workshop at the start of 2008 in Kobe, Japan. I found the latter to be a tough challenge, but I was helped by two female interpreters who made the day run very smoothly. I would not choose to do as many again in a single year but, then again, you never know. I try to cover as wide an audience range as possible and that can number from around 20 to over 200.
What are your plans for the future?
Turf Master One Ltd is now a registered company and I’m in the process of having a web site developed. This is due for completion by the end of June. I aim to act in an external capacity to any of the colleges, whereby I can assist in the training of students on higher education, covering a number of subjects on their syllabus such as cultural practices, disease control, water management and so on.
Setting up workshops up and down the country, aimed at both General Managers, Course Managers and Deputies, is another avenue I’ll explore. Providing short, one day courses is an area where many within the industry could benefit. At present, this tends to be limited to mainly irrigation and safety.
With regards to consultancy, this can be aimed at golf clubs, owners, architects, local authorities or potential clients. Basically, wherever there is a need to offer practical and technical advice to overcome particular problems, or just to review maintenance programmes with a view to being more cost efficient.
What do you see as some of the key challenges for the golf industry?
Providing the same standard of turf quality for less is probably the greatest challenge at present. There is a realisation that, for many clubs, there needs to be a change in direction. This is already evident on both sides of the ‘pond’ whereby ‘sustainability’ has got to be top of the priority list.
For many, this is nothing new but, for others, it should be signalling an end to the ‘Augusta syndrome’ of excesses and escalating costs. The game must remain affordable for the majority otherwise it will head into decline and, currently, there are too many courses for the number of regular golfers.
Another key challenge is the need for better trained Course Managers. Too often, those tasked with this responsibility often lack the technical and, at times, even practical skills to manage and maintain a golf course. However, there are many good young candidates who have tremendous passion for the job, but they, too, require the right level of support.
You mention ‘sustainability’ and this appears to be at the forefront of many debates, what is your view on this?
As I said above, it is nothing new. Jim Arthur and a few others were preaching this, albeit in different forms, at least twenty years ago. Now, it is largely driven by the STRI and the R&A. It is an all encompassing objective of managing golf courses on a more
CAMPEY TURF CARE SYSTEMS Marton,
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realistic and cost efficient manner which, in turn, has minimal impact on our environment. We should all be doing this as a matter of course, even if it is just using less water, fertiliser and pesticides.
Not everyone is blessed with being on a natural links or heathland course, but even those on urban parkland sites, on heavy clay, surrounded by trees can make some difference by getting the basics right.
It is not a case of going back to pre-war days with courses covered in weeds and worms and play almost non existent during the winter months. It is more about taking a more realistic view, and for golfers, operators and also the media to realise that we do not live in a perfect world with manicured wall to wall courses that cost vast sums to maintain. Yes, there will always be room for the few that wish to pursue that dream, but at what cost?
Recently, there has been some adverse press
in the US against golf courses, therefore the challenge is for those courses to publish what they are using in order to be more transparent. If they have nothing to hide then they can prove, beyond all doubt, that golf courses are good for our environment. Fortunately, the majority in the UK work in harmony with nature and take responsible care.
Any tips for our younger readers?
Focus on the basics, stay in tune with products and techniques, and have clear vision of what you are trying to achieve. Also make sure you gain as much knowledge as possible by visiting other courses, attending seminars and reading articles. Be open minded and realise that all courses are different. Above all, have fun, work hard but be realistic. Lastly, effective communication is vital. Be at the forefront and engage the customer.
Laurence W Pithie MG
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Tel: +44 (0)1260 224568 Fax: +44 (0)1260 224791 Email:
info@campeyturfcare.com
www.campeyturfcare.com 61
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