Golf
every job. When people are sick or on holiday, we have no trouble in getting all the jobs done.” “Renovations are the most important parts
of the year,” states Andy. “We try to put as much money into renovations as we can. Sand prices have gone up so much over the past couple of years that we have, though, stopped thinking about topdressing the fairways.” “The renovation work involves hollow
coring and verticutting the greens, and hollow coring tees, surrounds and approaches, followed by topdressing. We machine rake the fairways and renovate our range tee with a tractor mounted Graden.” “As well as the course, we have a big
woodland area across the river, which we have to keep maintained as there are public footpaths running through it.” The ecology and environment are
important factors to be considered at any golf course and Buckinghamshire is no exception. Andy has started to put policies in place to bring more flora onto the course and grounds. “We have just opened up an area to the side of one hole, near the river, which we have sown with a mixture of wildflowers, which is starting to look good; the members really like it,” Andy confirms. “We have an environmental policy in place, and we also have a country park right next to us, so get advice from the park ranger when needed.” “We don’t use temporary greens. If there’s
a frost, we are shut until it thaws out. Not many clubs still have this policy, but I’m lucky that the members understand why we do it. The condition of the course for the remainder of the year is paramount, so why allow play that will damage it?” Andy explains. “The start of the season was hard for everyone this year, as soil temperatures were so cold and, with lack of growth on the greens, this had an effect on maintenance recovery. We have had to do more maintenance during the summer as you simply can’t predict the weather in the spring/autumn months anymore. We have not had the same winter weather pattern now for quite a few years.” “But, as long as the course looks and plays
well, the members are happy. I see them out on the course and talk to them there. There’s
a weekly newsletter, which I add bits to if I need to make them aware of anything in particular. If there are any problems, believe me, I get told!” “Typically, we suffer outbreaks of fusarium, as do most clubs, and we aim to get rid of this through our usual cultural methods. We are fortunate not to suffer too much from rogue wildlife, just Canada geese, which are controlled by a pest control company and a spot of lead!” Andy is highly qualified - NVQ 1, 2, 3 and
HNC, PA 1, 2 and 6 spraying and NPTC in Irrigation. He also holds a digger licence and is a CDM Coordinator and A1 assessor. He is responsible for his own budgets. “I
have no committees, so all budgets and projects are my responsibility. People might say that’s great but, if anything goes wrong, there is only one person to blame; so just a bit of added pressure,” he comments. “I have a five-year lease deal with Toro
through Lely’s local dealer A.T. Olivers. Our cutting equipment is all Toro but, for all other equipment, I keep myself open to who has the best product at the time. We have most equipment to hand, but do have the Dryject machines in, with operators, to work on our greens during maintenance week.” “Many people do not understand our job and what is involved. The pressure is very high, with so much competition between clubs and budgets being cut. Normally, the first place a golf club look to save money is the maintenance team and the budget, which I think is mad when, at many clubs, the course is the only facility they offer.” Andy is now on a bit of a roll. “It would be
great if golf events that are shown on TV would also show more about the work the greens staff do, and give an insight on how the course is set up for a tournament and the specific and complex work carried out during the week. So many people watch golf on TV and I think they would all be really interested in what goes into running a golf course.” He concludes by firing a bit of a broadside.
“Our industry is in a good state but, with so much social media, there is far too much bitching between greenkeepers. Let your golf course do the talking, not your mouth.”
What’s in the shed?
Toro Flex 21 hand mowers x 6 Toro E-flex hand mowers x 6 Toro Groundsman 1600 tees mowers x 4 Toro 3250 Greensmasters x 2 Toro Sand Pro Toro ProCore 648 Toro Workmans (electric) x 5 Toro HEX Workmans (diesel) x 2 Club Car Carryall x 2 John Deere Gator (diesel) Toro 3100 Reelmasters x 2 Toro Groundsmaster 4000 Toro 3550 Reelmasters x 3 Toro Multi Pro sprayer Toyota forklift Massey Ferguson tractor TYM tractor Kubota tractor 5.5 tonne excavator Propass topdresser Belt topdresser Tru-Turf greens roller Toro greens roller Toro Pro Force blower Ransomes bat wing rough deck mower Soil Reliever Wiedenmann Terra Spike
NEW PROVAC SP ARRIVES WITH HURRICANE FORCE
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Schiller Grounds Care 0800 840 0888
lwdealer@littlewonder.uk.com www.littlewonder.uk.com
Part of the Schiller worldwide group of companies PC0815 PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 I 45
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