Philip and Andrew oversee a comprehensive training programme for all staff
dressing going on the greens, and the height of cut being low for fast green speeds, this is an essential part of the weekly programme. Height of cut on all machines is checked daily.
TEES and greens are renovated three times per year in April, July and October. This involves closing the course for three days each time the work is undertaken. It usually involves hollow coring, feeding and topdressing. Tine sizes are determined on weather and turf grass conditions at the time. Sand is applied across all twenty greens following core aerification; the greens are also topdressed regular throughout the year depending, again, on conditions. The tees also receive sand dressing during renovations and the fairways are top-dressed after core aerification or Graden work. There are eighty-five bunkers, all filled with Masters Leisure Sand from Dorset and all are raked daily. The greens and tees are cut daily using Toro pedestrian mowers. They are all USGA specification greens, sown with 100% Penn A4 bentgrass. Coming out of the winter period they were in an excellent condition; good colour, tight and very
firm. Machinery and areas of use
Greens Toro Flex 21 Collars Toro 1600 Aprons Toro GM-3250 Tees
Toro 1600-D
Fairways Toro 5400-D Semi Rough Toro 3100--D Rough Toro 3500-D Rough Toro 4700-D
Phillip and Andrew have developed an
agronomic plan, which outlines any project and major maintenance work to be carried out for the year ahead, this also shows time lines for any fertilser and chemical applications. This plan is sent to Troon Golf in Scottsdale Arizona, it is discussed in detail with the Director of Golf, Spencer Schaub, and signed off by the vice president for Agronomy Jeff Spangler who visits three times a year. Pest and disease problems have been few with the exception of a nematode issue on some of the greens. It has taken three years for Phillip and a team of dedicated professionals to resolve this issue, working closely with Dr Colin
R: Phillip Chiverton, Faskia and Andrew Whittaker
L-R
Flemming (Nemotologist) from the Queens University in Belfast and Mark Hunt from Headland Amenity, to identify the particular Root knot nematode and to find the right methods to eradicate the problem and work around the issue, along with ensuring the grass plant remains healthy enough to withstand the nematode activity. Typical of many resort courses, buggy transportation paths meander their way around The Grove, these are designed in such a way that they are rarely seen when playing the course, but perform a very important role by keeping all golf traffic
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