Greens gold&


THE SUMMER OF 2018 BROUGHT A HEATWAVE


COMPARABLE TO THAT OF 2006 WHEN THE OPEN RETURNED TO HOYLAKE AND TIGER WOODS WAS VICTORIOUS ON A


LIGHTNING FAST LINKS


TRADITIONALLY, LINKS GOLF is to a large extent about letting the weather transform the landscape as it sees fit without too much human intervention. However, these days sustainability has


to be taken into account, too, and the need to use water wisely has inspired the idea that “gold is the new green”, not just on golf courses but in many parts of the world. RLGC Secretary, Simon Newland,


describes the challenges the Royal Liverpool faces when temperatures soar. “Members and visitors enjoy nothing


more than a finely maintained links, but in a drought situation that goal comes under real pressure. The links at Hoylake is irrigated by a superb network of sprinkler heads and water is sourced from an on-site bore hole but, as one might imagine, the ability to take water from the ground is strictly licensed in the UK by the Environment Agency. During


66 ROYAL LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB MAGAZINE 2019–2020


a heatwave, the water we access must be carefully utilised and Links Managers find themselves targeting the high priority areas - greens, surrounds and tees. “The golden hue that results as


fairways and rough areas begin to dry down is rugged and earthy, and many describe this as links golf as it was meant to be played! Certainly it introduces the need for a different set of skills: sound ball striking from hard, tight lies, dealing with unpredictable bounces and the opportunity to practise a classic chip and run.


“The bottom line though is that water


scarcity is a real problem and golfers can no longer expect to stride verdant fairways, regardless of the weather. But all we have to do is embrace that fact and enjoy the variety of British links golf that results.” n


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