What sort of major changes have been made to the course since 2006? All the artificial pathways have gone and been replaced to create a natural and aesthetically pleasing vision. In a way it was a gamble but I think it’s one that’s really paid off and it’s pleasing that members seem to agree. There have been a lot of bunker changes – many have been reduced in size while the gathering areas have been enlarged. Areas of broken ground have been added to the rough which make it that bit more daunting and something to avoid, and of course there’s the new green complex of the Championship’s 1st hole that is the Club’s 17th.
And what sort of more subtle things have you been working on? The main subtle change has been the grass composition on the fairways. We’ve removed a high percentage of rye grass and introduced good, fine fescue which hopefully over the next few years will be taken through the whole course.
When you play the course are you always working? Or can you switch off and just enjoy 18 holes? Unfortunately, when I am playing the course it only becomes work if my score starts to go downhill after nine holes. And if a poor shot ends up with my ball running into a small bunker I’ve only myself to blame – in more ways than one!
When Tiger Woods won here there was an extraordinary heat wave. What are your memories of coping with such extreme weather? You just had to go with what nature dealt us. Irrigation was required at times on the course to keep it alive but overall the look of the course was just what The R&A wanted for the Championship. This was the big push forward for sustainability as well as a great example of traditional golf where nature has an important part to play.
The course has to be a great test of golf for great players but also a fine experience for enthusiastic crowds. How do they figure in your thinking?
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The crowds are a huge part of The Open Championship. One of the reasons 2006 was such a great Open was the enthusiasm and good humour of hundreds of thousands of spectators. So we work hard to make sure we create good spectator routes and viewing points as well as we can. Hoylake is pretty flat but I don’t think anyone went away in 2006 thinking they couldn’t get around the course easily or see the action and drama unfold.
Tell us about the team that works with you. The guys that I have in the team range
Above right: Natural pathways blend
beautifully with the course
Below: The Open 15th green
from their early 20s to mid 40s. Half of them experienced the 2006 Open and the other half are really looking forward to being involved in such a major event. They are all qualified greenkeepers and local to the Wirral. In the last few years we have managed to see some of the lads move on to positions of Course Manager and Second in Charge at other Clubs around the country.
What sort of course do you aim to present for Hoylake’s 12th Open? If the weather permits, we would love to present a course similar to that experienced in 2006. Fast running,
If a poor shot ends up with my ball running into a small bunker I’ve only myself to blame
ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE 2 014
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