Golf
Hard at work 11th hole - Derby course “ 48 I PC JUNE/JULY 2014
We do have guys that specialise in irrigation, mechanics, construction and gardening but being a greenkeeper comes first.. Our approach is all hands to the pump. Priority everyday is to make sure the courses are set up for the day’s play. We are one big team
that is produced is used in our hotel. Pest and weed control is dealt with using spot treatment on the roughs and fairways.” In order to reach the standard expected daily on these courses, Jamie has undertaken NVQ levels 2 and 3, the full range of spraying certificates, chainsaw licence and is also a qualified trainer with both Toro and John Deere.
The importance and development of well-trained staff is paramount at the club and a training programme is discussed with all full time staff. This usually comprises a review after 12 months service to ensure staff are performing well, showing an interest in the job and the ambition for personal development, at which point they are given the opportunity to do their NVQ level 2. Further progression to Level 3 is given when each staff member is ready.
The staff have a wealth of certificates and qualifications including Spraying, Tele
Handling, Chainsaw and Excavator operatives and in addition to this, they offer in-house training sessions that are carried out by Jamie, Angus, and the Deputy Heads. Some of the recent sessions carried out are: Seed and Grass Indent, Fertiliser Application, Rules of Golf and Golf Etiquette.
Specialist guest speakers are invited to come and deliver training to the team and one of their most recent ones was Mark Hunt from Headland who did a session on Disease Management, Fungicide Application and Selection and Weather Patterns. Time is paramount to the success of the maintenance programme, however, Jamie encourages his team to attend Harrogate every year to take part in the seminars and to find out what’s new to the industry.
As part of the DeVere chain, a Health and Safety Audit is carried out twice a year to ensure they are up to date and compliant, however, a part-time Health and Safety member of staff is on hand all year round as well as five qualified first aiders in the team. All risk assessments and SOPs are revisited annually and, in the case of unusual activities, a risk assessment is carried out as a matter of course.
In conclusion, I was interested to find out what Jamie considers to be the state of our industry. “In recent years, course managers’ budgets have been cut, and we are constantly looking for ways to cut costs no matter which end of the scale you are working at (we are no different to any other course). But I don’t think we are any different to most other industries, it’s just a sign of the current economic climate.
“I think it’s a great shame that we only have one European tour event each year in the UK plus, of course, the Open Championship.
Jamie added: “In terms of how a greenkeeper is perceived, I think the profile is being raised and appreciated more in recent times, especially when you hear the TV commentators (Peter Aliss and Ken Brown to mention a few) from the BBC and Sky Sports heaping praise on them for the superb conditioned golf courses they are producing. “With this in mind, and in a quest to raise the industry’s profile, I will continue to ensure our three golf courses are kept in immaculate condition.”
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