Golf
“
Every greenkeeper recognises how critical good drainage is on a busy golf course, especially in light of the changes in climate patterns
Brilliant volunteers with Peter Freeman, Greens Chairman, extreme right
Jonathan explained the importance of the hole in design terms and why they wanted to make it a signature hole. It will provide, together with the newly designed and constructed bunker on the left side of the green (built in-house only a few weeks before), one of the most challenging and spectacular holes on the course. It was, therefore, essential to open up the views again and clean out the pond to give the hole a sense of scale and perspective. Most of the scrub clearance had been done previously by the club’s volunteer team of more than twenty regular members, headed up by John Robinson - a turfing specialist in his own right who has dedicated hundreds of hours of his own time to the club and greenkeeping team. The volunteer team had also helped to build the new bunker, with Paul Hayward on the excavator and using turf supplied by Tillers - also being used on the new right-hand bunker. The pond surrounds had also been cleaned out, exposing more surface area of the water feature. What remained to complete was some reshaping of the banks, the construction of a new bunker hazard, pathway and improving the drainage around the green. Like Cavendish, it is clear that many 18 - 36 hole courses, with an eye on increasing
revenue, need to think about the possibility of changing or enhancing the layout of their courses if they want to increase interest and attract new players. Additionally, every greenkeeper recognises how critical good drainage is on a busy golf course, especially in light of the changes in climate patterns and the desire of golfers to play 365 days a year. With a finite number of contractors and available machines to hire, ownership really is an option worth further consideration. Owning a machine can help a club become self-reliant, when it comes to project work and maintenance. As I discovered, the range of compact
excavators available from JCB is vast, from micro excavators that are under a tonne to more familiar 8 tonne and 13 tonne models. With a range of bucket options, and other attachments such as augers and even water pumps, the machines serve many purposes. It is this variety of choice that leads me to recommend dealing with an experienced manufacturer who is able to support with site surveys to ensure the right machine for the job is purchased. As for other course improvements at
Cavendish, the club is keen to continue along this route and carry out other work to improve the aesthetics and strategic playing characteristics of a number of holes on the
course. In some cases, it will be about redefining fairways, improving the second shots to the greens and making the most of the stunning views seen around the course. As for the day to day maintenance, this is
expertly overseen by the two resident greenkeepers, Nick O’Meara and Mark Elliot, who do an amazing job keeping the course in play all year round to a very high standard. Cavendish, due to Buxton’s unique climate, has a very short growing season. Temperatures, generally, only become warm enough to support growth from mid-May through to the end of September; another reason for only requiring two full time staff topped up with two additional seasonal greenkeeper support workers. Even in the height of the growing season,
they are able to cover all mowing operations, cutting the rough, fairways and tees and approaches twice a week, with the greens cut or rolled six days a week. The club is on a mission to improve the
course using all the resources they have at their disposal. I am sure Jonathan and his fellow Greens Committee members and Board of Directors, along with the volunteer groups, will succeed in meeting their targets set for the centenary celebrations in 2025.
Left hand bunker on the 4th prior to sand placement
40 I PC APRIL/MAY 2014
The 4th - construction almost complete
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156