Gearing up for the Ryder Cup will mean maintaining a weed- free estate - a nigh on ‘mission impossible’


Keeping track of pesticide use can be difficult at the best of times but the task of achieving this across three separate championship courses would prove a tough challenge, Jim concedes - one he is happy to leave to professionals. “It not only makes practical sense but also financial, health and safety and environmental sense to turn to a contractor for such a delicate and sensitive aspect of the job.” The Resort undergoes regular


environmental health inspections to ensure it continues to meet spraying regulations, so keeping detailed records is vital.


Spraying is all about being “pre- emptive rather than reactive”, Jim stresses. Gearing up for the Ryder Cup will mean maintaining a weed-free estate - a nigh on ‘mission impossible’, Jim knows. He and his team are working


Part of the stunning TwentyTen Ryder Cup course


closely with CWC to decide on short- term focus areas for treatment, as well as those to be addressed once the tournament is over. “Naturally there will be areas that can’t be maintained as frequently as others,” Alan explains. “The main problem at Celtic Manor is giant hogweed growth by the river, and build-up of thistles and nettles in low-spray areas.”


But, moss is a big headache, and it is flourishing for several reasons. Annual rainfall nudging 53 inches, one of the wettest periods on record, and humid weather combine to create ideal conditions for it to flourish. The traditional treatment – dichlorophen – was taken off the market eighteen months ago under new pesticides regulations so control is difficult, Alan concedes. “We have relied on iron since the revocation,” he says,


“although a new pesticide for moss control, Jewel, has just been launched to give us more ammunition in our armoury.” “On fairways, we’ve been applying 20%


iron (Ultrasol FE) annually at a high rate of 20-30kg/hectare, dissolved in 500l of water.” Weed control in semi rough and rough is a continuing task, says Alan. “Nettles, docks, thistles and brambles can proliferate in these areas, if not controlled, and we apply a variety of herbicides, such as triclopyr or picloram, to get on top of them.”


The efficacy of these chemicals means we only needs to apply them sparingly, stresses Alan. “We then use three-way mixes such as dicamba, CMPP and MCPA on the fairways, for example, and only when necessary. We may only need to spray every year or even biennially,


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