Golf
construct some additional tees, as the ones built during the restoration are quite small.
Other tasks throughout winter are machinery maintenance, checking electric fences, cutting greens once per week and taking back all the lieu hours built up over the summer. This winter, we also hope to acquire a slitter in order to carry out some aeration to the greens.
What pests and diseases do you have to contend with?
The only major pest problem is rabbits, and the ongoing process of repairing eighty years of burrow damage to the course. Local gamekeepers help out with shooting to control numbers.
All maintenance practices listed
The fundamental aim of Links greenkeeping is to mirror nature to ensure the long- term health and stability of the fixed dune grasses, namely the native fine fescues and bent grasses which predominate on the Machair land.
Links courses have their origins on the coastal land such as the machair on South Uist. This land would originally have been colonised and secured by the pioneering coastal grasses, such as Marram and lyme which, as the land form matured, would become stabilised by the fine fescues and bent grasses.
Traditionally, these grasses were grazed by animals such as rabbits, sheep and cattle. It was this grazing that managed the links land in such a way that the game of golf was able to be played on it.
At Askernish we want to encourage grazing in a controlled way as part of our integrated grass management programme. The extreme contours will prevent grass cutting in most areas so, in order to maintain the important vegetative character of the machair land, we need the grazing on these large expanses.
The minimal amount of rough cutting will be carried out at a height of cut similar to that of grazing cattle, which will not be detrimental to the stability
of the natural fauna of the machair and will only be necessary at times of excessive natural growth.
The fairways, which make up the largest area of grass cutting, will be at the same height of cut as grazing sheep. This will prevent any damage from erosion as the natural grasses will be encouraged to create a strong turf colonized by native wildflowers.
The greens, however, which make up 2% percent of the total managed area of the golf course, give no opportunity for grazing to any animals other than rabbits. These will be fenced off to protect the putting surfaces from damaging foot printing from the animals.
However, the greens will still receive the same principled programme of maintenance to ensure the stability of the native grasses such as minimum fertiliser from organic sources only - seaweed, dried blood, hoof and horn. The improvement of the putting surfaces will be from a native sand source, again imitating the natural process of topdressing from wind blown sand.
The above principles of traditional Links maintenance will protect the machair land in the long-term, ensuring it retains the very unique but diverse fauna and flora.
are aimed at promoting the native fescues which are drought and disease tolerant and care is taken not to over- stress these grasses by mowing too tightly, overfeeding or watering which could increase risk of disease. Indeed, we have never had a disease outbreak, despite fungicides or insecticides never being applied.
How important do you consider the local flora and fauna?
Vital. As you might expect in such an environmentally sensitive area, we have an extensive Biodiversity Management Plan in place. This was prepared for us in 2011 by Dr Keith Duff
B.Sc., Ph.D.,
D.Sc., C. Geol., FGS and consists of ten pages of solid text!
See what’s new
at the 55th Doe Show
3rd, 4th, 5th February 2015 Ulting Maldon CM9 6QH
New Ransomes MP Wide Area Mower
The UK’s largest agricultural/ construction/groundcare dealer show
Free Refreshments
Quad Bike Off Road Track
Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd
Ulting, Maldon, Essex CM9 6QH Tel 01245 380311
www.ernestdoe.com PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015 I 19
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