Climbing the ‘sustainable ladder’ whilst still reaching the high expectations of members will always be difficult, but this is the mission at Bromborough Golf Club where Paul Lowe took over as Head Greenkeeper just eight months ago. His findings to date have been very interesting.
A
s soon as I arrived at Bromborough Golf Club it became very apparent that the course had not worked towards
sustainability but towards producing an immaculately presented course. It is a very attractive parkland course set in the centre of the Wirral peninsular; a classic members run club with high demands and expectations. From an agronomy point of view the task of climbing the sustainability ladder is reasonably straightforward. However, the club has a history of reaching high standards with sublime manicuring, very low cutting heights and cutting from fence line to fence line, producing lush growth throughout the course. Bearing this in mind changing members expectations towards a more sustainable approach is easier said than done. The way we start should not be underestimated; laying down the foundations and compiling an action plan is imperative.
Why do we need to change?
Why change a method that has proven to be so popular with our members in the past? Well, this intense maintenance practice does come at a price:
• High financial cost • Playing quality • Environmental impact • Chemical restrictions • Social responsibility
It’s not just financial, although this is high. But it’s true to say that the cost of maintaining our greens is far greater than the natural mixed sward I left behind at Rhuddlan. Reductions in green fees are also a problem. Winter greens, course closure and the weeks after hollow coring have a negative financial impact. We also must consider that more intense cutting regimes cost the club money. All this in the current financial climate must be of concern to any club.
It’s a price also paid by the playing quality. I am of the belief that greens play better when they are botanically dominated with fine grasses. Firm, dry greens challenge all golfers and that is what we are
aiming for. I believe rough should be just that - rough. Not the continually cut, dense agricultural rough, but the fine wispy rough that includes natural uncultivated grasses containing wild flowers and insects. This makes for a much more pleasant place to play golf. The environmental impact affects us all. We need to consider that the world of greenkeeping is changing. We now have a more environmentally conscious culture, and chemical applications are becoming frowned upon - and not just being frowned upon - they are becoming restricted, FAST. We have learned of the implications that chemical and nutrient levels have on our land and waterways. We are becoming more environmentally responsible. By becoming more sustainable we will be more prepared for every eventuality.
How are we going make the first step?
Well, I won’t try to do it on my own. Everyone at the club needs to be involved; all the greenkeeping staff, committee or board, our STRI consultant agronomist, ecologist, architect, contractors, golf professional - everyone has to be supportive in our quest. But we need more than support. We also need to:
• Benchmark the course • Produce an action plan • Gather support
• Communication, communication and communication
• Document evidence and produce policy documents
• Create the right environment
Firstly, it is important to establish some benchmarking. Bromborough is a beautiful tree-lined parkland course. The greens have been intensively managed requiring monthly fungicide applications, high water demands and over 200kg of nitrogen fertiliser per annum. Every inch of the course has been intensively cut and manicured to perfection. The greens consist of pure Meadow Grass Poa annua, producing a soft surface and uniformed appearance. The thatch content is a high 75mm. The thatch, blacklayer and shallow roots are noticeable, thus producing a very
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