribu- and ensure the continued coopera- and development acknowledging PAULINE THOMPSON tion to the present exercise. tion of the many golf clubs across the need for a strong greenkeep- Accounts Clerk the country who welcome our ers' association. The R & A wel- With regret... Pauline used to swim for Yorkshire members onto their golf courses. comes the improved education until she was 16 and this, coupled and training opportunities now In this issue you will read of the with nine years working for Appeal for books available for greenkeepers and the passing of John Shildrick. I first Barclays Bank, means she's never enhancement of the status of had the privilege of meeting John out of her depth at the sharp end The news of an R & A grant of those working in the profession as when the Association commenced of BIGGA's computerised £10,000 to establish an Associa- the evidence of better maintained its activities at the Sports Turf accounting system. tion library is to be warmly wel- and quality golf courses becomes Research Institute in Bingley late During the day, Pauline processes comed. In the years ahead we will clearer with each passing year. in 1987. Shortly after in 1988, sales and purchase invoices and have the chance to establish the John retired from the STRI and after work it's back to the history of greenkeeping within our became Chief Executive of the swimming pool with her 12 year Your views wanted own Headquarters and provide a National Turfgrass Council. In that old daughter, teaching life saving service to members both when In the February issue of 'Green- capacity he continued to work techniques. they are attending Aldwark Manor keeper International', I wrote of closely with BIGGA. Like many on courses or visiting and also in your Board of Management's deci- others I had a tremendous respect An information operating a lend and return ser- sion to implement a review and for John - his knowledge, his pack for the 1995 vice. So far so good but no-one prepare a five year plan. Regions grasp of detail and his abiding BIGGA Turf should pretend that there is a and Sections were invited to con- wish to see the industry develop Management great avalanche of books waiting tribute to this process and to can- and prosper. At all times, often Exhibition is now to descend on Aldwark Manor. Far vass the views of members at under acute pressure, he remained available. All you need to know from it. Indeed since 1987 I have section level. I recently spoke with friendly, approachable, com- about how to exhibit at the been singularly unimpressed by a Section Secretary who consid- pellingly industrious and willing industry's premier event is the numbers of books available to ered it would be impossible for his to offer advice and guidance. explained. For a copy, contact greenkeepers. The profession is section to comment on the struc- Within the Association as else- Louise Lunn at BIGGA HQ on not rich in its literature particu- ture and workings of the Associa- where in the industry, he will be 0347 838581. larly on this side of the Atlantic. tion in its entirety I could not sadly missed. Association FLYING DIVOTS

membership • Mill Hill's newly-appointed assistant head greenkeeper, at new high Terry Colvill, has qualified for the TV gameshow Gladiators. BIGGA membership is at an all- The 21-year-old strongman time high. has passed the show's tough Already the number of mem- fitness and personality tests bers so far in 1994 has surpassed NEWS and is waiting to hear if he'll 1993's total - which itself was a be selected for a forthcoming record. There are now 5,183 battle on the box. members of the Association, com- Terry, who has also worked pared to 5,162 at the end of last at Highgate and North Mid- year. dlesex courses, has been "This is fantastic news and weight-training since he was helps give BIGGA an even more a boy and still goes to the powerful voice to act on behalf of gym four nights a week. He is greenkeepers everywhere," said about 5ft 9in tall and weighs the Association's sales and mar- 15.5 stone. He also enjoys keting manager Bill Lynch. motorbikes, waterskiing and "And what's more, this figure golf. He has a 19 . doesn't include those members "He hits the ball a long way, from last year who still haven't but he's all over the place," paid their subscriptions. says his boss, Tony Dunstan. "If you know a greenkeeper who is not a member or has for- • Mike Seaton, gotten to renew, tell him what formerly sales he's missing. Some 5,183 paid-up office manager for members can't be wrong!" Rigby Taylor Ltd • For information on how to join at their Guildford John Deere's manufacturing plants at Mannheim and Bruchsal in BIGGA, complete the post-paid Germany have achieved certification to ISO 9001, which is the sales and reply card facing Page 2 in this international standard equivalent to BS5750 (part 1). distribution centre, has left the company to expand his pesticide application company - Weed Free John Shildrick dies of cancer (Bracknell). Tel: 0344 481011.

John Shildrick, head of the herbage seed section, tributed articles and research • The new Sweetwoods Park one of the world's he researched into new cultivars. papers to virtually all major turf- Golf Club on the borders of foremost authori- In 1968 he joined the STRI as grass publications and confer- Sussex and Kent at Cowden, ties on sport and assistant director, introducing and ences in the UK and overseas. near Edenbridge, officially amenity turf culti- coordinating large-scale trials of Many tributes from friends and opened for play on April 25. vars and turf sci- sports turf cultivars. Many people former colleagues have poured in. Head greenkeeper at the 18- ence generally, believe the methods he developed STRI director Dr Peter Hayes said: hole, 6408- course is has died after a dictated the path of subsequent "At all times John was absolutely William Wilson. One of the key six-month battle against cancer. research throughout the UK and thorough, accurate and conscien- holes is the 544-yard 14th He was 65. in many overseas countries. tious. His knowledge was tremen- which tees off in Kent, plays John was known to many In 1980 he additionally became dous." onto a fairway in Sussex, greenkeepers through his 20 years part-time secretary of the newly- Current NTC chairman Jon crossing Kent water twice. as assistant director of the Sports formed NTC, consolidating infor- Bauer commented: "One of John's Turf Research Institute at Bingley, mation on amenity grass and major gifts was the ability to • Ian Wilson, 31, is the new West Yorkshire, and latterly as non-grass surfaces, and was explain difficult scientific concepts head greenkeeper at Hamil- both chief executive of the appointed secretary of the BTLIA to the lay person, verbally and in ton Golf Club, Hamilton. He National Turfgrass Council and in 1986. John continued both jobs print - he was the plain man's will head up a team of five, secretary of the British Turf and from his home after retiring from interpreter." including a trainee. The for- Landscape Irrigation Association. the STRI in 1988, becoming NTC Mike Chance, the NTC's first mer Blairbeth GC head Born in 1928, he graduated in chief executive that year. chairman, said: "John was a great greenkeeper replaces Peter agriculture at Cambridge Univer- Very much a private man, John friend and a true professional. Hall, who has gone to White- sity in 1952 and joined the devoted his life to the turfgrass Working for the NTC gave him a craigs Golf Club. National Institute of Agricultural industry, frequently working tremendous grasp of the industry, Botany, also in Cambridge. As seven days a week, and he con- complementing his research • Stratford-on-Avon, which knowledge with a deep awareness celebrates its centenary this of the commercial side of the pro- year, has appointed Julian fession. He was quite unique." Doughty, 30, as head green- Fancy a trip to America? BTLIA chairman Paul de Rham keeper. He was previously Are you good at what you do? Do you fancy a free trip to San said: "John's dedication, knowl- head greenkeeper at Ealing, Francisco? Well, why haven't you entered the ICI Premier Green- edge and professionalism helped Middlesex. keeper of the Year award? The closing date for entries has been us all immensely." extended to May 27 - just for you! Contact your section secretary John leaves a sister, Ann, and a • Sixty acres of parkland for details and an application form. If you don't win the top close friend Barbara whom he met next to Plumpton Hall, near prize - a trip to next year's GCSAA exhibition in San Francisco - while working in Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds, is to be you could win a weekend for two in (including a West who, with her husband, was - turned into an 18-hole golf End show) or a weekend for two at Aldwark Manor. ticularly supportive during his ill- course. ness. A unique formulation combining all the benefits of concentrated liquid iron for green up and a wetting agent into ONE PRODUCT • Rapid, long lasting greenup • Can be used all year round • Safe on both fine and course turf

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SERVICE) ICHEM1CALS1 Service Chemicals pic, Amentiy Technology Ltd, 17 Lanchester Way, Clock House, 286 Kings Road, Roya! Oak Industrial Estate, Daventry, Reading, Berks RG1 4HP AD Northants NN11 5PH Tel 0734 510033 REF Tel 0327 704444 Fax 0327 71154 Fax 0734 510044 431 FLYING DIVOTS

• Michael Buchanan, 41, is the first greenkeeper to be appointed at the Corby Golf Range and Leisure Club, Too easy' where a nine-hole pitch and putt course, a nine-hole par 3 tournament course and a large putting green are being added to a course 26-bay floodlit driving range. Michael was previously with the borough council's criticised grounds maintenance team The US superintendents at the and had worked on Mows- legendary Stadium Course at the bury golf course, Bedford. Tournament Players Club at Saw- grass came in for some heavy crit- • David Holloway, 30, has icism during The Players gone from deputy head Championships (the so-called fifth Ideal for verti-drain use greenkeeper at Royal Wim- 'major') - because the course was In last month's Greenkeeper International an ex-contributor got bledon to head greenkeeper too easy. the details of the Kubota tractor wrong. We apologise for the at Coombe Wood Golf Club, Tom Kite, a former TPC winner, error. The tractor tested was the L3250. Kingston Hill, Surrey. said it was in excellent condition The 40 SAE hp (36.5 DIN hp) L3250 has a four-cylinder direct "but it's not in the condition the injection diesel engine, 540 rmp rear PTO and power steering • Nottinghamshire's Hucknall architect intended." He explained as standard. Golf Club, which opens May it was way too soft, that the rough Particularly suited to meet turf maintenance needs in the golf, 27, has appointed Jeff Dickin- had been brought in by 6-8 sports grounds and local authority markets, the L3250 has son as head greenkeeper. He on some holes, stopping wayward mechanical shuttle transmission providing the operator with 16 is presently at Bulwell Hall drives from running into the trees, forward and 16 reverse gears including creep speed as stan- (Nottingham City GC). and some hazards and mounds dard, making it ideal for verti-drain operations. Partially syn- are now covered with grass. chronised transmission enables the operator to bring the tractor • Phillip Newton, 23, has The tournament was won by up to full speed quickly and easily for road travel. been promoted to the new Greg Norman who shot a 24- Attachments compatible with this tractor include rear position of deputy course under total and runner-up Fuzzy mounted flail units, quick attach front loaders and backhoes manager at The Ridge Golf Zoeller was 20-under. The 36- together with cultivators and post hole diggers. Course in Kent. hole cut was made on level par. • Chirk Golf and Country Club's new head green- • Kevin Garfitt has taken up Long service keeper, 41-year-old George the head greenkeeper s job at Whitby, is preparing the 27- Ely Golf Club and is looking rewarded hole complex for the North forward to hosting the county Two employees at Wales County Championships championship there next year. Ransomes have been in June. After that he has two The 31-year-old was given premium bonds greens to rebuild with his previously head greenkeeper in recognition of 40 seven-strong team. Previously at Pontefract. He takes over years of service for the this 16-handicapper was from 33-year-old Mark Jones Ipswich-based head greenkeeper at Mid who has gone to Preston Golf company. Barry Yorks. Before that he was at Club. Saunders, left, joined West Herts. as an apprentice and is • Myerscough College will now the quality audit • Five-handicapper Ross soon be re-introducing a engineer. Ron Pyke, Wilson, 32, is moving from the course which established it as who is blind, joined as Isle of Man, where he was one of the foremost centres of a machinist in the head greenkeeper, to take up turf technology training. The thresher department the new deputy course man- new 'Sportsturf Construction and is now an ager post at Newbury & and Drainage Course' will run assembler. They are Crookham Golf Club. from July 18-22. Tel: 0995 pictured with Peter 640611. Wilson, Ransomes • Stephen Street, 17, has group chief executive. joined the profession with his • Aintree, the Liverpool appointment as assistant racecourse that stages the greenkeeper at nine-hole Hor- Grand National, is off to a sham Golf Park, West Sussex. good start with its plans to Flower power build a £500,000 nine-hole golf If you're under pressure • The 6th Madrid Interna- course. It should be ready for to turn your course into tional Golf Show will be held an autumn opening, they say. Augusta National, Charles on November 17-20 at the Hill Nursery tell us they Casa De Campo Exhibition • Sisis Equipment have a collection of over Centre, Madrid, Spain. (Macclesfield) Ltd has sent its 200 hybrid and species Kent, Sussex and Surrey area rhododendrons and • An article from the STRI in rep, Keith Morris, to America azaleas - and at least one last month's issue was written to boost sales there. He has variety in flower every by Dr AJ Newell, not Peter now set up home in Florida. month of the year. Tel: Hayes as stated. 0252 703375. The E USATILE Nikken IRISH GOLF Knapsack mower/trimmer GRLENKEEPERS' • Mows steep banks easily & safely ASSOCIATION • Trims bunker edges quickly & neatly • Also performs all the SECOND TURF duties of a normal MAINTENANCE trimmer and brushcutter • Hedgecutting and EXHIBITION cultivating heads also available Last November, nearly 800 people - greenkeepers, golf club committee members, course managers, course designers, county council and corporation The unique Hover Hood gives the operator free- parks superintendents, developers, sports dom and manoeuvrability to cut steep banks quickly groundmen, students, etc. - attended the first ever and easily. Knapsack design gives him the freedom Irish Turf Maintenance Exhibition. and balance to mow even the most difficult banks. Already half of last year's exhibitors have asked for With the hood removed and the blade changed the space this year, but we want to increase the range of machine quickly becomes an efficient edge trimmer. exhibitor - so if you are interested in participating, Knapsack design effectively removes the engine contact us now for further details. from flying sand so eliminates a major cause of wear and breakdown. 3 and 4 NOVEMBER 1994 ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY, DUBLIN Dixon & Holliday Ltd, Unit 22, Bassett Down Industrial Estate, Fairlink Ltd, 58 Clonard Court, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, Ireland Hay Lane, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 9QP. AD AD Tel: + 353 1 841 1362 Fax: + 353 1 841 2934 REF Tel - sales: 0462 700547. works: 0793 845199. Fax - 0793 845191 REF 214 458

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8 GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL May 1994 Duncan McGilvray, course Joseph Baidy, president of manager at Letchworth Golf the Golf Course Club: Superintendents Association of America The following points, which I have wanted to discuss with While many of us have a self- colleagues for some time, are, image as a nature lover and a I believe, essential so that the steward of the land, our perception of us and the work public image doesn't quite we do improves, as it measure up. A 1990 National certainly needs to. Golf Foundation survey in the US found that golfers were POINT 1: If we manage a golf evenly split on whether they course we should be titled thought that the fertilisers golf course managers. No and chemicals used on golf employer will argue that courses pollute surface point unless you do NOT waters. But statistics from a manage a golf course. National Golf Foundation survey one year later showed POINT 2: We, as golf course that golfers are almost twice managers, must hold as likely as non-golfers to seminars in the clubhouse so describe the overall effect of that all facets of our work can golf on their community as be presented and our golfing 'Very positive" or "positive" - membership can question our 67 per cent of golfers chose a actions and decisions. All golf positive description, course managers who do this compared to 35 per cent of (and there are a growing non-golfers. number) know that our work It's not that non-golfers feel is made easier if we make the that the game is a threat to effort to communicate (a the community - only 3 per point expanded on elsewhere cent said golf has a "negative" in this issue). or "very negative" effect. Most non-golfers surveyed POINT 3: We present (as well said that golf has no effect on as conduct) ourselves in a their community (that's 32 professional manner. This, in per cent) or that they didn't part, can be achieved by BIGGA luminaries such as past chairman John Crawford, know (that's 30 per cent). supplying our greenstaff with vice chairman Barry Heaney and new chairman John Millen Altogether, that is 62 per cent a uniform (not overalls) so (pictured) heard a rich variety of greenkeeping facts at the of the non-golfing public that that an image of National Education Conference, at Warwick University. we might be able to reach professionalism can be Greenkeeper International was there too and presents seven with good news about golf projected. hot tips from the industry's hottest speakers. and the environment. As greenkeepers, we need to make sure, first and foremost, that we do a good David Oatis, vigour and because the lack ability to cool itself. They can job environmentally; and director, green of sunlight and air circulation also help reduce disease secondly, that we let section reduce the amount of water pressure by reducing the level everyone know about it. We Northeastern lost through evaporation. The of free moisture. Obviously, must make sure we tell our Region, USA end result is that thinning they are not appropriate in good news, for there will and loss are common every situation and removing always be someone else to The grass growing problems for turf located in a trees and underbrush often share whatever bad news environment that a particular poor grass-growing improve a bad grass-growing there may be. We must green or tee is located in has environment. environment to a sufficient continue to sharpen our a big impact on water We regularly recommend degree. However, electric fans public relations and media management and this is trying to improve poor grass- offer an effective alternative relations skills. sometimes overlooked. growing environments for especially difficult Pocketed, shaded greens through tree removal and locations. produce weaker, less stress- even through the installation QUOTE OF THE CONFERENCE tolerant turf that is more of electric fans. This may 'When everyone else was into prone to disease problems. sound like a peculiar the Sex Pistols and punk rock, This type of turf requires less suggestion, but properly used I was into Jim ArthurKevin water due to its reduced fans can improve the turfs Munt, course manager at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club. Firstly, with natural rainfall over each and every green. and irrigation, plus normal We followed up the verti- maintenance, the 2 per cent drain by filling in the holes clay and the 2 per cent silt and with Lyt-ag, the idea being that the 2 per cent fines have all it would act as a blinding layer, started migrating downwards therefore stopping the leaving all the larger stuff at migration of sand but allowing the top. When the fines the reasonably normal amounts reached the geotextile of water and nutrients to pass membrane, they blocked it up. through. Incidentally, we filled This caused three distinct in the holes by hand using problems: scoops and funnels. You should Barrie Gregson, course 1. Water cannot pass through have seen my lads' faces! In Alan Mitchell, course manager supervisor at Mottram Hall at the rate it was intended; general, it worked. It solved at The Hampshire Golf Club Hotel 2. Now the build-up of fines in three of my problems, but not the lower reaches act as a the other 17. When I've solved A golf course can be built and I have sand greens at Mottram compacted layer and a filter for those, you'll read about it here open for play in less than a year. Hall. God, have I had problems. any nutrients that are trying to first. Work on The Hampshire Golf Some of these problems are pass by. Club, a pay-and-play course with from a form of compaction and 3. Water and nutrients race Happy is the membership aimed between a compaction is not something I through the top 4 or 5 inches greenkeeper who municipal course and a members' would normally worry about on where my grassroots need them knows what his club, began early last year and by sand greens. to be. Because of this filtering members want. September it was open for limited My greens are sat on a very effect I have got what can only But, remember, lady members play. Built on downland near correct stone carpet which, in be described as a hot layer, and are the most important Andover, the site boasts an 18- turn, is blinded by a geotextile when roots reach it, they burn because most of them sleep hole course, a nine-hole par 3 separation membrane. On top off causing the death of the with male members -1 mean, course and a driving range. of this is a sand which, plant. they are usually married to Dry weather during February although it conforms to a Our solution was to cut male members. It is very and March helped the project and recognised specification, through the membrane. But important for the greenkeeper the greens were prepared and everything is at its maximum without a separation layer, the to understand this fact, sown by April. An 80/20 regarding particle sizes. sand would eventually pass especially when constructing a rootzone of Kingsley sand and fen Add to this the fact that the through into the drainage stone new ladies' tee or just working soil was chosen. All fairways and depth varies somewhere below and block that up too. So on the course on certain days. tees were sown by the end of between 12 and 18 inches and we hired in a verti-drain, a big Treat them right or forever rue May. The installation of the you may start to recognise verti-drain, the one with the the day. Awesome pressure irrigation system was not signs of problems. 18-inch tines on and passed comes from this direction. completed until September and erratic irrigation resulted in some

BRINGING PERFECTION TO PLAY

Sheer perfection - created by dedicated professionals. People who've who for three generations have made some of the lightest, quietest and spent years covering all aspects in the art of golf-course management, from most powerful machines which provide unrivalled accuracy and quality of the greens and tees to the fairways and even the bunkers. Specialists finish. And today we're still working to keep you on course with a range patchy germination on greens. If we can continually work on Although inevitably very just these three points, I am chance for survival if the young, the course opened for certain we will be held in much weather becomes unfavourable? limited play at the end of higher regard by our employer All of these questions need to be September and was played and even the general public - answered before a plan of attack throughout the winter, only that way the greenkeeper, who in can be devised. closing on one day when covered my experience always puts pride The golfers must be kept well with snow. The greens came in his work before all else, will be informed. New programmes are through remarkably well and are rewarded with higher esteem and more readily accepted by those now improving quickly with the a better salary. He will then give who understand why failures spring growth. a far superior service and occurred and what is being done Because of the need for cover, therefore better product, ie golf to prevent them from recurring. the greens were fed with high They should be made to feel part nitrogen fertiliser until the end of David Oatis, director, green of the decision-making process. October and we were on guard section Northeastern Region, Do not be surprised if the CONTROVERSY OF THE for disease problems. In the USA problems are complex and CONFERENCE event, we had little disease cannot be solved by a single although it was often a damp You would imagine that one of What can be done to avert a solution. Usually, a variety of the 17 talks would have provided winter. the most controversy. But, no, it disaster, such as massive loss of factors are involved. Don't fall In November, we constructed was the sixth to last question at turf? The first step is to take an into the trap of looking for a the nine-hole par 3 and had the the quiz night. The question offensive approach rather than a painless solution to your course's greens ready for sowing at the was: How many broken clubs defensive one. Act, don't react. problems. It is very rare for a beginning of December. Wanting can a golfer replace during each Call in appropriate consultants single piece of equipment, soil to speed the growing in of the round? Most contestants said and begin a fact-finding mission. additive, growth enhancer, greens, I decided to sow at once none, but the answer Trivial Analyse the course's strong pesticide etc to turn a with pre-germinated seed and Pursuits gives is one. We points as well as its weak ones. programme around. Severe checked with the R&A who said: cover the greens with gro-cover. Look for potential problems in problems rarely develop "As many as you like provided We sowed the second week in they were broken DURING THE the water management systems, overnight and solutions require December but were only able to COURSE OF NATURAL PLAY." including irrigation and time, funding and patience to get the covers on two greens Thus, if the player swings at a drainage, since failure here work effectively. In short, do not because of heavy rain. The seed ball and wraps his club round a guarantees turf loss. Examine wait for disaster to strike, germinated anyway due to the tree in the follow-through, he the growing environment anticipate it. If disaster has mild wet weather and by the can replace it. But, if he swings around greens and tees. What is already struck, use it to help sell middle of January we had a light and misses and wraps his club the air circulation situation like? the necessary corrective round the tree in temper, he cover. At the end of February we Are trees becoming a problem? programmes. Don't be afraid to can't. If a golf cart runs over his commenced feeding and in bag and breaks all his clubs, he Is the majority of the turf the look at a bad year in a good light March we were able to start can get a new set. If he chucks best-suited species or variety? and use it to the golf course's weekly mowing. This has gained the bag in a lake, he can't. Does your turf have a reasonable advantage. us several months on the greens.

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Stockley Park, Uxbridge, shows the way with signs that meet EC standards

hy would , Furniture and fittings OLF COURSE Wonce one of the biggest Because it is new and different, EQUIPMENT names in European golf, leave we thought we'd use it as our the Hollywood set at the presti- case study for our annual course gious in Los furniture and fittings feature. Angeles for a pay-and-play course There is nothing too fancy here on a former rubbish tip near because the 6723-yard course is USING OUR EXTENSIVE * NEW PREMIER * ? in the middle of a public park and Because Stockley Park is spe- things could easily get stolen or EXPERIENCE HOLE CUTTER cial. vandalised. It is a Robert Trent Jones What they have got that's a bit TO SUPPLY £95.00 Senior design. It has USGA-spec different is EC regulation signage greens and tees, and wall-to-wall warning pedestrians of golf in THE GOLFING INDUSTRY irrigation. Set in the middle of a play, horses, vehicles crossings, * Heavy Duty Edging Tool £ 22.50 250-acre country park, the 18- not to swim in the three lakes, WITH QUALITY hole course is owned by the Lon- keep to the footpaths etc. These * Chelwood Rake £ 19.50 don Borough of Hillingdon but signs have standard colours (like PRODUCTS FOR: run by the PGA European Tour, road signs) and pictures as well * Synthetic Hole Cup Cover £ 5.75 Mark McCormack's International as words for the ethnic minorities Management Group and Stockley who don't speak English. There * Marker Post with Spike £ 4.75 THE FAIRWAY Park Consortium, the developers are also signs telling horse riders of the course and nearby busi- to keep to the bridlepath and * Hole Placement Marker Flag £ 2.95 THE GREEN ness park. * Divot Box £63.00 And although it THE CLUBHOUSE opened less than a year ago (last June), it has THE GREENKEEPER staged a Challenge Tour ALL IN STOCK NOW event and it is set to host THE DRIVING RANGE a Senior Tour competi- tion. THE PUTTING GREEN "The intention is to H. PATTISSON & CO LTD, have a great golf course TURF MAINTENANCE 342 SELBOURNE ROAD, LUTON, that anyone can play," BEDS LU4 8NU says course manager EUROPEAN SPECS TEL: 0582 597262 FAX: 0582 505241 Cameron McMillan, the youngest of Jack's sons. Some of the 30 signs at stockley Park telling dog owners where they The developers used gravel and During the construction, 4.5 perennial ryegrass, smooth stalk can exercise their pets. One par- London clay from the flat site for million cubic metres of material meadow grass and fescue, and ticularly interesting idea is infor- the business park, when construc- was moved in nine months. To the greens with Colonial bent/fes- mation boards telling everyone tion began in 1985. The holes get a better idea of how much cue. Poa annua found its own about the wildlife and trees in the created were filled in with rub- earth this is, imagine a one acre way there - "I inherited that," park. bish from the business park area. base with all this soil and rubbish Cameron is quick to point out. Hole information is carried on The capping was taken off and piled on top - it would be higher 140,000 indigenous trees were 2ft high 'telegraph poles', but more landfill was put on top of than Mt Snowdon. planted - a mixture of fast and Cameron is thinking of replacing landfill to create the contours Once the land had been slow-growing species. The course these because the elm wood is Robert Trent Jones Snr wanted. shaped, approximately £3.5 mil- also has 56 bunkers (large and splitting and Peter thinks they're The site was then recapped. lion was spent turning it into a unusual shapes, as you'd expect intrusive. They would prefer They knew the landfill would golf course. The fairways and from an American architect). plates set in the ground. generate methane for 10-15 years rough were seeded with peren- The tees and greens were built Also on the tees are pineapple- so they installed a methane nial ryegrass and smooth stalk to US standards, so they need a shaped tee markers. There are extraction system which sucks meadow grass, the tees with lot of water and feeding, but eight ball washers on the course methane to the far end of the golf and half a dozen rubbish bins in course and burns it off - enough addition to the bins in the park. to power a 1 megawatt generator There are no benches for golfers, for ten years but the cost of build- just for the public in the park. ing and running a generating The park was built to gain plant was too prohibitive. planning permission for the busi- ness park. Having an upmarket Transition layer business park, Stockley Park Con- The golf course construction sortium decided to build an continued with the creation of a upmarket golf course next to it as "transition layer" (subsoil) upon part of the country park. London which man-made topsoil (a mix- Borough of Hillingdon sold the ture of the original capping mate- landfill site to the developers for rial and sewage sludge) was put. £1, they developed it and sold it This is proving to be a very good back for £1. Once handed over, it growing medium: "We'll have to was then leased to Stockley Park cut the fairways daily in the sum- Golf, which is made up of Stock- mer," says Cameron. Because it ley Park Consortium, the PGA was man-made, they had to European Tour and International "plant" 1.5 million non-casting Management Group, for 25 years. earthworms. Cameron McMillan, right, with Peter Oosterhuis. Top: an aerial shot of the course

GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL May 1994 13 Information boards tell park- STOCKLEY PARK'S goers all about the trees and MACHINERY wildlife. 2 Jacobsen Greenskings 2 Jacobsen Tri-Kings 1 Jacobsen 2315 truck 1 Jacobsen HR 5111 1 Jacobsen ST 5111 1 Jacobsen LF 3810 1 Charter House Topdresser 1 Hardi Eagle 600 Sprayer 2 Jacobsen 810 Express Buggies 1 Iseki 545 Tractor 1 Iseki 320 Tractor 1 David Brown 885 Tractor 1 JCB Excavator 1 Sisis 6ft Sweeper 2 Tractor Trailers 5 Allett Tournament Hand they've stood up well to more lem with the sand is it is too light Mowers than 25,000 rounds in their first and fluffy and for the Challenge 1 Nissan 4x4 year. Water for the greens, tees, Tour competition they had to 1 Ryan Sod Cutter and fairways comes from a Rain- water it down by hand. 1 Ryan Core Harvester bird system supplied by one bore- Cameron, a five handicap 1 Charter House Slitter hole. golfer, has only played the 1 Jacobsen Crewchief So that is how the golf course course five or six times. "I've 1 John Deere Bunker Rake was born. Or to be precise, a golf been too busy," he says. 1 PZ Urgent Drainage course, £lm clubhouse, nine foot- Of the five McMillan sons, all ball pitches, a district park with of whom run courses, he has the Rodder picnic areas, bridlepaths, and lowest handicap "but I'm not the footpaths. best," he says modestly. There is a lot of grass to cut but Cameron has been a green- the only handwork is around keeper for 12 years, starting as bunkers. Ten greenkeepers, an apprentice under father Jack including 28-year-old Cameron at Sunningdale. He left there and a mechanic, look after the when he was 21 to take charge at site. They contract out the Liphook in Hampshire. After two methane extraction and landscap- years, he went to Germany and ing. Five men look after the trees got involved in golf course con- and are following a "scorched struction. He also helped build earth" policy regularly spraying some courses in the UK, includ- GOLF COURSE SIGNS off weeds with Paraquat. ing the back nine at Aldwark Recently, the greenkeepers Manor. After more than three have been busy REMOVING sand years building courses he from the bunkers. Cameron esti- returned to management at Lale- mates they've taken out 700 tons ham GC in Chertsey, Surrey. - taking the sand from 1ft deep to Then, last June, when Stockley 4 or 5 ins. They did six holes in Park opened, the father-to-be the autumn and the rest in March moved round the M25 - and was - "three weeks constantly digging impressed with what he found: out with an excavator." They will the flat landfill site had been use the excess sand for topdress- turned into a pretty country park ing the fairways. Another prob- with some of the newly-made

A comprehensive brochure is available including details on the following. Tee Markers ^^^ Caution ^c Directional ffrr^j Vr Instructional * Course Plans ^ypr Plaques •^c Leader Boards Fixing Options

Just some of the 700 tons of sand taken from the bunkers Fittings and furniture review Insurance protection When forms part of BIGGA looking good membership package is par for the Accidents happen. We all know that. They happen at home, or playing sport, or travelling - and at work. course And when they happen, it can be painful in more ways than one. Accidents can result in severe financial hardship. A polished granite effect That's why BIGGA, in yardage marker plinth conjunction with Fenchurch case, made from tough Northern, provide to all maintenance free polyethylene members some protection which, when filled with sand, within the membership gives the same stability as package. concrete, is available from Benefits include £5,000 manufacturers Tacit of Rugby. upon death, permanent total Tacit also have a new-style ball disablement, loss of limbs or washer with maintenance free blindness. Loss of hearing in case and an unbreakable tee both ears means £2,500. marker which is domed shaped Toes, fingers and thumbs are and made from cast aluminium. worth £50 - £1,000. For Tel: 0788 568818. temporary total disablement (payable for 104 weeks but Geebro claims its Lister excluding the first week of range of teak outdoor any period of incapacity) you furniture is the largest in the would receive £35 per week. world. The range covers BEV Golf Equipment of Penmaenmawr, Gwynedd, are offering In common with all benches like the popular golf clubs FREE tee markers and other on-course equipment. insurance policies there are Mendip, bins, tables, troughs, They make their money through selling advertising on the exclusions. For example, chairs and picnic suites. equipment. Tel: 0492 622309. benefits will not be paid out if Tel: 0323 840771. the injury is self-inflicted (eg. suicide), or if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Nor will it pay out if you are "pregnant or suffering from sickness or disease not resulting from any bodily injury (ie. where the injury cannot be identified with a specific accident) or suffer from bodily injury due to a gradually operating cause (ie. any injury/illness which is pre-existing or cannot be identified with a specific accident occurring during the Nicoll Graphics' engraved tee period of the policy)." plates use a photo-chemical If an accident occurs the etching process that allows you circumstances should be to incorporate as much or as reported to Fenchurch little detail you require, eg just Northern immediately. distance details or the complete Shelley Signs manufacture their to form an integral part of the Fenchurch Northern are at 'stroke saver' type hole plan. signs in glass reinforced plastic surface. Their range covers on- Bramley Business Centre, 533 The Liverpool-based firm's with the designs and text inset course signs including tee Stanningley Road, Leeds LSI3 markers are chemically etched markers, 4DA. Telephone 0532 558400 onto 2-6mm thick metal plates, directional, As well as signs fax 0532 570310. finished with a coarse stoved instructional and f.ARDEN PARK manufactured from stove Members can increase the paint, graphic detail coloured caution signs. Signs enamelled aluminium, the benefits on application. These to your specification and coated are also supplied Golf Sign Company also additional benefits are with an all-weather for car park and supply tee markers, main available on completion of a fluoropolymer spray. The club house, as well entrance signs complete health questionnaire at markers have blind fixings or as one-off panels with full-colour crests, relatively low premiums can be fitted to a West African for leadership tournament and ranging from £15 - £60 mahogany board with colour- boards and other information boards. dependent upon the benefits coded lin box section steel legs 'specials'. Tel: 051 6478081. required. (as shown). Tel: 051 2647331. Tel: 0952 541483. GOLF MAINTENANCE LIMITED (a member of the golf leisure group) 0277 373720 The Golf Course Maintenance People Free Colour Brochure Supplied on Request GREENKEEPER'S CROSSWORD Compiled by Mark G Smith, assistant at Frilford Heath GC

Duncan Beali, left and Will Laughton discuss the progress of the 17th tee at Rufford Park Golf Centre Farmers build course on tight budget

he developers of a new golf creeping red fescue for drought tol- Tcourse in Robin Hood country erance and fine leaves. have shown that it can be done The course is now complete and WIN A BIGGA BLAZER OR £50 IN CASH! without robbing anyone. Will Laughton and his brother Will Laughton, one of the farm- Bruce (who is in charge of course CLUES ACROSS ers behind the Rufford Park Golf maintenance following some pri- 1 Golf competitions beyond the level of CLUES DOWN tournaments (13) 1 Last player to achieve back to back Centre in Sherwood Forest, says vate tuition in greenkeeping) are 8 Calibrated straight edge in the wins in the US Open (6,7) they spent £350,000 building an entirely satisfied with the result. workshop (5) 2 Blooming (7) 18-hole par 70 course, nine-hole "We researched all over the world 9 Obtained precisely the best terms for 3 Grass clippings. Two-balls we hear! short course and driving range. before embarking on this project supplies (7) (7) There is also a 2,300 sq ft club- and quickly came to the view that 10 Previous name of the Saltex trade 4 Portland CC, Portland venue of exhibition (abbrev). (1,1,1) house, which they have deliber- if there was anything we didn't the 1946 USPGA Championship (6) 11 Hale winner of the 1990 US Open 5 A plant stem (5) ately not gone over the top on. "I understand, we would pay for pro- (5) 6 Bury or cover with earth (5) don't think much money is made in fessional advice," said Will 12 GC, Edmond, Oklahoma, venue 7 Outcome of excessive rainfall (6,7) a clubhouse," he told Greenkeper Laughton. of the 1988 USPGA Championship 13 Overall result of the 1969 Ryder Cup International, pointing out that He says construction consultant (3-4) Match (3) 14 Initial effect of close mowing and many recent development failures David Coussells of Milton Keynes 15 A spring of water to watch (3) drought on fine turf grass (6) 17 Local currency in which the winner of have been due to lavish club- (who worked on the two courses at 16 The Lapwing or Plover (L Vanellus the Portuguese Open may be paid (7) houses. Woburn) did an excellent job, as Vanellus) (6) 18 Ideal driving area to spread wear (4,3) Mr Laughton says that golf did Beall. 20 Fertilisers may do it slowly or quickly 19 To play a provisional ball (slang) (2-4) course development is the last "I could have purchased my seed (7) 21 Broad and usually rounded segmental thing to enter without sufficient anywhere but I required technical 23 White (L. Cupressus Thyoides) (5) divisions of a leaf (5) 24 Governing body of golf based at The 22 A Golf Club's staff are its greatest capital, but argues that a tight bud- advice throughout the project. Scores, St Andrews, Fife (abbrev.) despite never appearing on a Balance get is more effective than having Duncan Beall didn't cost anything (1,1,1) Sheet (5) unlimited resources: "It means you but in retrospect I would have been 25 Corporate sponsors of the USLPGA have to work with the land, rather willing to pay for his services or to Dinah Shore Classic (7) than against it." pay more for the seed. 26 Olin US Open Champion in 1934 27 How striping patterns render greens Duncan Beall of Johnsons Seeds, Will Laughton says that in con- and fairways! (4,2,7) who have been involved with the trast there are some professionals

project from day one, confirms this around who work to a formula that Solve the crossword puzzle and you could win either a approach: "I was given two targets: doesn't allow for the natural char- BIGGA blazer (worth £87.95) or £50 in cash! Send get the seed mixture right and get acteristics of a site. "Farmers may completed entries to: Crossword Competition, Greenkeeper the price right." not necessarily know much about International, Aldwark Manor, Aldwark, Alne, York Y06 2NF. The course, which opens to golf courses but they do know Closing date May 24, J 994. First correct entry members in July and other users in about land." drawn after the closing date will win the prize. August, is built on sandland so Mr Rufford Park has achieved its Photocopy your entry if you don't want to cut Beall looked for grasses that were budgeted membership of 500 and up your magazine. compatible with the indigenous will be looking at playing patterns Winner of the March crossword was David Goodchild, first assistant at Ellesborough GC, grasses of the area and which before deciding whether to accept Aylesbury, who selected a blazer as his prize. would be resistant to drought. more members. Winner of the April competition was Elliott To meet Mr Laughton's There is a trend for public Small, course manager at Tulliallan GC, Kin- demands, Johnsons Seeds found it courses to act as feeders to more cardine on Forth, who also chose a blazer. necessary to make some compro- expensive private clubs. However, mises but Mr Beall says this did not the Laughtons hope to break the cause him concern. "We worked mould by providing facilities that Name: together and came up with the match the best that private clubs Address: right mixture at a realistic price." can offer. The head greenkeeper is With input from the Sports Turf Peter Hunter, who is working on Research Institute, Mr Beall opted his first golf course but was chosen for fescue/bent fairways, using a because of his man management If I'm the winner, please send me • £50 cash or • BIGGA blazer, size. good proportion of Jupiter slender and motivation skills. Stand by for a challenging tournament BIGGA's 1994 National Golf Tournament, again sponsored by ICI Professional Products, moves to Dartmouth on August 1-3. Chris Boiling met up with head greenkeeper Terry Farkins to discover what's in store ring plenty of balls with you if you're a local property developer's dream. Ralph lake. When we were there, the pin was very coming to Dartmouth Golf and Hitchens, a keen golfer, wanted to build close to the edge of the lake - and Terry says Country Club for this year's ICI- something special. He's done that, although it's one of only a few pin positions possible on sponsored National Tournament. he's no longer involved to take advantage of it. this hole because of the size and contours of And a scuba diving outfit might not Ralph bought the land, which is five miles the green. go amiss as this picturesque course west of Dartmouth, from three farmers. The 18th is a spectacular finishing hole Bboasts seven water hazards, including an Englishman Jeremy Pern was brought in to requiring a 214-yard tee shot over a lake to a irrigation lake that holds 1.5 million gallons. design his first UK course. A massive earth- green guarded by three bunkers. The tees are The tip from head greenkeeper Terry moving programme went into action and, a terraced into the hillside opposite the Farkins is: "Don't take your driver out until year later, race ace Nigel Mansell, the club's clubhouse. the 6th." After that the 6663-yard (off the first president, opened it in August 1992. At Dartmouth there are four sets of tees on white tees) par 72 course becomes more open. There are 27 holes, 18 of which make up each hole - red, blue, white and gold. From "Once you've played it a few times you the Championship course with the other nine the gold tee, the 18th measures 244 yards. know where to stick your driver in your bag being an easier Club course. All the greens When the gold championship tee is used on and you know where to get your iron out," were constructed to a USGA spec. The front the 10th, it completely changes the hole. From says 12-handicapper Terry, who joined the and back nines of the Championship course this tee the drive must carry 190 yards over a course two and a half years ago halfway are very different. The first holes are very wood-filled valley (home to several badger through its construction. picturesque with several man-made valleys to sets) to reach the landing area. A sheer rock When I went down to Devon to see him and drive through and lakes to hit over. The back face borders the fairway to the left, whilst to view the course, the main thing on his mind nine are more "linksy", set 500ft above sea the right plunges away to a stream. was when were his six men going to be paid? level with man-made mounds framing the A good drive on this 407-yard par 4 is Receivers were called in on March 28 and fairways. rewarded with a comfortable second shot to are running the club for the banks which There are just over 50 bunkers on the the green. From the white tees the hole is a financed this £6m project. Although there is course but some are very big. One bunker on relatively straightforward 384 yards. much uncertainty about the future of the club, the 9th required 100 tons of sand. Getting to the greens is only half the fun. Terry has assured BIGGA and ICI that it is Terry's favourite holes are the 4th, 5th and When you get there we think you'll like what "business as usual" and they are looking 18th. you find. Predominantly creeping bent forward "to welcoming all BIGGA members The 4th is 491 yards off the white tees, (Cobra) grass on sand (see panel), these and feel confident you will all enjoy our through a valley with a lake near the green. greens have a reputation for being slick. Terry superb golf course and leisure facilities." "If you get a par 5 you can be really pleased," expects them to have a stimpmeter reading of These facilities include a £4million, he says. "With the water, it's easy to walk off 8.5. "I'm not a great lover of that, but that's 40,000sq ft clubhouse on an elevated position the green with a 10 on your card." what I'm asked to produce," he explained. overlooking the 18th green and surrounding His tip is to take two 4 irons and then an 8 Another thing that you South Hams countryside. On the ground floor or 9 iron. will like is of the clubhouse is a leisure club with The 145-yard 5th is a very pretty hole. swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, Sitting in a valley, the green solarium and gymnasium. On the top floor is a butts onto a conference/function suite that can seat 300 delegates or guests. The complex was THE GREENS The greens at Dartmouth Golf is described as irregular to sub the surface: falls from front to back and are and Country Club use a USGA rounded with particle sizes of • Chewings fescue (Festuca finished off with a 4in layer of method of construction. There 93 per cent between 0.25 and rubra commutator) - Frida - 60 site soil and sand, mixed 50/50. is a herring-bone drainage 2mm. PH is around 6 to 6.5. per cent The seed used was the same as system set into the subsoil, "We have had no problems with • Slender creeping red fescue the greens but with smooth followed by a lOOmm-deep the sand, it is of excellent (Festuca rubra litavallis) - stalked meadow (Julia) and layer of 6mm gravel. The requirement as it does not Rufilla - 20 per cent creeping bent (Cobra). The rootzone was laid on top, no compact." • Oregon bent {Agrostis fairway is similar, except the blinding layer was needed. The The seed mixture after Castillana) - Highland - 10 per Cobra has been replaced by 250mm-deep rootzone mix is construction was as follows, but cent perennial rye (Hermes), a 90-10 sand and fen soil. The they have now introduced • Browntop bent (Agrostis dwarfed variety. All seeds were sand came from a local quarry creeping bent (Cobra) to the tenuis) - Bardot -10 per cent supplied by British Seed (Watts Blake and Bearne) and sward and this has dominated Tees are subsoil graded with Houses.

Top soil shortages seven-man team is Steve Hunt, The first season Terry was here who worked the land when it was he concentrated on getting the a farm. He knows the land inside greens right, then the tees, and out and, according to Terry, is an now he is looking to improve the excellent weather forecaster. fairways by weed spraying, verti- He says it will great in August, cutting and scarifying. so the only other thing to worry One thing he has noticed with about is the pin positioning: "I'm the recent wet winter is that the always fair," says Terry, "at least fairways drain well. This is partly they're on the greens." But because of the shortage of top sometimes only just. soil following the construction of the mounds. There is supposed to be two inches of top soil all over, but it's a bit sparse in places. MAIN MACHINERY However, the grass seems to be The £139,000 worth of growing well: "We've used a lot equipment in use at the club of nutrients (high nitrogen and includes: agricultural fertiliser) to get it The driving range, with a dangerous slope for maintenance established, but the result now is 1 Toro 3000D green mower that you only get boggy areas in 1 Iseki 40hp tractor with front the few spots where there is too loader i* the atmosphere at the club. snowed. Golfers always get to much top soil," explains Terry. 1 Browers 5 unit rough cut It's a modern club, set up by a play the main greens and are on They have been verti-drained mower businessman who wanted a place grass tees all year. "We've got twice since opening. 1 Bucker power unit and rotary where people could come and good tee and greens When I visited the course in deck unwind. You can dress casually in construction," says Terry proudly. early April, Terry and his team 2 Toro Reelmaster triples (216 the bar and restaurant. And with To keep on top of thatch build- were looking to topdress with D) all the other facilities, you can up on the creeping bent greens, fine sand "but because of the bad 2 Lloyds Pallidins pedestrian still enjoy your visit even if you Terry uses an aggressive weather we weren't able. We're mowers don't play well. programme of hollow-coring, two weeks away from a county 1 Outfield Spiker slitting, and verti-cutting. They match, so we're limited as to 1 Flymo Nervous verti-cut every three or four what we can do. So maybe next 2 Pro 24 strimmers We thought Terry might be weeks during the growing season. week I'll verti-cut them, and give 1 Toro fairway mower (223 D) nervous at the prospect of dozens This programme also stresses the them just a light dressing if I can 1 Toro Sand Pro bunker rake of greenkeepers descending on annual meadow grass. get away with it, and give them 1 Cushman power unit his course. But he's not. It's a high maintenance course another feed and get them going 1 Top Dresser "Greenkeepers are more with many banks that need again. As soon as the match is 1 Vari Tyne Aerator sympathetic than anyone, mowing and large, unusual finished, we'll be in hollow- 1 66-gallon sprayer because they understand each shaped bunkers. coring, overseeding with creeping 1 8ft brush other's problems. Every green's The front nine, in particular, bent and top-dressing." 1 Multi-depth aerator different, every green has its own needs more manicuring because Being a modern club, there is 1 Allen Reciprocator problems. Some days people play it's meant to be pretty. Because no greens committee and Terry 1 Cyclone fertiliser distributor 1 Small trailer a course and moan about it, and the second nine is more linksy has good communication with the only difference in it is the cut. with vast mounding "we can get the pro (director of golf) and the 1 Vert drainer They moan about a green not away with more and we can members and is able to overseed 2 Knapsack sprayers 1 21 in rotary being very good, and the only leave it more rough and ragged". etc at the best times for 1 Cylinder grinding machine difference is that it was left that The large mounds and steep germination. day. Golfers don't see it that way, banks also make it a dangerous Terry, who originally wanted to Machinery borrowed from greenkeepers do. They can see site to maintain. The driving be a cricket groundsman, tries to Hitchens Quality Homes the type of surface and grasses range is particularly hazardous play once a week himself and he includes: someone is working with, and and they daren't venture on it if tries to play as many other 1 Trailer (3 tonnes) understand the problems that there has been the slightest dew. courses as possible "because you 1 Quad ATV they've got." Terry's biggest problem, always think you've got the 1 21 in Toro rotary biggest problems, but you go Dartmouth was designed for a however, is the bunkers. It's not 1 Glymo major competition but, because just their size, but the sand is so somewhere else and you see 1 Strimmer of the financial situation, the light and fluffy and the course so they've got bigger problems than 1 JCB course has had to stay open all windy that they are constantly you." 1 Mini digger year, apart from when it's having to refill them. One of the key people in his Turf grass scientists created a term to describe the unique mechanism they identified whilst examining the performance Netlon Advanced Turf

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Dimple-T Markers: plain, numbered or Self'-cultiva'tion (n. the effect of small polypropylene mesh pieces as personalised. Rugged they flex within a free-draining rootzone material to create and maintain durability, Dimple-Ts voids and to resist soil compaction. The mechanism takes place as the are 5" in diameter surface is compressed during play, maintenance or by other activities. with moulded-in, galvanised steel spikes for easy Maintaining health and minimising placement and ^ damage removal. You will not find the term self- Colours available: Red, White, Blue, Yellow, Black. cultivation in any dictionaries at the Plain: £6.22 each moment, but you will find evidence Numbered: £8.36 each of its effect on tees, greens Personalised: £8.66 each and paths. There will be deeper root penetration, higher Our Economy Rake is priced so low, you infiltration, greater divot resistance and can order several for each bunker! The faster recovery rates due to the stability full-size 15" head is made from high- and root anchoring provided by the impact, molded plastic, and the 4' bright elements. yellow handle is available in wood or long lasting fibreglass. NB: we no longer tit Telephone Emma Burns on 0800 585012 if you would spikes as standard. like more information about Netlon Advanced Turf or Complete rake w/Yellow Wood Handle: return the coupon. £4.93 each plus VAT in packs of 12 Netlon Advanced Turf Systems, SPECIAL OFFER Netlon Limited, Green Ball Washer with 46" Kelly Street, Blackburn, post @ £122 each BB2 4PJ Telephone: +44 (0)254 262431 ADVANCED TURF Ask for our full colour 1994 Catalogue and Price List. Fax: +44 (0)254 694302 ••••••^^^•i Netlon is the registered trade mark of Netlon Limited in the UK, the USA & other countries. Netlon Advanced Turf is patented in the UK, the USA & other countries. Driving Mat "Divot Action" 1.5m x 1.5m guaranteed for 12 months @ £195 each (or £170 each for nine). ^Name Ask for leasing details. Company« Contact Paula or Lisa at: Standard Golf (UK) Limited, The Maxwell Hart Building, 612 Reading Road, Winnersh, Address

Wokingham, Berkshire RGll 5HF. AD AD REF REF Telephone: 0734 788044. Fax: 0734 785805 421 |^Postcode_ Tel:_ 373 GRAHAM EDWARDS, 21 ASSISTANT GREENKEEPER A dayin HARPENDEN GOLF CLUB, HARPENDEN, HERTS An 18-hole parkland the life course set in 136 acres. 850 members. They say "variety is the spice of life". If that's Time spent in job: true, greenkeepers certainly live spicy lives. FOUR YEARS, SEVEN Judging by a little survey we carried out MONTHS 9.30-10am Dinner. recently, no-one was doing the same thing on Lunch. the same day and no-one restricted 7-8am 1-3.30pm themselves to just one task. 10-11.15 Tidy up bunkers, getting rid Continue with practice nets. We contacted two greenkeepers from each of rabbit scrapes and foot Continue with path and region - a course manager/head greenkeeper marks. steps. Finishing time: 3.30pm and deputy course manager or first assistant Typical day? 8-9.30am: 11.15am-12.30pm - to find out what they were doing on one Fit new nets in practice nets. It was a normal day for this day, also chosen at random - March 17. Here Build new path and steps to time of year. are the replies from the magnificent seven the 18th tee. 12.30-lpm who responded to our request. • We're going to do this again on June 14. If you would like to take part, drop the editor a note. DOUGLAS DUGUID, 40 meeting with greens convener HEAD GREENKEEPER about 10th fairway. WESTHILL GOLF CLUB, ABERDEEN 12-12.30pm An 18-hole parkland Lunch. GAVIN KYLE, 38 course set in 109 acres. DEPUTY COURSE MANAGER 700 members. 12.30-1.30pm ASHFORD MANOR GOLF Time spent in this job: Preparing new pins and flags CLUB, ASHFORD, 18 YEARS, SIX for start of the golf season on MIDDLESEX MONTHS March 19. Ail 18-hole parkland course 1.30-2.15pm built in 1898 on a gravel 7.45-8am: Load trailer up with tee subsoil. It covers 102 acres Closed course under 1 inch of of which approximately 85 snow. markers, litter baskets for acres are manicured and the in putting out before the 19th. rest is woodland. 700 preparation for 8-9.30am members. the weekend competitions. Mixing topdressing. 2.15-3.45pm Time spent in job: Mowing height is 6mm (l/4in). Working on the 1 Oth fairway. 9.30-11.30am FIVE YEARS 12.45-1pm Rebuilding work on the 10th 3.45-4.15pm Wash off machine and make ready Tidying up stones on 16th 6.45-7am fairway (whole new fairway for next period of work. fairway - they've rolled down Check oil and water in machinery. and tee. The 10th hole at the from the 10th fairway above. Set up machinery that will be used 1-3.10pm moment has a severe climb up first thing. Start and leave to warm Mow fairways with Jacobsen Tri- the side of a hill and we are Finishing time: 4.20pm up. Make sure they are in working King. After recent warm weather and shaving away the slope to site order. with the moisture in the soil, the a tee near the bottom rather Typical day? fairways are starting to grow and are than the top. We should have Unusual as we are rebuilding 7-7.10am patchy in certain areas. This is also started this job two months a new fairway on the 10th. Delegate morning jobs and then plan done to tidy up the course for the ago, but couldn't because of Normally we would be the rest of the day's work with the coming weekend's competitions. It the weather. topdressing at this time of course manager. won't be long before we are into our year, but due to the weather summer programme if weather 11.30-11.45am 7.10-7.20am this winter we have been conditions remain the same. Check course and re-open it. Attach slitter to Jacobsen workhorse. under snow for all but two 3.10pm 11.45am-12noon weeks since Christmas. 7.20-10.30am Slit-tine greens and surrounds. This Head for the bank - it's pay day. operation is usually carried out 1-2 Finishing time: 3.15pm times a week and is carried out regularly in the lead-up to spring Typical day? when we will start our From a slitting point of view, this will spring/summer maintenance continue while the weather and programme. The greens total ground conditions permit before we approximately 8,200 m sq in size. are fully into our summer work 10.30-10.55am programme. As the month goes on, so Break time. the cutting programme will continue while ground conditions permit. The 10.55am-12.45pm mowing frequency should increase. In Mow greens with Jacobsen some ways it was a typical day and Greensking to tidy up greens after the in others it wasn't. We are trying to recent warm weather has produced make the most of the conditions and some patchy growth. This is also done use them to our own benefits. Douglas Duguid Steve Evans DAVID NORTON, 39 11.45am-12.20pm HUW MORGAN, 37 HEAD GREENKEEPER Swap with member of staff and go to see how COURSE MANAGER THE BELFRY,WISHAW, WEST work on the new 8th Brabazon tees is coming THE WILDERNESSE CLUB, MIDLANDS along, liaise, assist and direct continuation of SEVENOAKS, KENT One 18-hole pay-and-play course, The work and turfing. An 18-hole parkland, heath Brabazon, plus the 20-hole Derby and woodland course set in 12.20-12.30pm with 460 season ticket holders and a Go to office and ring two suppliers. 300 acres. 750 members driving range. All in 500 acres. Time spent in this job: Time spent in job: 30 MONTHS 12.30-lpm 13 MONTHS Dinner. 6.30-6.40am 7.30-8am 1-2pm Check conditions, weather and golf booked Carry on work on 8th tees. Discuss with staff what's on today and give course on the courses for the day. Decide jobs for the supervisor a list of work for today. day. Roll call and allocations of day's work. 2-2.40pm: 8-8.30am Attend heads of departments meeting in 6.40-8.25am hotel, when we go through next week's Follow sprayer operator for two greens to check Inspection and course set up of front 9 holes business and I also roughly plan my that the new sprayer is working OK. on Brabazon Course. Markers switched, following week's operations. 8.30-9am check bunkers, trim holes with one other 2.40-3.40pm Collect petrol and diesel from local petrol station. member of staff. See personnel manager and go through 9-10am 8.25-8.40am recruitment file for anyone suitable for Finish off writing reports for meetings later this Fill in time sheets and coming week's vacancies arising shortly. month. planner. 3.40-3.55pm 10-1 lam 8.40-8.55am Agree shortlist with personnel manager and Break. At hotel, go through computer for following instruct her secretary to make necessary week's bookings and sheets for any important arrangements. llam-lpm golf details of groups, ie start times (two-tee Help out with hollow-tining of greens. Check that start, shotgun etc). Finishing time: 3.55pm machine is still going the correct depth. 8.5 5-9am Typical day? 1.30-2.30pm Fairly typical for a Thursday. However I had Get mail etc from office. Update computer with the latest budget purchases. one member of staff on holiday, one at Calculate how much has been spent this year 9-9.05am college and four away doing their PA2 spraying courses, so I was pushed for staff. ready for a meeting with the treasurer. Collect week's wage slips for the greenkeeping But it's always busy. Both courses were fully staff. 2.30-4.10pm booked from first tee times at 7am until'nine Meet with technical advisor from Hardi Sprayers 9.05-9.30am holes only' late afternoon. to discuss our new sprayer. Assist greenkeeper (front of hotel, back of 9th and 18th greens) topdressing new artificial Finishing time: 4-4.10pm turf path and directing golf with signs, hoops etc to 10th tees and hotel around new turf Typical day? and bedding borders. Fairly typical because we had numerous little problems which I had to solve whilst trying to do 9.30-9.35am my own work. Break, give lads wage slips, check no problems with anything and have a coffee. 9.35-9.45am CRAIG WYLLIE, 37 After opening the conduit Have a short meeting with the course FIRST ASSISTANT we found that there was manager. GLASGOW GOLF water running in it. We 9.45-11.45am CLUB, GLASGOW then decided to put dye Assist on the Derby Course with the An 18-hole parkland into a conduit we already hollow-tining, core collection and course set in 90 had open further out on clearing of greens. We're in the middle of acres. 1,000 the course. We discovered this at the moment. members that the two conduits Time spent in job: 10 were linked as the dye YEARS went past the hole we STEVEN EVANS, 33 12.35-1.05pm had opened. We then DEPUTY COURSE MANAGER Lunch break. 8-8.40am discovered that the two ST ENODOC GOLF CLUB, NR 1.05-4.10pm Put pins on winter greens conduits are joined in the WADEBRIDGE, CORNWALL Check automatic irrigation system for faults due to lin of snow. area we were working. Two 18-hole links courses set in 200 and breakages including all sprinkler heads One of them was blocked acres. 1500 members. 8.40-10.10am Time spent in job: TWO YEARS, SIX around greens on Church Course. past the join due to a Drainage work. MONTHS sewage pipe that was put 4.10-4.20pm 10.10-10.30am in 20 years ago. We have Break. 7.30-7.40am Put all machinery into shed and lock up. now decided that this Liaise with course manager, organise work will have to be left to 10.30am-lpm programme and direct greens staff. Finishing time: 4.20pm Continued work on next year to be fixed as Typical day? drainage. we have too much work 7.40-10.10am to do. Fertilise greens on Church Course with NPK, A typical day would usually consist of 1-4.20pm granular fertiliser; loz per square yard. organising daily work programmes in Continued work on Finishing time: 4.30pm advance, motivating greens staff and creating drainage. We were 10.10-10.30am a good atmosphere to work in, which is Typical day? putting in a 100mm pipe Morning break. essential. Today was typical in those respects. in a blaze path to remove Weatherwise, very All greens staff are encouraged to play a full 10.30am-12.35pm water that was lying on typical. Workwise, this part in the running of the golf course. All Fertilise surrounds and aprons on Church it. The pipe was to be put was due to the weather greens staff have been practically trained in Course with NPK, granular fertiliser; loz per into a conduit that we as we could not do course most areas of greenkeeping and this is an square yard. thought was not used. work. ongoing process. GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL May 1994 23 Amenity Technology means

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Keeping in touch with news and comment from the regions

NORTH-WEST ours, will have dried out by this time. The Northern Region seminar at Mere GCC was This has probably been the worst winter for a well attended event, with 147 delegates being EVENTS DIARY many years. The very wet summer coupled with treated to an educational day not to be missed. June 8-9: BALI Trade Show, Stoneleigh an equally wet winter has given all of us prob- The day started with Martin Hawtree (golf June 29: Southturf, Turf Care Trade Exhibition, lems with courses flooding. Even the seaside Motspur Park, south west London course architect) and John Greasley (golf course courses are under water. July 14-17: Open Championship, Turnberry construction) talking and showing slides of the Hopefully better and drier weather is on the August 1-3: National Tournament, Dartmouth Golf reconstruction of the greens at Royal Birkdale. It Club, Devon way and things can get back to as near normal was most interesting to note that both speakers September 6-8: Saltex (previously loG) Trade as possible. agreed it had been essential for the reconstruc- Exhibition, Royal Windsor Racecourse, Almost all section events have been organised tion to be carried out due to the poor quality of Berkshire. for the year; and the fixture list should be in September 22: Hayter Challenge Final, Pannal Golf the rootzone mixture in the greens. Mike Shee- Club, Harrogate members' hands by the spring outing. han, the course manager at Mere, talked about November 9-10: Scotsturf, Ingleston, Edinburgh At section committee level things have been the water features he had constructed there. December 1 : Scottish Region North Section happening under the careful eye of our new Mike showed a series of slides from the com- one-day conference at Craibstone Estate, chairman, Peter Ormiston. Peter, as we all know, mencement of the construction to the finished Bucksburn, Aberdeen is a go-ahead type of chap and has studied care- January 25-27, 1995: BTME '95, Harrogate features which harmonise neatly with the International Centre fully the way forward for the section. course. The committee has been split into various The aftenoon began with Derek Ganning talk- small committees: social, handicap and educa- ing about his five-year plan at The Belfry, and later than May 17. Soup and sandwiches 12noon tion being his main objectives. gave an insight into how the staff at The Belfry to 1pm. Tee off l-30pm. On the social side, things have been happen- work as a well drilled team. Bob Taylor, who BERT CROSS ing already with the quiz and skittles nights all was responsible for setting up the "Conservation arranged for the full year. Peter, along with his management for golf courses" at the STRI, spoke SHEFFIELD committee, have done their part - all we require about the need to properly maintain the copses, Our March winter lecture was given in the form now is for the members to do theirs and come ponds and ecological areas as well as the greens, of a demonstration and short film show by along and support us. tees and fairways on golf courses in order to Jacobsen, luckily the weather was kind enabling In the past the cry has always been 'Everything look after the flora and fauna. Finally, David members to try out the different machines on is on at the west side of the city.' Well, this has Golding spoke about greenkeeper training and show. Thanks go to Michael Vjestica and Ivan now changed: the skittles have been taken to the how the Greenkeepers Training Committee, with Seaman of Jacobsen and to Les Purdy and Chris east of the city along with the quiz night. The the backing of the R&A and the golf unions, are Bryden of Purdy's for an excellent afternoon "Right Wing" Willowbrae Rd is the skittles venue working closely with the colleges for green- with a super buffet thrown in too! and the "Black Bull", Dalkeith, will stage the keeers to gain NVQs. It was encouraging to The trip to the Ransomes factory in April was quiz. All we have to do now is sit back and wait know that the GTC and BIGGA work closely postponed until later in the year due to only nine for the east of the city members getting in touch. together. people wanting to go. When this trip is re-sched- No excuses now. This seminar, the first at Mere since 1989, uled, hopefully we can raise the 20 people The big change is the annual dance. It will appears to have been a success and thanks for needed to go as this is a very interesting visit giv- now take place on a Saturday evening. A sit- this go to Mere for the use of the facilities, the ing a good insight into Ransomes', so get your down dinner instead of a buffet, a live band speakers, the delegates who attended, and the names down. instead of a disco and a hotel instead of a golf companies who supported us financially - RJ & J This year our annual tournament at Tankers- club. The venue will be The Kilspindie House Campey, Burrows (GM), Amenity Land Services, ley Park Golf Club on July 14 will be sponsored Hotel, Aberlady on Saturday December 3. Tick- Jacobsen/Textron, Rufford Topdress, Acorn by Yorkshire Mowers and our autumn tourna- ets are already printed and a super deal has been Equipment, Turner Groundscare, Sisis, Ritefeed, ment, at Retford Golf Club on September 21 (tee struck with the hotel, even for those wishing to SF Hodgkinson (turf growers), Maxicrop, and off 1.30pm), will be sponsored by Purdy's. stay the night. The cost of this fabulous night Cheshire Light Tractors. On March 16 a commitee meeting was held will be £15 per head including transport from A trip to Ransomes was organised by Burrows and it was agreed that from October 1994 mem- the Edinburgh area; and again, this is in the east. (GM) and if you missed it you missed a treat. On bers will have to attend at least two winter lec- So start saving as demand will be as usual. the coach trip down we where entertained by tures to be eligible for the following year's golf Peter and his committee have started to show Billy Connolly - on video. A mid-way stop for tournaments. Also mentioned at the meeting the way forward. I am sure you will do your lunch, and press on to Ransomes. A cup of cof- was some members' dress - this has fallen utmost to support us. fee and a few words of welcome from Richard below acceptable standards, please dress suit- Have you paid your subscription yet? If not, the sales manager and then a trip round a brew- ably. Remember we are guests of do it now or you will lose out. Membership in ery, with free booze. A quick trip to the hotel, Rotherham Golf Club and should the east is at its highest ever; let's keep it that shower, change and back to the bar before din- abide by their rules - please wear way. Remember the saying, "You'd Better Watch ner. Day two was a trip round Ransomes' fac- smart jacket, collar and tie at all lec- Out, BIGGA's About." tory, which needs a couple of days to take tures. WILLIE BLAIR everything in, and then the journey home. Many thanks to Burrows for organising the trip. IAN COLLETT SOUTH COAST The next golf is the spring tourna- It is time to start thinking about the annual ment on Tuesday May 24. This is the EAST SCOTLAND match between the South Coast and South West Hayter qualifier and all applications Tom Murray of Ratho Park GC is the section's sections which will take place in the autumn. with £10 deposit to Paul Pearse, 1 nomination for the ICI Greenkeeper of the Year. Paul Drodge will be organising the event for the Swan Close, Poynton, Stockport Tom will be visited by representatives from ICI South Coast. Let's make a good show this year! SK12 1HX. Tel: 0625 859258 not and BIGGA in the next few months and we all Those wishing to be considered for the team wish him well. Hopefully his course, like all of should contact Paul on 0425 271954. sent out a couple of months ago, only 15 have If anyone wishes to contact me, my home been returned. Did the postman get lost when he number is 0703 438808 and my office number Around the Green was delivering them, or is everybody satisfied at the Hampshire Golf Club is 0264 334269. An with the variety of events organised at the pre- answer phone is always available on both num- sent time? (Fifty forms for Ibrox!) bers. Please feel free to ring, we are especially Past chairman of the section, Duncan Peddie, looking for feedback from the section on the has been a bit under the weather recently. Hope- constitution review which is taking place at fully it's not a reaction to the beer consumed headquarters. Where do you think BIGGA should during his week in Harrogate. Whatever it is be going in the future? Dune, I hope you have recovered by now, we I hear David Hinks has found a new position ¡SLftrfiiitd missed you at the last committee meeting. at Southwick Park and I am sure that we all wish away now and Surrey can boast 382 members to Ending on a high note this month, with him well for the future. date so please try to attend this event and make another six new members joining the Associa- We had good turnouts for our last two winter it really worthwhile - June 29 Motspur Park. tion. Welcome to the Central Sec- lectures at Alresford Golf Club. There were first- DAVID GIBBS tion, lads! Hopefully you will hand accounts of the East Sussex National and CENTRAL SCOTLAND manage to get along to some of our Wisley clubs and if you missed them then come We start this month's news by reporting the fin- events in the coming months. We along to our future events, the company and ish of two members' working lives. Pat Differ of look forward to meeting you. beer are always good. Dullatur GC and Ian Connell of Ladybank GC JOHN CRAWFORD ALAN MITCHELL have recently retired from their respective clubs. Best wishes from everyone in the section go to AYRSHIRE SURREY Pat and Ian for a long and happy retirement, The typical Ayrshire greenkeeper's habit of walk- Huxley Bowl entries reached a record 17 pairs hopefully we will still see them at some of the ing with a pronounced lean forward into the this year. Draw sheets have been dispatched, section events during the year. wind has been tested to the limit this past few with the first round to be completed by May 14. The visit to Scottish Grass Machinery was well months, and with the addition of more than 50 Please phone results in as soon as possible. supported and our thanks go to David Mclnroy per cent of our annual rainfall in three months Venues for the 1995 season are being looked and his staff for the hospitality which was this spring is proving more difficult than usual. into. Members wishing to stage a BIGGA event extended to everyone. Likewise, the return visit Days when fertilising, spraying or top-dressing should contact the committee. to the Monarch's course at Gleneagles attracted can be carried out are few and far between, then Congratulations to Gavin Kyle, formerly of a large turnout and with Jimmy Kidd and Ross when a good day pops up, out come the golfers Ashford Manor under Terry Huntley, upon his Monachan giving a superb presentation of the in their hordes, wondering why the course isn't appointment as head greenkeeper of Sutton Gleneagles set-up, everyone had an excellent in top playing condition. Hopefully by the time Green GC near Guildford. Good luck. day. you read this, the waterproofs will be shed, the Forthcoming events include the Hayter region- At the time of writing, we have over 50 forms gait a little straighter, and the greens a little al at Banstead Downs GC on June 16. Members returned for the visit to Ibrox Stadium. Three smoother. wishing to play in the England v Scotland match interesting names which are included are Fergus George Brown tells me Turnberry is shaping on July 13 should contact Derek Walder on 0737 McCann, Brian Dempsey and Dominic Keene. I up well for the Open, with hundreds of yards of 246088. wonder if they will turn up? snow fencing erected (to prevent sand blow) The Southturf exhibition is around six weeks Out of the 250 questioNnaires which were working very well.

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GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL May 1994 27 Over the past few weeks I have had the plea- greenkeepers and trade, and the Rhone-Poulenc sure of walking the new courses at Loch Lomond Trophy for assistants. It was also the section's Around the Green qualifier for the Hayter Beaver Challenge Trophy and Fota Island in Cork, both with creeping bent grass greens in excellent condition in mid- (results for this elsewhere in Around the Green). March. Fota Island in fact only opened in Our congratulations to head greenkeeper Cary September and after a fair amount of play still Rawlings for the condition of his new course. looks good. Whatever has been said about creep- Executive director Neil Thomas and our non- ing bent, it may well have a future in these isles. golfing members were treated to the usual Finally, if you see a huge yellow Ford Thun- course walk by departing assistant greenkeeper derbird with a red-haired driver waving at you, Richard Hall before returning to the clubhouse it's not Fergie, it's only our chairman indulging In March an excellent outing to Turnberry was for lunch. After an excellent lunch, John Palfrey his fantasies. supported by 40 greenkeepers. Well done to on behalf of Supaturf, Paul Clifton of Rhone- DUNCAN GRAY George Brown for an interesting and informative Poulenc and Robin Boyes of Hayter Beaver pre- talk covering the shed area, machinery, club- sented the prizes. SUSSEX house, hotel and course. Each aspect of the com- Supaturf Trophy: 1, A Ramsden (Budock The Sussex branch faired pretty well at the plex was fully explained and all our questions Vean) 34pts; 2, T Gooch (Torrington) 31; 3, C Annual Gentlemen's Dinner event at Walton answered. Rawlings (Padbrook) 31. Heath. Mr D Taylor, chairman of the green at Finally, Ian Wilson, formerly of Blairbeth, has Rhone-Poulenc Trophy: 1, A James (Tehidy) Cooden Beach, came first in the guest section taken up the post of course manager at Hamilton 35pts; 2, S Evans (St Enodoc) 33; 3, C Bland with 41 points, Stefan Antolik, from the same GC where I'm sure he'll do well. Good luck, Ian! (Dainton Park) 33. club, took second overall (9-16 handicap) with SCOTT BALLANTYNE Our afternoon programme was altered slightly 40 points and George Barr of Ham Manor as our executive director Neil Thomas was slogged a mere 287 yards to win the longest NORTH EAST invited to the section to discuss in an open drive of the day. By the way, George told me it The section would like to congratulate Terry forum recent occurences within the Association. was a three wood and into the wind! Chareton of TurfCare for providing a superb Many of the questions were about the AGM. The Twenty-four greenkeepers took part and field day at Beamish Park GC. The attendance section would like to thank Neil for making the passed a one-day first-aid course held at Ham spoke for itself with over 80 persons present. As long journey to our section and for giving us the Manor, organised in conjunction with BIGGA for the speakers, they did their respective com- chance to hold this open forum. and Medical Training Services. Another course is panies proud. Before the open forum, our educational talk planned for later in the year. George Atkinson, head greenkeper for 17 was presented by Gordon Jaaback on water con- Lastly, two events for your diaries: April 28 - years at Consett GC, is due to retire in Septem- servation. It was most informative and interest- our spring meeting at Willingdon GC (why ber. In recognition of his services to greenkeep- ing. The section thank Gordon, who was weren't you there?); June 29 - Southturf, Mot- ing and to his hard work as a section committee presented with a small gift as a show of its grati- spur Park. member we will be holding a presentation din- tude. I will be sending out a brief paper of Gor- MARK WITTON ner at Stocksfield GC in October. Any member don's talk and a more detailed question and interested in attending should speak answer paper on the open forum in due course. LONDON to Barry Wilson at South Moor. The section would like to thank Mr Chard and This month I would like to congratulate the fol- Congratulations to section chairman all the staff at Padbrook for making our day so lowing on their new appointments: Richard Greane on becoming a enjoyable. Paul McDowell, new head greenkeeper at grandad! Our next meeting will be the new summer Slinfold Park Golf and Country Club. Paul leaves tournament and workshop which has been spon- our section and I would like to thank him for all JIMMY RICHARDSON sored by Jacobsen & MST and will be held at his work on the committee. Yelverton GC on Wednesday June 22 with start Paul Cooper has been appointed head green- SOUTH WEST times from 12.30-2pm. The workshop starts at keeper at Bushey Golf and Country Club. As highlighted in April's issue, a grant has 2.30pm and evening meal at 6.45pm, followed Jeff Donovan has been appointed head green- recently been given by the R&A for use in by the prize presentation and raffle. keeper at the new course at Barnet, Bridgedown putting together a central library for the benefit RICHARD WHYMAN GC. of members. Any suggestions for book purchases Terry Colvill has been appointed assistant and/or donations or loans of relevant books NORTH SCOTLAND head greenkeeper at Mill Hill GC. would be productive. The intention to make The section would like to welcome four new Terry has also recently qualified for them available to members attending courses at members: John Littlejohn, the deputy course the TV gameshow 'Gladiators'. Aldwark or on a normal loan and return basis manager at Newmacher, Aberdeen; also from I would like to wish all the lads the means that everybody can benefit. Anyone inter- Newmacher is assistant Patrick Wood; from best of luck. ested can contact me or headquarters direct. nearby Alford we welcome Jonathon Lester; and TONY DUNSTAN Some interest is being shown in training from King James VI GC in Perth comes appren- courses, with, hopefully, a few more members tice Kenneth Odonnell. Transferring into the WEST SCOTLAND now being aware of emergency first-aid proce- area is Graeme Flett from Fife who is the new Not a lot to report this month unless you count dures should the need arise. head greenkeeper at Newtonmore GC. It is good wind, rain, snow, sleet and hail, which brings me The section golf matches between the secre- to see a regular monthly influx of new members onto the subject of the annual North v South of taries on June 28, South Wales on October 5 and but unfortunately we seem to have lost about 30 the river football match. Picture the scene, it's the South Coast on October 25 need teams. of last year's members. Hopefully they will be re- Sunday at Ibrox community football pitch. It's Interested in playing? Applications can be made joining but if anyone knows of a colleague who cold, very cold, snow intermingled with icy rain by returning the slip in the recent section letter has not taken up membership again then please and yet they still turned up. Earlier the snow had along with any suggestions for events for the ask them if they have a reason for it. Maybe we been cleared from the lines so that play could go 1995 fixture list. can solve any problems they have in joining. ahead. Nevertheless, 9.50am and the whistle Congratulations to Guy Woods on his appoint- Obviously there are a few people lost each year blows to start a game that gave new meaning to ment as head greenkeeper at Landsdown GC. due to retirement, change of career, relocation slide tackles. Joe McKean (referee) kept tight Finally, many new members have joined the etc, but this year's figure seems a bit high!. control on the proceedings and has to be con- section over recent months. We welcome you Some news comes in from the North East. gratulated on suffering the elements and the vol- and look forward to meeting you at section Firstly, Hughie Mclatchie at Peterhead is proud ley of abuse and calls for offside he received events in the future, like the next one at Filton to announce that his female apprentice Aileen from both teams. GC on July 27. Snowden has finished her time and is now a The game was finally brought to an end at KEVIN GREEN qualified greenkeeper. Well done, Aileen. 11am with the score standing at 3-1 in favour of DEVON AND CORNWALL Hughie also tells me of someone's misfortune the South. Although Pollock man Stephen Padbrook Park GC was the venue for our March that became another person's good luck. A ship McGeachy should have been playing for the meeting, which saw more than 60 members lost its load of newly cut timber and various South, he was given to the North after turning competing over the excellently presented nine- links courses around the North East were able to up late and scored their only goal. hole course for the Supaturf Trophy for head pick up trailer loads of good planks!. New build- ings are going up as a result. It's a pity it didn't able to share your experience at practical work- quite make it over to Tain. Around the Green shops? If so, please call me on 0829 250556. The Scottish Conference at Elmwood College, To finish this month, a public thank-you from Fife was a great success with a full house and our chairman, Brian Anderson, to the Welsh Golf quality speakers. I, along with my deputy Gor- Union for very kindly making a presentation to don Mckie, attended the workshops on the pre- him in recognition of the quality of the Abergele vious day and found them excellent as well, with course on the occasion of the Over-35s Champi- much learnt. onship. Finally, are there any members interested in ANDY CAMPBELL first-aid courses? If there is sufficient demand, I can set up some training days in the area. With this having been explained, it was off to Remember, by law all courses must the Stoneleigh test centre for a spot of lunch and SCOTTISH REGION have at least one first-aider who has a machinery demonstration. A number of Even though most of the rest of Scotland was been trained in the last three years! machines were demonstrated as well as the com- suffering under torrential showers, Dunbar lay Contact me on 0862 894402 plete range of Massey Ferguson compact tractors sunny and bright for the Scottish Region annual IAIN MACLEOD varying from 17-35hp turbo. An excellent range match against the secretaries. However there of tractors with just too many good, new fea- was a 'slight breeze', actually it was a full scale NORTH ENGLAND tures to mention. gale and the beach proved to be a popular place Our annual dinner, at Northcliffe GC, was a very Thanks to all at Stoneleigh, Massey Ferguson for golf ball hunting. One look at the gale and a pleasant, enjoyable evening. All were mes- UK and Ted and Chriss Hopkins for a splendid quick word with Graham Wood, "let us play off merised with the outrageous illusionist come- day out, even if the bus did break down on the the front markers, Graham". So ably led by dian Madman Burnette (aptly named) for an way home. chairman Gordon Moir, off we set to retrieve the hour. After a short break he continued to enter- On March 15, at Sandfields, Bristol, Avoncrop Trophy. Was it a wise move by the selection tain us with some pleasant singing and dance invited many greenkeepers to their premises for committee to put one links greenkeeper in each music. Some 60-plus members attended. The a factory visit and seminar. The seminar was pairing? Well, all but two. Surely in this gale food and wine enhanced the evening even more. based on an update of new chemicals from the their experience would be invaluable. And so it My thanks to all members who helped on the Rhone-Poulenc stable, presented by Paul Clifton. proved as the first two pairings returned a win. evening especially Sara and Bob Lupton, Ken These included Twister Flow, Castaway Plus and However the next five matches were won alter- Christie, Roy Fenton, Phillip Taylor and all the Vitesse. There was also a talk on top-dressisngs nately by the secretaries then the greenkeepers. staff at Northcliffe GC where we were made with the STRI's south-west adviser, Peter Winter, So with one match to go it was 4-3 in favour of most welcome. covering the whys, whens and if you should. The us, but we need an outright win. Everyone anx- I am pleased to welcome to our section the day was extremely well attended amd exception- iously watched for Jimmy Neilson and Norman following new members: Derrick Redhead, Mar- ally well organised and we thank Avoncrop and Wood coming in. Ah, big beaming smiles and shall Gordon Monkhouse, Richard Longstaff, espcially Rod Feltham for his hospitality and the Trophy is ours. Stephen Awde, all from Penrith GC, David look forward to future visits for, despite a reces- Well done lads and you all get a game next Crampton of Hatfield Hall GC, Benjamin Turner sion, Avoncrop have expansion in mind. year. Well maybe some names will have to be of Outlane GC, Philip Simpson of Oakdale GC, March also saw the winter lecture programme looked at. To let you know how windy it was, Gary Potter of Skipton GC, Simon Mcllwaine of coming to an end with Lyn Davies of Pencoed Graham's men were out divoting fairways and Wetherby GC, Christopher Williamson of Keigh- College presenting a paper on 'Conservation on they were walking down the 6th fairway and fill- ley GC, and Andrew Ivel of Moor Allerton GC. the Golf Course'. An interesting and informative ing the divot marks on the 17th which runs par- If any new member requires any information evening was again had by all in attendance, even allel. The course was, as usual, in great please contact me on 0274 568128. though the title was a little misleading, or was it condition and the inner man was extremely well There are still a few places left on our golfing that the subject deviated slightly? catered for, so thanks to all at Dunbar Golf Club events, if you have not booked yet please do so Our sincere thanks to Lyn and to all those who for a most enjoyable day. One of my opponents immediately by sending your name and £10 presented papers throughout the winter and on spotting the Bass Rock Offshore reckoned 'it deposit to me, to avoid disappointment. made the programme such a success. I hope that must be windy, Ailsa Craig's been blown round PAT MURPHY this year's programme will be as varied and to this side'. enjoyable. Our annual conference was held at Elmwood SOUTH WALES Many new members have joined the section College. Eight speakers gave a varied and com- With the weather remaining as wet as ever into this year and we look sure to break the 150 bar- prehensive programme in many aspects of golf. March, a few days away from the course were rier. I look forward to meeting as many of you as Norval Black, principal of Elmwood College, possible without suffering too much of an attack I can throughout the year, whether it's at our gave us a warm welcome to the college and set of conscience. golf days or the educational evenings. Mean- the pace for an interesting day. Our morning On March 10, Ted and Chriss Hopkins of Ted while, if you have any queries, please contact me chairman was Jim Paton, West Kilbride Golf Hopkins & Son, Newport, took us to Massey Fer- on 0850 716403 or 0792 233923. Club. Elmwood's own head of greenkeeping sec- guson's headquarters at Stoneleigh. The atten- PETER LACEY tion, Carol Borthwick, started the day off with an dance should have been better but, as usual, a up to the minute report on greenkeeping educa- few failed to turn up (mind you, it was the finest NORTH WALES tion, with special reference to SVQs. By the title day of the year upto then). So, with this playing Firstly, congratulations and best wishes to the of Steve Isaac's from STRI talk, Grooming the on our minds, we headed up the M5 Coventry- following members on their appointments: Ain Green, we could have been forgiven for wonder- bound. Buckley who has joined the new development at ing if our greens would look better with a short After first visiting the tractor museum and Northop Country Park as first assistant; George back and sides. He certainly made us think about then watching the 'History of Massey Ferguson' Whitby who is moving into the area from Ponte- the use and overuse of groomers. Very diplo- video, we entered the factory. Boy, what a fac- fract GC to take over as head greenkeeper at matic Steve spoke of the red, orange or green tory! I've had the pleasure of visiting a number Chirk GC; Craig Wheeler who has moved from machines. of major machinery manufacturers' premises Delamere to Frodsham GC to become assistant In the capable hands of ex-rugby referee Eddie over the past few years, but this was the largest head; Tony Wellings on his move from Carden Sheret, Lothian Golf Association, the title 'Course so far and can only be described as enormous!. Park to the new Eaton course at Waverton, Rating Review' was brought into reality and not Hang on a minute, could this be right? Blue Chester; and our old friend Mark Proctor on his just another piece of legislation that the authori- tractors rolling off the assembly line?. Does that appointment as course manager at St Pierre ties want and no-one else cares about. Kevin Sta- say Iseki on the side of it? For those of you who Chepstow after a spell working in Germany. bles, well respected Scottish club professional at haven't heard, Massey Ferguson UK have The committee would like to welcome all new Montrose Links, told us what he thought of Scot- entered into an agreement with Iseki Japan members and look forward to seeing you at our tish golf courses and what he looks for in a whereby Massey Ferguson UK now produce Iseki functions. course whilst playing on the Tartan Tour. It was tractors over 40hp for the expert market, ie On a slightly different note, what about you nice to hear good commonsense views from Japan, and Iseki Japan produce Massey Fergu- retired members out there? With so many new Kevin and I'm sure he will be welcome on all our son compact tractors for export, ie Great Britain. courses being built and with it the influx of courses this year. Clear? Good. young people into the profession would you feel Douglas Dalgleish finished off the morning

GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL May 1994 29 session in his own inimitable fashion. Douglas, MIDLAND the president of the Scottish Golf Union, has his For our final lecture of the winter, at Telford Golf own ideas on how golf clubs should be managed Around the Green and Country Club, the speakers were Bob Pils- and operated. His description of different types bury from Alexanders and Bill Oliver from Hardi of amateur golfers brought many laughs and Sprayers. The numbers were a little disappoint- thoughts of 'I've got some of them in my club'. ing with only 20 people turning out for what was Communication and co-operation between all a most enjoyable afternoon. Many thanks to our parties involved in running golf clubs were two speakers and their respective companies four points which came through in his talk. We went supporting our section event. off happily to lunch and it must have been a We would like to welcome the following new good mornng as, come 1pm, the hall was filled the day so successful. His special thanks went to members to our section and look forward to again. Our afternoon chairman was Willie Blair the Scottish Region patrons who sponsor the meeting you at our future events - Wayne Broad- from Kingsknowe GC. Ian McMillan, course man- conference every year. way, Vincent Gilroy, Craig Roberts, Graham ager at Balbirnie Park, took us through his life ELLIOTT SMALL Rushton, Neil Turner, Paul Adams, Trevor Stone and times at Balbirnie. 'Thru Flood and Fire' was ad Paul Underhill. the title of his talk and these were only some of EAST MIDLANDS On April 13 we finally played our spring tour- the problems he has encountered over the years. Congratulations go to Richard Parker who, along nament after being cancelled the previous week Well done Ian, now which Scottish greenkeepers with his Longcliffe pro and two members, has due to adverse weather conditions. We apologise can we tempt up on to the platform next year? returned from a pro-am tournament in Spain for any inconvenience caused. The tournament You get a free lunch you know! Some subjects with first prize. played at Trentham GC was eventually won by can be very difficult to make interesting and our Gavin Robson of Lingdale GC has been nomi- Peter Holtham with Paul Loffman winning the last two speakers had this dubious task. nated to represent the section for this year's ICI gross prize. Mike Hughes, in the absence of our Douglas Shearer, consultant agronomist, Premier Greenkeeper of the Year Award. I'm sure chairman, presented the prizes and thanked brought us up-to-date with pesticides, that is if it all our members would like to wish him all the everyone for making our day so enjoyable. is possible to be completely up-to-date. I'm sure best. Date to remember: June 6 - summer the powers that be wait until we have nearly This month we welcome three new members tournament, Fulford Heath GC (clos- caught up and then make new rules. However to our section: Paul Knowles of Overstone Park ing date for entry is May 11). If you back to Douglas who is one of the few that can GC, Northampton; Nicholas Dowman of Belton haven't got a form and would like to make pesticides regulations sound interesting Park GC; and Paul Holmes of The Notts GC, play, call me on 0789 762912. and also put the fear of death into you. Now Hollinwell. It is hoped that all these members DEAN CLEAVER what do I do with these contaminated gloves will attend section events as they will be made again? No, not your teeth you fool! most welcome. HAYTER CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT And finally, what did we know about fertilis- With this year's singles and pairs K/O about to The following golfers from the Devon and Cornwall ers? Well, after Keith McKee, amenity manager begin, may I remind all entrants to make sure section have qualified for the regional final at Bude for Fisons, had finished we knew a lot more. matches are played before the closing dates. and North Cornwall GC on Wednesday June 15: 0- Again a difficult subject ably covered by an obvi- Finally, if any member has any news they 9 handicap - T Ramsden, C Bland, C Rawlings, M ous expert. Gordon Moir, Scottish Region chair- would like to see in this column, they can contact Gilbert, J Mitchell; 10-18 - B Ridgeway, T Pipe, T man, proposed thanks to all the speakers and me on 0533 890301. Gooch, M Bosley, W Potter; 19-28 - A James, S chairmen and everyone else involved in making ANTHONY BINDLEY Evans, S Milne, J Barr, J Bullen. BRIENKEIPER International J. & J. Learmonth This space could Makers and suppliers of quality outdoor be working for furniture to golf clubs and local authorities throughout the UK you from only £75 per month. Made by craftsmen... for the Professionals Call Carol or Joinery manufacturers and specialist woodworkers. Louise on KIRRIEMUIR, SCOTLAND DD8 5LH 0347 838581 Tel: (0575) 572112 Fax: (0575) 573168 A BIGGA Thank

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Name:.. For details of how you can support the Education and Development Fund, Contact BIGGA at Aldwark Manor, ...Postcode:... Aldwark, Alne, York Y06 2NF. Clip this coupon and post with your cheque made payable to BIGGA, to BIGGA, Aldwark Manor, BIGGA Aldwark, Alne, York Y06 2NF. Write the details on a separate sheet if you don't want to cut up your magazine. Telephone: 0347 838581 Fax: 0347 838864 % % Annual meadow grass The debate continues

Independent turfgrass Growth characteristics of annual and perennial biotypes of a yellow green colour especially agronomist Neil Baldwin adds Poa annua when under stress due, for exam- to the debate by giving the ple, to drought or cold tempera- reasons why he believes Annual biotype Perennial biotype tures. Its prolific seeding in late Poa annua var. Poa annua var. reptans annual meadow grass has no annua L. Timm (Hauskins) Timm spring can give a white appear- place on a putting green. Life cycle Mostly annual but sometimes ance to the surface. biennial However, during a limited Growth habit Erect, compact bunch type Low growing. Spreads by period, annual meadow grass ver since the first principles growth prostrate stolons and tillers may have an adequate appear- Eof greenkeeping were estab- ance, but as golf is an all-year- lished, the colonisation of golf Flowers Panicles are open with dense Panicles are open with sparse seed formation to moderate seed formation round sport it must be said that greens by annual meadow grass annual meadow grass provides a has been at the forefront of dis- Tiller number Variable. Low in spring and High. Produces secondary poor surface from the visual high in autumn tillers. More stable growth. cussion. In fact there has proba- stance. From the playing view- bly been more debate revolving Rooting Few adventitious roots Numerous adventitious roots point annual meadow grass is around this grass species than on Seed dormancy Will germinate after dormancy Can germinate within three present in virtually every golf all other topics relating to fine of two or more months days of maturity on the plant green countrywide and so it is turf maintenance combined. difficult to be exact as to how it Whilst certain agronomists are compares to 100 per cent totally opposed to annual article to even attempt to rewrite well as intermediary types but in bent/fescue swards. However meadow grass and see no place everything that is known, but cer- the majority of cases it is the from our knowledge of annual for it within golf greens whatso- tain relative facts are given as its perennial form that dominates. meadow grass and how it affects ever, others are non-committed biology relates to fine turf man- Thus, we are really dealing with a the surface we can come to the and take the 'easy' middle ground agement. perennial form of a grass with conclusion that it is detrimental and yet more say it has a place Annual meadow grass may 'annual' in its name! to the playing quality of the green and a role to fulfil. occur in golf greens in many dif- Now we have defined the plant for the following reasons: The recent expansion of golf ferent forms (biotypes) ranging we are dealing with, we can dis- 1. Due to its growth habit, annual and increasing numbers of from true annuals to a handy cuss its suitability as a component meadow grass often occurs in courses being constructed has led perennial form. The annual form of fine turf. clumps or discreet patches. Thus, to many people offering their ser- (Poa annua ssp. annua or erecta) There are several reasons why in combination with the different vices as 'agronomists' and these seeds rapidly, usually within two annual meadow grass is not growth habits of bent and fescue, people, usually those without any months after germination and favoured as the ideal grass for it may produce a bumpy uneven real technical training or experi- then dies. The perennial form (P. fine turf. Turf is often judged sim- sward. ence have in fact spread much annua ssp. reptans) is slower ply by its colour. A bent/fescue 2. Annual meadow grass pro- misinformation, resulting in a growing, has a creeping growth sward is able to maintain its dark duces thatch much more rapidly confused and misinformed green- habit, seeds more slowly and may green colour year round which is than bent/fescue, which can keeping industry. Thus, it is the overwater. In UK golf greens both in contrast to annual meadow become waterlogged to produce a aim of this article to present some forms may be found together, as grass which may naturally pale to soft surface more prone to pitch of the basic facts relating to marks and also a surface that has annual meadow grass, its biology a slow speed. and its characteristics relating to 3. Annual meadow grass is by far its suitability as a turfgrass the grass most susceptible to species. In this way it is hoped attack by fusarium patch and that the basic record on annual anthracnose diseases. meadow grass may be restored These are the principal disad- and this article may be presented vantages with annual meadow as a true no-nonsense record of grass. I make no apology by start- annual meadow grass in fine turf. ing from the negative viewpoint Annual meadow grass has been as, in my opinion, these far out- studied intensively and its biology weigh the advantages of annual has been reviewed several times meadow grass being a species from 1937 onwards. But only that can provide at least some last year was an overview of form of cover on the poor com- chemical control of annual pacted soils present on many meadow grass published. Thus, it greens and also is capable of tak- is inappropriate for this concise Colonisation of a thin turf surface by annual meadow grass ing and recovering from wear. Top picture: A 100 per cent annual meadow grass sward in winter. Note the pale colour in contrast to the green fairy rings in the foreground

Bottom: Fusarium patch scars in late winter on an annual meadow grass sward

From what is known about the link between annual meadow conditions that favour annual grass colonisation and excessive meadow grass, certain cultural watering. Automatic watering practices have been developed to systems should be used carefully favour bent/fescue and reduce and judiciously, not simply annual meadow grass at the same because they are there and it's time. Lowering the turf pH for not raining! The importance of example by making applications thatch reduction and relief of of acidifying fertilisers can create compaction by mechanical aera- conditions more favourable to tion cannot be over-emphasised maintaining bent/fescue as these as it is important in favouring grasses can grow at lower pH's bent/fescue and discouraging than annual meadow grass. annual meadow grass. Also there is strong evidence In conclusion, we have seen that excessive amounts of phos- that annual meadow grass has phate are present in many golf many disadvantages, and it is the greens and that annual meadow author's view that it cannot make grass is favoured by a readily a reasonable putting surface all available source of phosphate. In year round as the demands of the the long term, eliminating phos- game of golf dictate. The way for- phate applications will help to ward must be to formulate a reduce the annual meadow grass management plant that favours content. However, it must be bent/fescue and discourages remembered that phosphate per- annual meadow grass. If this is sists in the turf profile and it is implemented then a look to the used very slowly, so creating low future should see annual meadow levels of phosphate may be a long grass decline gradually and finer process. There is also a strong grass take their rightful place.

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Amazone Ground Care - A division of Amazone Ltd. Administration Centre Rowse, Pillaton, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 6QU. Tel: (0579) 51155, Fax: (0579) 51057. Sales, Service and Parts Centre: Cuckoo Copse, Lambourn Woodlands, Newbury, GROUND CARE Berkshire RG16 7TJ. Tel: (0488) 73722, Fax: (0488) 72698. AD REF 116 To hire or to buy? Michael Bird weighs up the options and talks to greenkeepers with their own ideas about capital investments. Greenkeepers achinery hire has become a Mprofitable venture for Whitchurch Golf Club on one spe- cific item of machinery. In the early 1980s, the Cardiff club hired in a turf cutter up to four times a year to help with tee count the costs of extensions, course repairs and other turf renovation work. Today, Whitchurch owns its own machine, hiring it out to other golf courses when available. The venture's success has now cov- ered both the turf cutter's initial hiring or buying purchase price and its running costs. "A two day hire used to cost us buying. In 1985, Whitchurch pur- Whitchurch Golf Club is £19 a An exception to that rule is the £36," explained course manager, chased its own Brouwer machine day and Dennis points out that, Robin Dagger, a portable Dennis Archer. "The machine for £1,700. nine years on, the machine is still machine which injects com- might be on the course for up to "As soon as it arrived, we had in excellent condition. "The major pressed air through a steel probe a week at a time, but was stand- requests from other organisations benefit is that we have our own to loosen soil and relieve com- ing idle more often than not wanting to borrow it," said Den- equipment and have first call on paction at depths up to 45cm while the ground was prepared nis. "We were happy to do this it. The fact that it produces an (18in). ready for turf laying. When deliv- providing it was available, but income is a bonus." "We hire it in to do all the ery charges were added to the with three conditions. It could go Dennis believes that a turf cut- greens twice a year and the tees total hire bill, we found that that only to other golf clubs. They had ter makes an ideal hire item due when needed," noted Pat. the annual cost was substantial." to collect and return it. And a to its ease of use and limited "Although it does a superb job Reasoning that a turf cutter charge was made to cover blade number of wearing parts. He with minimal surface distur- should last for many years if and machine wear and tear." commented that the club had bance, the club will not consider properly used and looked after, Demand was such that by 1990 looked long and hard at joint spending almost £4,000 on a Dennis produced figures to the turf cutter had paid for itself. ownership of larger, more com- machine which can be hired for demonstrate the economies of The current hire charge made by plex machines but had been dis- £300 a week. It's almost made suaded by concerns over the list, but concerns over long- availability during difficult sea- term reliability and running costs sons and the ultimate responsibil- will probably keep it as a hire TURF MACHINERY LTD ity for breakages, damage and item." major repairs. One machine which went onto "Buying and hiring both have the club's "shopping list" the first 3A Monument Way West, Woking, Surrey GU21 5EN an important role to play," he year it was hired was a combined Telephone: 0483 764467 Fax: 0483 767928 said. "For example, we use a con- flail cutter, scarifier and sweeper tract service for the annual patch with integral collection hopper. spraying of fairways, bunker "We used to hire one in twice a THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE edges and other problem weed year for leaf collection in the FOR PROFESSIONAL USERS areas, and yet have our own autumn and general turf tidying sprayer for pesticide and liquid in early spring," explained Pat. fertiliser applications on the "When we saw its potential for greens, tees and surrounds. scarifying and mowing, we EQUIPMENT HIRE "The benefit of the contractor is realised it could earn its keep that he does the complete job for throughout the year." We stock a wide range of specialist turf and grass care what it would cost us in chemi- Despite the obvious benefits, it machinery available on short or long term hire. cals alone. I estimate it saves the took eight years for the machine club up to £600 a year." to reach the top of the purchase Pat Murphy, course manager at list. The problem, as Pat CONTRACT MAINTENANCE Shipley Golf Club, West York- explained, was that long-term shire, stressed that the decision forward planning and budgeting We offer turf aeration, hollow coring with core collection, whether to hire or buy was dic- was not formalised at the club verti-draining, top dressing, overseeding, tated first and foremost by bud- until four or five years ago. verti-cutting and other operations. get. He prefers to own the As a result, Shipley Golf Club machines he uses and the club did not take delivery of its own has a five year forward replace- machine - an RL 1502 Versatile MACHINERY SALES ment policy, placing machines on unit from Richard Long Engineer- the purchase list according to ing - until last autumn. UK distributor for Turfco turfcutters, top dressers need. The contract hire of a JCB dig- and powered edgers. "Obviously, important equip- ger/loader with driver is one item ment such as mowers are that will, however, remain an changed on a regular basis," he annual event. Used for greens' SPAREPARTS commented. "Other items that we reconstruction, tee building and would like but cannot afford drainage works, the man and AD We hold more than 6,000 quality parts to fit many immediately are noted and hired machine arrive in September and REF European and American grass and turf care machines. 101 until we have the money avail- remain for about a week. "We've able to buy them." had the same operator for the A popular hire Item with most golf clubs for seasonal course works, the digger-loader can make a good buy at plant hire auction sales

past 24 years, so he knows what mum of three weeks out of 52." Turfmech Machinery Ltd in the task - the management of he's doing," commented Pat. "The To ensure that the machine form of fairway scarifying and heather covering large areas of combination makes a valuable and operator are available when grass collection. Based at Hixon the 54 hole course. short-term addition to my team." he needs them, Gerry books the in Staffordshire, the firm uses its Course manager, Alan Holmes, Brian Turner, head green- Verti-drain up to nine months own scarifier, tractor-mounted explained that the freedraining keeper at Worplesdon Golf Club, ahead with Surrey-based contract blower and vacuum collector to glacial soils did not encourage near Guildford, Surrey, used to firm, Turf Machinery Ltd. How- treat up to nine fairways in a day. heavy grass growth. As a result, hire in a JCB and driver for tree ever, this arrangement does not Head greenkeeper at Stone gangs were used for the semi- planting and course construction commit him to taking the service Golf Club, Mark O'Malley, has rough while the club's flail works two or three times during if the weather or turf conditions used the service for the past three mower kept the rougher area the year. That was until he are not suitable. years to encourage stronger and under control. noticed that a nearby plant hire "The company is both flexible finer grass regrowth on fairways Although the flail machine had company was holding a liquida- and helpful, always checking a suffering from compaction due to been used successfully on the tion sale. few days ahead that we are ready increasing levels of play. "We had heather in the past, its action is "We picked up a JCB and a for the Verti-drain," he pointed not carried out any regular fair- quite aggressive and the plants vibrating roller at knock-down out. "I use them also for hollow way maintenance during the pre- took maybe two seasons to prices," he said. "I can now coring every other year. They are vious 10 years," he explained. recover. Burning was out of the choose the optimum times to the only local contract hire firm I "Drainage was suffering, so we question. carry out course work to suit the know which offers a mechanised bought a fairway slitter." "I reasoned that the best course weather and turf conditions. If it core collection service. As a Being a nine hole private would be regular topping to rains one day, we can get on with result, we can do all 27 holes in a course, funds for machinery maintain even, yet controlled another job without paying for a day. The core collector can clear investment are limited to essen- growth," he said. "However, I did day's wasted hire. The vibrating 18 greens in the time it took us to tial items. The ability to hire in a not want to spend £12,000 on a roller has also proved invaluable do one by hand." contract fairway scarifying service machine that would be used for for path construction. I recom- A different specialist contract therefore proved a great attrac- only 20 days a year. Hiring was mend all greenkeepers to keep an hire service is offered by tion, especially when told that for the obvious solution." eye open in the local and trade around £1,000, one is hiring Turning to Huxleys Grass press for plant hire sell-offs." machinery valued at £30,000 Machinery at Broxburn, near Gerry Haynes is responsible for together with the labour to carry Edinburgh, Alan hired a Turf 18 and nine hole parkland out the work. Blazer 727 outfront ride-on courses at Hartsbourne Golf and "The fairways have benefited rotary mower. "We experimented Country Club, Bushey Heath, tremendously from the treatment at various cutting heights and Herts, where hiring is preferred and golfers have commented on found that 5 inches was ideal," he to buying in two particular situa- the improved grass growth," com- said. "Apart from doing a good tions: For short, intensive jobs mented Mark. "We plan to scarify job on the heather, it appears that carried out once or twice a year again this year and then will rotary topping will also help keep and for those tasks which tend to probably alternate it with a hired the broom at bay. be highly repetitive or slow and, Verti-drain, according to need." "Hiring provides sufficient flexi- as a result, boring for his staff. Hiring of a rotary mower is not bility without an accompanying "Verti-draining is one example a typical golf course requirement, high level of expenditure. For our which combines both situations," as most clubs are normally well particular needs, I see no advan- he said. "I cannot see that it is equipped with grass cutting tage in owning a machine whose worthwhile buying and maintain- Dennis Archer, course manager at equipment. Blairgowrie Golf Club depreciation in the first year is Whitchurch Golf Club. Hiring out the ing a £12,000-plus machine club's turf cutter has paid for its in Perthshire, however, needed a equivalent to three times the hire which will be used for a maxi- purchase and running costs rotary mower for a rather special charge." In the first year of use I have found Rimidin* to be the most effective and easy to apply fungicide I have had the a Bastion T* is quite simply the best pleasure of using. selective weed killer I've ever used! fj

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The Way Forward, a discussion document which is a committee of one plus the head mental standards rather than having them of British golf course management greenkeeper. imposed on the game by bureaucrats in Brus- produced by the R&A's greenkeeping Once it was published, we said to the sels. That is really where we've got to now. panel, is now five years old. It pointed national unions, 'OK, this is what we believe These things are all ongoing, it's a compara- the way for greenkeepers and course should happen and now we hope that the tively slow process - you don't expect to management to go, but did it change national unions will take this up and will edu- change things overnight, but I think certainly anything? During a recent trip to cate the golf clubs, and committees in golf people are more aware now, and we still get Scotland, Chris Boiling went to see clubs, on how they should go about reacting requests for copies of The Way Forward from Michael Bonallack, secretary of the to the proposals with their greenkeeping golf clubs. Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St staff.' The English Golf Union in particular I think the standards that were set out in Andrews, to find out. After the initial have been very active in this respect, and run that booklet are becoming much more accept- pleasantries, the conversation with the seminars and educational programmes and I able, people recognise now the needs for former amateur champion went like think it's gone well in England. It has in Scot- this... land but probably not to the same extent. We also formed a joint golf course com- mittee which is composed of a chairman from the R&A and representatives from the four Home Unions. The idea of that Greenkeeper International: The Way Forward is committee is to recommend to our exter- widely read in greenkeeping circles. Can you nal funds committee areas where we give me some insight into how it came about, might usefully provide money whether the R&A's role in it, and whether it's changed it's for research into greenkeeping mat- anything? ters, whether it's in support for the Green- keepers Association, or greenkeeper Michael Bonallack: The R&A have a very training through the Greenkeeper Training strange role in golf. We are the governing Committee. The joint golf course committee authority for the rules of golf and amateur has been fairly active, they've now become status, and we have no other responsibility involved in things like the environment really apart from the championship side and in particular in setting a stan- where we run the Open Championship, ama- dard which we hope will be teur championships, and pick players for accepted by Brussels, so Great Britain and Ireland's amateur teams. that golf will be set- We got involved in the Way Forward as a ting its own result of forming a committee to decide environ- where the money generated from the Open was spent. We decided that there were three particular areas where money could usefully be spent - green- keeping, new golf course development, and coaching for youngsters. This was at a time when greenkeeping associations were not totally unified, as they are now, and we formed a technical commit- tee to examine the various problems that they could see in greenkeeping. On that commit- tee, with others, were Jim Arthur, who is an agronomist, a golf club secretary in Keith Almond, and Walter Woods, who's the course superintendent here at St Andrews. In this document the committee set out what they thought was the way forward for committees to go about greenkeeping matters in the future. It was putting more emphasis on the greenkeeper controlling how the course was maintained rather than six or seven commit- tee people who were there for one or two years dictating the policy. In that document they set out their ideal committee structure, firmer, faster greens, for regular aeration, for to draw up a British specification for con- less water, less fertilisers, and this is common struction of golf greens. If courses are con- practice now. Nearly every club seems to use Looking back at structed in the right way in the first instance deep aeration every winter on their greens. then there is going to be less chance of them And so I think the Way Forward has done a The Way Forward going wrong during the maintenance. lot of good. GI: What else are they working on? GI: Are the problems highlighted in it, like over- play, year-round golf, faulty construction, MB: The other thing they've been working unsound agronomic management, ever-chang- hard greens. I think greenkeepers tended to on is environmental concerns. The environ- ing committees, insufficient budgets, any better pander to the players who wanted to stop it mental lobby has certainly become fairly now? just by making the greens softer - anybody vocal recently. There's a group, I think, can stop it on a soft green, that doesn't formed in the Far East which is the Anti-Golf MB: In a way I think things are better because require any skill at all. Even the average Group trying to stop all golf development, there have been a number of new golf courses golfer recognises now that that's not a good but I don't think they'll have very much suc- built, so some of the demand that was caus- way to go about it because with soft greens cess. But golf has got to be seen to be ing the problems has been taken off existing you get thatch and you then get all the prob- responsible and not to desecrate the coun- courses. I think the human aspect, through lems of poor greens in the winter, the course tryside and in actual fact golf has a very greenkeeper education, is improving all the closed, or playing on temporary greens. That's strong case as it protects wildlife rather than time. Standards of greenkeeping are improv- one thing I think which has improved over destroys it. The game's got nothing to apolo- ing, the advisory services are very good, and, the past few years, the number of courses gise for, it's just got to publicise its work bet- generally, golf clubs are accepting now the now that don't require temporary greens in ter and show people that golf courses are need for proper maintenance. the winter. They can keep going on their havens for wildlife, you get rare flowers, ani- proper greens because they've been properly mals and insects that don't exist anywhere GI: Is the golfing public becoming better edu- maintained. else but they do on golf courses. So this is an cated about greenkeeping matters? I think there have been a lot of improve- area where we have been actively con- ments but a lot of them are fairly gradual and cerned. MB: Yes, I think they are. They'll soon tell you you don't notice that they're taking place. Also, greenkeeper training, the committee if the course is not in good condition.... When the Way Forward was written very few has become involved in that, and in research courses would use aeration to any great at the Sports Turf Research Institute. They GI: But from a knowledgeable point of view? extent. A lot of clubs have bought their own recommend to our general committee which verti-drain machine now. That's become a areas of research should be encouraged and MB: I think they recognise now that it is a regular occurrence now whereas it was the which ones we should give money to. It is false idea to have soft greens where you can exception rather than the rule. That can only ongoing, you can't expect the manufacturers stop the ball with almost any club. I think be good. to do it all. Manufacturers are trying to sell a that was one of the biggest problems we had product whereas the STRI should be trying in golf - the wish that anybody could stop a GI: Is the technical panel still in existence? to find out what is the best way of tackling a ball on the green whereas the pros have con- particular problem without any commercial siderable skill to stop it and they do it on very MB: Yes, they have been very busy in trying bias.

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The trick of the blade?... grind with an Atterton and then cut the grass...it's no trick...it's magic! NOW WITH RELIEF GRINDING ATTACHMENT AND LIFTING TABLE ATTERTON & ELLIS LTD Manufacturers of fine Grinders for over 100 years Iron Works, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 8QH Tel: (0440) 702312 Fax: (0440) 712138 GI: In The Way Forward, those areas where the club. Under that we have a championship panel would like to see action taken were aster- committee with its own championship secre- isked. How many of those areas have seen Looking back at tary which is responsible for running all the change? British amateur championships (boys, youths, The Way Forward seniors) and international matches, and they MB: I think we have seen some movement also run the Open Championship which is the away from the demands for Augusta type oldest championship in the world and now a courses which call for a lot of water and fer- very big business. We then have the rules of tiliser and the idea that green is beautiful. golf committee which is responsible world- Nature conservancy, as I have said, is some- greenkeepers are one of the keys to the whole wide for the rules of golf, except in the United thing that is a concern and is being dealt future of the game. If you've got good head States and Mexico, and that committee again with. A proper working relationship with the greenkeepers you're going to have good golf has its own secretary and that's responsible for Nature Conservancy Council is being estab- courses. Without good golf courses you won't making new rules, for making decisions on lished. We've published a joint booklet with have many golfers. existing rules, and educating people on rules. them on nature conservancy. They run seminars and exams for referees. Tests are certainly going on on the effect GI: What more can greenkeepers do to improve The amateur status committee, also has its which golf balls have on playing surfaces. their lot? own secretary and is responsible for laying That's certainly being looked at, especially the down the rules of amateur status worldwide. possible damage they can do to greens. MB: They are already making it a much more Then we have the finance committee which is The Unions have certainly become more attractive industry for people to come into and responsible for all the financial affairs of the aware, as I've said, conducting their own sem- I think that the new video produced by the club and the club committee which is respon- inars at club and county level. GTC and BIGGA is going to attract a lot of sible for the R&A as a golf club in St Andrews, The role of the greenkeeper has undoubt- youngsters into the profession because they and run like any other golf club except we're edly grown over the years, through the can now see that it is a very worthwhile and in the peculiar position that we don't own or growth of BIGGA, the exhibition at Harrogate rewarding career. I think that one of the run a golf course. and their profile as shown in the magazine. things that they have got to do is to sell the These are the committees and I am secre- That's one of the things that they suggested, opportunities that are there in greenkeeping tary of the R&A as an entity covering those that BIGGA needs a much higher profile in because golf is still expanding, especially on different functions. It's my job to make sure putting across the role of greenkeepers, well the continent. There are still new golf courses the committees operate in accordance with that's happened. being built and for every new course that's the policy of the general committee. They lay The STRI must have ways of publicising built you're going to need greenkeepers. I down the policy and, through the committee their advisory service. I think there is still think the opportunities for greenkeepers to secretaries, it's my job to make sure the poli- plenty to be done with the STRI but that is progress and to get involved, as they do in cies are followed. We are also involved in the something that is being looked at. America, in management is going to come World Amateur Golf Council which is respon- When you look at it, all in all, the areas over here. sible for running the world amateur team which have been highlighted have all been championships, for men and women, on a tackled to some extent, not as greatly as some GI: Do you think the Home Unions could do biannual basis. Then we also have sub-com- people would like but we have no authority more to support greenkeepers? mittees, such as the external funds supervisory to force people to carry out any of these rec- committee, and their job is to distribute the ommendations. It was an educational process MB: Some of the Home Unions are a bit wary profits that are made from the Open back into in that the panel put up certain ideas which about greenkeepers getting too powerful. I the game of golf for the development of the they thought would be good for the long-term don't see that as a problem at all. I think the game on as wide a scale as possible because future of golf in the hope that people would greenkeepers should be encouraged to one of the policies the general committee laid adopt them. And I'm glad to say that many improve their education. The Home Unions down many years ago was that the profits clubs have. are certainly supporting greenkeeper training from the Open cannot go back into the R&A as and education, but I think some people were a a club. The profits from the Open have to be GI: At the BTME I heard some greenkeepers bit scared that the Association was becoming a distributed for the benefit of golf, and it's for saying that they thought it might be time for trade union rather than an association. They this reason that we have been supporting another Way Forward. Are there any plans? thought there might be problems with clubs greenkeepers and greenkeeping matters, Has it been discussed at all? being faced with demands for wage increases because that is one positive way of putting and that it would be far more costly to main- money back into the game for the benefit of MB: Well, if there really was a need for a new tain golf courses. I don't think that's a danger everyone. Way Forward we would be happy to back it. at all. I think as greenkeepers become better I'm not sure that we should take a lead in educated and better trained you're going to GI: How long have you been doing this job? that. I'm not sure what is meant by a new pay them more because you get the results on Way Forward, it suggests that the ideas put the golf course - the golf course will be better MB: Nearly 11 years now. I came to the R&A forward in this document have been super- maintained and you'll get more people playing in June 1983 and took over as secretary in seded by something else. That's a very differ- and you'll get a bigger income. September '83. It seems like yesterday... ent matter, but I don't think they have. I think the basics are still the same, it's just a ques- GI: When the Way Forward was produced, GI: Do you still play golf? tion of re-raising them and reminding people BIGGA was in its infancy. What are the R&A's of them. If that's the idea, fine, but it's not views now about the Association, its role, where MB: I play occasionally, when I can. Everyone really our role. Having done it once I think it's it's going? imagines a golf club secretary has a lot of time up to the Unions and probably BIGGA to get to play golf, but that isn't the case. together on that. I think the greenkeepers, as MB: I think it has developed very well. It has a this document suggested, should be taking a definite image now. It has its own trade maga- GI: What's your handicap these days? very much higher profile in all greenkeeping zine. It has its own exhibition which has been matters. Maybe they should be relaunching very successful. And I think the whole profile MB: Three. The Way Forward. of the greenkeeping profession has been enhanced. GI: Do you play here at St Andrews? GI: In general, what's the R&A's view of green- keepers? GI: What exactly is your job as secretary of the MB: Yes, but I play mainly at Elie which is just R&A? down the road and is a wonderful example of MB: We are totally supportive of the role of how a golf course should be. The greens there greenkeepers, that's why we've been support- MB: If you look at it in terms of a company, are superb all year round, never on temporary ing them financially and also trying to help the R&A is a parent company of a number of greens. The greens are fast and true, even in them with the education of greenkeepers, we subsidiary companies. We have a general com- the middle of winter. And the course is never help the greenkeeping colleges. We think that mittee which is the overall committee of the closed unless it's got snow on it... ROLLER MOWER BEATS THE GANG

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THE MAJOR GROUNDSMAN ROLLERMOWERS • 1.5 metre coring width • No grease points. Fully • Variable spacing with a sealed throughout. • No V-belts - fully gear driven • Ideal for parks, amenity areas, choice of tine sizes. • Fits your tractor. From through shock absorbing golf courses, playing pitches and Hollow or solid tine. 22HP gearbox or couplings sports grounds • Productivity. 67,000 hydrostatic. • Opposite rotating blade • Various sizes available square feet per hour at Aerators Ltd, 3 Hillside Close, Euxton, Chorley, 2.6MPH. eliminates any windrowing and • Patented easy skid adjustment Lanes PR7 6JB. evenly spreads cutting • 3" blade overlap • Adjustable depth. Tel: (0257) 231861 • Cutting heights from 1/2"-4" • Full width rollers front & rear Depth capacity to 5 Fax: (0257)231861 inches. For Ireland please contact: Croft Turfgrass Industries, AD • Durability. Rubust all Greencrott, Castlebellingham, REF Co. Louth. Tel: 010 353 4272163 steel welded frame I 347 MAJOR EQUIPMENT LTD., Units 8/9 Calder Trading Estate,Leeds Rd, Bradley, Huddersfield, HD5 ORX AD Tel: (0484) 450411, Fax: (0484) 450412 REF 419

NOW SPRE IN YOUR Al TOP DRESSING BUNKERSAND R00TZ0NE TEES DRESSING ALL AGGREGATE PATH GRAVELS COCKLESHELL Landscape Industries Management WHY TURF IT WHEN YOU CAN in the spotlight

« I ost of the leading compa- I nies involved in turf man- SOD" IT agement will be at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on June 8 Nature and technology and 9 to show their products, technology and services. Landscape Industries brings working together together a combination of trade The Liquid Sod Technique a proven displays, working equipment, discussion sessions and specialist alternative to turf technical features - and admis- * Cost effective * Labour saving sion, parking and the exhibition catalogue are all free. JUNE 8/9 1994 Dense sward containing the same percentage There will be more than 200 National Agricultural Centre of species as sown in seed mixture companies displaying everything For further details, contact: from chemicals and mowers to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire nursery products, irrigation and The International Exhibition for the TURF MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS garden accessories. Many manu- Professional Landscape and Leisure Industries facturers will be able to demon- Dromenagh Farm, Seven Hills Road, strate their equipment in Dry Stone Walling Association, Iver Heath, Bucks SLO OPA realistic conditions. National Turfgrass Council, the Education is also of impor- Sports Turf Research Institute tance at Landscape Industries, so and the Joint Council for Land- Tel: (0895) 834411 many of the country's leading scape Industries, as well as ten industry organisations will be on specialist colleges. Fax: (0895) 834892 hand to offer advice. These The discussion sessions are an include ADAS, British Turf & established part of the exhibition Landscape Irrigation Association, and will include a couple of talks Arbicultural Association, City relevant to greenkeepers. Again, and Guilds, BALI, BLITO, I LAM, they are free. Vt^ Premier €¿3 rff^wrT LIQUID FEEDS Who to look out for at the show liquid fertilisers are full strength Premier for the treatment of drought fertilisers equivalent to granular applied products. stressed areas. They are not to be confused with the many "watered Completing Supaturf's product down" foliar type feeds on the amenity market. They line up are a full range of fertilis- give both foliar and root feeding and can be used in ers for both fine turf and sports conjunction with Premier Save N for extended slow turf, fertiliser/grass seed spread- release action. ers, and Barenbrug grass seeds.

Amenity Land Services Ltd LIQUID FEED 20L (ALS) Premier15-0-6 + Mg + Fe + Trace elements. A full strength balanced ALS tell us their premier liquid nitrogen, potash fertiliser with all essential elements for fine fertilisers are full strength and turf to encourage hardy turf with good colour but without equivalent to granular official excessive top growth. Should be used as the first spring products - and not to be confused application on intensively managed turf prior to pure nitrogen Supaturf Products Ltd with watered down foliar type applications. Can also be used as a season long fertiliser on less stressed areas (Fairways, parks, etc.) Apply at 40L per hectare. Supaturf are the suppliers of line feeds. Premier liquid fertilisers marking systems including give both foliar and root feeding GREEN "R" 20L Topline, for marking grass and in their action. Premier artificial surfaces, Arena for mark- The fertilisers are compatible 18-0-0 + Mg, Fe & Trace elements. A full strength high ing hard surfaces and Arena GUR with most hormone weed killers nitrogen booster with essential trace elements for use on for marking our ground under and can therefore be applied to intensively managed fine turf where phosphate and potash levels are sufficient which will give all the feed value of a repair areas on the golf course. fine turf, sportsturf or fairways granular product. Can be mixed with herbicides and takes Supaturf also manufacture a very cost effectively by spraying effect rapidly due to foliar and root uptake. Apply at 40L per complete range of line marking machine at the same time as her- hectare. liquids for all types of line mark- bicide application. Apart from the ers and sports applications. cost savings this also gives the Supaturf's specialist turf and added benefit of improving the herbicide uptake of target weeds AMENIT0952 64194Y LAND SERVICES9 Fax:, LON24736G LANE9 , amenity products include Dilute 'n' Shoot, the quick all-in-one and encouraging grass re-growth 'S WELLINGTON, TELFORD, TF6 6HA method of applying the world's into the gaps vacated by dead leading wetting agent AquaGro weeds.

42 GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL May 1994 Boughton Loam and Enviromulch Turf Management Systems Enviromulch is an attractive Boughton Loam and Turf Man- mulch which is ideal for land- agement Systems will be showing scaping and gardening use. It is a three dimensional display manufactured from seasoned including their range of quality wood which is reclaimed from turf dressings, composts and pre- the renovation of wooden base germinated grass seed and liquid pallets. sod. Only clean wood is used, any Boughton Loam have recently that is contaminated with oil, acquired the patent for pre-ger- chemicals or paint is discarded minated seed and liquid sod and not used for wood fibre. spray on grass and are the only park and entrance and also inter- Hydrostatic mower with sweeper After grinding, the timber fibre producers of these exciting prod- nal signs. attachment and all weather cab is coloured with an organic ucts. Danny Godfrey, technical All these signs are manufac- option. colourant that is safe to use and manager, will be pleased to see tured in glass reinforced plastic. Etesia mowers are well recog- meets with the American federal you at Landscape Industries and This is a material widely used by nised by commercial users for Environmental guidelines. deal with your enquiries. local authorities across the coun- their exceptional ability to cut The mulch is colour retentive try for their specialist outdoor both short and long grass, in all for more than three years and is Shelley Signs Ltd signing because of its durability, weathers. available in four colours. Shelly Signs will have on display toughness and ease of cleaning. "Seeing is believing" - visit the Enviromulch suppresses weed copies of their brochure detailing Also available are entrance demonstration area to see the growth, aids moisture retention signs available ex-stock for golf signs, leader boards and full outstanding performance of these and helps to regulate soil temper- courses, examples of their prod- colour tee markers. low maintenance, robust, ride-on ature. The gardener or green- ucts will also be on display. and pedestrian machines. High keeper enjoys reduced The brochure is split into sec- Etesia UK Ltd output and easy manoeuvrability, maintenance work and enhanced tions covering tee markers, direc- Seen for the first time at Land- make them the professional's garden or golf course appear- tional, instructional, caution, car scape Industries will be the Etesia choice. ance.

GOLF COURSE WALKWAY CHIPPINGS Enviromulch is an attractive mulch which is ideal for many landscape applications. Manufactured from seasoned wood, the product is ideal for Golf Course walkways and has already been specified by many local authority courses since its launch at Landscape Industries '93. Available in natural and four colours: • REDWOOD • GOLDEN CYPRESS • CEDAR • HARDWOOD DARK ENVIROMULCH Wood Waste Control Recycling Centre (A division of West Bromwich Pallets) Telephone: 021 525 4326 THE WORD IS SPREADING Since the first SISIS top dresser was launched in the 1950s the name SISIS has spread throughout the UK and around the world.

Tractor mounted, independently powered or hand operated we have the right machine for every requirement, each offering a wide range of application rates, precise setting and hopper capacities up to 1.8 cu.m.

_ „ _ „ _ ...... - , . "All SISIS machines are designed, patented For full details of the SISIS range of top dressers write to: and manufactured in Gt Britain

SISIS EQUIPMENT (Macclesfield) LTD:, Hurdsfield, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2LZ. Tel: 0625-503030 Fax: 427426 SISIS Centre In Scotland: The Roundel, Middlefield Ind. Estate, Falkirk FK2 9HG. Tel: 0324-629635 Fax: 0324-632894 SISIS Centre In USA. SISIS Inc, Florida SISIS AD REF 176

_ Send your letters to The Editor, Greenkeeper International, Aldwark Manor, Aldwark, Alne, York Y06 2NF YOU SAY or fax them on 0347 838864

Advice left wanting In admiration of Tom O'Brien May I take this opportunity to pass a comment After reading, with great interest, your arti- age was caused to some of his greens, he felt, on a couple of articles in the last two editions cle on the remodelling of Royal Birkdale, I wrongly, that he was at fault. of the magazine that perhaps help to demon- felt I must write and express my admiration Tom O'Brien can retire assured that our strate the inconsistency of agronomic advice for the honesty and sheer guts of Tom industry is the poorer for the loss of a man of being given to greenkeepers, but perhaps also O'Brien. It takes a special kind of man to his calibre. the short-sighted and false economy of some of admit his mistakes in such a frank manner. He is right when he says that the club our golf clubs. We have all made mistakes, some large would not spend £300,000 on the greens just Firstly, the very fine detailed account of the and some small. If we are lucky we get away because they were cut too short. • building of the new greens at Birkdale. It seems with them, if we are very lucky, nobody His comments on the agronomic advice he a lot of trouble and hard work went into the notices them. For your mistakes or oversights received should also make a few people take removal of the offending "organic" soil and its to be seen and discussed by, who knows?, a long hard look in the mirror. subsequent replacement with a sandier root- many millions, is a burden not many men Enjoy your retirement Tom, you've earned zone. Why then replace the old Poa turf over could carry. it! this new material, surely an opportunity to Two years ago a very dear friend and col- Peter Wisbey, Pinheiros Altos, Algarve, instantly replace this with new fescue/bent turf league of mine took his own life after dam- Portugal grown on a sandy rootzone or of the washed variety was missed. Even STRI's Jeff Perris comments that "It will however take a long members who often wish to forsake the far-off that it was too long, bearing in mind the undu- time to amend the turf from annual meadow resulting quality of putting green turf for short- lations that exist as well. We have had a certifi- grass to one containing more of the desirable term colour and softness (remember the 5 cate designed which will be awarded to any bents and even fescues". Was this decision one wood syndrome) and regularly comment on player achieving a birdie off the medal tees in of purely economic grounds, perhaps the the seemingly continuous aeration treatments competition, and have had about a year's sup- "toughening" and remodelling aspect of the I have perhaps been lucky that I find even ply (6) printed! project took greater priority than the true links with a very limited budget and high levels of Steve Rumball, Chalgrave Manor Golf Club, turf on which we assume we want to play. play, that my greens sustain an ever increasing Luton (due to open in May) Secondly, the merits of replacement of the population of bents and fescues. Am I lucky in old Poa turf on the new rootzone material is applying the right programme of treatments, or clearly called into question by an article in the being in total control of policy and having no following month's magazine, again by an STRI greens committee? I can clearly state that in all advisor, this time Mike Canaway. Especially areas of performance fescues and bents outper- Rakes' progress interesting is the data on performance after form Poa any day. Even this winter my greens I am writing to inquire if any other golf courses wear and filtration rates on the new turf types have been in play, they have stayed firm and have had the same experience with plastic laid on a sandy rootzone. Even though a Poa been disease free, so perhaps I am biased headed rakes as we are experiencing at turf was not tested, comparison can surely be against Poa. I have also previously seen Delamere Forest Golf Club. made. I am sure that we can all assume that thatchy, fusarium ridden Poa turf removed In 1993 we purchased 75 rakes and had no the Poa turf in question has a very high proba- from a green, closely boxed (thinly cut), the problems until the frosts, which started in bility of containing a large amount of organic rootzone replaced with the intention of being October of last year. We now have 43 useable matter, prone to disease and even if thinly cut, more free draining and re-contoured and the rakes, as the rest seem to have shattered in use must still contain, in part, the "undesirable old Poa turf replaced. To this day, probably since the onset of hard frosts. organic soil". Mike Canaway states: "Clearly the over 12 years later the green is still Poa, prone We have contacted the manufacturer who purpose of a sand-based green is to provide to disease and remains soft during wet periods, says he is unaware of any problems, and that free draining conditions. If the turf supplied no improvement in performance whatsoever. I the plastic manufacturer assured him that the caps the rootzone, then clearly much of the sincerely hope Birkdale's results are markedly plastic is not at fault. He suggested we must effort put into golf green construction has been better. have heavy-handed golfers. lost." Mike finally appears to recommend the Paul Copsey, course manager (among other For this reason, would other courses like to use of the "Coronet" washed turf as having "no things) at Barnehurst Golf Course, inform me if they have such clumsy members detrimental effects on playing quality" and Bexleyheath, Kent and if their plastic-headed rakes have with- being Poa free. stood the winter intact. May I therefore suggest that we have a well PN Bertenshaw, course manager, Delamere respected advisory body contradicting itself in Forest Golf Course, Cheshire its recommendations and can 1 also ask if the Ultimate challenge? option to put washed fescue/bent turf on the Your news column last month had a story relat- new greens at Birkdale was suggested and sub- ing to long holes. We have a 620-yard par 5 Just great, Sam sequently turned down on purely economic (medal tee), 602-yard (yellow tee) par 5 9th grounds. I have no doubt that in time with the hole. Whilst Knaresborough would appear to be I would like to take this opportunity to thank correct remedial programme bents and fescues longer, bear in mind that the original medal Samantha Flint at head office for putting on a will return to the greens at Birkdale and having tee, now used as the 18th medal tee position, great ladies programme at the National Confer- a free draining rootzone will be a big help. We would have added a further 40 yards to the ence. Everything from accommodation, meals are all familiar with the recommended process, hole, and the green is surrounded on three and especially the trips were great. Thank you but we are also familiar with the facts that it sides by a spinney which drops down 10-15 very much, Sam, for making it an interesting can be a long hard road, one that sometimes feet almost immediately. and very enjoyable few days. falls foul from the pressures of irate golfing The hole was reduced in length as we felt Edna Small The most cost-effective way of reaching readers of Greenkeeper International. Simply ring Bill Lynch on 091 413 7218, Carol Dutton or Louise Lunn on 0347 838581 and ask about an alphabetical category listing: the cost ers' Guidestart s from the equivalent of under £25 per month. Aerators YOU'RE ONTO A WINNER WITH AERATORS GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL Problems with dirty water or algae bloom? Let Otterbine clean-up your lakes and ponds. The world leader in water quality • VERDE TEE FRAME management f Steel platform, woven grass top. Available from leading irrigation companies. Full details from: i t VERDE WINTER TEE f Generous size, self-install kit. Çoty Coutse Services J • VERDE DRIVING MATS £50 notes - j Top quality - Long Life - Best Prices. 6 Stuart Road, ) • ARTIFICIAL GRASSES Market Harborough LE 16 9PQ Tel: 0858 463153 • Fax: 0858 410085 I • DRIVING BAYS AND NETS < I For club and home use. win a real one, for fee!i TWENTY YEARS EXPERIENCE SUPPLYING THE Agronomy i. BEST SURFACES AT COMPETITIVE PRICES. HERE WE GO with another chance to WIN £50 with Greenkeeper # Please call for samples & information International! Bacteria APS COMPLETD AGRONOME AGRONOMIC CONSULTANCY LTDY All you have to do is take a look at the £50 note symbol above. Now SERVICE FOR THE GOLF CLUB look through the ads in the Buyers' Guide section and spot THREE of and GREENKEEPER them - they've been reduced in size, but they're there, somewhere! • Contract Management of GREEN CIRCLE Extensions and New Courses • Site Management and Problem Write down the names of the three ads where the £50 notes are Diagnosis on Existing Courses located and send your entries on a postcard to: Note the Notes The biological way to: • Technical Advice and Support / Degrade Thatch all year round Competition, BIGGA, Aldwark Manor, Aldwark, Alne, York, North / Increase Root Depth • Soil and Turf Analysis Yorkshire Y06 2NF, to be received by first post Tuesday, May 24, / Promote Fine Grasses For further information contact: 1994. The first correct entry drawn after that date will win £50. David Stansfield or John Hacker It could be YOU! Enter today - and Note the Notes! / Reduce Fertiliser Needs 42 Garstang Road, Preston PR1 1NA / Combat Disease Tel: (0772) 884450 Fax: 884445 Judges' decision is final. Not open to BIGGA staff. Tel: England/Wales: 081 669 0011 Scotland 0764 683250 All Weather Walkways Ireland 045 61389 Martin Scothern, deputy head greenkeeper ALL WEATHER from Wollaton Park Golf Club was the WALKWAYS winner of our April competition. A few minutes Limit turf damage with a searching through these pages paid off for him - J^V PATHFDRM natural woodfibre walkway. • Free draining Will YOU be next month's winner? s^B^kI • Soft and quiet tread Hardwood • Engineered particle size Chips • Blends into the landscape ^ftWs^ Ring for samples • Expert construction advice and colour brochure Dormit For further information Iver, Bucks, SL0 9LA please call us on Cirencester (0285) 860781/2 Tree Spade Hire TEETECTOR TEE MATS Tel 0753 652022 The mat with the guarantee Semi Mature Unique heavy duty golf range and Fax 0753 653007 Trees supplied municipal mats. Animal Repellents > Mulches 25mm hand finished woven pile. supplied 20mm shock pad. M & B SUPPLIES Ring for colour Professional galvanised and painted frame. Any size, brochures any shape. Double sided. Walkway Chips, ^AIRWAYS Iver, Bucks, SLO 9LA Free Demo unit available. Softwood Bark - All Grades, DISCREET CONTROL Trade welcome. Putting surface. Fertilizers, Composts, Peat, CONSULTANCY Tel 0753 652022 Contact: Horticultural Sundries ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE & TRAINING Fax 0753 653007 Evergreens Baths Road, Longton, & /¿fofe^... UK Stoke-on-Trent ¿Pas*- / 2 Extons Units Staffordshire. ST3 2JQ SPRINGER HOUSE • WINDMILL LANE Market Overton KEMBLE • CIRENCESTER GLOS • GL7 6AN Oakham, Telephone 0782 593233 TEL:0285 770919 Leics LE15 7PP FAX: 0285 770910 Architects Tel: (0572) 768208 Fax: (0572)768261 Bridges

JONATHAN Worting House TOTAL TIMBER ENGINEERING SCUTTLE" GAUNT Basingstoke HICK! ON LEISURE DEVELOPMENTS ANIMAL REPELLENT B.A. (Hons.) Dip L.A. Hants RG23 8PY Up to ten weeks protection from LEISURE BRIDGES browsing by rabbits from a single, GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT Tel: 0256 811014 Pedestrian and Vehicular effective spray application. From feasibility studies to complete REVETMENTS design projects including contract • COURSE CONSTRUCTION • For product leaflet and the name SHEET PILING of your nearest distributor, call supervision 40C NORWICH ROAD FOREST GATE • SYNTHETIC GRASS TEES • m SHELTERS ^^ f\-yr\ A F A A AOO Bead the label before you buy. ** U704 DlUUOO Use pesticides safely LONDON E7 9JH HICKSON LEISURE DEVELOPMENTS www Scuttle contains sulphonated • WINTER GREENS • Fax: 0734 510044 cod« TEL: 081 555 8577 FAX: 081 519 6163 NEW POTTER GRANGE ROAD, GOOLE Associate of the British Institute of Golf Course Architect; • ADVENTURE GOLF • NORTH HUMBERSIDE DN14 6XF ® Fine Agrochemicals Ltd., Worcester WR2 5AA. telephone (0405) 766060 fax (0405) 768622 46 GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL May 1994 Buildings Course Accessories Golf Courses and Sportsfields * Drainage WHY DOES "V * Construction * Water Mains TACIT'S * Fin Drains * Approved sand, FLAGPOLE LAST MEIKLEM gravel and pipe TWICE AS supplied Sunnyside, Blairadam, by Kelty, Club Houses LONG? Fife KY4 0HY Driving Range Buildings Tel: GREENKEEPERS STORES DESIGNED TO INCLUDE: (0383) 830217 As Required Fax: (0383)831771 • Machinery Storage • Maintenance Workshops ONTACT THE • Fertiliser and Weedkiller Storage C • Offices and Staff Mess Rooms PROFESSIONALS • Any other specialist usages Tim Banks, Secretary, BAGCC, Fertilisers FREE initial designs and costings Angel Court, Dairy Yard, High Street, PLEASE CONTACT Market Harborough LE16 7NL.

Ivan J Cooper Ltd Tel: 0858 464346 Sierrablen Turfmix Steel Framed Buildings Controlled Release Fertilizer Moorside Works, Cauldon Lowe, with fast start portion Stoke-on-Trent ST10 3ET Whitnell Contracts Ltd Tel: 0538 702282 Fax: 0538 702662 Golf Course Constructors A single application assures feeding for the whole growing season. Tell the industry of your products High QuaJlty. Proven In Practice and services, through an Grace-Sierra UK Ltd advertisement in greenkeeping s High technology In plant nutrition top magazine GREENKEEPER 61 Loughborough Road. West Brldgford. INTERNATIONAL Nottingham NG2 7LA Tel: 0602 455100 • FAX: 0602 455311 Chemical Disposal Golf Course Supplies

[iraWDK@GREEN SPECIAL WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICES For all your EAGLES, BIRDIES, disposal needs for Martin either full or CJ. Collins FALD0S —^/lofk/is-1 empty containers Construction Tacit's upright flagpoles contact us now. could have the same effect Golf Course Contractors TOP QUALITY, Tel/Fax 0345 with your members. TOP SERVICE 125398 TACIT-Suppliers of Holecups, Flagpoles and Reg. No. BRK/059342 issued by Distributors of Berkshire County Council equipment for Specialists in complete European Ryder Cup 1993 Cheshire Quality The Belfry. Construction construction, or green, Top Dressings, tee, bunker and TACIT- Root Zones and IAN MARTIN drainage refurbishments Tee Mixture and Manufacturers of quality BOB HORNEGOLD Golf Course Accessories MoneyStone Specialists in Project Tel: 0788 568818 Bunker Sand Management, Golf Course Burgess HOL West Sussex \Fax: 0788 537485/ Britain's best, Construction, Renovation, Tel: 0444 242993 head and Finishing and Maintenance Fax: 0444 247318 Contracts Drainage shoulders above Tel: (0277) 810616 the rest or (0425)655586 Consultancy SLEATH & SON SPORTSTURF DRAINAGE Par-Link Red Full range of modern equipment providing Pathway Gravel G . 0 • L . F David Hemstock UK and European service ideal link from Associates Contact Geoff Sleath Tel: (0709) 862109 Fax: (0709) 862075 Green to Tee, LANDSCAPES Consultants on: LIMITED • Golf Course any course upgrading anywhere ASHWELLS ROAD, BENTLEY • New Course development BRENTWOOD, ESSEX CM15 9SR • Specialists in irrigation, AGRIPOWER drainage, contour and LTD. environmental surveys. TEL: (0277) 373720 Construction Suite 4d, East Mill, Bridgefoot, Belper, FAX: (0277) 374834 Derbyshire DE5 1XF. Drainage Tel: 0773 827115 Fax: 0773 821083 Mobile: 0850 744957 Stone Picking Michael Verti-Draining STRIKE Lowe TOP TURF Tel: (0494) 866776 Merchants to the sports & Associates and leisure trade International GOLF COURSE DESIGN, The complete range under one banner - if you require it, we will have it CONSTRUCTION & CONSULTANCY To advertise in the industry's Fertilisers - all grades and types, loams and dressings, Design only, complete construction or premier European magazine, pesticides, top dressing; Rootzone, cockleshell; Horticultural and agricultural tools, golf course any stage in between, including call Bill Lynch on 091 413 Drainage. equipment, work clothing and much, much more! 7218; Carol Duttton Pro-Shop, 72 Bryniau Road, Call 061 456 7109 or mobile 0831 639798 Llandudno, Gwynedd or Louise Lunn for up to date list and quote 40 Offerton Road. Hazel Grove, Stockport. Tel: (0492) 876878 Fax: (0492) 872420 on 0347 838581 Cheshire SK7 4NL Grass Cutting Equipment for all aspects of Netting HuiiieThe Irrigation Innovatorrs I Gear driven sprinklers SAVE •••C GOLF COURSE including the new golf range •• IRRIGATION available from MONEV! • Installation • Service EX DEMONSTRATION • Extensions and Improvements S.G.I. Sales AND TOP QUALITY REMANUFACTURED * Germination Sheets • Pumping Systems 6 Stuart Road, GOLF COURSE MACHINERY AVAILABLE Oundle Road • Frost Protection Sheets FROM STOCK ^^ Market Harborough, |I|C button • Target Nets flffffi JACOBSEN Leics LE16 9PQ • Perimeter Netting Hi H^P Peterborough • Ball Stop Netting BEAVER I Tel: 0858 463153 * Rain Covers PE8 5ND Fax: 0858 410085 RYAN • Mobile and Static Nets HAYTER Tel: Oundle (0832) 272450 NOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE! Available from all good distributors SISIS CUSHMAN Longbrook House, Ashton Vale Road, Bristol BS3 2HA IRRIGATION TECHNICAL SERVICES Tel: 0272 669684 Approved Toro service centre. All Automatic Watering UK & EXPORT DELIVERY ARRANGED leading manufacturers' equipment Systems for Sports ? hone fbr a full catalogue NCW maintained and serviced. Contact and Leisure Grounds pH Adjustment GREENSWARD Stuart Mills Tel/Fax 0202 874216 • Designed • Supplied • Installed ENGINEERING COMPANY 43 Pinehurst Road, West Moors, Dorset Manor Farm, Otley Road, Adel, GLEN HEAT & IRRIGATION Leeds LS16 7AL, England Pinchbeck, Spalding, Lines. High pH? Tel: (0532) 676000 A National Irrigation Service |B Tel: (0775) 722327 Irrigation ll Fax: (0775) 725444 Free consultation and design service is a unique source of éRTECH Suppliers of quality products for flowable sulphur for use all types of irrigation as a nutrient additive or SYSTEMS LTD U- pH adjuster. Local installation and TURF IRRIGATION maintenance throughout the UK Available exclusively^ from SPECIALISTS Specialists in the refurbishment of existing irrigation systems We offer full design, Installation Water Quality Control [LfeTvE&il^l» „ and After Sales Service pH and chlorine control and dosing systems for For further information and its your irrigation water, for improved turf quality. Hortech Systems Ltd, telephone 0460 241939 distributors. Nationwide installation and commissioning Hallgate, Holbeach, service, and advice. Ring 0963 251129 today for Spalding, Lines PE12 7LG Contact Brian Sykes more information and your own FREE pH adjuster chart. Tel: 0406 426513 OCMIS STRANCO LTD Commercial Road, Eastbourne, Design and service East Sussex. Tel: (0323) 646163 LIQUID SOD, LINDEN VIEW, you can trust REDWING ROAD, MILBORNE PORT, Lake Construction SHERBORNE, DORSET, DT9 5DB The impact sprinkler for tees, greens and fairways made in Pumps Britain by CRESSWELL ENGINEERING LTD Installation GRUNDFOS Sales 340/342 Cherrywood Road, & Service Birmingham B9 4UU N.E. England, Yorkshire, GT GROUP PUMPS N. Lines, N. Derbys, N. & S.^ Humberside LEAST COST Tel: 021 772 2512 FOR SPORTS & RECREATIONAL Contact: E.B. & L. Simms WATERPROOFING OF TURF IRRIGATION, BOOSTING Fax: 021 773 9548 Tel: (0765) 602175 Fax: (0765) 603488 LAKES AND RESERVOIRS AND WATER SUPPLY Par 4, Unit 18, Camphill Close, - using lining membranes and associated Dallamires Lane, Ripon, geosynthetic materials. Contact our sales offices today for T. & G. TURF N. Yorks HG41TT • Comprehensive service available to full information on the Grundfos range IRRIGATION SERVICES owners/architects/consultants and contractors. SOUTH: (0525) 850000 GT GROUP, Nags Corner, Wiston Road, 38 Halfpenny Lane, Knaresborough, NORTH: (092^) 813300 Nayland, COLCHESTER C06 4LT North Yorkshire HG5 0NS For technical and sales enquiries Tel & Fax: (0423) 864963 Tel: (0206) 262676 GRUNDFOS Full member of B.T.L.I.A. MIDLAND IRRIGATION Fax: (0206) 262998 AN INDEPENDENT IRRIGATION COMPANY 2 Fairdene Way, Great Barr, Machinery Repairs Railway Sleepers Making sure your Birmingham B43 5JS Golf Irrigation system Tel: 021 358 1246 DEXuE isn't a handicap. Fax: 0213576789 DESIGN • SUPPLY HORTICULTURAL ENGINEERS Contact: S. Penny INSTALLATION • SERVICE 109 Chapel Road, Hesketh Bank, Preston, Service and repairs of all makes Full member of BTLIA Lanes., PR4 6RU Tel: (0772) 813571 of professional grass cutting equipment for the sports and Southern Office: N. Ford Tel: (0708) 761717 10" x 5" leisure industry è AQUAPLAST Hundreds of uses in: Contact Andrew or Rosemary • Golf Courses • Civil Putting water in its place Tel/Fax: 0827 284415 Engineering • Farming • Landscape Unit 7, Roman Park, Tame Valley Industrial Available ^^^ Gardening • Fish Farms Estate, Wilnecote, Tamworth, Staffs B77 5DQ in wood or concrete • Garden Centres ASHWELL MAKE IT EASY Mower Spares • Sale, hire or buyback • Choice ot new or used 1Btermation • Generous bulk discount • Cutting service East Midlands Area • Sale or return • Delivery Manufacturers, designers Installation, Sales and MOWER ACCESSORIES Service and installers of LTD E verton, Doncaster, DN10 5DR àm^oLL Manufacturers of high GOLF COURSE Tel: (0777) 817410 Tel: 0375 892576 Fax: 0375 891736 quality lawnmower Unit G, Criton Ind. Est., Stanford Rd, Orsett, Essex RM16 3DH IRRIGATION blades and cylinders. FOR 23 YEARS Suppliers of spares and RAILWAY SLEEPERS BRITISH OVERHEAD accessories. Tongham Road, , 8'6" x 10" x 5" IRRIGATION LTD. 65 Forncett Street CROSSING TIMBERS Hants GU12 4AA • Manufacture Equipment • Sheffield S4 12" x 6" up to 16' long • Design and Install Systems • Price quoted for number required. Tel: 0252 336838 The Green, Upper Halliford, Tel(0233) 625121 or 620277 Shepperton, Middlesex TW17 8RY Tel: 0742 765825 Fax: 0252 336808 Fagg's Fleet, Whitfield Road, Tel. (0932) 7883C1. Fax. (0932) 780437 Fax: 0742 765855 Ashford, Kent TN23 1TY Sand/Silica Sand Seats Tree Planting Service Large Grants Available Eamonn Wall & Co. Woodland Design and Management GRUNDON 22 West Burnside, Dollar Tel: 0259 743212 L FINE TEAK FURNITURE I Growers of consistent quality turf in NOW SPREADING Seats, tables, chairs, either big or small rolls for landscapes, benches, Eastcote amenity users and golf courses IN YOUR AREA planters and lit terbins made Nurseries Tel: 0728 688 984 Top Dressing from plantation (Solihull) Ltd Fax: 0728 688 949 grown teak. Listed in Bunker Sand the Good Wood Guide. • Tree Spade hire Fir Tree Farm, Blaxhall. Woodhridgr, Send for brochure Suffolk IP12 2I)X Root Zone • Tree moving D Scan (UK) Ltd Concorde Road, Tees Dressing Patchway, Bristol BS12 STB • Semi mature trees All Aggregates Tel: 0272 315335 Fax 0272 315334 Nationwide service TURF GROWN TO Path Gravels Hampton Road, Barston, Solihull, YOUR SEED Cockleshell Secure Storage West Midlands B92 0JL SPECIFICATION Tel: 0675 442033 or from our stock NEW HOTLINE NUMBER: ALL GROWN IN STERILE Fax: 0675 442324 Contact Gordon SECURE STEEL LOCK-UPS COMPOST Supplied nationwide (Ex Shipping Containers) on 0367 244078 FOR SALE OR HIRE Trenchers GREENKEEPER LTD, Shelford Manor, Shelford, Nottingham NG12 1ER TRENCHERS FOR HIRE Tel: 0949 21144 Delivered to your golf club or premises by self Width: 15cm-30cm Fax: 0602 862139 (EBENEZER MEARS) unloading lorries within 24 hours (Mainland UK) Depth: up to 122cm 10' x 8', 20' x 8' and 40' x 8' insulated or uninsulated. Trenchex Plant Sales KINGSLEY FINE WASHED SAND IF YOU NEED ECONOMIC SECURE STORAGE Tip Top Turf. Tel: 0889 565155 Fax: 0889 563140 RING NOW FOR PROMPT for Tees • Greens • Bunkers Seed grown turf available in one sq yd EFFICIENT SERVICE and drainage sands and shingles or large 25 sq yd rolls with laying LAWRENCE CONTAINERS CASE TRENCHERS machines or service available. Tel: 0908 270701 • Fax: 0908 374889 Wintersells Road. Byfleet. KT14 7AZ Tel: 0622 820308 TRENCHEX PLANT SALES Fax: 0622 820300 Dove Fields, Uttoxeter, Staffs. 0932 345616 Fax: (0889) 563140. CUCKMERE Tee Mats Tel: (0889) 565155 VALLEY TURF FARMS MS GARSIDE Specialist turf producers for the South East W SANDS Common Lane, Berwick, Complete range of dried graded silica sands for all purposes. Polegate, East Sussex BN26 6SU Contact John Deavin at Tel: 0323 870773 Eastern Way Works, GOLF COURSE - Eastern Way, Heath & Reach, DRIVING RANGE Fax: 0323 870285 Leighton Buzzard, TEE MATS & FRAMES Beds LU79LF Tel: (0525) 237911 Tel: 0291 625351 Turf Dressings Fax: (0525) 237991 Fax: 0291 628203

ARC BUCKLAND £MEMA INDUSTRIAL MINERALS • Sportsturf Ltd • Sand and Silica Company ARTIFICIAL GRASS TEE MATS, DRIVING RANGE MATS AND South-Tel: (0823)432231 Fax:(0823)432231 North - Tel: (0229) 465555 Fax: (0229) 465555 COMPLETE RANGE OF PUTTING SURFACES FROM TILLERS HORTICULTURAL SANDS CARPETITION LTD Growers of high quality turf supplied • Top Dressing * Root Zone Mix * Contact Lynda Jordan nationwide in standard and big rolls • Screened Soil* Sands* Buckland Sand & Silica Co. 14 Kaffir Road, Edgerton, Tel: 0652 650555 • Fax: 0652 650064 Reigate Heath, Reigate, Huddersfield HD2 2AN * Construction * Cockleshells * Surrey RH2 9RG Tel: (0737) 240151 Tel: (0484) 428777 Fax: (0484) 423251 Ql T 1 BOUGHTON Timber Structures DLLL&IOAM ITD. Tell the industry of your products GROWERS AND SUPPLIERS OF HIGH and services, through an QUALITY CULTIVATED TURF FOR ALL For advertisement in greenkeeping's APPLICATIONS AND APPOINTED TURF DRESSINGS top magazine GREENKEEPER OFFICiAL TURF PRODUCERS INTERNATIONAL Protect your greens from heavy ROOT ZONE MIXES machines - hire Timbermats. TO Phone 061 476 6252 Fax 061 476 6253 SCREENED TOP SOILS NATIONWIDE SERVICE BUNKER SANDS Screeners/Shredders Pleuse contact Head Office for more information: HORTICULTURAL Tree Planting THE INTURF GROUP • Pocklington • York Y04 2QN COMPOSTS GRADE UH Telephone 0759 304101 • Fax 0759 305229 GRADEALL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED GOLDSMITH Telford Way, Kettering, Manufacturers of the SS100 TREES & Northants Screener/Shredder .LANDSCAPES MU -ifA Appw.dlo.Qwk, Tel: 0536 510515 Specialists in growing, supplying, planting and moving of GREENBASE ECOLOGICAL LIMITED TREES Grasslands The ProBase range of Products 9 Farlough Road, Dungannon, Crown Nursery,High Street Specialist Seed Grown. Turl Producers for Turf Dressings and Construction Northern Ireland BT71 4DT Ufford,Suffolk IP13 6EL Covering the SOUTH EAST materials. Lightweight. User friendly Tel: 08687 40484 • Fax: 08687 48823 Telephone: 0394 460755 Grasslands Turl Farm, Ashford Road, New and economical Romney, Kent TN28 8TH. Tel/Fax: (0679) 67130 Tel: 0427 811738 • Fax: 0427 810405 Turf Dressings Vertidraining Hire E&S SP0RTSGR0UND CONTRACTORS MIDLAND TURF • Verti Drain Hire • Hollow Coring We re No. 1 for Vertidraining and AERATING SERVICE • Deep Spiking • Tractor Hire Hollow Coring on Greens, Tees and Fairways. • Verti-Draining • Hollow • Full range of Landscape For competitive rates and a Coring with Ryan GA30 Rufford Equipment professional service, contact • Core Collector • Deep TOP-DRESS SUPPLIES YORKSHIRES ONLY AGENT FOR 'WIEDENMANN TERRA-SPIKE' Slitting * Top Dresser RICHARD VEITCH • Over-Seeder SPEN GR0UNDCARE SERVICES Britain's No. 1 for • Tractor Hire 0734 795454 UniJ 7, Valley Road, Liversedge, The Fairways, King Street Lane, Winnersh, QUALITY • SERVICE • * Competitive West Yorkshire WF15 6JY Wokingham, Berkshire RG11 5AX SHEER VALUE FOR MONEY prices * Professional m 0924 401522 • 0836 722080 Fax: 0734 795353 Fairway House. South Stage. Broadway. nationwide service. Salford Quays. Manchester M5 2UQ Tel/Fax 0922 417567 Tel: 061 877 8550 Fax: 061 877 8554 Charles Frost Weed Killing ROSS OLIVER SPORTS GROUND CONSTRUCTION BAILEYS AND MAINTENANCE l WEED OF • VERTI-DRAIN for Greens and Sportsgrounds • STONE PICKING • RYAN HOLLOW TYNER VERTIDRAINING and FREE NORFOLK • SAND SPREADERS • DIRECT DRILLS HOLLOW CORING HIRE Greystones, Trebudannon, Cornwall TR8 4LP. (BRACKNELL) supply Tel: (0841) 540222 Fax: (0637) 881057 with the G.A. 30 Professional Weed Killing & Professional Turf Dressings Contact Peter Bloodworth Associated Turf Services for the Profession PETER MANNINGT0N WORTH DRAINING GOLF TURF DRESSINGS Cornbecks Farm, Irnham, Grantham, MIKE SEATON F.lnst.G(Dip) Approved formulations for use in Lincolnshire Tel/Fax: (0476) 550266 Tel: (0344) 481011 Construction and on the finest greens, tees and fairways. Fax: (0344)300052 Mobile: (0850) 300104 SAND All requirements catered for including SEWARD lime free. Kiln dried sands available. Specialist Verti-Drain Contractor for the South For greens,.tees, fairways and sportsgrounds TURF MAINTENANCE You're at the end of the SCREENED TOP SOIL Experienced operator, competitive prices and reliable service Including the finest Black Fenland Soil. CONTACT THE PROFESSIONALS Buyers' Guide section - if Screened loams to customers' Phone Peter on 0580 200205 Ten years experience using only the best individual specifications. or Mobile 0850 612061 2 greens verti-drains you haven't found the ads We also produce and supply root zone Sheepwash Farm, Church Street, Ticehurst, (18 greens in 2 days) mix and atways have vast stocks of Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 7DL Half-inch tines at 2x2 spacing with the 3 symbols in yet, cockle shells for immediate delivery Fairway verti-drain Coremaster complete with collector TRY AGAIN: DELIVERIES NATIONWIDE IT COULD BE WORTH PARKER HART Fairway overseeder BAILEY& OF NORFOLK Contact Michael Seward Brick Kiln Road, Hevingham, Verti-draining, hollow coring, Norwich, Norfolk NRIO 5NL York (0904) 765949 night or day conventional and hydro-seeding Tel: 060 548 607 Mobile: 0860 661603 throughout the South East Complete range of turfcare machinery available for hire FEN TURF DRESSINGS LTD ^ Competitive rates for Fendress Top Dressing Reliable equipment • Fendress Superfine Classified Experienced operators • Economy Dressing Call Karen or Anne • Rootzone Mixes Machinery For Sale • Screened Fensoil • Screened Peat 081 337 7791 • Screened Loam • Kiln Dried Sand • Bunker Sands G E Adamson Grass Machinery FOR SALE Ransomes 3 set Magna or Sports trailed Charterhouse Bulk Top - new cylinders £2200 Ransomes Certes 20" new engine, cylinder & box ..£975 ^^L Hire y Dresser 18 months old, Lloyds 21 "Paladin 8 blade £975 Kubota G1900 diesel-4 wheel steer 48R/D ride-on never used:£7,500 mower £3250 Tel: (0858) 464346/433003 Charterhouse Overseeder John Deere 655 diesel compact tractor c/w 50" Fax: (0858) 434734 mid-mounted cutter deck - new turf tyres 18 months old, never used: - spool valves £3250 VERTIDRAIN MACHINES FOR £4,000 Iseki SG15 diesel 48R/D ride-on mower £2500 All prices inclusive of transport but subject to VAT. FAIRWAYS AND GREENS Tel: 0676 22393 Turf Maintenance AVAILABLE FOR HIRE Tel/Fax: 0995 640180 Contact: Peter Holmes, 10 Carson Road, Gainsborough, Lines DN21 2RE Tel: 0427 613035 {oam/iey Mobile: 0831 359394 For Sale Toro GM3000D 1993 c/w 9 blade SPA greens units and turf groomers. This excellent machine has TEMPORARY only worked 325 hours and is in PROFESSIONAL TURF For vertidraining, hollow CLUBHOUSE excellent condition. £9,950 +VAT MAINTENANCE AND RENOVATION coring, scarifying, and Lesco 300D 2WD EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FOR HIRE overseeding requirements. FOR SALE c/w greens units and groomers. 1.5m and 2.5m vertidrains 80' by 30' 72 hours worked, in as new condition. J- WOOD & SON £10,250 +VAT (BILSDALE PLOUGHS) LTD Greencare Corers Other mowers, tractors and turf Tel: (0377) 253313 Fax: (0377) 257465 Charterhouse Vertiseed Flat roof with Marton Hall Lane, Marton, maintenance equipment available DRIFFIELD • RYEDALE • YORK administration block, Macclesfield. Tel: 0260 224568 ladies and gents Tel: 0260 22456" U- Fax: 0260 224791

KFax: 0260 22479 cloakroom, kitchen and Tyres lounge. New roof laid December '93. QUALITY REBUILT Mounted in 10 foot Sam Moreton & Sons HERQNFIELD GROUNDCARE MACHINERY sections. Offers invited. TURF TYRE I Unirei * Gang Mowers * Triple Mowers Turf Tyres of aH makes to fit (Solihull) Tel: 0494 871277 * Cylinder Mowers * Aeration Vertidrain, Moore Sportsfield Equipment • Scarification & any machine. Wheels made to Fax: 0494 874692 or write customer requirements. Over-Seeders, Verti Collection Equipment * Nationwide Over-Seeder for Greens & Tees, to Chalfont Park Golf Delivery, Export by Arrangement Enquiries 0920-632269 Toro Aerators, Case Trenchers Club at Bowles Farm, EFG GARDEN MACHINERY Fax 0926 632023 & Sportsfield Slitters etc. Threehouseholds, Tenterfields Business Park, Contact: Doug or Ron Johnson Orders 0926 613737 Chalfont St Giles, Luddendenfoot, Halifax HX2 6EJ. Tel: 0422 882165 Nationwide delivery service Tel: (0564) 772597 Bucks HP8 4LW Fax available Fax: 0422 886014 RECRUITMENT

Sandiway Golf Club, Cheshire

requires a

COURSE Wyke Green Golf Club MANAGER requires a

Applicants must be fully experienced in all modern DEPUTY HEAD techniques of course maintenance and construction including machinery maintenance and care of GREENKEEPER irrigation systems. for an 18 hole course situated west of London. The ideal candidate should also be able to demon- Applicants must possess a recognised qualification strate excellent man-management skills in order to and be experienced in all aspects of course both organise, motivate and lead by example, our greenkeeping team. management.

In addition the applicant will be required to handle The ability to lead and motivate staff, organise an annual budget of approximately £100k and work programmes and maintain health and safety experience of cost control methods would be an requirements is essential. PA1 and PA2 required. advantage. Practical knowledge of modern greenkeeping Sandiway Golf Club offers rewards and prospects machinery and budgetary control is also required. aimed at attracting candidates of the highest calibre. Salary negotiable. No accommodation. Write in strict confidence giving full details of qual- Apply in confidence with full CV to: ifications and career to date to: Secretary/Manager, Wyke (ireen Golf Club, The Secretary/Manager, Sandiway Golf Club Ltd, The Clubhouse, Sandiway, Cheshire CW8 2D J Syon Lane, Osterley, Middlesex TW7 5PT

AMBITIOUS Golf Club Ortenau Germany, Black Forest GREENKEEPER require a REQUIRED HEAD GREENKEEPER FOR A NEW EXCITING 9 HOLE PAR 3 GOLF COURSE IN CENTRAL CAMBRIDGE. CAMBRIDGE LAKES , DUE TO OPEN LATE 1994 WILL BE A MOST INTERESTING AND Applicants should be fully qualified and conversant CHALLENGING PAY & PLAY COURSE. with modern techniques and machinery maintenance. APPLICANTS MUST HAVE WIDE GREENKEEPING EXPERIENCE TOGETHER WITH SOME Salary negotiable. Help with accommodation. KNOWLEDGE OF COURSE CONSTRUCTION, PARTICULARLY OVER-SEEDING AND BRINGING INTO PLAY GREENS & TEES, FORMING AND FINISHING BUNKERS. KNOWLEDGE ALSO OF Please reply in writing with CV to: IRRIGATION AND MACHINERY REQUIRED. Golf Club Ortenau SALARY IS NEGOTIABLE ACCORDING TO QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE. President Rudiger Hurrle, Birkenbosch 14 APPLY IN WRITING TOGETHER WITH C.V. TO: D-77770 Durbach, Germany CAMBRIDGE LAKES. 12, PALACE GARDENS, ROYSTON HERTFORDSHIRE. SG8 SAD

Westwood Golf Club

requires u

requires a DEPUTY HEAD SALES REPRESENTATIVE GREENKEEPER To promote sales of our exciting new products Minimum age 25. Technical and practical qualifications. PRE -GERMINATED GRASS SEED and "LIQUID SOD" Pesticide certificates. Sound knowledge of modern irrigation together with allied materials to the Amenity and machinery. Capable of controlling and motivating staff. and Sportsturf Markets in the Home Counties Salary negotiable. No accommodation. Apply in writing to: Apply in writing with CV to: National Sales Manager, Boughton Loam Ltd, Mr C Plant, Westwood Golf Club, T/A Turf Management Systems, Dromenagh Farm, Newcastle Road, Leek, Staffs ST13 7AA Seven Hills Road, Iver Heath, Bucks SLO OPA Closing date: Two weeks from publication RECRUITMENT

DUKE'SDENE i/^eM INSTITUTED IOOB Royal Blackheath Golf Club We are inviting applications for the position of require a HEAD HEAD GREENKEEPER

GREENKEEPER for a new golf course in Surrey due to open in June 1995. Applicants are required to be fully experienced in all Duke's Dene Golf Club is located in a beautiful valley near aspects of greenkeeping, budgetary control and Woldingham, Surrey, and is designed to Championship machinery maintenance. A minimum of five years standard. Applicants must have formal qualifications and a experience as Head Greenkeeper or equivalent at an proven track record in all aspects of course management. established golf course is essential. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing An ability to manage, lead and motivate staff is a the growing-in of the new course and will be expected to priority. The Club is presently in the early stages of recruit other greenkeeping staff as required. implementing a development plan. The salary and benefits will be commensurate with Salary is negotiable. this responsible position and family accommodation is provided. Please write, enclosing your CV to:

Please reply in writing with full CV to: Duke's Dene Golf Club Ltd The Secretary, Royal Blackheath Golf Club, 9 Betterton Street Court Road, Eltham, London SE9 5AF London WC2H 9BP

North Worcestershire Golf Club Horton Park invites applications for the position of Country Club requires a COURSE MANAGER/ HEAD GREENKEEPER HEAD GREENKEEPER for an 18 hole golf course situated in attractive rural surroundings south Birmingham. Applicants must be experienced in all aspects of greenkeeping and course management and must have a proven track record in motivation Applicants must be fully experienced in all aspects of modern course management and leadership of greenstaff. Sound knowledge of modern irrigation and and maintenance techniques. The successful applicant must have the skills to lead machinery is essential. and motivate staff and will be expected to demonstrate abilities to maintain a Horton Park is an 18 hole golf course with a 26 bay driving range, quality course to a high standard exercising firm budgeting controls. managed by a team of five greenstaff. Salary negotiable. Two bedroomed bungalow is available with this position, if required. Applications in writing with full CV to: Apply in writing with CV and salary expectation to: Mr P Hart, Director & General Manager, Horton Park Country Club, The Secretary, North Worcestershire Golf Club, Hook Road, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8QC Frankley Beeches Road, Northfield, Birmingham B31 5LP

BLOXWICH GOLF CLUB (1988) LTD

invites applications for the post of HEAD GREENKEEPER CLUB DE GOLF TERRAMAR This busy parkland course requires applicants who are suitably qualified require a and experienced in all aspects of course management. The ability to motivate and lead an established team and organise work programmes is regarded as essential. GREENKEEPER A practical knowledge of modern greenkeeping machinery and current with training, minimum five years experience. Health & Safety regulations is also required. Salary negotiable. No accommodation. Must speak Spanish. Golf club situated in small village Apply in writing, with full CV to: 15 minutes from Barcelona. The Secretary, Bloxwich Golf Club (1988) Ltd, 136 Stafford Road, Send CV to Club de Golf Terramar, Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands WS3 3PQ Sitges, Spain Closing date: 28 May 1994 RECRUITMENT CHARGEHAND Leisure Service Department, Barshaw Park Golf Course GLEN ANDREWS and Seedhill Playing Fields. £244.69 pw (incl. measured day rate), Mon. - Fri. (39 hour variable working week). (GOLF COURSES) LTD Barshaw Golf Course is an 18 hole municipal course in Paisley, require a owned and run by Renfrew District Council. The course has irrigation and other modern equipment installed. You will be responsible to the Working Foreperson for the day- to-day standards of a squad of workers and will be involved in COURSE MANAGER/ golf course maintenance as well as site preparation, construction and other duties relating to sportsground and HEAD GREENKEEPER horticultural operations. In addition, you must have at least 3 years' experience in horticultural and sportsground operations, with a specific and knowledge of greenkeeping, and will be required to use and maintain appropriate equipment. TWO ASSISTANT You must be capable of motivating employees to reach the required standards and have the ability to communicate effectively with both employees and members of the public. GREENKEEPERS Possession of a driving licence is essential. This post is not suitable for job sharing. for their brand new 18 hole course at Application forms are available from and should be returned, Kirtlington Oxford (currently under quoting Ref. SL7P75, by Friday 20 May 1994, to: Personnel Officer, construction) opening summer 1995, Leisure Services Department, 9 hole par 3 course to be constructed 1995. Renfrew District Council, Mirren House, 6 Maxwell Street, No accommodation available. Paisley PA3 2AB. Tel: 041-840 3332. Salary negotiable. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. Please apply in writing with full CV to: Glen Andrews (Golf Courses) Ltd Vicarage Farm, Kirtlington, Oxford OX5 3JY Renfrew or contact Stuart Donald on Tel/Fax: (0869) 351133 THE BUSINESS UistîÎCt OF SCOTLAND

Great Lever, Farnworth Golf Club Berkhamsted Golf Club Bolton, adjacent to M61 invite applications for a requires a Working Course Manager FIRST Applicants should be fully qualified and conversant with modern techniques and machinery maintenance. ASSISTANT Salary scale mainly in accordance with BIGGA recommendations. Apply in writing with full CV to: GREENKEEPER Green Chairman, Great Lever, Farnworth GC, Lever Edge Lane, Bolton BL3 3EN Applicants must be suitably qualified and experienced in all aspects of Southport Old Links Golf Club course management. urgently requires a No accommodation. HEAD GREENKEEPER for this well established, highly regarded 9 hole course. Please apply in writing with full CV to: Experience in all aspects of greenkeeping and a practical knowledge of machinery required. The General Manager Salary negotiable. Berkhamsted Golf Club Applications in writing with full CV and names of two referees to: The Common, Berkhamsted Secretary/Manager, Southport Old Links Golf Club Herts HP4 2QB Moss Lane, Southport, Merseyside PR9 7QS he great pesticide debate rages on. Articles by TALKING Chemical companies have a right to make a living and Tony Howorth, David Stansfield and Neil Bald- I am very pleased that they are now doing so by produc- win in the December issue of Greenkeeper Inter- ing less hazardous chemicals under tighter regulation of national all raised questions about the future of the manufacturing process. The alternative is for them Tour industry. to go on producing the old long-term cures which are It seems to me that a great deal of the argument HEADS not sustainable in a modern day free market which hinges around the statement that "it is better to use an requires growth. To compete against cheap labour effective product once, under controlled conditions, regimes abroad, British companies need new markets in than one with reduced longevity many times." This Master Greenkeeper high-tech areas. The control of pollution has provided sounds eminently sensible but what is really being said? such markets. We must generate wealth and growth to Firstly, is it not naive to talk about "controlled condi- Kerran Daly adds to improve our standard of living and be leaders in the field tions". This implies: the debate over of a cleaner and better future. If we stand still we will be 1. We are all perfect and accidents never happen; pesticides swallowed up by the "Made in Taiwan " phenomenon. 2. The proper application of the product is all there is to What if legislation got so tight all pesticides were it. What about manufacture, waste products, transport, withdrawn? David Stansfield reported that this already is storage and handling? the case in other European countries, without any insur- 3. That once down we can forget about it. What about ber one problem. With thio-phenate methyl we get mountable result. I think the thought of no pesticides long-term effects on the soil micro-organism popula- effective control at a reasonable price. If clubs find the should not frighten greenkeepers and indeed they tion, the ground water and ultimately the wider environ- price too high then two things can happen. The cost will should welcome it. With no chemicals, only those fol- ment? come down in response to market forces or the prod- lowing sound cultural practices in pursuit of true British Secondly, as David Stansfield pointed out, if a chemi- ucts will disappear. Clubs will then have to reassess fescue/bent courses would survive. At present, high fer- cal is to be effective over a long period it must be per- whether the price was too high. This will leave a gap for tiliser, heavy watering regimes producing lush meadow- sistent in the soil. This persistence increases the hazard new products to fill. grass greens are being maintained by heavy use of greatly. As a result of applying lead arsenate today, its Fenarimol is a prime example of a new safer chemical blanket fungicides. effects on the ground water would not be seen for many (no hazard warning under COSHH) which would not No greenkeeper, including myself, could afford to years. Less persistent chemicals reach the ground water have been marketed if legislation had not banned more adopt a unilateral policy of never using pesticides. The much quicker and are therefore more easily traced, toxic chemicals, some would have us go back to the old initial deterioration in his course, and his course alone, monitored ad assessed. mercury salts and would no doubt say that they were would lose him his job. However, if all courses were in The effects of less persistent chemicals are also more perfectly safe but I think I would rather risk an acciden- the same boat then the long-term result of Poa annua selective as they lose their efficacy as they travel down tal dose of fenarimol than a swig of mercurous chloride. free courses should be welcomed by all managers who through the soil profile. This can be beneficial in retain- Neil Baldwin stated his belief that new safer products believe in a return to golf played as it should be on fine- ing some of the more helpful soil organisms. are just around the corner and this is all because we leaved species only. When assessing the use of any chemical under have had the wisdom to withdraw dangerous chemicals The withdrawal of all pesticides would have other COSHH we must consider the RISK and the HAZARD. and force research and development into new ones. benefits in that the growing mound of paperwork and There is certainly a greater risk of accident and contami- Interestingly, the well-known mole destroyer alu- the constant headache of keeping abreast of current leg- nation with spraying ten times as opposed to once but minium phosphide came up in Tony Howorth's article. I islation would be greatly reduced. The environment for what about the hazard? Would you rather fall off your am glad to say I have never had the displeasure to use it golfers, employees and the public would be much mower ten times or out of an aeroplane once? You but it reminded me of a recent conversation with a improved. The return to cultural controls would mean would not have long to contemplate which is the most highly respected greenkeeper at the Cannington seminar more jobs for greenkeepers. It is true that chemical hazardous. who warned me off the noxious substance, he reported companies would lose market and would probably need As part of the legislation under Health and Safety sci- it to be highly unstable and very difficult to use with no to shed some staff but I am convinced there would be a entists are employed to do specific objective tests and good result. A trade salesman then joined in the conver- nett gain in employment which is good news for our decide whether a chemical is safe to use in a given situ- sation stating that "the legislation surrounding the prod- thousands of young unemployed. ation. It is of no consequence to them if removing that uct was so severe that his company could not and The removal of chemicals would leave a large gap in chemical poses serious problems for the manufacturer would not market it." I was cheered to see such a fine the market for entrepreneurs with innovative cultural or end user, and rightly so. Imagine if this decision was example of the legislation in action. control ideas. This too would create new areas for left to the horticulturalists or the trade, a recipe for self- It has been suggested that the chemical companies employment. All of these side benefits on top of the interested disaster. We are always complaining that are making large profits out of increased chemical sales. forced return to sound greenkeeping principles make golfers keep trying to tell us our job but it seems that we It is politically embarrassing for me to be seen to defend the withdrawal of all pesticides an attractive proposal. think we know better than trained scientists who carry multi-national chemical companies but in this case I am In the meantime, use of less toxic materials demands out the tests. intent on doing so. We are a small market and research higher standards of management and so educated man- It is very weak and short-sighted of us as greenkeep- and development costs and the costs for registration are agers are what we need most. Thankfully BIGGA has ers to support Health and Safety legislation which enormous. Even so, it is the market which dictates the made this its top priority over the past five years and I improves our work environment and enriches our lives price and if no-one buys it, it will fail. am sure we will reap the benefit by the sensible use of and then to criticise the removal of products which are The charge that costs are too high are refuted by my less persistent chemicals in an integrated management deemed to be dangerous because it is inconvenient. budget figures. All too often I hear greenkeepers com- system. To be perfectly frank, I am not at all sure what all the plain about the cost of pesticides while they are quite In the mid to late '60s, greenkeeping lost its way with fuss is about. I am told by the people who know best happy to fork out huge amounts on fancy fertilisers, the introduction of heavy fertilising, misused automatic that the current products are safer than the old ones, it particularly liquids, at highly unrealistic prices. I must irrigation and cure-all pesticides. Those of us who have costs our club 0.5 per cent of its annual expenditure to admit that in the fertiliser business most products price fought long and hard against the first two heresies control our worm problem, a problem that as anyone themselves off my shopping list and I would be happy should add their weight against the third because it is who works on the chalk downs will tell you is our num- to see most disappear. now the only thing propping these up.

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Fisons pic, Horticulture Division, Paper Mill Lane, Bramford, Ipswich IP8 4BZ Telephone 0473 830492 Facsimile 0473 830386 Fisons and Aquamaster are Trade Marks of Fisons pic. © Fisons pic 1994.