BTME Conference
Myself and David Moir have returned safe and well from our visit to our annual machinery, golf course equipment and educational conference in Harrogate on 22-24.01.13.
Considering this part of the country had already experienced heavy snow and forecasters were predicting further snow fall, it was encouraging to see this years show particularly well represented from not only the UK but Europe and USA too.
Throughout the visit David and I viewed the latest in cutting and thatch removal machinery and especially drainage equipment of which was certainly in plenty. However, David raised a snigger or two as i suggested to him my extensive machinery wish list for 2013 during our walk about.
It was also extremely noticeable as we chatted to various contractors, club managers and my colleagues that 2011/12 seasons has put clubs under severe pressure to produce courses to the high standard of which members now expect, in addition, it has highlighted various issues golf clubs face whether it be drainage, membership and more importantly finance(in some cases all three), never the less we should remain positive and hope/pray for a 'normal' summer this year to lift morale/spirits in aid of golf in general.
David has kindly put together some details of his experience at BTME;
BLOG
I attended
the BIGGA Conference in Harrowgate with Douglas
for a couple of days last week. Apart
from the latest equipment on show that the exhibitors are trying to entice
Clubs to purchase (and there are many such items from utility vehicles to aeration
equipment to sportsturf and landscaping machines), I see one of the main
benefits is in the presentations and education seminars run by BIGGA. They often have Course Managers presenting
topics e.g. Robin Hood Golf Club (a parkland course) which had the horrendous
task of replacing all greens - they had
completely lost them over a number of years of wet weather and overfeeding with
fertilizers – the before and after pictures were fascinating but also the
“politics” of the decision making process to get the Members to agree to invest
the money ( they were fortunate to have sold land at the turn of the century
for £1.4m but had spent a considerable part of these funds on the Clubhouse).
However after a 2 year project they are getting back to the standards that are
expected of a Harry Colt designed facility.
We
spent hours discussing products such as turf with exhibitors (e.g. you can now
get turf that grows in the shade!!) and the hot topic was of course drainage –
I met many greenkeepers and apart from the links courses (and even some of them
have drainage issues despite being built on sand) it is the hot topic amongst
the attendees – and a problem shared is a problem halfed. There is no doubt
that last years record rainfall is badly affecting members’ enjoyment of this
great sport and Clubs will need ongoing plans to tackle the “puddles” over the
next few years.
Contractors
tackling drainage issues are also finding it difficult – members and
greenkeepers are complaining about the mess they make when installing pipes etc
but even with boards down, the soft ground is not the best conditions to do any
such work without damage to surrounding areas. They are having to pull out of
jobs halfway through the process because of rain and trying to reschedule to finish
jobs is eroding their profit margins and they are postponing new jobs until
they get half completed ones finished.
However
I am confident that our Committee will have a plan in place soon for how we are
going to tackle our drainage issues over the next few years. The STRI report on the Course was completed
in mid January and the Greens Committee are at this moment deciding on the
priority areas to tackle this year.
David
Moir
Secretary
25/01/2013
14th Drainage
To date, our staff have now installed approx 250m of piped drainage(5x50m laterals) of which 2x50m are remaining.
Heavy rain, snow and the usual rock removal has hampered progress, never the less our target is the end of next week 16.02.13 for completion.
Current excavating has revealed the occasional clay tile drains to this part of the fairway, with rainfall on the increase this existing type and amount of drainage is now insufficient in removing large quantities of water we are now experiencing, hence the increase in thatch levels.
On completion of laterals we require contractors to begin sand banding at 250mm centres, approx seven inches deep at right angles to the laterals, unfortunately contractors are committed to back dated work at present therefore, I will regularly notify you as and when they will begin, in the meantime our staff will begin upgrading existing drainage to the area in front of the 16th gents/medal tee.
The greens committee and myself are currently reviewing the STRI report, of which can now be viewed on the website. In conjunction with the STRI report we are preparing aerial plans and details of the proposed drainage installation to be phased over a three year period with first phase beginning this spring, naturally concentrating on priority areas first, such as 1st, 14th and 16th fairways. I will report regularly on start dates and approx timescales. Tenders are now being circulated to various drainage contractors and we await there response.
Our Work Schedule for W/C 11.02.13
- Continue 14th drainage.
- Begin returfing new drainage at 7th + 12th holes.
For future blogs I will be encouraging our green staff to participate in writing a few articles throughout each month. This I hope will encourage our staff further in the daily maintenance of our golf course. I do hope you will also encourage this and your patience will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Douglas.
