Sustainable development and management is fundamental to the future success of golf
Show there were two days dedicated to the issue with guest speakers promoting the many benefits of sustainable golf.
T The R&A are actively
promoting the concept, their definition of sustainability in relation to golf course development and
management is: ‘Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management’.
Sustainable development and management is fundamental to the future success of golf. However, sustainability can only be achieved through the implementation of best practice and is only as flexible as the single limiting factor in its definition which, more often than not, will be environmental or economic considerations. Without doubt the phrase ‘sustainable golf ’ seems to have hit a chord with many
here has been lot of debate recently about sustainable golf. At this year’s Harrogate
people in the industry. Back in the 1970s most courses were managed with limited resources and with little or no major inputs of water and feeds. There were no wetting agents or micro life products in those days. Most courses just about managed to keep their grass cut on a weekly cycle with the staff they had. Modern technologies and
the growing expectations of players have had a major impact on the game, with a resultant increase in inputs of resources (material and manpower) to produce all year round consistent conditions.
The question is do we want courses to look and perform the same all year round, and be a drain on resources? There is one course in the country that has resisted the temptation to follow modern trends. Delamere Forest in Cheshire has not changed its maintenance approach in its 96 years of existence. Through the grapevine I had heard some interesting claims about the course, in particular that no irrigation was in use, and hadn’t been for some time.
I met up with the Head
Greenkeeper, Andy Ralphs, who has worked at the club since 1989. Andy took over the head greenkeeping role nine years ago when Jim Astbury retired. Many of the practices undertaken during Jim’s 50 years at Delamere are still carried out today. Founded in 1910, the course was designed and constructed by W H Fowler (who also designed the Old Course at Walton Heath). He made the most of the natural undulating land of the area. Little has changed in almost a century, including the club house and grounds. Set in the heart of the Delamere Forest the course rolls amidst wonderful wooded plantations and natural heathland. Fowler had no qualms about challenging the golfer with a number of blind drives and
testing their
stamina with some
punishing hill
climbs. The first hole sets the tone, a difficult 430 yard par 4, requiring an 80 yard carry onto an uphill fairway. Renowned for being one of the best inland heathland courses I was keen to see if Delamere Forest was living up to its reputation.
FIRST impressions count for a lot. The greens had excellent colour with a dense sward, overall the course looked very tidy, well- managed fairways, semi rough and rough areas were all clean and sharp. Andy introduced me to his staff, a fairly young group of lads, all very keen to further their careers in greenkeeping and all attending college to gain qualifications. I asked Andy about his watering regimes and was surprised to learn that the last time he applied any water to the course was back in 2003 when there was a prolonged spell of dry weather. They did a bit of localised hand watering to
“We keep things simple here, we just do the basics, the course tends to look after itself”
Andy Ralphs, Head Greenkeeper
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