“My job doesn’t end when I step off the course either - keeping track of the long range forecasts and planning around the weather are part and parcel of being a successful greenkeeper”
Across the ‘ravine’ to the 18th green, with the clubhouse beyond
We have our Little Owl resident on the 11th hole and two breeds of woodpecker. In addition there are a number of orchids and all manner of species of wildflower,” states Darren proudly.
Different grass species are
encouraged in the rough areas
Some spraying becomes pressing though, Darren concedes. “We’ve managed, for a few years, to hold off on spraying for leatherjackets and worms but, this year, they came back strongly over the summer.” “We’ve also
had problems with rooks, which like to peck in the rough for worms and other grubs, but there’s little you can do though.”
As demand for year-round golf rises, the technology golf courses employ to keep up with more intensive use of the course may need to be as modern and efficient as possible. Irrigation is a case in point because old, leaking and outdated systems can cost clubs time and money. The club updated its irrigation in 2006 when contractors, MJ Abbott, installed a state-of-the-art system. The installation is centrally controlled by computer, giving Darren the facility to operate each
Remodelling a bunker with upside down turf!
individual spray head when and where he needs to.
“We can be far
Looking across the course from the 18th tee 16
more accurate and less wasteful with our irrigation now,” he states, “targeting only the areas that need watering at the correct times when we desire. Having a borehole for water abstraction also makes life a lot easier.” The
relationship with the club is also a key consideration in the recipe for success, with trust ranking high on his list of priorities. “The fact that the club has real trust in my ability, and that of my team and that they leave us to get on with things, means I can focus on doing my job without fear of running into committee qualms.” “Too many clubs experience interference from committees, which often hampers progress,” Darren stresses. “In my opinion there’s nothing worse than people interfering when they don’t really understand what’s best.” Darren leads an eight-strong team, all of which hold the necessary groundscare qualifications. The club is fortunate in enjoying a generous maintenance and training budget, a factor that appealed to Darren when he came on board. “The club are insistent that we all have
the proper training - and half of the team also have spraying certificates. It’s important to be knowledgeable about spraying, especially in this very sensitive climate. Having guys here that know the correct ways of doing it is a real bonus,” he emphasises.
Salisbury & South Wilts is clearly a club
that recognises the importance of investing in quality, demonstrated when it purchased a full range of Toro machinery. The club have invested heavily in both course machines and good on-site staff, with in-house mechanic, Dave Low, hailed by Darren as one of the best in the business, an area increasingly seen by golf clubs as a vital element of running a cost-conscious maintenance programme. “He has a wealth of experience in machinery maintenance, which means we are able to do all our repairs in-house, even our grinding - something which can get expensive if outsourced,” explains Darren. With his eighteen years experience in
turfcare, Darren has gathered some essential tips for being successful. Yet, as with most things in life, it’s the simpler ones that often reap the fullest rewards. “For me, timing is everything,” he insists. “Knowing what to do, and at what times, is a real crucial element of the job. Keeping tabs on the weather is perhaps the most important aspect though, as the weather is the greatest force controlling how and when we work. My job doesn’t end when I step off the course either - keeping track of the long range forecasts and planning around the weather are part and parcel of being a successful greenkeeper.”
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