Golf
The Burren Clare, Ireland West
The Burren in County Clare is a karstic plateau - a stony chaos to the casual observer - with a full assemblage of the curious landforms that characterise such limestone landscapes.
The region encompasses 360 km2
of
gently inclined plateau, with a further 200 km2
of lowland to the east of the plateau. The limestone also has a landscape in miniature etched into exposed slabs of rock. The bare surfaces (pavements) are fretted with hollows and channels where acidic rainwater has selectively dissolved the rock. An extreme example of these micro landforms occurs on the coast.
Often described as a natural landscape, the Burren has been profoundly influenced by human activities. Early removal of the natural woodland induced soil erosion, enlarging the exposure of the underlying limestone.
Ecological diversity is one of the great attractions of the Burren - a remarkable profusion that is now under intense pressure. More than 700 different flowering plants and ferns have been recorded and, although the Burren represents only 1% of the land-mass of Ireland, 75% of the Irish native species are contained in the area.
Plants from northern (Arctic) regions reach their southern limits, those from southern (subtropical) regions attain their northern limits, whilst plants from high mountains (alpines) can be found growing at sea-level; all three groups grow side by side - and in profusion!
The Burren flora advances through its seasonal displays between April and October, but even in mid-winter, there are flowers in bloom on the ‘Fertile Rock’.
The Burren is a region of outstanding significance in an international context in terms of its geology, geomorphology, natural history and archaeology. Most of the area has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive.
The people of the Burren welcome visitors to Ireland’s most extraordinary landscape. It may look rugged, but it is also a fragile place and is always under threat from increased human activity. The limestone pavement, flora and built heritage are the resources on which tourism thrives. Respecting and conserving this resource is extremely important.
There is a Burren Code and, by following it, visitors can help protect the limestone pavement, plants and built heritage of this irreplaceable ‘fertile rock’.
24 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013
The 2nd green as it normally looks and (inset) a tad unplayable during the floods of 2009!
One club decision, that was reversed, was in the area of material cut backs. Two years ago, as a way of saving money, the club asked Peadar to reduce the amount of sand topdressing on the greens. The normal routine was for sand to be applied every three to four weeks. Peadar had to reduce this to every two months. The winter that followed found the greens to be playing very soft. After complaints by the members, Peadar explained to the club that sand topdressing plays a vital role in keeping the greens in good condition. After pointing out the important role that sand has on the putting surface, he was allowed to revert back to the monthly applications of sand.
Playing a round of golf at Gort is a very pleasant experience. The greens are in great condition, thanks to Peadar and his staff, and the views surrounding the course are breathtaking. I would strongly recommend you pay a visit.
This article first appeared in Greenside, the official publication of the GCSAI
What’s in the shed? John Deere 2500A greens mower x 2 Jacobsen Green King IVD greens mower John Deere 1200A bunker raker Toro Workman 3300D Toro 1800 topdresser Jacobsen Tri King 1900 John Deere 1600 rough mower John Deere 2500A tees mower John Deere 3235C fairway mower John Deere Aercore 800 aerator Kubota L4240 tractor New Holland TC27D tractor Wiedenmann Aerator Abbey 900G water tank Hitachi 3 tonne mini digger Flymo hover mower Hardi sprayer (200lt) x 2 Stihl FS55 brushcutters x 2 John Deere pedestrian mowers x 2 Turfco sodcutter Tru Turf greens iron
The Gort team l-r: Seamus Diviney, Darragh Coen, Peadar Grealish, Brendan Madden, Michael Ryan
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