Conservation at Kings Hill
Duncan Kelso, Course Manager at Kings Hill Golf Club, explains the conservation policy in place at his club and says that there is still a long way to go to achieve their goals
F Duncan Kelso with rare orchid
rom the very beginnings of Kings Hill Golf Club, one of the key objectives has always been to establish a quality golf course in the most natural and diverse setting that the site offers. To achieve this a policy and commitment to the environment, and its improvement and ongoing management, were put in place. Kings Hill is now well on the way to finding a suitable balance between man and nature, leading to the provision of a first rate leisure facility that provides natural habitats for common and rare species of flora and fauna, which can be enjoyed by all golfers whether members or visitors. In 1998 an Environmental Management Document was set out, recording history, laying down plans, standards and on- going maintenance procedures
Book Review
Seasonal Requirements For Golf Course Management
Author: Laurence Pithie MG
Not one for letting the grass grow beneath his feet, in addition to providing Pitchcare with some golf working diaries, Laurence Pithie has just published his second book of the year.
Seasonal Requirements for Golf Course Management - is an excellent A5 size pocket reference book detailing the key maintenance tasks required for each of the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) carried out on a golf course.
The book is aimed primarily at all those who work in the golfing industry in a role managing or maintaining golf courses (course managers, owners, head greenkeepers, deputies and general greenstaff).
Laurence was the first greenkeeper to obtain BIGGA’s Master Greenkeeper Certificate in 1991, and he is also winner of both the Greenkeeper and Groundsman of the Year Awards in 1984 and 1988 respectively. He has served the industry for 39 years, working at numerous courses
to maximise the opportunities that the site presents in terms of its biodiversity.
Over the years, the gradual
regeneration and management of the heathland area, combined with careful management of the woodland and native grassland areas, has seen the gradual development and improvement of native species of plants and wildlife, some of which are rare to the area.
In 2005 Kings Hill Golf Club took part in the ‘Adders In Decline’ survey by the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group. Working with our partners at
the Kent Wildlife Trust, the club was awarded a CLA Wildlife Sites Award for the excellent conservation work carried out on the site, awarded by the Country Land & Business Association in 2001.
In 2004 it was a winner for
throughout the UK, initially as an apprentice greenkeeper at Bruntsfield Links GC in Edinburgh. For the last 16 years he has been responsible for managing multi-sites with American Golf and Crown Golf respectively.
This wealth of knowledge is clearly evident and shared in this book, with plenty of up to date information on current maintenance practices.
Spring: Transition from Winter
Laurence explains the key tasks to set the golf course up for the forthcoming playing season. Touching on spring renovations, aeration, fertilising, over seeding, topdressing, mowing and much more.
Summer: Peak Season and Performance
This chapter looks at quality of playing surfaces, definition of playing areas, consistency, irrigation/water management and detailed presentation issues.
Autumn: Renovation and Preparation
This chapter looks at the key works required to renovate the playing surfaces (autumn renovations) usually undertaken at the end of September or early October. Other topics discussed are reducing mowing frequencies,
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