Golf What’s in the shed? Bunkers have been the main focus, creating typical Links revetted ones
the greens in the spring to monitor pH, nutrient values and organic matter; this has a bearing on a the direction and timing of several operations that are carried out
- Greens are sprayed for leatherjackets in mid November, but no other areas. A selective herbicide is used on our semi roughs and 3m into the roughs; these are the only areas that have any significant problems. A knapsack is used for any weeds on the fairways - as the sward is so dense, there are few weed problems. A total is sprayed in the roughs by knapsack to control dockens and thistles
- The occasional outbreak of fusarium is controlled with an application of lawn sand. pH on greens is low, as is the percentage of annual meadow grass, so disease is rare
Neil continues; “Our big focus is on bunker renovations. We would normally tackle about thirty per winter, which gives each one a turnaround of approximately five years. Every bunker on the property was redesigned from large American style sand traps to traditional revetted ones. The seventy bunkers on Torrance were done in-house during the course reconstruction and drainage project in 2008/9 and the Kittocks ones - done again in- house - in 2011/13.” “We are just about to start a large scale
organic matter and moss removal project to all fairways.”
Neil explains that he is responsible for all
budgets for his department. “Depending on how significant these are, I allow for some money within contract hire and sand/soil budgets. Anything that is deemed over and above regular maintenance is put forward to the owners as capital expenditure.” “That said, my annual work programmes
and projected timings aren’t worth the wall planner they are written on; they move as and when they need to, but it is all part of greenkeeping life and part of the thrill of being a greenkeeper.” Neil believes that the industry is in very good shape at the present time. “Speaking with many of the young greenkeepers coming through, I think we shall be good for a long time. Some of the passion that these guys are showing at an early age is very refreshing.” “I would like to see clubs promoting their
greenstaff as professionals who care about their work with a passion, and not use them as someone to blame when something doesn’t go according to plan. I would like to see more greenkeepers having an active involvement in the daily running of clubs. This will give knowledge to the clubs, but also a better understanding for greenstaff as to the
challenges other departments have to face.”
Toro equipment 10 x GR1000 pedestrian 6 x GR1600 pedestrian 5 x 3250 - different units 5 x RM5510 2 x GM4700 3 x RM3100 3 x RM3500 2 x Turf iron 4 x Workman HDX 2 x Workman MDX 10 x Trans-pro trailers 3 x TD1800 2 x Pro-core 660 1 x Sand pro 1 x Hydroject Other equipment 3 x Kubota tractors 1 x Renault tractor 10 x Kubota RTV 2 x Hardi 600L sprayers 1 x 1000L Bargam sprayer 1 x Wacker Neuson 28Z3 excavator 1 x 2.1m Charterhouse Verti-Drain 1 x Sisis fairway slitter 1 x Wiedenmann Terra Spike 1 x Charterhouse Sandmaster 1 x Fairway top dresser 1 x Gambetti turf iron
1 x Ransomes Jacobsen remote control Spider Numerous Flymos, strimmers etc.
“We have a 4 year contract with Toro which is up for renewal now. We lease the equipment through Lely and are supported very well by our local dealer, Hendersons.
I will always go with the best deal for the property I work at; I consider fit for purpose before price.
Since 2009, I have been using the Gambetti turf iron with great results to the smoothness of our greens, as well as allowing me to raise heights of cut and reduce mowing regimes. Our Bernhard grinders are bulletproof and allow us to keep our blades at their optimum sharpness all year round.
If justifying buying a machine was cheaper than repeat hiring then I would always put that forward, but if it is an item seldom used then I would hire with an operator.
We have a two hose Waste to Water system.
All grass cutting is undertaken with Toro machines
My wish list includes a drainage trencher, fairway v-mowers and a rough cutter collector.”
PC JUNE/JULY 2015 I 17
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