GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL GI JANUARY 2010 Inside... AInside... Rookie’s Guide to Featured Inside HarrogateFocus on Week firstFungicides-timE GOErs GET thE LOWDOWN ONDr THIS Terry M ONMabbutTH’S EXHIBITION MATCH MADE gets technical IN HEAVEN The Unseen Finca Cortesin is Irrigation this month’s Golf System Course Feature Irrigation matters uncovered Horses (and Tennis) for Courses Epsom and Wimbledon under the radar Make 2010 X a Good Year We look to the year ahead with a double-feature on how to maintain golf club standards Don’t miss the Doe Show Golden Jubilee 2nd, 3rd, 4th February 2010 at Ulting, Maldon CM9 6QH Join the Doe Show Gold Rush By far the largest Agricultural, Construction and Groundcare The show will feature 50 extra special offers Dealer Show in the UK See the Ultra Eco-Friendly for the Golden Jubilee • over 150 trade stands New Holland NH2 special hydrogen powered tractor • used machinery bargains • shop soiled and ex-demonstration machinery at ‘to sell’ prices • working demonstrations ? • large indoor display of ancillary products • parts and showroom offers Gold Case IH Maxxum Tractor to be auctioned by sealed bid. • catering facilities Entries close 28 Feb 2010 SAT NAV CM9 6QH HARPER & EEDE Head Office: Ulting, Maldon, Essex CM9 6QH Tel 01245 380311 Free Parking • Free Entry Email [email protected] www.ernestdoe.com Free Refreshments • NRoSO Points Awarded Branches throughtout East Anglia and the South East www.ernestdoe.com Where you can buy with confidence WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR BIGGA President Sir Michael Bonallack, OBE Board of Management Chairman – Peter Todd Vice Chairman Paul Worster Past Chairman Kenny Mackay Board Members Jeff Mills, Gary Cunningham, Archie Dunn, Ian Willett, Tony Smith, Elliott Small, Mark Dobell Chief Executive John Pemberton [email protected] Head of Learning & Development Sami Collins [email protected] Head of Membership Department Tracey Maddison [email protected] Contact Us BIGGA HOUSE, Aldwark, Alne, York, YO61 1UF [email protected] www.bigga.org.uk Tel – 01347 833800 | Fax – 01347 833801 GREENKEEPER INTERNATIONAL The official monthly magazine of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association Limited. Editorial Communications Manager / Editor Scott MacCallum 20/20 Vision Tel – 01347 833800 Fax – 01347 833801 [email protected] Design As we enter a brand new decade – yes, Some of the information may be things Design and Production Editor I’m aware of the old argument about you are already doing, or not relevant to your Tom Campbell how technically it begins in the year place of work, but even if there is one thing Tel – 01347 833800 ending in one, but our Millenium that can help you it will make life that little bit Fax – 01347 833801 [email protected] celebrations started on the evening of easier. Dec 31, 1999, not Dec 31, 2000, didn’t Don’t discount advice from any source. Advertising they? – and as well as wondering what But back to the year 2020. Sales Executive we have done with the last 10 years I certainly don’t have 20/20 vision, but I do Kirstin Smith of our lives, it makes you wonder just know that some of what will be commonplace Tel – 01347 833800 in 10 years’ time will seem truly mind Fax – 01347 833802 where we will all be in January 2020. [email protected] On one hand the last 10 have gone in the boggling now. blink of an eye but really it’s remarkable just Progress doesn’t slow down as we move Sales Executive how much has happened since Jan 1, 2000. forward – it gathers pace and I suspect we’ve Jill Rodham A mere 10 years ago we hadn’t even heard all be travelling to work on environmentally- Tel – 01347 833800 friendly jet powered hover boards; have entire Fax – 01347 833802 of the iPhone or Facebook, or Usain Bolt [email protected] or Barack Obama, while Tiger Woods was cities housed under glass domes to protect known only for his golfing exploits. us from damaging rays, and be hitting the In the big wide world, 9/11 and the golf ball shorter distances to preserve the Printing subsequent military conflicts; the tsunami; relevance of our top golf courses. Warners Midlands Plc, The Maltings, Manor You guys may not have your current Lane, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH the death of Michaael Jackson and the Tel – 01778 391000 | Fax – 01778 394269 demise of Woolies were all still ahead of us. armoury of chemicals to fight disease but new versions will come on board, while grass Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise No-one could have predicted the volatility of reproduced without written permission. Return the world economy two years ago, never mind breeders will be closer to the Holy Grail postage must accompany all materials submitted of slow growing, disease resistant, shade if return is requested. No responsibility can be 10 years ago, and there can be no disguising assumed for unsolicited materials. The right is the impact that has had on golf. resistant, thin leafed swards. reserved to edit submissions before publication. Although every care will be taken, no However, the game will survive and those Nostradamus I am not, but, you never responsibility is accepted for loss of manuscripts, know, I might just have got something right. photographs or artwork. Opinions expressed clubs which get their priorities right and are not necessarily those of the Association, continue to invest in their greatest asset will I’m excited about the thought that it might and no responsibility is accepted for such the bit about environmentally-friendly jet content, advertising or product information be successful, while sport in general - with that may appear. Circulation is by subscription. the Olympics, Commonweath Games and, powered hover boards. You never know! Subscription rate: UK £50 per year, Europe and I hope you find a way through any Eire £65, Rest of the World £95. The magazine is possibly, the World Cup all gracing these also distributed to BIGGA members, golf clubs, shores in the next decade - will gain a difficulties you may be experiencing and go local authorities, the turf industry, libraries and on to have a prosperous 2010. central government. genuine boost over the next 10 years. It’s just a case of finding a way through this Best wishes. particularly difficult spell and this month we include an article with contributions from Les Howkins MG and Ian Henderson which is designed to offer advice on how to make a lot ISSN: 0961– 6977 out of a little both in the club and on the golf Scott MacCallum © 2010 British and International Golf course. Editor Greenkeepers Association Limited JANUARY 2010 GI 3 CONTENTS GI A look at what’s inside the magazine this month FEATURE JANUARY 2010 17 Make 2010 FEATURES a Good Year Those within the golf industry are under no illusion that 2010 is going to be a difficult year… but not impossible. As the year gets under way financial expert, Ian Henderson, and Master Greenkeeper, Les Howkins, give some excellent advice that 17 Make 2010 might help golf clubs through this sticky period. a Good Year Keep it Simple: Les Howkins MG, of Richmond Golf Club, offers some advice on improving the course without breaking the bank. Loads of Money: Ian Henderson looks at ways in which golf clubs can reduce costs and maximise income. 25 Match Made In Heaven Photograph of Hankley Common, taken by Gareth Roberts GI GI Mark Alexander visits the new 18 JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 19 home of the World Matchplay GI_JAN_10.indd 18-19 18/12/09 14:45:47 Championship, at Finca Cortesin, in Spain. 32 The Anatomy of… a Greens Mower James de Havilland launches a new series taking a serious look at the workings of everyday machinery. 37 A Rookie’s Guide to Harrogate Week Scott MacCallum gives some 32 37 advice to Harrogate Week novices on how to make the most of their time. 41 Troublesome turf weeds in South Australia Dr Terry Mabbutt travels to the other side of the world in his search for exciting new turf weeds. 48 Getting Back to the Cutting Edge Jonathan Knowles asks the ques- tion “Is greenkeeping horticulture, agriculture or ecology?” 41 48 4 GI JANUARY 2010 25 REGULARS GREENKEEPER 6 Newsdesk GI INTERNATIONAL 12 Chairman’s Word JANUARY2010 13 GTC Inside... 14 L&D AInside... Rookie’s Guide to HarrogateFocus on Week Featured Inside 15 Industry Update FIRST-TIMEFungicides GOERS GET THE LOWDOWN ONDr THIS Terry MONTH’S Mabbut EXHIBITION MATCH MADE gets technical IN HEAVEN 52 Quick Guide to… The Unseen Finca Cortesin is Irrigation this month’s Golf Line Marking System Course Feature Irrigation matters 53 New Products uncovered Horses 6 56 Around the Green (and Tennis) for Courses Epsom and 59 Chief Executive’ Wimbledon under the radar 63 Diary of Events New Feature 64 Membership Make 2010 X 65 Assistant Profile a Good Year 65 What’s Your We look to the year ahead with a double-feature on how to Number? maintain golf club standards 66 In the Shed GI_JAN_10.indd 1 67 Health and Safety 18/12/09 15:08:07 – with Xact TheThe official official monthlymonthly magazinemagazine of of 74 Soapbox the British & International Golf – Jonathan Smith the British & International Golf GreenkeepersGreenkeepers Association Association Limited. Limited. Cover Photograph of Hankley Common, 52 taken by Course Manager, Gareth Roberts JANUARY 2010 GI 5 NEWSDESK GI The latest news from around the globe “There it goes..!” Don Wales, the nephew of multiple place at this Pendine Sands in world speed record holder, Donald Wales early next year and was Campbell, will be at the controls of announced at the National Motor the attempt which aims to propel a Museum in Beaulieu.