GOLF


What end of season and ongoing renovations do you undertake?


Over the past six years, we have overseeded the golf course and a good few tonnes of seed have been added at this stage. The dry year of 2018 showed up a few weaknesses and highlighted that we still have a way to go on a few fairways. Course improvements are carried out every year with a busy winter programme each year. Bunker renovations take place regularly, in order to keep them at the desired standard of a club of this nature.


Are renovations affected by budgets?


As with any club, budgets have to be adhered to. Within our budget we have a winter programme/budget section.


How have changing weather patterns affected what you do?


I think our industry involves working with the weather. We are lucky to be based on a


free draining site here at the club, so we do tend to remain open when other sites may be closed.


Do you take regular soil samples to ascertain what work is required?


Yes we monitor organic matter percentages on a yearly basis and our agronomic programme reflects the findings of these results. We also carry out nutrient analysis.


Communication?


We interact with our club members in many ways such as: Twitter (@Festucaman), regular membership newsletters and emails. I blog every couple of months for the GCSAI which is put out by the Confederation of Golf here in Ireland.


Are you working on any special projects at the moment?


As we are preparing to co-host the Amateur Championship, with Portmarnock in 2019, this winter programme is small by nature. Revetting bunkers, improving links presentations are top of the agenda.


What projects have been undertaken in recent years?


New maintenance facilty, new club car park, renovating bunkers, low dune creation in several places, new first tee complex, naturalised fairway bunkers and installation of four new championship tees.


Do you offer ongoing training to your staff?


Yes, very much so. Staff are encouraged to improve themselves with education and courses. This is something the club is keen on promoting.


Machinery?


We have a five year machinery renewal programme in place. This helps us with budget predictions and allows us to gain better trade-in values when switching any of the machinery. We tend to buy direct from a manufacturer and predominantly purchase Toro machines.


Are there any new pieces of kit that have significantly helped to improve your playing surfaces?


Several of our greens do not get a great deal of sunlight, more so in the winter months when the sun is low in the


sky. It’s amazing how many microclimates there on this particular site


Left to right: Dan Hunter, Gary Myers, Kevin Canavan, Matty O’Rourke, Jonathan Mitchell, Alan Callaghan, Keith Byrne, Dave Edmondson. Missing from image: Pat McGann.


54 PC February/March 2019


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