GOLF


Our environmental commitment runs right ”


through the Par 3 and 18- hole courses. We’ve


developed hibernacula, shelters and boxes for insects, toads, lizards, snakes, bats and rodents for example


”Our environmental commitment runs right through the Par 3 and 18-hole courses. We’ve developed hibernacula, shelters and boxes for insects, toads, lizards, snakes, bats and rodents for example.”


The team had certainly put their shoulders to the grindstone in helping create the Academy course. During construction, topsoil was imported before the greenkeeping team built the greens and applied a final layer of 70:30 rootzone mix and seed.


“My signature hole is the 136 yard third,” Dan volunteers. “With a pond to one side and a bank on the other, it presents a stern challenge for beginners, as the whole course does in fact.”


The Academy course fully opened in May 2017 and has already enhanced junior golf at Slinfold, notes General Manager Luke Blacker, who has just joined us - promoted by a successful family open day and other events to showcase the practice facilities here.


“MYGolf Academy comprises three coaches who deliver premier golfing tuition across all levels,” he explains, “and who have operated at the driving range for nearly four years now, since it opened, followed by the introduction of the Eclipse Golf equipment custom fitting service in April 2017.”


As we walk the fairways of the 18-hole parkland course, the effects of the


prolonged dry spell are visible to some degree, but are not profound. “The bents and fescues are both holding up,” says Dan, “and, given we are mainly clay based here, the ground has not cracked.” “It’s all about stress management of the


turf,” he continues, “introducing more tolerant grass species, harder-wearing cultivars. Our greens aren’t the biggest and we enjoy more than 30,000 rounds on the main course, so traffic is heavy.” Right on cue, a ladies foursome appears through the trees on to the previous tee, as another group prepares to walk off our hole. “The USGA greens drain well although nutrients can flush through a little,” says Dan. “The slow release granular fertiliser we


32


PC October/November 2018


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