Golf
approach to creating playable surfaces under such consistently tough conditions. “A programme of organic matter reduction has created hard, fast greens that drain rapidly,” says Head Greenkeeper Kevin Griffiths, who battles with the same climatic concerns and maintenance challenges as the many neighbouring golf courses that litter this region of South Wales. “Even after really heavy downpours, we can be cutting after a couple of hours.” The three-man team, which includes
First Assistant, Darryl Jones, and Second Assistant, Martin Hopcutt, is out cutting as often as they can, in between the cloudbursts. “It’s been one of the worst summers on record here, but were getting getting growth right up to Christmas,” Kevin adds. “We don’t see the autumn frost we used to, so we have to be ready to cut whenever possible. You just can’t predict the weather up here and you have to act as soon as the rain lets up. That’s why consistency is so important to us.” With consistency comes good planning,
and key to the team’s ability to manage the weather is by implementing an action plan, and it is this that helps demonstrate just how efficiently a small team can work with the right tools and the correct mindset. “Aside from planned projects, such as new tee constructions, green extensions, and bunker restoration, our work at this time of year focuses mainly on course tidy- up, which generally includes tree felling and thinning, removal of unwanted hedges, and scrub and bracken clearance,” explains Kevin, referring to works that began in January.
The Glynneath three man greenkeeping team of (l-r) Martin Hopcutt, Kevin Griffiths and Daryl Jones
“Our schedule is very often dictated by the weather which, like on most courses, can make our lives difficult”
“Our schedule is very often dictated by the weather which, like on most courses, can make our lives difficult, but it does sometimes offer a welcome respite, which allows us to turn our focus to servicing our machinery.” First Assistant Darryl Jones handles the team’s machine fleet and is passionate about keeping it in pristine condition. With the merest prompt, he’s waxing lyrical about what I sense might be the love of his life. “We keep to a 5mm cut height across the greens all year, so consistency of cut is what we strive for,” he tells me, adding that John Deere ranks
high in the pecking order, particularly their hybrid greens mower. “We are a club that likes to cut every
day, even if there’s no growth,” he notes. “To me, it makes a difference to the look of the greens, but you have to take the good days when they come because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. You have to make the best of good light and fine weather in this corner of the world.” Before I have a chance to ask the question, Darryl lists the club’s machinery fleet - certainly a diverse retinue - that includes a Toro 6500D, Toro 4000, Toro 3100D, John Deere 2500E, Jacobsen Greens King 6, John Deere Pro Gator, Cushman, Kubota 5340, two John Deere 220Bs, a Toro Pro-Core 660, two Sisis scarifiers, a Greentec 3 tonne lift-bed trailer, 1.5 tonne Nante 360 mini-digger, Hayter slitter, a John Deere Topdresser and, finally, a Jarmet 500l sprayer. Darryl slips back effortlessly into singing the praises of the 2500E. Glynneath was the first club in South Wales to purchase it - seven years ago - and, thanks to Darryl’s mechanically precise mindset, still runs sweetly after 2,150 miles. “The reduction in hydraulic leaks is a big step forward for turfcare machinery. For a club like ours, on a modest budget and with a small staff, leaks are something we simply cannot afford.”
The machine has been a saviour for the
greens team, he says, averaging four cuts from a full tank, thanks to the electric reel system, which allows the cutting units to be powered independently of traction speed, unlike hydraulic reel circuits. Darryl is able to reduce engine RPM without slowing reel rotational or mowing speed. That makes it quieter too, at just 79dBA, while maintaining cut quality, productivity, and reducing fuel consumption by a tenth. Maintenance of what is a relatively large fleet rarely leaves Darryl a spare moment. “All our cylinder machines are reground annually, and back-lapped monthly,” he continues. “The full range of machines receives two services per year, which usually include changing all oils as necessary and any filters. All safety aspects are checked monthly, with any issues rectified by our local dealer, Powercut.” As Darryl starts really warming to his
The 11th green nestling in the trees FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 PC 17
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