The 6th hole had a major upgrade in preparation for the British Masters
to a depth of 20mm. In addition, the greens are lightly topdressed once a month. Fertiliser applications are tailored to suit conditions using a mixture of conventional and slow release granular and liquid formulations. These are backed up with applications of iron and seaweed when necessary. Wetting agents are used monthly from April-September and insurance applications of contact/systemic fungicides are made during June/July/August and as required thereafter.
Tees and fairways
Constructed with 50/50 rootzone blend, the tees are sown with a mixture of dwarf Ryegrass/Fescue for durability. They are overseeded with straight Perennial Ryegrass once or twice a year. Fertiliser applications are similar to the greens - conventional/slow release/liquid combination. Topdressing four to five times a year and hollow coring are combined with sand applications using the Graden. The fairways are sown with Perennial Ryegrass/Fescue and maintained to a very high standard. Hollow coring and topdressing take place on a regular basis. Fertiliser applications consist of straight Nitrogen plus liquid 18.9.9 and Turf Tonic.
Machinery
The Belfry possesses a bewildering array of machinery, with a 50/50 mix of John Deere and Toro predominating for mowing equipment. In addition they
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have a wide range of specialist equipment such as a Blec Sandmaster, two Graden Contour Sand Injectors, Ty-Crop Top Dressers, Express Dual and Anglemaster plus construction machinery etc. All the tractors are John Deere. During the last two years alone, the Belfry has invested over £500,000 in new machinery.
Kenny Mackay is very proud of what has been achieved since his arrival two years ago. A great deal of work has been done to improve drainage on fairways as well as remodeling and resanding of every bunker on all three courses. Altogether in excess of one million pounds has been spent on improvements and equipment. Over one hundred mature trees have been planted as part of the conservation initiative, which the Belfry fully supports. He is very quick to point out however, that full credit should be paid to his fantastic staff, without whom he says, “This place would be nothing at all.” He is particularly complimentary towards his two Head Greenkeepers - Eric Olson (Brabazon Course) and Neil Smith (PGA and Derby courses). “They are both brilliant guys and I can absolutely rely on them. I trust their judgment and integrity as senior managers totally.” Playing the Brabazon course is an
experience no serious golfer should miss. It is a wonderful testament to the superb design skills of its creators thirty years ago and the millions of pounds invested
The approach to the 18th
in further development. Each and every hole has a magnificent history to recall - The 5th hole where Paul Azinger sank a 50 foot chip-and-run in the 2002 Ryder Cup. The 9th hole where Barry Lane set a course record in The Benson and Hedges International Tournament with a 164 yard eagle two. The 10th - here it was that Seve Ballesteros famously drove onto the green, from the back tee in the 1978 Hennessy Cup. These are just a few of the key Brabazon moments that have made the Belfry the legendary world class venue it is today.
My grateful thanks to Gary Parkinson
and Kenny Mackay for their warm welcome at the Belfry and also, for interrupting their busy schedule to accommodate me.
“Mistakes are going to happen. The Belfry is one of those courses where danger
is always lurking” PAUL CASEY
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