Nick Faldo designed Amendoeira Golf Course in Portugal
It hasn’t stopped raining in Britain, while Navarino Dunes in Greece hasn’t seen rain since May. How do environments at opposite ends of the spectrum both manage to host golf courses in world class condition?
Troon Golf agronomist, Simon Doyle, looks at the impact the climate is having on agronomic practices
Singing a different TROON! W
ith more and more golf courses appearing in areas previously thought to be uninhabitable, climate issues seem to be less of a concern when planning a new golf course development. This is particularly apparent in the arid desert regions such as Arizona or the Middle East where golf courses have become a major feature of the landscape. Likewise, gated communities, with golf courses of the highest quality, have been developed in Russia. And Egypt, now home to new five star golfing resorts, is fast becoming a popular golfing destination. Pitchcare caught up with leading
agronomist Simon Doyle to discuss the impact that climate has on the agronomic practices and the intricacies involved in creating immaculate surfaces in such challenging climates.
their 18 years experience of developing some of the world’s finest golf courses and resorts. Troon Golf facilities can be found in various climates and locations, from Arizona and Australia to Dubai and Portugal and, with such variety, comes an array of experiences. Knowledge on a regions propensity to host a type of golf course, how the climatic conditions may impact upon the playability and quality of surface and how to best overcome such issues lie at the heart of their agronomic strengths. As European Director of Agronomy, Simon
is charged with delivering the company’s philosophy of agronomy at all of their European developments, “to achieve agronomic excellence by utilising and improving upon reliable, proven techniques to create the most celebrated playing surfaces in the world”.
He has travelled extensively to regions rich in golfing heritage as well as new regions unfamiliar to golfing afficionados. Having
how we can use our previous experiences to help maintain standards. This requires everyone on the team to work towards delivering the same goal,” says Simon, “and, when it comes to dealing with the extreme weather conditions, it’s all about experience. One of the great things about the team I work with is that there is not one condition or problem that one of us has not had to deal with at some time. It’s a great resource for all our people, our clients included.” Although the British summer, particularly
in recent years, has offered drainage challenges to test even the best systems, agronomists in the UK are not alone in facing extreme conditions as elsewhere different, but equally challenging, conditions have been encountered.
“One of the hardest challenges I have dealt with would be managing bentgrass in Japan, where the summers are 35-40°C with 90% humidity for extended periods. Physiologically, bentgrass cannot survive these
“We are getting much more used to the problems Mother Nature has been throwing at us of late”
The Grove in Hertfordshire Simon has a strong golfing background.
Well travelled in his work with leading golf management company Troon Golf, he has been privy to a wide variety of golf courses across very different climates. The company’s wide portfolio of over 200 developments in over 30 countries has given Simon, and his team of agronomists, the opportunity to sample almost every soil type, disease and drainage system, meaning they arrive at any facility with strategies and plans drawing on
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been involved in agronomy since a very young age, and first being involved with golf course development in his teens when his parents developed Glen of the Downs Golf Club in Ireland, he is more qualified than most to pass judgement on the agronomic challenges of a modern golf course, wherever in the world it might be. Simon is responsible for providing the strategic direction of the company’s agronomy operations across their European developments and, with a portfolio that has expanded into new, unexplored countries such as Russia, Simon and his team must remain versatile as they adapt not only to the changing conditions but also the changing climate.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is
combined extremes for very long, so we had to manipulate the situation through a combination of means. Coupling good air circulation, irrigation management and pest control strategies we were able to manage the surface and soil conditions and nurse the course through the challenging conditions. It’s many sleepless nights but a great sense of achievement at the end of a long hot summer, and it’s the experiences such as that which have been invaluable when dealing with the variety of extreme conditions we have faced at our European facilities this year.” “Bearwood Lakes and The Grove have
barely turned on their irrigation systems this summer, while Navarino Dunes Golf Resort in Greece has faced very different challenges, with no rain at all falling between May and
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