Golf
including feeds that have been specifically formulated for his course and imported from England. Some seaweed extracts are also used. Spencer is not looking for a boom and bust feeding programme; it simply needs to be consistent and even.
The use of fungicides and pesticides are not permitted in Denmark, so it’s a case of maximising cultural practices such as feeding, aeration, grooming and verticutting to reduce the incidence of disease. “I still suffer outbreaks though,” bemoans Spencer. “More often than not it’s take all patch which appears when humidity, air and soil temperatures are high. I try to combat this with applications of trace elements incorporating manganese and copper sulphate.” On the pest front, chafer grubs continue to be the bane of Spencer’s life, causing a lot of damage, especially around bunker faces. He is limited to what he can do to alleviate the problem, but is looking into the use of parasitic nematodes to control them. The courses are a haven for wildlife with nineteen areas designated as ‘Red Spots’, conservation areas monitored by Government agencies similar to the UK’s SSSI sites. No input is allowed and the club put aside £9,000 a year
to help conserve these areas. There are large colonies of rare
great crested newts, spade foot toads, crown deer, and even salmon have been found in the stream that runs through the course, with many other mammals seen out on the course. Wild Lupins are also found out on the course. The resort is obviously geared for the summer season, with many people either renting or buying one of the thirty-five lodges or houses and using the wealth of facilities that include swimming pools, wellness gyms, sub tropical baths, treatment rooms and saunas. However, their reward is playing well maintained golf courses that offer many different challenges. Having the opportunity to play three distinctively different course in, what are, stunning surroundings, with some of the biggest golfing hazards in the world, is what attracts visitors.
Spencer is certainly enjoying his new job. He confesses that he still has a lot to learn, but picking up the language has helped, as has getting to know his staff better.
When he is not working, he enjoys his two favourite pastimes - cycling and supporting the England football team. He has, over the years, spent thousands of pounds following them around the globe.
The state of the industry
What would you consider to be the state of our industry? There is little doubt that the industry is suffering a slump, but if you can make your course that little bit better than the next one, the mentality of today’s casual golfer means you will be the one club that survives. But, if there is one word that is relevant it is ‘proactive’. Never think you are safe; things can only go down from this point.
Are we undervalued? I’m sure some people feel we are, but I feel this image can be created by the individual. If you are professional and proactive, most of the time you will be treated that way.
How would you raise our profile? Follow the lead of the GCSAA or the AGCSA. Get more people involved! These organisations have full-time staff doing a job, as do we, but we rely on the greenkeeper down the road who has to make time to provide information for the magazine or website!!! Go out and get it yourself, like Pitchcare do. The GCSAA provide video tweets daily, and industry stalwart Richard Campey is now doing his own video tweets!
I only get scraps of info from BIGGA. They have to realise that, if they provide a service, the money will come! But you must provide that service. People want service!
Do you and your staff attend industry shows, seminars, demo days, road shows? Yes, I always attend Harrogate and visited the GCSAA/GIS show in Florida this year.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 PC 77
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