Testing the irrigation at the 18th green The Belfry prepares to defend the Ryder Cup John Lelean takes a look at the Belfry just days before the match of the year

hen the Ryder Cup teams re- mond Floyd's team are out for re- he had seen in Europe this year". turn to The Belfry this month venge. Back in June, the English Open was Wthey will find a few changes Back in 1985, Derek Ganning, was the played over the Brabazon, a tourna- since the Cup was last played for over Head Greenkeeper-Superintendent, a ment which the Belfry could have well the Brabazon Course in 1985. Not so fairly apt Americanised title, consider- done without. Only those managing a much with the course, though more ing his greens were sown on pure sand tournament course can appreciate the about that later, but the hotel and lei- with Pencross. Four years on he is disturbance and interruption caused sure complex is far grander, more lux- known as the Course Manager with by the preparation of spectator facili- urious and certainly more expensive. Sam Hagen as his working Head ties and their removal after the event. Two new residential blocks have been Greenkeeper. Competitor Tony Jacklin, putting on constructed, fitting in with the exist- What he has achieved is quite phe- his captain's hat was quoted as saying ing complex as if they had been there nomenal when considering the past - "The fairways were too fast and the for years and this, complemented by a lashings the Belfry courses received greens were too slow. We may have complete upgrading and refurbishing from the critics. Comments such as " had a dry spring and summer, but of all the facilities of the Belfry will a featureless soggy farmland" and a that is now excuse". provide the perfect setting for what is "treeless barren wilderness" were two Whether Derek Ganning made an expected to be the most exciting con- of the more charitable that can be answering comment to that remark is test since Samuel Ryder donated his recalled to mind. not on record, but most of our readers trophy 62 years ago. The Alliss and Thomas design has would hole in one in any contest to The interest in this year's matchplay taken more than its fair share of "stick" predict his reply. contest, simmering for months, is now by those who have played badly Although there has been some minor approaching the boil on both the looking for the excuse, but also from changes to the layout in the past four European and American continents. others who should have been con- years, the course will be virtually the It has been said that the Americans, so structive with their criticism rather same as in 1985. A new fourth tee to used to winning all before them, lose than damning the Belfry for the sheer the right of the existing tee has been interest in international events until hell of it. constructed specifically for this match, they are beaten With that thought in Twelve years later, plus the injection forcing more of a draw over the edge of mind it is worth noting that the three of a vast amount of money by Greenall a recently constructed irrigation lake. major golf team trophies, the Ryder Whitley, the Belfry has matured into a Hit the water and the golfer will not Cup, the Walker Cup and the Curtis magnificent golf course, a view only lose the ball, but incure the wrath Cup are all on this side of the Atlantic. confirmed by PGA Tournament Direc- of Derek Ganning for disturbing his Add to that Nick Faldo's Masters' title tor Tony Gray, who told Derek just colony of rainbow trout! won at August earlier this year and it days before the match, that the Bra- There is an additional water hazard is not difficult to appreciate that Ray- bazon was "the best presented course also to the right of the short 7th where an existing drainage stream has been cleared, widened and a number of dead trees removed from an overgrown copse. A flock of Canada geese are more than happy with the new ar- rangements. One other change has been the re- moval of a mature chestnut at the edge of the 18th fairway, blown down in the gales. In some way this is a blessing in disguise for both spectator» and play- ers as it opens up the view from the tee making it easier to see the well hit shot. When Head Greenkeeper Sam Hagan was asked what special maintenance has been completed in preparation for Head Greenkeeper Sam Hagen with the two Sisis Autorakes used to scarify the greens the Ryder Cup, he said the Belfry top dressed and would be receiving a courses receive intensive maintenance matches, though Derek was reluctant "Ganning Secret Feed" three weeks all the time. However, as this event is to be drawn on the height of the cut or before the event. The bunkers have the peak of the golfing year, all their the stimpmeter speed to be achieved. been edged and replenished with efforts have been geared to prepare What is certain, if the opposition are Moneys tone White and last year the ir- the Brabazon to perfection for mid expecting similar speeds to those at rigation system was upgraded with September. Augusta, they are likely to be disap- the Toro 3000 system. Tees and greens have been scarified, pointed! One of the principle purchases this Staffing levels of around forty or fifty year has been the Australian made were reported at Muirfield Village, plus Coremaster, complete with sets of casuals during the match. Just for the quadra tines, half inch tines and three record, the two Belfry courses are quarter inch slit tines. This machine maintained by Derek and Sam in a was an excellent buy", said Derek supervisory capacity, six greenkeep- Ganning. He also purchased a John ers, one full-time mechanic, one man Deere Compact tractor which has spending most of his time on the irri- proved to be M beautiful machine". gation system and two YTS trainees, He also has a Jacobsen Diesel Greens who are following the block release King, complete with verti-cut reels and City & Guild syllabus. grooming units, which is currently As for the bunker raking and divoting, used to cut the sand greens prior to local pensioners will be on hand, happy the start of the contest. Once the to do the job for a monogrammed matches start the greens will be cut sweater plus a couple of rounds of golf. twice a day by hand with his three Just one more point - There is a spe- Lloyds Paladin machines. cial message for Jimmy Kidd at Glene- Cutting will take place in the early agles from The Belfry staff: "Watch for morning and again around lunch-time Derek stands beside the commemorative our colourful announcement under tree to mark the 1985 Ryder Cup before the start of the afternoon the score board at the 18th!".

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