“Has there ever been a more important time for support? I think not”
working together and supporting each other in this difficult industry, and through these difficult times, has to be a good thing. Maintaining a golf course can be stressful at times and the greatest form of stress is working alone! We are suggesting that other greenkeepers (no matter what grass species you manage) could set up their own networking group, or just simply give your neighbours a call. It works, believe me.
No man is an island!
Gaining knowledge from other greenkeepers, seeing first hand the successes and failures of others, avoiding the pitfalls, implementing others achievements and passing on our experiences has to be a good thing. It is a simple, yet great, idea, originated by the Danish greenkeepers, and it works. The R&A realised the value of networking and supporting each other, and helped us get together. I know they would like other greenkeepers to do the same.
One thing I need to make clear - The Gingerbread men are NOT about grass species. We are about supporting and helping each other. It was relatively easy for us to set up because we were already friends. But, it is still relatively simple, really ... just go and talk to your neighbour. If you are in close proximity why not start meeting up and exchanging ideas. But don’t stop there; share your successes and failures, exchange maintenance records, policy documents and, even, secrets. Hold forum nights and presentations for each other’s members, invite committees from other clubs to walk each other’s course ... the options are endless. So, in essence, you may already have your group. You all have a mutual
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respect and you support each other. We all need some advice from time to time, and I am sure we would be only too willing to help.
At my last open forum, four of the gingerbread men attended. They talked to my members, both one to one and addressing the room. They spoke brilliantly which helped gain enormous respect for our profession. Another thing we do is invite the
Greens Chairman and Committee to the nights, or just a friendly visit to each other’s course, we sometimes take them for a game of golf. Has there ever been a more important time for support? I think not.
Communication
This is the most important thing to master. After we gather the support and all the documented evidence, it’s then time to convey the changes to the members:
• Policy documents • Open forums and Q&A nights • Newsletters and emails • Progress reports • Course walks • One to one discussions
The entire key to success is centred on communication.
Our first port of call was to produce a
Policy Document that highlighted our objectives and goals. We told the members about the plans in a short presentation, and then we held an Open Forum for the members to ask questions. We send weekly emails to our members and put the reports on the notice boards. The biggest underlying factor for success is to have the members support. It’s
important to keep the information simple so that they understand. It’s also important to appreciate that the average golfer will come out with ridiculous comments but, sometimes, they will have a good point to make. It’s all part of communicating and, most importantly, it’s listening.
Creating the right environment
Before we embarked on an expensive over-seeding programme we needed to create a better environment, particularly on the greens:
• Improve plant energy/photosynthesis • Improve drainage • Reduce thatch • Improve airflow
• Reduce fertilisers, chemical and water applications
• Disturbance (as much as possible) Theory
A lot has been written recently about the importance of carbohydrates, and I agree totally. A plant needs energy, and this comes from carbohydrates. The plant gets its carbohydrates from sunlight / photosynthesis. Simple. Some people are endorsing sugars and, again, I agree that sugars may have a place. However, I like things fixed if possible.
I like to give the grass plant every opportunity to replenish its own natural carbohydrate reserve. When a green is surrounded by sycamores it will inevitably lack sunlight and energy and, therefore, recovery rate will be slower. The answer is not in the bottle, it’s the chainsaw!
The same applies to cutting at 2mm- 3mm. The greens will be under stress
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