Course feature: Wexford golf club sunburn survey results

Transcription

The Official Magazine of the GCSAI l www.gcsai.org l August 2013
G reenside
Course feature:
Wexford golf club
Sunburn Survey results
GCSAI's New president
Also in This Issue :
Irish Musings from America l Stress Free Change to Perennial Grasses
greenside magazine | December 2010
1 Assistance l Regional
l Proactive Pest Management l Bringing in Expert
Reports l Trade News
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Greenside
From the Editor
Contents
Irish Musings from an American I do love the warm sunny days of summer. This year has
been a particularly wonderful summer, which started
on that beautiful bank holiday weekend in June. Apart
from the poor growth groundsmen and farmers experienced in Spring,
few complaints have been made about the weather this year, though I
do sympathize with those who are having problems with their irrigation
system breaking down.
D
uring one particular summer I remember sending a staff member
out to spray herbicide around the base of trees and walls. It was
a really hot summer’s day, perfect for spraying, but because of
legislation and conforming to our safety statement guidelines, the poor
man had to wear nitrile gloves, a disposable suit, wellington boots and a
face mask. Several hours later, after doing a lot of spraying, my greenkeeper/
turned astronaut, had perspiration pouring down his face. I felt sorry for him but it was
a legal requirement that he should wear the protective clothing that he was issued
with. I am told that it would have been a sackable offence had he refused to wear the
protective clothing.
Reading Barry McElroy’s article on the sunburn survey results, which our GCSAI
members participated in, I was shocked but not really surprised to find out that
only a tiny percentage of employers issued protection against sunburn during hot
weather. But, when I look back at the time when I was responsible for the welfare
of my staff, I remember saying on hot summer mornings, before work would
commence, “Hey guys, don’t forget to put on your sun screen lotion, you could get
a right scalding out there today”. And that was it. It was not a legal requirement nor
was anything written down in our safety statement (why would it be as our safety
statement was written and reviewed in winter).
Barry’s results proved a real eye opener for me and even though it is probably
obvious, it is amazing how we, who are working all the time in the great outdoors,
have little regard for protecting ourselves against sunburn, particularly in an age
when the dangers and risk of sunburn are highlighted in the media. You can read
more on the survey results on page 14 - I’m sure you will find it interesting reading.
Jumping back to that time when I sent my staff member out to spray, I remember
the next day was just as hot. I turned to him to assign him his day’s work and when I
saw that look of anguish on his face I said to myself “maybe I will let the weeds grow
for another day”.
8
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my
Work Mate
12
Sunburn Survey Results
14
Effect a Stress Free Change
to Perennial Grass
16
Proactive Pest Management
in Sports Turf
20
Course feature:
Wexford Golf Club
28
Regional Round-up
34
Bringing in Expert
Assistance 40
Trade News
50
Front cover: 15th hole at Wexford Golf Club
Photo: Alan Mahon
Editor: Alan Mahon
Tel: 053 9158606 | Email: [email protected]
Greenside designed by: S DESIGN
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30 Oc tobe r 2013
www.gcsai.org
3
The views expressed in contributed
articles are not necessarily the views
expressed by the editor of this publication.
Editorial content and photographs
cannot be reproduced without prior
permission from the editor.
greenside magazine | August 2013
Dates for Your Diary
Dates for your Diary
Saltex (3 - 5 September)
Presidents Cup
(4th October)
This year’s SALTEX (Sports Amenity & Landscape Trade
Exhibition) at Windsor Racecourse is already larger than
last year’s event.
This keenly contested tournament will take
place in Newlands Golf Club on Friday 4th
October. The four GCSAI regions have organized
qualifying events throughout the summer
during which they will select nine competitors to
represent their region at this very popular event.
Over 28,000 m2 of stand space has so far been booked by
the 200 plus exhibitors, a number of whom are returning to
SALTEX after a short break or are exhibiting for the first time.
This year’s exhibitor list and their products appeal to everyone
in the turf care and open space industry, but also that the
programme of education and special attractions and events will
provide even more added-value to the time spent at the show
by visitors.
Visit SALTEX www.iogsaltex.com for the latest exhibitor list.
Irish Links Initiative
(14 -15 October)
The Irish Links Initiative (ILI) Autumn
Conference will be held on 14 & 15 October
at Co. Louth Golf Club.
Anyone wishing to attend should contact
Tracy Coburn at:
[email protected]
3rd ETS Field Days
(30th September - 1st October)
The Third ETS Field Days conference will take place at the
Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco. September
30th - October 1st 2013, Monte Carlo.
The ETS Field Days is a two day event organised every two
years in different European countries. It promotes the exchange
of information among turfgrass specialists from universities,
official bodies
and private companies. The first day of the Conference will
have technical lectures and a EU-USA Round Table on:
Legislation towards the limitation of agrochemicals: EU and
USA experiences and best practices.
On the morning of the second day delegates will visit the
prestigious Monte Carlo Louis II Stadium, which has recently
been converted from cool season to warm-season turfgrass and
also the wonderful Monte Carlo Golf Club in La Turbie, up on
the hills above Monte Carlo where, due to the altitude, only
cool-season turfgrass species are used and where practice holes
are being constructed for use by PGA Professionals. For More
information visit: www.etsfielddays2013.com or email:
[email protected]
GCSAI Gathering
(26 November)
The GCSAI have organized a one day
gathering of greenkeepers which will take
place at Croke Park on Tuesday November
26th. A top line up of speakers will be there to give talks on all
aspects of turf maintenance. This promises to be an event not
to be missed. There is an optional tour of Croke Park including
the Etihad Skyline Rooftop Tour. See promotion on page 5 for
more information.
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www.gcsai.org
4
News
GCSAI - The Gathering
National Traing day - Tuesday 26th November
The GCSAI is delighted to announce a national education day which will take place
in Croke Park on Tuesday the 26th of November.
J
oin us in one of the premier venues in the country for what promises to be the biggest
greenkeeping event of the year. An exciting and informative line up of speakers has been
assembled, which will include a wide range of current topics being covered. It is guaranteed
there will be something for everyone. After that, tours of one of Europe’s best stadiums will
be on offer and if that’s not enough, for those who attend, you can join us the following
day, Wednesday 27th of November, for a fun day’s golf in one of Dublin’s premier courses,
Westmanstown Golf Club. This promises to be the Greenkeeping Gathering of the year. Put
the date in your diary and make sure not to miss the opportunity to be there.
Further details will follow in the coming weeks.
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5
News
GCSAI Elects New President
The GCSAI has elected Michael
McFeely as its new President.
Michael takes over the top
spot from Damian McLaverty.
The GCSAI are facing the same
difficulties that the golf industry
is experiencing, with some of
its members having to deal
with reduced working hours
and redundancies. With this
background in mind, Michael’s
two year term of office will be
a challenge for him and for his
committee.
A
native from Dundrum in Dublin,
Michael is married to Liz. They have
three grown up children, Simon, Andrew
and Sarah. Michael brings with him a lot of
Outgoing President, Damian McLaverty hands over his jacket to incoming President Michael McFeely
experience. He is the Course Superintendant at
Westmanstown Golf & Sports Club, a place where
he has worked for the past 21 years. In 1989 Michael became
Assistant at Old Conna Golf Club near Bray before taking up his
current position at Westmanstown in 1992.
Michael has been a member of the GCSAI since its formation
in 1996. Before coming on to the GCSAI National Executive, he
gave many years service to the Northeast regional committee.
He was the region's chairman for many years where he
organized golf outings and education days. He is the longest
serving officer on the GCSAI National Executive. His previous
roles included: Representative for the Northeast Region; served
four years as Honorary National Secretary from 2007 to 2011;
Vice President (2011 - 2013); and was a FEGGA Board member
from 2009 - 2013.
Michael has seen many changes in greenkeeping down
through the years and he is looking forward to the next two
years as GCSAI President. “My main priorities will be to
improve membership numbers and to strengthen the role of the
regions”, said Michael.
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Southeast Representative:
Northeast Representative:
Northwest Representative:
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6
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Feature
Irish Musings from an
A merican
B y C arson L etot
During the summer months, a large number of students at Michigan State go on study abroad programs.
These are great for giving young people a chance to see other cultures in the world, and still learn a little
while away. I however, was lucky enough to be chosen for an internship abroad! This meant that I not
only could spend a whole summer in a foreign country, I could get paid to do so, and learn more about
turfgrass management from some of the leading eco-friendly superintendents in the world.
M
y name is Carson Letot, I’m a senior,
and double major in Crop and Soil
Science, and Environmental Studies
in Agriscience at Michigan State University,
and I am now, an Apprentice Greenkeeper
at Mount Juliet Golf Club in Thomastown,
County Kilkenny.
So far, I’ve learned a great deal in not only
the world of turf, but in the culture of Ireland
as well. I decided to compile a list of ten thoughts, facts, and lessons
that I have cultivated through the first half of my journey.
3 When the wind kicks up, it’s fast, unpredictable, and can
last all day.
Gentle breezes are not very common here. It’s either still, or gusty.
A windy day here, doesn’t just mean a couple stiff gusts, it’s large,
howling, rushes of air, that really dries out turf, whether you like it or
not. And not only does the turf get affected, but the trees as well, I’ve
seen trees get damaged during storms in the States, but trees here are
vulnerable whether it is raining or not because of the strong wind.
1 Finding a good pair of rain pants is important, but finding
a pair that can slip over work boots is just as key.
The weather here changes twice as fast as it does in Michigan. So just
when you think it’s going to be sunny and warm for the rest of the
day, clouds will roll in, and it’ll rain, with about a 10 minute notice.
So being able to put rain gear on and off is essential for keeping
momentum while working.
2 50km an hour is equal to about 31 miles per hour, and 20
degrees Celsius is equal to about 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
People talk about the weather, a lot. And there are signs for speed
limits everywhere. So I made it my mission to try and get a hold of
the conversion from my side of the sea, to this side. The Celsius part
is easy, but the kilometers are still a work in progress.
www.gcsai.org
4 A handful of change can be worth a lot more than a dollar
The euro coins are pretty similar in size to our cents, but the one
and two euro coins are very common, and a pocket full of them can
become a rather large sum of money. I learned this the hard way
when I disposed of all of my change in a tip jar, failing to realize that I
had over eight euro in my hand.
8
Greenside
Feature
5
Even though the buggies have the steering wheel on the
left side, people still drive on the left side when on the
course.
8
Saving energy, recycling, and making things last is not
just a thought, it’s a way of life on golf courses all over the
country.
I always have to make the initial thought to stay left when driving.
My instinct is trained for the other side, but, it’s getting easier to
remember. I haven’t driven a car yet though, so that might be a
different story.
6
Rashers are definitely my favorite part of an Irish
breakfast, and really need to come to the States
Money is tight at many places here in Ireland due to the recession,
and the need to make equipment last, and save energy is a necessity
in order to survive. The trend in the Turf Industry is to be as “green”
as possible for the sake of budgets and the environment, and Ireland
in many ways, is setting the trend. At Mount Juliet we rarely use
the lights in the shop in the summer, instead, our break room and
main shop room utilize natural lighting through skylights and larger
windows to eliminate unneeded electrical costs.
9
Annual bluegrass is here, and in most places, isn’t going
anywhere.
The cut, taste, and ease of cooking make rashers the perfect meat for
not only breakfast, but lunch, or dinner! I have no idea why we don’t
have them in the US, but I’m going do everything in my power to
change that.
7
Rugby is a major sport, and gets the airtime it deserves.
I love rugby, but in the States, it’s a fairly minor sport, and doesn’t get
any television time. In Ireland however, rugby has a great following,
and I’m very fortunate to be here during the Lion’s tour. There’s a
fantastic atmosphere around for the 125 year old contest, and I hope
I find a place in four years where I can watch the next one with
people who value the sport as much as I do.
It seems like most places in Ireland have accepted poa annua, and
now maintain a high quality stand of turf, that includes the infamous
weed. It still turns that lovely shade of purple in dry periods, but
seems to not get out of hand like it does in many places in the States.
Tea is close to a religion, and tea breaks are very close to 10
heaven.
I may still not like tea, but I can definitely appreciate the place tea
holds in Irish culture. Rain or shine, hot or cold, a cup of tea seems
to be the perfect way for any Irishman to relax, and recharge. I really
like how a simple beverage can be so powerful. I also like integrating
tea breaks into the work day schedule. It creates the perfect chunks of
time to make work manageable, and yet productive.
Barry’s and Lyons may compete for allegiance, but
I will gladly swear mine to the idea of tea’s role in
an Irish way of life.
I still have a few months left here in
Ireland. So, there’s sure to be many more
lessons to learn in the coming weeks. I look
forward to seeing more of the island, and
perhaps a few more sunny days.
9
News
Tommie Jennings
It was with great sadness that the greenkeeping world
heard of the passing of Tom (Tommie) Jennings. Tommie,
as he was known to his friends, was a former head
greenkeeper at Castlebar Golf Club where he worked
for forty years (1959 – 1999), which was an incredible
record.
T
ommie was noted
for his honesty,
integrity and
devotion to his wife and
family, and for his work
at Castlebar Golf Club.
Indeed it was Tommie
who influenced two of
his sons John and Harry
to pursue a career in
greenkeeping. Harry is a
greenkeeper at Castlebar
Golf Club while John is
the Course Superintendent
at Castleknock Golf Club.
Tommie was a down to
earth person and would
always pass on advice to
those that sought it.
Tommie initially worked for the late Arthur Carson who
rented out land to Castlebar Golf Club. When Arthur died in
1959, Tommie started work in Castlebar Golf Club at the age
of 25. The Jennings household and land is adjacent to the club,
and Tommie was judiciously placed to keep a constant eye on
the course.
He was there on a constant basis and initially worked on his
own on the course. The early years were tough with none of
the modern machinery available today to carry out spiking,
aerating and other duties.
Leading up to the big days, Tommie could be found on the
course at the crack of dawn, making sure that it was manicured
to the last well in advance of the first arrivals. It was a labour
of love that he carried out diligently and conscientiously from
the first day to his last day on the course. In bygone days,
professionals such as Gus Murphy (Galway Golf Club) and the
late Paddy Skerritt (Lahinch and St. Anne’s) came to Castlebar
to give lessons to the members. As part of their brief, they
helped out Tommie on the course. That would hardly occur in
the modern era.
Tommie will be fondly remembered by numerous other
clubs in the region for his advice and help. He didn’t want any
remuneration, only the satisfaction of seeing clubs prosper as a
result of his expertise.
Tommie was a single handicap golfer, and won many notable
matchplay competitions in Castlebar. He would attend most of
the greenkeeping outings organized by the GCSAI Northwest
region. He didn’t smoke or drink and loved going hunting
with his dogs and his close friends. Tommie Jennings has left a
lasting legacy at Castlebar Golf Club.
As a mark of respect Castlebar Golf Club closed for the day
of his funeral.
Greenside would like to extend sincere sympathies to his
wife Kathleen, sons Tom, John, Harry, daughters Debbie and
Katrina, and to all of the extended Jennings Family. Ar dhéis
Dé go raibh sé.
www.gcsai.org
10
GCSAA Superintendent
Salaries Rise in 2013
Employers of GCSAA superintendents continue to
reinforce the value they place in these golf course
managers as the average salary for the profession in 2013
climbed to more than $82,500 annually, according to the
GCSAA Compensation and Benefits Report.
T
he $82,573 average for all head superintendents (Classes
A and SM) is an increase of $1,529 (1.9 percent) over
2011 salaries, and continues the trend of increases every
year since GCSAA began tracking such data in 1993. The 1993
average was $44,500, meaning the 2013 figure is an 86 percent
increase.
Certified Golf Course Superintendents (CGCSs) are those
who have achieved the highest level of recognition through
education, service and experience. Their average salary of
$98,187 in 2013 is a 3.1 percent increase over the 2011 average
of $95,264.
“It is
heartening
to see such
positive results
from the
compensation
and benefits
report because
we all know
economic
challenges have
forced facilities
to make cuts in
virtually every
operational
area in recent
years,” GCSAA
President
Pat Finlen, CGCS, director of golf at The Olympic Club in
San Francisco, said. “I think it reinforces the value employers
place in the golf course as a revenue generator and the GCSAA
superintendent as a key member of the leadership team.”
Additional data from the report speaks to the profile of
GCSAA superintendents and their operations. Their average
age is 46 years, with 15.4 years’ experience as a superintendent.
Tenure for their current position is 9.7 years, and they are
responsible for an average of 21 employees. In terms of
reporting structures, 36.1 percent of respondents report to
general managers, 13.1 percent to an owner, 11.4 percent to a
green committee/board and 7.7 percent to a director of golf.
GCSAA members who participated in the survey receive free
online access to the report. They may also purchase a hard copy
for $25 by calling GCSAA at 800-472-7878. Non-participating
members may purchase online access for $125, or both online
access and a hard copy for $150. Non-members may purchase a
hard copy for $525.
More information about and from the 2013 GCSAA
Compensation and Benefits Report can be accessed online by
visiting: www.gcsaa.org
Source: www.golfbusinessnews.com
GCSAI Membership Form 2013
To be returned to: ALAN MAHON
GCSAI
RATHJARNEY, PIERCESTOWN, CO. WEXFORD
Tel/Fax: (00353) 53 9158606 Mobile: (00353) 87 6260889
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gcsai.org
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New/Existing Number (delete as applicable) Membership Number: ........................................................................................................................
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Position: ..................................................................................................................................... Amount Enclosed: ................................................................
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€70.00
Apprentice / Student €60.00
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Associate€80.00
Signature of Secretary Manager or Superintendent: ...................................................................................................................................................
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Signature: ..................................................................................................................................... Date: ......................................................................................
REGIONS: NW Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Galway
SW Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare
NE Dublin, Meath, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Longford, N. Ireland
SE Kildare, Wicklow, Laois, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Offaly
For generous club discounts for 3 or more staff joining please contact Alan Mahon
Feature
He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Work Mate
Many of us are lucky enough to have
good friends in the workplace. Some
of us even get to work with members
of our own family. But, what do we do
when our friend becomes a liability? Do
we feel obliged to ‘carry him’ or cover
for him (or her) out of loyalty? Or do we
let things take their course with the risk
that he might lose his job?
Popular Trainer and Motivational Speaker Frank Newberry
offers his thoughts on the downside of loyalty at work.
Frank Newberry (right) with his brother Bob
I
am now in my twentyfourth year of working
in the turfcare sector in
Europe. In my experience
the people in the sector
(groundsmen and
greenkeepers) are amongst
the most gentle and loyal people I have ever
worked with in a career lasting 40 years
across different industries.
You will always get the odd exception. I
am pretty sure we have all met people who
are ‘loners’, people who are ruthless and
people who are more self-involved than we
are. Some of us even get jaded and bitter
sometimes but in the main I find that people
in the turfcare sector genuinely want to help
each other and enjoy being friends with
people at work.
In my sector if you get a good
idea - you keep it to yourself
A person I once met in another industry
told me that he could not help but notice
that when a turfcare professional discovers
or develops something new at work he
immediately goes onto Facebook or
association websites to share his ideas and
to ask for feedback. ‘That (my associate said)
would never happen in my industry. In my
sector if you get a good idea – you keep it
to yourself. You jealously guard your secret
until you have had time to implement it and
get the credit for it from your employer’.
www.gcsai.org
This desire to be friendly and helpful can
really be tested to the limit when your friend
at work becomes de-motivated or depressed
and his performance suffers in the long term.
I have met a number of people who have
friends at work that are performing badly
in greens teams and grounds teams but they
still manage to keep their jobs. Why? Because
they are being carried by their team mates.
I would want people to be
loyal to me
When I ask people why they are carrying
workmates I get a number of answers. Some
of them are almost convincing! Here are
some of the answers I get:
• ‘He’s a mate of mine’
• ‘It’s not my job to sort him out’
• ‘I would want people to be loyal to me’
• ‘No one has noticed that we are carrying
him’
• ‘Hopefully he will get over the rough
patch he is in’
• ‘It is a lot easier for me to cover for him
than to tell the boss – that would be
intolerable for me’
The poor performer is
exploiting the good nature of
his team mates
Whilst these responses seem rather
compelling (because of the loyalty shown) 12
they do not really convince me. Why? Well,
for me this is because - whilst the team are
being loyal to the poor performer - the poor
performer is not doing much about the
problem himself.
I would argue that in many cases the poor
performer is exploiting the good nature of
his team mates. They may be unhappy about
his poor performance but they worry more
about being the whistleblower - particularly if
this means that one of them has to act alone.
The thought of being seen to be disloyal to
the team is repellent to some people and goes
against everything they believe about the way
people should treat each other at work.
Team members would rather
avoid a scene than confront
someone
I would like to suggest that there are at least
two things we need to consider here:
1 I suspect that people in management are
not doing their jobs properly if they have
NOT noticed the problem. And it would
be a dereliction of duty if they DO know
about it but are letting the situation
continue. Even today in the middle of
a long recession many supervisors still
have trouble accepting that they (the
supervisors) are responsible for the
performance of their work team and the
individuals in their work team.
Greenside
Feature
2 Whilst people in the turfcare sector are
loyal and willing to help, they are also
(what is known as) ‘conflict averse’. Team
members would rather avoid a scene
than confront someone about a problem.
Some I have met can be very direct but
the vast majority suggest to me that they
did not get a job in turfcare to sort out
people and performance problems. They
would much rather someone else did
that for them.
The most popular way of
solving this problem the
WRONG way …
I have been asked by a number of clients to
deal with situations that have arisen because
this performance problem has not been
addressed properly. Sometimes I arrive on
the scene too late.
I have observed that the most popular way
of solving this problem ‘the wrong way’
occurs when teams get fed up with being
powerless. In their anger team members
swing the other way and turn on the
individual poor performer.
How can this happen with such a loyal
group of people?
Well, it seems that the group eventually
decides to be loyal to ‘most of the team’ but
not necessarily ‘all of the team’.
This change usually starts with the team
gradually excluding the poor performer from
informal team discussions. The other team
members start to talk behind his back and
they pretty soon agree that it is the poorly
performing individual who is letting the team
down and not the other way around.
It is when the others categorise his
behaviour as disloyal that the team fractures
and professional help is needed to restore
team morale and get people performing at
optimum levels again.
Groundsmen and
greenkeepers could be a true
friend
How can this be prevented in future?
Well it would be so much easier for all
concerned if management or supervision
were trained in how to deal effectively with
this - not uncommon - problem. Failing that
team members could show tolerance and
loyalty in other ways by imposing ‘group
discipline’.
Group discipline involves the team agreeing
amongst themselves what they regard as
acceptable and unacceptable performance.
The work team might also, for example, agree
just how long poor performance might be
tolerated before action is taken.
Groundsmen and greenkeepers could be a
true friend to their workmates by talking to
them in a supportive way about their poor
performance. They could begin to do this
by agreeing some ground rules for giving
each other difficult feedback. For example
they might say ‘I have something difficult to
say but I do not want to hurt your feelings
because you are a mate. How do you want me
to play this?
Good luck with your underperforming
colleagues - you do not have to carry them.
Frank Newberry has been helping
people get better results in the turfcare
sector for over 20 years. If you are
having team or individual work
performance problems and you would
like some advice that is specific to
your situation you can get in touch
with Frank direct via the contact tab
of his personal website:
www.franknewberry.com
© 2013 Frank Newberry
13
Sun Survey Results
Exposed!
B y
B a r r y
M c E l r o y
M S c
O S H
Existing research has highlighted that while the general public has a broad understanding
and awareness of the risks of skin cancer associated with UVR exposure, frequent unprotected
exposure still occurs1. Given the increasing incidence rate of skin cancer in the Irish population2
and the well established links between occupational exposure and skin cancer3, there was a gap in
existing research information surrounding Irish outdoor workers’ knowledge and awareness of the
risk of skin cancer associated with outdoor work. This study addressed this issue by surveying the
membership of the GCSAI.
Key Survey Results
2. Knowledge and Awareness
Respondents’ knowledge and awareness was ascertained by looking
at both their formal education and their general awareness of skin
cancer. Greenkeeper training was the most widely reported type of
education or training undertaken by respondents (58%), with only
18% having no qualification (Figure 2)
To collect the primary data required for this study a postal
questionnaire was distributed to GCSAI members. The response rate
was 39%, with 156 of the 400 administered questionnaires returned.
The key findings are presented under the following four main headings:
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g
as
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Gr
ee
Qu
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ra
in
in
at
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No
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re
/A
gr
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Sp
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Gr
ee
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Tr
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in
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1. Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) Exposure
In order to establish the level of UVR exposure currently experienced
by outdoor golf course workers a range of questions relating to their
jobs were included in the questionnaire. A substantial proportion
of respondents (70%) have worked for over 10 years in the industry,
an important finding considering there is a link between length of
occupational exposure and the development of certain skin cancers, in
particular squamous cell carcinoma. In addition to this, respondents
worked outdoors on average 36 hours per week, with over 80%
working through all 4 peak hours of sun intensity (Figure 1).
Education and Training
Figure 2: Education and training courses completed by respondents
Respondents were also asked if any of their training or education
had included information on the sun exposure risks associated
with outdoor work. Over three quarters (79%) indicated that no
sun exposure information was included in any of the education or
training courses they had completed. In addition to this, only 10% of
respondents indicated that their workplaces provided them with sun
protection information.
This absence of information could explain some of the responses
given to questions relating to skin cancer and sunburn. Over 30%
of respondents knew ‘nothing at all’ about either skin cancer or their
own personal risk of developing skin cancer, while over two thirds
(69%) reported that they were more concerned about workplace
injuries than getting sunburnt. On the positive side, the majority
(92%) agreed that it was their responsibility to use sun protection,
with 62% indicating that it was their employer’s responsibility to
provide sun protection.
Figure 1 : Respondents’ daily work hours which include the peak hours
of sun intensity
As expected, these results show that many are exposed to significant
periods of UVR as part of their normal working day. This fact
highlights the need for employers to consider UVR exposure as a
workplace hazard, with the implementation of appropriate control
measures required under Irish health and safety legislation.
www.gcsai.org
14
3. Workplace Protection Measures
Respondents indicated that sunscreen (59%) and protective clothing
(54%) were the two most frequently provided sun protection
measures in their workplaces (Figure 3).
was expected, given the necessity for golf course maintenance work to
be completed prior to peak periods of daily golf play.
When it came to selecting personal protection measures, only 2% of
respondents did not use any personal sun protection while working
outside. In line with the International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) recommendations, the majority of respondents used more
than one protective measure, a fact illustrated by looking at sunscreen
use. While 75% of respondents indicated that they normally used
sunscreen (Table 1), only 3% reported using it as their sole means of
protection (Table 2).
n = 156
Sunscreen
Protective
Clothing
Sunshade
Sunglasses
Other
Protection Measures
Figure 3: Sun protection measures provided by respondents’ workplaces
Under the ‘other’ category respondents indicated that measures
provided included water coolers in workplace canteens (3%) and
information updates on the daily UV index during the summer (2%).
Further analysis revealed that only 4% of workplaces provided all
four protective measures, while over one fifth (22%) provided no
sun exposure protection measures to their employees. Of concern
is the fact that less than 10% of workplaces have sun exposure risk
assessments in place, however some small degree of solace can be
taken from the fact that some employers are providing protective
measures without having risk assessed employee exposure. It
was evident from the limited number of workplaces where risk
assessments were in place, that risk assessing UVR exposure had
a positive impact on personal protective measures provided by
employers.
4. Personal Protective Measures
Respondents were asked to indicate the protective measures they
normally undertook while working outdoors by selecting items from
a list of commonly used sun protection and precautionary measures
(Table 1). It should be noted that while not related to sun protection
from a skin damage prospective, the drinking of plenty of water is
highlighted in sun safety publications as an important measure in
preventing dehydration.
Protective and Precautionary Measures
n = 156
n
%
Drink plenty of water
121
(77.6)
Use sun lotion/sun screen
118
(75.6)
Wear peak cap
113
(72.4)
Wear sunglasses
90
(57.7)
Wear long sleeved, loose fitting tops and trousers
58
(37.2)
Regularly check skin for moles or unusual changes
33
(22.1)
Provide shade/cover to work area
28
(17.9)
Avoid/minimise work in direct sunlight in midday sun
17
(10.9)
Check daily UV index
15
(9.6)
Rotate jobs to minimise working in direct sunlight
12
(7.7)
Table 1: Sun protective and precautionary measures normally
undertaken while working outside
At 77%, drinking plenty of water was the most widely used
precautionary measure, followed closely by the use of sunscreen
(75%) and the wearing of peak caps (72%). There was a relatively low
number of respondents who reported that they avoid working in the
midday sun (11%) and rotate jobs to minimise exposure (8%). This
References
Protection Measures
n
%
Sunscreen only
5
(3.2)
Water only
8
(5.1)
Water + Sunscreen
6
(3.8)
Water+ Sunscreen + Cap
10
(6.4)
Water + Sunscreen + Cap +Glasses
15
(9.6)
Water +Sunscreen + Cap + Glasses + Clothing
12
(7.7)
3
(1.9)
No protective measures used
Table 2 : Respondents use of multiple protection measures
A closer look at sunscreen use highlighted that almost one fifth
(19%) of respondents never used sunscreen. Further investigation
of the respondents who reported never using sunscreen revealed
a significant association with the over 60s age group, with 39%
indicating they never used sunscreen compared with 16% of the
younger age groups.
Conclusion
As a group, the respondents displayed a relatively low level of
knowledge about skin cancer. Considering that they are at an elevated
risk of developing skin cancer due to their occupational exposure, it
was worrying that over 30% of respondents knew nothing about skin
cancer or their personal risk of developing the disease.
This low level of skin cancer knowledge could be related to the
alarmingly low level of employers (10%) who provide sun safety
information to employees. However, this information deficit was
not restricted to employer provisions, with only 9% of education
courses completed by respondents including sun safety information.
On a national level, while the Irish Cancer Society provides general
sun safety information through their SunSmart campaign, focused
provisions for occupational protection advice are limited, unlike
cancer societies in Australian and New Zealand where dedicated
occupational advice is provided.
At the individual level, 78% of respondents used at least one
protective measure, with 72% using one or more measures. This level
of usage is encouraging, with this study’s respondents displaying
protective behaviours that are comparable with other occupational
groups, for example, British construction workers4.
This study has highlighted a knowledge and awareness deficit
around the areas of skin cancer and UVR exposure. While the general
use of multiple protection measures is encouraging, the provision
of targeted educational and training materials for both employers
and employees could result in the development of more robust sun
protection policies in the workplace.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan Mahon
and Damian McLaverty for their support during this research project
and all the GCSAI members who kindly participated by returning
their questionnaires. I fully enjoyed researching this topic and hope
this article will assist some readers in the future protection of their
skin from the sun. That said, one member’s reaction to the prospect
of a sun survey questionnaire still remains with me. Having read the
information sheet about the study, he commented, ‘it might be more
appropriate to carry out a hypothermia study’. Given that this member
was from Donegal, he might well have a point!!!!!!
1 Jones, B., Corkery, E., Hanley, R. and Egan, C. (2007). ‘Attitudes and perceptions regarding skin cancer and sun protection behaviour in an Irish population’. Journal European
Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 21: 1097-1101.
2 Irish Cancer Society (2012). More facts about UV rays and you. Available at http://www.cancer.ie/reduce-your-risk/sunsmart/how-check-your-skin
3 World Health Organisation (2006). Protection Against Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: ttp://www.who.int/uv/publications/
proUVrad.pdf
4 Madgwick, P., Houdmont, J. and Randall, R. (2011). ‘Sun safety measures among construction workers in Britain’. Occupational Medicine, 61: 430-433.
News
New Campaign to
keep Golfers Sun
Safe Launched
SKIN CANCER IS NOW THE MOST COMMON
AND FASTEST RISING CANCER IN THE UK
YET IT IS ALMOST ENTIRELY
PREVENTABLE!
A nationwide campaign to warn golfers of
the risks of sun exposure on the course,
was launched by the UK’s only national
skin cancer-specific charity, Skcin (The
Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity).
S
Get ahead of the game and
make sure YOU play it safe!
kcin has teamed up with the English
Golf Union (EGU) and pharmaceutical
company LEO Pharma, to raise
awareness of skin cancer among the UK’s
3.4 million regular golfers. Skin cancer is
the most common and fastest rising cancer
in the UK and those who spend time enjoying outdoor
pursuits like golf are particularly at risk. Each round of golf
can chalk up an extra five hours of sun exposure and many
of us underestimate the risk of sun damage in this country.
Spending even a short time in the sun can cause sunburn,
especially if you have fair skin. Although sunburn settles
down after a few days, repeated sun exposure builds up over
the years into sun damaged skin which means that there is an
increased risk of developing skin cancer.
• Before teeing off, apply SPF30+ broad spectrum
UVA sunscreen, ensure good coverage on face,
neck, ears and keep in your golf bag to reapply.
• Wear a hat to shade the face (preferably with
a broad brim), consider wearing sunglasses
and seek shade where possible.
• Check the UV forecast, when levels are 3 or
above, always use sun protection and
remember UV can penetrate cloud cover!
• Check your skin regularly to detect changes
early! Not all skin cancers are about changes to
moles, get rough/scaly patches checked too.
Speak to your GP or to find out more visit:
www.checkskinchanges.com
Gary Wolstenhome MBE
Three time European Senior Tour winner,
European Senior Tour Rookie of the Year 2011
and supporter of Skcin. www.garywolstenholme.com
To check the UV forecast and for more
information on sun safety and skin cancer
visit: www.skcin.org
LEO Pharma had editorial input into the development of the poster, and the campaign is funded through a LEO Pharma Educational Grant.
Zinc Job Number - 4340a/00111 - Date of preperation March 2013
Watch out for
Ash Dieback this Summer
Ash dieback is a relatively new, serious disease of ash trees
caused by the fungal pathogen Chalara fraxinea (Hymenoscyphus
pseudoalbidus). It has spread rapidly across much of Europe. The
disease can affect ash trees of any age and in any setting. The
disease can be fatal, particularly among younger trees.
I
f you planted ash trees in the last ten years, Teagasc advises to give
your ash trees a quick ‘health check’ over the next few months. At this
time of year, watch out for wilting ash leaves that remain attached to
the tree. Other symptoms include shoot dieback and diamond shaped
stem lesions.
If you see something you suspect is ash dieback, please call:
01-607 2651 or email [email protected]. When visiting
a forest, do not remove any plant material from the site and clean clothes
and footwear of any plant material, including leaves, before leaving the
forest. Do not take samples as it could assist in spreading this serious
disease.
Please remain vigilant, give your ash trees a quick health check and
report anything suspicous.
www.gcsai.org
16
News
JobsPlus - New scheme to Help Long-Term unemployed
• a payment of €7,500 over two years to the employer for each
person recruited who has been unemployed for between 12
and 24 months; and
• €10,000 over two years to the employer for each person
recruited who has been unemployed for more than 24
months.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, together with Tánaiste Eamon
Gilmore, Social Protection Minister Joan Burton and
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton launched JobsPlus, a new
employer incentive scheme. The scheme will be operated
by the Department of Social Protection, and will incentivise
businesses to hire jobseekers from the Live Register, boost
job creation and reduce long-term unemployment.
T
In order to qualify for JobsPlus, the employer must offer fulltime employment of over 30 hours per week, spanning at least
four days per week to eligible recruits.
Any jobseeker who has been in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment
from the Department of Social Protection for 12 months or more
will be considered eligible to be recruited under this incentive.
he scheme will see the State cover approximately €1 in €4
of the typical cost of hiring someone who has been on the
Live Register for 12 months or more.
The incentive will be payable, on a monthly basis, over a twoyear period and will provide two levels of payment:
Formation of New Golf Association
A new association, The Golf Business Association of Ireland,
was launched on June 20th at The Stephen’s Green Hibernian
Club in Dublin by Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the
Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.
•
•
J
oe Russell, Chairman of the new body, explains, “The
establishment of the Golf Club Business Association of Ireland
is fundamental to protecting golf as an industry in Ireland and
raising the level of awareness of the business of Golf on this Island,
North and South.”
This new all-Ireland body will seek to protect and promote the
interests of the Irish golf club business. The core objectives of the
Golf Club Business Association of Ireland, and services offered by
it, are:
• To enhance the profile of Irish Golf as a business and an
industry.
• To be the Trade Body voice for golf clubs, in both a national
and international context.
• To engage with Government Agencies with regard to strategy
for the growth and enhancement of the game, and the
industry.
• To initiate and administer a benchmarking process which
will allow clubs to evaluate their performance against peers
regionaly and nationally.
• To actively engage in the promotion of the game of golf.
• To act as an information resource for its members.
• To act as a peer support body for golf club executives,
To establish and maintain stakeholder relationships with all
of the other bodies and associations that form part of the golf
business on the island of Ireland.
To establish and maintain media and tourism relationships,
using these to promote member interests both at home and
abroad.
Left, Michael Walsh, Joe Russell (Doonbeg Golf Club), Michael
Ring TD, Michael McFeely (GCSAI President), John McLoughlin
(North & West Links Golf) Jim Bradley at the recent GBAI launch.
Additional Objectives
The Golf Club Business Association of Ireland is currently made up
of the following individuals, who form the interim committee:
• Denis Kane, Garden of Ireland Golf CEO
• Joe Russell, Doonbeg Golf Club Chairman
• Colin Donovan, Mount Juliet Golf Club Vice Chairman
• Jim Melody, Woodbrook Golf Club Secretary
•
Committee members
•
•
•
•
To enhance the physical product through quality standards
development.
To encourage members to form group purchasing schemes
between themselves.
To promote and enhance the non-golf aspects of golf clubs,
such as the catering and/or meeting facilities etc.
To issue periodic economic statistics, and an annual report,
showing the economic impact of the industry.
To engage at both governmental and EU level with regard to
legislative issues that will impact the golf club business or any
part of it.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ian McGuinness, Roganstown Hotel & Country Club
Tom Reid, Glasson Country House Hotel & Golf Club
Michael Moss, Portstewart Golf Club
John McLaughlin, North & West Links Golf
Matt Sands, Cork Golf Club
Brian Durran, South West Ireland Golf (SWING)
Tom Cotter, Golf Advisory Board Member of NITB
For further information contact: [email protected]
17
Poa annua
Greenside
Effect a Stress Free Change to Perennial Grasses
By
Martin Ward
of Symbio
This sounds too good to be true but it is possible to convert playing surfaces from
predominantly poa annua to predominantly fine grasses without stressing the
grass - the solution lies in the life in the rootzone.
Why do different grass species colonise your
rootzone?
Natural plant species progression has evolved so that bare ground
is colonised first by annual seeding grasses like poa annua and tap
rooted weeds and then progresses through early perennial grasses
to fine grasses such as fescue and agrostis. When grass is grazed or
mown nature stops there.
Nutrition for plant growth is driven by soil biology, it is the
microbial life underground that makes nutrients available for growth.
As the nutrient requirements for plant species above ground changes
so does the microbial life underground.
Most perennial grasses release about 50% of the energy they produce
above ground in the stem and leaves to feed the above ground food
chain. They also release about 50% underground by leaking proteins
and carbohydrates as root exudates, roots and thatch. This energy
feeds the underground food chain of bacteria, fungi, protozoa,
nematodes, arthropods and worms, this chain is known as the soil
food web.
nutrients, trace elements and water in available form to the grass plant
extending the effective root area many times.
The massive increase in the efficiency of mycorrhizal grass and its
root system means it can grow at double the rate of grass relying on
fertiliser alone which is why most new pitch and golf course grow
ins now specify that the new rootzone must be inoculated with
mycorrhizal fungi.
This activity goes on all the time in unfertilised grasses, which
explains why you never have to feed the rough on a golf course and it
is nearly always made up of perennial grasses.
Unlike perennial grasses Poa annua does not associate positively
with mycorrhiza so the soil food web that grows underneath seed
producing annual plants is very different from the soil food web that
lives under perennial grasses that are there for the long haul.
This is jut one example of the different biology associated with
annual and perennial grasses. If you can manage the soil food web you
can manage the type of grass you grow and convert annual grasses
to perennial grasses without the need for stressing the grass, players,
management or greens and grounds staff.
Free Nutrient
Different soil food webs for different grasses
Soil biology creates nutrients and prevents stress. Simply put bacteria
eat the proteins, (proteins, sugars and carbohydrates that leak from
the roots, fungi eat the root exudates but most live on the cellulose
and lignin found in dead organic matter, or thatch. The bacteria and
fungi get eaten by nematodes and protozoa which excrete ammonium,
bacteria converts the ammonium to nitrate in the presence of oxygen
and the cycle of growth and decay continues ad infinitum.
Bare soil is quite sterile as there is no thatch to feed fungi, and
bacterial levels are quite low so the plants that colonise bare soil have
growth mechanisms that rely on the limited bacteria in the soil not an
active soil food web because it is not there. Poa annua puts most of its
energy into producing seed and relatively little goes underground to
feed the supportive food chain (which is why poa annua needs more
fertiliser than other grasses).
Poa annua’s function is to seed and die. When it dies thatch is
formed which is food for fungi so a more complex soil food web can
now form that supports perennial grasses.
If you identify and measure the weight of bacteria and fungi found
around the root system of poa annua there is about 10 x more bacteria
than fungi and little or no mycorrhizal fungi in the root systems.
However around the roots systems of fescues or agrostis in healthy
soil you find approximately equal amounts of bacteria and fungi and
mycorrhizal colonisation of the root system.
Mycorrhiza
There is a very important group of fungi that live inside the roots
of the grass. These fungi are called mycorrhizae, which means
fungus root. Mycorrhizal fungi colonise the root system and form
a marvellous beneficial association with most perennial plants.
Mycorrhizal fungi extend their hyphae into the soil, produce enzymes
that make phosphate and other nutrients available then transfer the
www.gcsai.org
18
Feature
Sports turf management versus nature
more than enough phosphate for the mycorrhizae to solubilise and
make available to the plant for healthy growth. Too much phosphate
can reduce the need for mycorrhizal association handing the
advantage back to poa annua.
Why is it that given free draining soils with enough water and organic
matter natural selection will invariably start with poa annua and
progress to perennial grasses while sports turf management we often
start with perennial grasses and progress to poa annua?
The answer is that traditionally sports turf soil is specified and
managed in such a way that it becomes almost sterile just like the soils
designed to be colonised by poa annua.
✔ Overseeding if done properly does speed up the conversion rate
especially if you have a thin sward or almost no fine grasses.
✔ Do not let the poa annua starve in the winter. In spring time poa annua
usually starts to grow later than perennial grasses because it does
not have their microbial support system to access nutrient. In early
spring poa annua has to feed off its own store of nutrient. If it has no
available nutrient it will start to grow much later than fine grasses.
Judicious fertiliser application in late autumn or during warm periods
in the winter will provide a nutrient store for poa annua to grow in
spring. More importantly it will reduce the need for heavy applications
of inorganic fertiliser in spring reducing the total annual input of high
salt fertilisers.
There are a number of reasons for these sterile
conditions
Microbes eat carbohydrates and proteins but inorganic fertilisers
are mineral salts. Ammonium sulphate has a salt index of about 69,
ferrous sulphate about 72 meaning for every 100Kg of fertiliser you
apply you put down about 70Kg of mineral salts. No living cell can
survive on a diet of salt, the plant and surrounding microbes suffer
from osmotic shock i.e. water is taken out of the cell.
The plant and soil needs more water, which removes the spaces for
oxygen, anaerobic conditions build up and fungi die, while bacteria
start to metabolise anaerobically reducing ammonium and sulphate to
toxic ammonia and sulphide.
As the fungi die thatch starts to build up which in turn holds more
water, reduces oxygen availability and a vicious cycle begins. Natural
thatch degradation is extremely important for healthy turf. When
thatch degrades it produces humus, humic and fulvic acids, which,
apart from being essential plant foods, ensure a slightly acidic pH,
which is what fungi need to survive. You do not have to chemically
create acid conditions. Fescue is the indigenous grass of most chalk
downlands. When poa annua goes yellow on an irrigated green in
summer it is actually dying. It has lost the ability to support itself,
the only answer in inert soil is to provide more nitrogen, a short
term solution which adds to a long term problem.
The solution
Until you get the correct soil biology for fine grass, any physical
or chemical remedy for poa annua control will be continuing
and costly. Get the right soil biology and poa annua will convert
by itself to perennial poa and eventually rye, fescue or bent
depending upon overseeding, indigenous grass species and your
management practices.
✔ Analyse your soil for microbial activity, either with your own biological
microscope or through a commercial or university laboratory to take
the guesswork out of soil management and reduce your costs to the
minimum needed to promote healthy perennial grass.
Follow the above guidelines and you will start to see fine grasses
colonise your sward in a surprisingly short time saving on water,
fertiliser, disease and dry patch management.
Martin Ward can be contacted on 00447956 898004
or visit Symbio on www.symbio.co.uk
20/20/30 tank mix
a plant health strategy
to keep grass
fighting fit!
✔ You must build a good beneficial fungal population in your thatch
layer and soil. Thatch is fungal food and degrades to produce
plant food. You can add fungal inoculants or grow your own with
fungal dominant compost tea. Once thatch starts to degrade
you can release nutrient for grass growth by light aeration with a
sorrel roller or micro tines.
✔ Make sure your root systems are colonised with mycorrhizae,
these fungi favour perennial poa species and fine grasses, they
will ensure more rapid development when overseeding or
germination of the existing dormant seed bed.
✔ Get the soil chemistry right, balance the ratio of calcium:
For strong and
healthy turf
more able to
resist disease
potassium: magnesium for optimum nutrient uptake to prevent
unnecessary application of inorganic nitrogen.
✔ Fertilise only as required, aerate with a sorrel roller first, only if
this does not kick start growth, feed lightly with humic acids or
seaweed to feed fungi. There is no hard and fast rule as to the
amount of N and K required but increasing cation exchange
capacity will reduce fertiliser inputs and speed the conversion
process especially on USGA specification rootzones.
01223 597834
[email protected]
www.headlandamenity.com
the missing piece that
makes all the difference!
✔ Do not over apply phosphate. 10 ppm of available phosphate is
19
Proactive
Pest Management
in Sports Turf
The management of pests in sports turf can be labour intensive, disruptive to end
users and maintenance teams and, not to be forgotten in these times of austerity,
highly expensive. However, as with most things in life, if you have a plan, the
negative aspects can be alleviated to an acceptable level.
In this article, Ray Hunt discusses ways and means of doing so with regard to the
management of pests in sport turf
W
eeds, diseases
or insects nearly every
golf course or sports pitch
will be a welcome habitat
to one or all of the above.
It is only when these pests
build up greater numbers
to cause considerable
Ray Hunt
damage that they need
to be controlled. Only by dealing with them,
short and long term, can we actually get on
with the business of growth, healthy soils
and the surface preparation required of the
modern day sports facility, be it a golf course
or sports pitch.
The development and implementation of
a pest management plan requires planning,
a keen and fully experienced eye and, most
importantly, knowledge of your facility and its
needs.
It also requires a thorough understanding
of the problem, including identification of
the pest and the damage it causes, its life
cycle, environmental or cultural conditions
that favour its development and methods of
control.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a
pest management system that is becoming
the norm in the sportsturf industry, with
professional managers wishing to be proactive
rather than reactive in their management style.
www.gcsai.org
In fact, even though you may not currently
document and record keep, as I didn’t for a
number of years as a golf course manager,
you probably already go through most of the
process of IPM subconsciously without even
recognising the process.
It incorporates all suitable control measures
to keep pest and disease damage below an
acceptable level. The use of the techniques will
result in effective pest control with reduced
impact on the environment. It is important
to understand that it is not chemical-free
management, however, a successful IPM
programme will result in more efficient use of
pesticides, which usually means a reduction in
their use.
IPM involves establishing a pest threshold
level that is consistent with the intended
function of the sportsturf, thorough on
site monitoring and record keeping and
consideration of different pest control
measures. Together, these components form
the basis for the decision making process
that will determine the success of any IPM
programme.
The aim of an IPM programme is to keep
pest populations or damage at a level that is
acceptable in order to deliver the requirements
of your facility. This level is often known as
the threshold level. On any sportsturf facility,
the way in which it looks is important, but
playability is the main focus. Therefore, the
20
pest threshold level for golf putting greens is
vastly different to that of golf course roughs.
The aim of an IPM programme is frequent,
careful monitoring of pest activity. If the
monitoring programme is successful, pests
can be detected early and controlled before the
threshold level is exceeded. By keeping good
records of previous pest activity, managers will
know where and when to look for subsequent
issues.
The various pest control options used in
the programme include cultural, biological,
genetic and chemical.
Cultural practices could include the use of
certified seed to reduce the introduction of
weeds into a newly established turf. Many
sportsturf managers are working to a lower
pH in order to deter the threat of worm
and disease activity. Without doubt, good
management techniques, including correct
irrigation, nutrient input and appropriate
routine maintenance procedures, also
contribute in a not unsubstantial way to pest
invasion and control; getting the basics right is
often fundamental in pest control.
Biological pest control methods include
using parasitic or other biological options to
control turfgrass pests. Biological solutions
include bacteria, fungi or nematodes. These
options are very effective, particularly the use
of live parasitic nematodes to control grub
invasion.
Feature
I have personally experienced one such serious situation
where a golf course was in danger of losing visitor and
membership business through chafer grub damage to prime in
play areas. The introduction of parasitic nematodes clearly had
a dramatic and successful impact on their populations, thereby
alleviating the damage to the golf course and its business.
Genetic control solutions include using pest-resistant grass
seed species and varieties. Although no grass species or variety
is immune to all diseases and insects, some are better able to
withstand damage from certain pests than others.
Chemical control with conventional pesticides is also
an important part of an IPM programme. It is essential to
choose the correct pesticide for the target pest, and to apply
pesticides only when necessary. It is also vitally important
to vary pesticides so that pests are less likely to develop
resistance to the chemical. It is worth remembering, however,
that prediction and preventative measures are far better than
waiting for the disease to show or even to get to an advanced
stage before treating. If you can see damage, the disease will
be well established within your turf. This is where a good and
accurate IPM is useful and can help you predict likely ‘at risk’
periods where you may consider preventative action.
There are some steps you can consider in order to develop
an IPM programme. The first is assessing site conditions
and characteristics, followed by making a survey of pests,
determining pest response threshold levels, developing a
monitoring and record-keeping programme and, finally,
making the decisions that lead to the selection of control
options.
When assessing site conditions, the objective is to collate
all site-related information that can affect the health of your
grass plants, and the degree to which they can withstand pest
infestation.
During the site assessment, you should examine the amount
of shade present, the density of woodland or other barriers
surrounding the grass surfaces that may restrict air movement,
21
Feature
soil fertility, soil compaction, drainage,
the current cultural programme and how
the grass surface is being used. Any site
condition that can limit grass vigour or
favour a potential pest should be noted
so that steps can be taken to correct the
situation.
Dense planting of trees around golf greens
restricts air movement and may increase the
likelihood of disease. Removing some of the
trees will improve air flow and encourage
drying, thereby reducing the potential for
disease.
Plant nutrient deficiencies, or excesses and
extremes in pH, can weaken the turf and
result in increased disease injury or weed
encroachment. A soil test should be taken on
a quarterly basis so that fertility levels and
pH can be determined on a regular basis and
adjusted if necessary.
Any turf-limiting soil conditions, such as
compaction or poor drainage, should be
noted during the site assessment. It may be
necessary to implement a robust aeration
programme to alleviate these problems.
The cultural programme should be designed
to favour the most desirable turf species.
Factors such as mowing practices, fertility
management, irrigation practices, thatch
management and aeration should all be
considered. Using disease resistant species
from the outset will make life a lot easier.
If traffic across your surface is not managed
properly, significant damage can occur and
additional pesticide applications may be
necessary. On any sportsturf facility, the
intensity of use can be so great that the
turf suffers from excessive wear and soil
compaction. The result is a reduction in grass
cover and an increase in weed invasion. This
situation can be corrected by distributing
traffic to other locations, and by limiting
www.gcsai.org
Any site condition
that can limit grass
vigour or favour a
potential pest should
be noted so that
steps can be taken to
correct the situation.
play when the turf is under heat and drought
stress, or if the site is excessively wet.
Carrying out a pest survey is an important
part of formulating an IPM and involves
determining the identity, location and
populations of weeds, insects and diseases. It
also involves identifying the environmental
conditions and times of the year that certain
pests are likely to occur or cause damage. The
survey should be carried out over a period of
several months or years, since certain pests
occur only at specific times of the year, whilst
others may only occur once every two or
three years.
Assessing pest populations can be difficult
22
and time-consuming. It is, however, a very
valuable information and can be used as a
comparison to monitor success or otherwise.
One way to keep track of weed and disease
populations is to record a rough estimate of
the infested area. Although this is not a very
accurate method, it can provide an indication
of the pest population and may be useful
in evaluating the effectiveness of control
procedures.
The next step is to determine the pest
response threshold level. Once the site and
pest assessments have been completed, the
pest response threshold levels should be
established for each pest. This is really a
decision to be taken locally in your situation,
and with your end users in mind, as what is
acceptable in one situation may be different
to another. Determining a threshold level
involves discussion and agreement between
the turf manager and the end user.
Factors to consider in attempting to
establish threshold levels are the use of
the site, the aesthetic value of the turf, and
the potential of a pest to cause serious
turf damage. As use will vary for each
site, pest response thresholds will differ
accordingly. For example, a limited amount
of grub damage may be tolerated by some
sportsturf managers as the damaged area
can be repaired at a later date. However,
where serious injury on a sports pitch is a
possibility, then the threshold is different.
An important consideration in establishing
a pest response threshold level is the potential
of the pest in question to cause serious
turfgrass damage. Fusarium or Anthracnose,
for example, are capable of causing extensive
turf damage in a very short time.
The monitoring techniques used in an IPM
programme vary depending on the type of
pest and the resources available. Frequent
visual inspection of the site is the most
common means of monitoring. Golf course
managers, for example, visually inspect
putting greens and fairways daily for signs of
disease activity. Look out for signs of disease
activity by detecting the presence of fungal
mycelium early in the morning.
Monitoring weather conditions is one of the
best means of anticipating pest development
and damage. There is a great amount of
information available through the Met
Office and some industry websites, such as
Syngenta’s Greencast, can help to predict
possible outbreaks according to current
weather conditions.
Accurate records of pest problems at a
particular site can be a valuable aid in a
successful IPM programme. Record keeping
can aid in determining the best location and
timing for a pesticide application. A good
record-keeping system can reduce the chance
of repeating mistakes.
Include the name of the pest, where it
occurred and the amount of damage it
Feature
A soil test should be
taken on a quarterly
basis so that fertility
levels and pH can
be determined on
a regular basis and
adjusted if necessary.
It is important to take regular soil tests
caused. Other important information could
include the approximate date at which the
pest or pest damage occurred, the weather
conditions present, the control measures
used and the results. Details on pesticide
applications should involve the name
of the product or products used, rates,
formulations, the type of equipment used
for the application, the name of the person
who applied the treatment and the results
obtained from that treatment.
The decision to implement pest control
measures in an IPM programme involves
using and interpreting information from
the site assessment, the pest survey, pest
response threshold levels, and the monitoring
programme. Site assessment information
can be used to develop management
strategies designed to improve turf vigour
and reduce the level of infestation. Pest
survey information can be used to determine
which pests are present at the site. Once
pest response threshold levels have been
determined, a programme can be initiated to
monitor populations and pest development.
When, and if, a pest becomes a problem, it
should be identified so that the appropriate
control measures can be selected. This may
involve assistance from reference manuals or
Fusarium on the golf green
from other sources. Once the pest response
threshold level has been reached, the decision
to use control measures can be made. Control
options can include cultural practices,
genetic controls, biological and pesticide
applications.
The decision to implement particular
control options depends on several factors.
These include the effectiveness of the control
procedure, cost of the treatment, size of
the area to be treated, availability of labour,
availability of equipment necessary to do
the job and the reaction of the end user. It is
also important to consider any possible side
effects that may result from your course of
action.
It is also very useful, and can form part of
your plan, to regularly communicate with
23
other sportsturf managers locally, and even
further afield, to exchange trends and current
pest outbreaks that you or others may be
experiencing.
By making educated decisions based on
your findings, it is possible, through these
methods, to feel more in control and, as
a result, provide more consistent playing
conditions for your end users, whilst also
being kinder to the environment.
Ray Hunt is Technical Sales Manager for
Maxwell Amenity.
Greenside would like to thank
Pitchcare magazine for permission
in reproducing this article
News
Irish Open 2013
With the disappointment of the absence of big names in European golf and our four top
Irish golfers failing to make the cut (all of them Major winners), it would seem that fate had
decided that this year’s Irish Open in Carton House would result in poor attendance.
Paul Casey and Enda Kenny
with greenkeeping staff
Photo: Alan Mahon
D
espite the big names in golf not being
around, especially at the weekend,
over 81,000 people still managed
to attend the event over the four days (over
24,000 attended on Sunday), which was played
on the Montgomerie Course. This figure
was down on last year’s attendance of over
112,000 held in Royal Portrush but that was
an exceptional figure, even by European Tour
standards.
The competition was very exciting with
eight players still in contention on the back
nine holes on Sunday. The weather, for the
most part, was fantastic, except, perhaps, for
some rain in the afternoon of the final day.
The course was immaculate and it was nice to
hear, at the prize giving ceremony on the 18th
green, Johnny Plummer and his greenkeeping
staff being publicly acknowledged for their
hard work in preparing the course for the
tournament. The players were also praising the
state of the course, some saying that Carton
House was the best course they had played on
so far this year.
The eventual winner was former world no.3
www.gcsai.org
Paul Casey, winner 2013 Irish Open
Photo: Alan Mahon
figures, a sad turnout when you consider that
the request was sent out to over four hundred
members. The experience and knowledge
one gets from such an event, not mentioning
the new contacts and friendships formed, is
priceless.
Because of the great weather conditions,
damage to the course from public traffic
(vehicular and pedestrian) was minimal.
Hopefully, because of that, there will not
have been too much renovation work for the
greenkeeping staff.
It has not been officially decided yet but
The Irish Open may return to Carton House
again next year, perhaps to be played on the
O’Meara Course? Watch this space.
Paul Casey. After starting the round four shots
behind the leader, his round of 67 (including
a stunning eagle at the last) gave him a three
shot winning margin. The Taoiseach, Enda
Kenny, was on hand to present the Waterford
Crystal trophy to Casey.
If there was one disappointment it would be
the small number of GCSAI members who
volunteered to help Johnny and his staff for
the week of the tournament. The number who
signed up with their free time was in single
24
Johnny Plummer and Taoiseach Enda Kenny
Photo: Alan Mahon
News
Glas Review
GCSAI
The GCSAI exhibited at Glas on July 25th at Citywest Events Centre. Over one hundred exhibitors were in attendance with
over eight hundred visiting to see what the various companies had on offer. The GCSAI stand was busy all day with some
of the trade and members calling to say hello. There were also some enquiries about joining the GCSAI.
D
espite the warm weather
outside, the organisers
were very pleased with the
turnout. The exhibition was divided
into two sections - Garden Centre/
Nursery section and the Sportsturf
Village. This enabled visitors to decide
for themselves where to go, saving
unnecessary walking around. It also
helped the exhibitors as they got visits
from people who had an interest in
their stand. With turf maintenance
at its peak in July, most greenkeepers
and groundsmen waited until the
afternoon to check out the latest
products.
Tom Carew, Joanne Gahan, David Casburn at the GCSAI stand at Glas in Citywest Event Centre
Padraig Harrington Visits Westmanstown
Padraig Harrington made a special visit
to Westmanstown Golf & Sports Club
last June, when he lent his support to a
charity day that was taking place there.
Padraig gave a golf clinic around the
18th green. Thankfully the weather
was kind to the participants, with
brilliant sunshine and a light breeze.
P
adraig arrived at lunch time, he was very chatty and
plenty of photos were taken. He was in no rush to
leave and gave freely of his time.
The golf clinic lasted around an hour and Padraig
demonstrated his golfing skills to a couple of hundred
golfers and friends around the 18th green. His great skills
were awe inspiring - it is no wonder that he became a three
time Major winner.
After the golf clinic Padraig took some questions from
the delegates and it was a relaxed affair where plenty of
more photos were taken.
Padraig started his golf in Stackstown Golf Club as a
young lad and was encouraged greatly by his father, Paddy
Harrington. Paddy was a member of An Garda Siochana
Left: Richard Doyle, Bobby McDermott, Stephen Kelly, Padraig Harrington,
and was on the committee that established Stackstown
Michael McFeely at the Padraig Harrington charity golf clinic at
back in 1975. He was its first Greens Officer in 1976.
Westmanstown Golf & Sports Club
Padraig recalled that he learnt his great chipping skills on
the hilly terrain of Stackstown.
Padraig’s visit brought a great buzz and excitement to the day.
25
The Art of Application –
Nozzle Technology on Target
By Tom Robinson, Syngenta Application Specialist
The latest turf protection products are capable of
achieving exceptional results. But it is the skills of the
sprayer operator and developments in the technology
he uses that can make the crucial difference between
an acceptable level of control, and outstanding
performance in maintaining the high turf quality
increasingly demanded by today’s players.
Furthermore, today’s operator has to be ever more mindful of
the essential area of spray stewardship, avoiding problems of
waste and minimising risk to the environment.
Nozzle mechanics –
the droplet spectrum
The new Syngenta Turf
XC Nozzles has seen the
incorporation of air induction (AI)
technology, where every droplet
contains a tiny bubble of air,
which acts as a shock absorber
when the droplets hit the leaf.
This means they tend to be better
retained on the leaf surface.
The design of the new Syngenta
Turf XC Nozzles produces
significantly more droplets per
ml of spray liquid, compared to
other AI nozzles tested, to ensure
good coverage of the target leaf.
Importantly, tests have shown the
04 XC Foliar Nozzle, for example,
produces under 3% small sub
100 micron-sized droplets
that are highly susceptible to
drift, compared to 14% with a
traditional flat fan nozzle.
The extra velocity of the larger
droplets means they are
significantly less susceptible to
drift. In practice, the drift reduction
typically gives an average three
to four extra days per month
suitable for spray application –
enabling more timely treatments
essential to achieve better results.
Nozzle size selection
Whilst one nozzle size can
deliver different water volumes
by adjusting speed and pressure,
you can be more efficient
and precise in your accurate
application by selecting the
appropriate sized nozzle.
A good selection to have available
for consistent application in most
turf situations at two to three bar
would be a set of 025 nozzles for
greens, delivering a water volume of
200 - 300 l/ha at four to five km/h;
04s applying 220 – 380 l/ha at five
to seven KPH on fairways and a set
of 08s that will deliver 450 – 770 l/
ha at five to seven km/h.
Speed
(km/h)
Pressure
(bar)
Four
2
3
Five
2
3
Seven
2
3
025
245 300 196 240 140 171
04
392 480 314 384 224 274
08
784 960 627 768 448 590
Nozzle output (l/ha) from the
Syngenta Turf XC Nozzles at
typical spraying speed and
pressure. Operators can fine
tune application rates during
the calibration process by
adjusting forward speed and
pressure accordingly. A free
on-line calculator on the
GreenCast website can be
used to work out the optimum
settings for required outputs.
Conventional Flat Fan
Syngenta Turf XC Nozzle
Always keep a record of the
spray output charts for each
of your nozzle.
Right angle to hit the target
Spray height sets pattern
coverage
Nozzle height is a critical factor
in achieving even coverage
across the turf surface. On
golf courses where slopes
and undulations are integral
to creating a challenge for
players, the variation in nozzle
height can have a profound
impact on the spray pattern
and consistent application.
The XC Nozzles now give a spray
overlap across three nozzle widths
at a nozzle height of 50cm. But if
the height is reduced to 30cm when
With most spray applications
the aim is to get all round
coverage of the leaf surface,
to maximise product retention
and optimise the uptake. The
problem with conventional flat
fan nozzles that point straight
down is that, with the forward
momentum of the sprayer, one
side of the leaf receives the
majority the spray, with the
other side less protected.
The solution has been to engineer
a directed angle into the design
of the new Syngenta Turf XC
Nozzles, such that the spray is
angled backwards to counteract
the forward movement of the
sprayer, thus evenly covering both
sides of the turf leaf.
encountering a slope, it will still
maintain a far more consistent and
even coverage – typically within two
to five % difference across the full
spray boom.
Traditional Flat Fan nozzles at 30 cm
At 30 cm height the overlap pattern is disrupted
Trials when traditional flat fan nozzles
dip to 30cm spraying height have
consistently shown a difference in
excess of 25% variation in spray
volume across the boom. This has
significant implications for product
performance of fungicides and
fertilisers.
To overcome this problem the new
Syngenta Turf XC Nozzles have
entirely new approach to the shape
of the nozzle orifice – incorporating
a unique elliptical design - which
ensures a more even distribution of
droplets across the spray pattern.
30cm
30cm
Uneven coverage - more deposited under nozzles
Syngenta Turf XC Nozzle at 30 cm
Wider spread + even droplet distribution
= more consistent coverage at all heights
XC ZONE
XC ZONE
Syngenta UK Ltd. Registered in England No. 849037. CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE.
Tel: 01223 883400 Fax: 01223 882195 Email: [email protected] Web: www.greencast.ie
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For more information
including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.greencast.ie © Syngenta AG July 2013
Distributed in the UK and Ireland by Everris. Everris Limited Tel: 01473 201100 Email: [email protected] Web: www.everris.com
The XC Nozzles have been widely
tested by independent specialists
and in practical applications on golf
courses, with very positive results
and feedback. XC Nozzles will be
available from Everris, Syngenta
product distributors or direct from
the Syngenta GreeenCast website:
www.greencast.ie
Wexford
R eport
and
P hotos
by
A lan
M ahon
Founded in 1961 as a nine hole course, Wexford Golf Club is now a
wonderful 18 hole parkland course situated in the heart of Wexford town.
The course, which was lengthened and upgraded in 2006, is a
par 71 course, measuring 5950 metres from the championship tees
and provides a challenge for players of all standards.
The 18th green and new clubhouse at Wexford Golf Club
The location of Wexford Golf Club, on the top of Mulgannon Hill, affords the
visitor spectacular views in all directions. To the north are The Blackstairs
Mountains and Wexford town, while the new holes on the southern slopes
overlook Wexford Harbour and the entire south of the county - a visual treat.
The site is close to what locals describe as ‘The Rocks,’ an outcrop of quartz,
which indicates the type of terrain the golf course lies on.
D
amian McGrane was the former
professional at Wexford before he
moved to the European Tour, a move
which has proved very successful for him.
GCSAI member and Co. Wexford
native John Doyle has been the Course
Superintendent at Wexford since 2005.
Before that he was the Assistant at Delgany
Golf Club. His brother Des is the Course
Superintendent at Tramore
Golf Club. John started his
greenkeeping career at New
Ross Golf Club where he
learned the basic skills from
Seamus Power. John is a
keen golfer and takes part
in many of the club’s
competitions.
Wexford Golf
Club gave John
Honorary
Membership
which is a
nice gesture
in showing
their
appreciation
for the work
The 4th tee with rock formations
30
John Doyle ➤
Wexford Golf Club
he and his staff are doing. It would be a nice way
for other clubs to show their appreciation to
their Course Superintendent.
There are five greenkeeping staff at Wexford,
including John. John was successful in his
application through the Jobbridge programme
in hiring a person to do seasonal work. This
scheme allows interns to receive an extra
allowance of €50 per week from the State on top
of their existing social welfare entitlement while
gaining work experience.
Development
An opportunity came for Wexford Golf
Club to purchase more land, of which they
took advantage, and in 2004 work began on
constructing five new holes on the newly
acquired lands. This was phase one of a three
phase expansion project on the course, which
also included the construction of three new
greens on the old course. John arrived just in
time to oversee the grow-in of the five new
holes. Turf from five of the greens on the old
course was used to sod the newly constructed
greens, which meant that five temporary greens
had to be opened to allow a relatively smooth
transition to the new holes. The greenkeeping
The greenkeeping staff - John Doyle, Pat Cashin, Mick Galway, Joe Cashin, John Kehoe
staff in Wexford undertook the task of
resodding these greens themselves.
Phase two of the project began in 2006 when
six holes on the existing course were redesigned. The course now
plays longer than the old eighteen hole course and, despite this,
the par of the course was reduced from 72 to 71. There are now
five par three holes and four par five holes on the course.
The spectacular view from 13th tee
The final phase of the project was the building of the new
clubhouse and two new greens, the 1st and 18th. The old 18th
green was removed to allow room to expand the car park. It was
unfortunate for the club that they built a new clubhouse at this
time, as it was during the height of the building boom in 2006
when construction costs were reaching their highest. Despite this,
Wexford can now boast of a new state of the art clubhouse, which
commands wonderful views of the course, Wexford town and the
surrounding countryside.
Sadly Missed
It was with much sadness that Wexford Golf Club saw the
passing of its serving Lady President, Eleanor Conway. Eleanor
died unexpectedly in July. She will be sadly missed by her golfing
friends and family.
31
Wexford Golf Club
6th Green
7th Green
View from new holes
Course Maintenance
John maintains a rigid maintenance
programme for the greens. In the
spring they are hollow cored with
8mm tines and a 5:3:1 granular feed
is applied. A slow release fertliser 6:0:27, is also given which contains
some trace elements as well. The
greens are never overseeded as the
sward is predominantly made up of
poa.
Each month during the growing
season the greens are given some
liquid feed which contains Silica
Fulvic Acid to help strengthen the
turf stem cells. On top of that a liquid
mixture of 25:0:0 + trace elements,
13:0:46 and a growth regulator is
applied.
In the Autumn the greens are again
hollow cored but this time 10mm
tines are used. A granular feed of
17th Green
5:3:1 and 6:0:27 is also applied.
During the winter months a liquid
feed of 13:0:46, Silica Fulvic Acid and some phosphites (for disease
resistance) is given.
The fairways are topdressed by the staff with sand in Spring/
Summer and again in September/October. With the maintenance
budget being reduced in the club, the annual amount of sand
applied has been reduced from 2000 tonnes to 1200 tonnes.
As has happened in many golf clubs around the country, the rough
in the non playing areas in Wexford Golf Club has been allowed
to grow. John Keogh, one of the greenkeeping staff members, has
a keen interest in wildlife and since the grass has been allowed to
grow taller he has noticed an increase in the butterfly population.
John witnessed the rare Essex Skipper butterfly this July which has
caused great excitement in the club. This butterfly is only seen in
Ireland in County Wexford. There is a variety of wildlife on the
www.gcsai.org
course. There are regular sightings of sparrow hawks, ravens, badgers
and foxes. This year saw a kestrel nesting on the course. Early one
morning John Keogh even spotted some deer passing through the
course. With early morning starts, being a greenkeeper offers the
opportunity to see much wildlife in the working environment.
Wexford Golf Club has a unique ongoing fundraiser to help with a
course development project. Members have the opportunity in taking
part in a weekly “Guess where the Joker card is” competition in the
clubhouse. They have to guess which of the displayed cards contains
the Joker. There is a small money prize for the winner and all proceeds
go specifically towards the building of buggy paths around the course.
Building buggy paths started two years ago and John and his staff use
the winter months to build these. This will be an ongoing project for
the greenkeeping staff over the next several winters.
32
Wexford Golf Club
One of the new buggy paths
Another ongoing winter project on the course is tree planting.
Small saplings are used as these give a high success rate in
establishment compared to using more expensive standard trees.
Drainage installation is also an ongoing winter project. Some of the
land around the course can be quite damp while other parts of the
course have quartz rock formations.
There are 68 bunkers on the course and some of these have gulley
pots which help drainage. Now that John has purchased a mini
digger the plan, over the winter months, is to redesign some bunkers
and include large sumps to replace the gulley pots.
The water for the irrigation is provided by a 100,000 litre above
ground water tank, which supplies the sprinklers located on the greens,
tees and approaches. There is no fairway irrigation.
Wild flora thrive in the unmown rough areas
Machinery Used
Irrigation tank
Membership in Wexford has declined slightly over the last few years
and has now stabilized to around 700 members. The club does well
from green fees and societies, which provides it with a steady income.
Having a wet summer does not help club finances, as was the case
in 2012. This reduction in club income had a knock-on affect on the
course maintenance budget, which had to be scaled back.
When you step onto the first tee you get a sense of being in a different
world - surrounded by trees and wild flora, it is hard to imagine that
you are right beside a major town. You will be rewarded with a great
golfing experience when you play Wexford. I thoroughly recommend it.
16th Green
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John Deere 2500A Greensmower x 2
Jacobsen Eclipse 323 Greens Mower x 1
John Deere 220B Pedestrian Greens Mower x 3
Jacobsen LF3800 Fairway Mower x 2
Toro Sand Pro 5020 x 1
Jacobsen HR5111 Rough Mower x 1
Toro Z Master Rough Mower
Toro Sidewinder
Hardy 200 litre Sprayer x 1
Hardy 800 litre Sprayer x 1
Ryan Sodcutter x 1
Allen Hover Mower x 2
Honda 536 pedestrian Mower x 1
Tru-turf Greens Turf Iron x 1
Iseki 2140 Tractor x 1
Iseki 325 Tractor x 1
Ford 3600 Tractor x 1
Tym T700 Tractor x 1
Shibaura 333 Tractor x 1
Terex 3 tonne Digger x 1
Charter House Topdresser x 1
Ultra Greens topdresser x 1
Ultra fairway topdresser x 1
Soil Reliever Verti Drain x 1
Toro Pro Core 648 Aerator x 1
Scotts Rotary Pedestrian Spreader x 2
Shindaiwa Strimmer x 1
Kawasaki Edger x 1
33
Southeast Report by Mark Murphy, Tullamore Golf Club
What a Difference
a Year Can Make
A
s we enter week three of this summer’s dry spell we are
faced with a different set of problems than last year. Last
year we were unable to get water off our courses quickly
enough and we are now wondering if our wells, lakes etc
are going to continue to supply the amount of water needed for our
irrigation needs - this after trying to convince our committees, over the
last year, that we need to do more drainage work and sanding. But let’s
not complain, we have been waiting a long time for a good summer.
A view of the 18th at Rathdowney from the clubhouse,
Wet conditions in Tullamore June 2012
Rory Sweeney sinks the winning putt for his team.
Castlewarden Outing
We had a much improved turnout for our June outing in Castlewarden
but once again heavy showers followed us to this Kildare venue. Despite
the showers everybody had an enjoyable afternoon with some good golf
also being played. Local knowledge won out on the day with Castlewarden
greenkeeper Pat Twomey winning the competition. Thanks to Glen
Pearson and his staff for the way they had the course presented on the day,
and to Castlewarden Golf Club for the use of their lovely facilities.
Tullamore Golf Course burning up in June 2013
Rathdowney Outing
On a very windy
and showery
day in early May
we travelled to
Rathdowney
Golf Club in
County Laois.
The weather
conditions
meant that we
had a smaller
than usual
turn out, so
The winning team at the Rathdowney outing.
we played a
team event, and on reflection it was a good idea as scoring was very
low as the winds increased during the day. The course was in good
condition and the greens were putting beautifuly as always, even after
such a hard spring, with very poor growth. The outing was won by the
team containing Tony Quinn, Pat Kelly, Rory Sweeney. Many thanks
to Lorcan Dunne and this staff and the members of Rathdowney for
making their course available to us.
www.gcsai.org
Castlewarden Results
Overall Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Winner: Second: Third: Winner: Winner:
Winner:
Pat Twomey
Declan Higgins
David Garland
David Behan
G Walsh
J O’Brien
Congratulations to Tom Carew and his wife Michelle on the
birth of their baby girl.
Sponsors
Once again I would like to thank our sponsors for their continued
support. We would like to see more of them attending our golf outings.
Next outing - Esker Hills late August
34
Northwest Report by Damien Coleman Galway Bay Golf Resort
What is
Normal?
I
t has been a positive summer to date
in many respects. The weather, has
been pretty kind to us. Of course that
wouldn’t be hard considering the awful
two summers we had in 2011 and 2012.
Just take for example the month of June. In
2012 the rain gauge collected 156mm in just
that month alone. That was more than the
previous December. However, June 2013
told a different story. The rain gauge this
time around only collected 42mm of rainfall,
much of which fell in just two days. Could we
be returning back to some sort of normality?
I am not going to take anything for granted
just yet. But then again, what is normal?
Outings
The northwest region of the GCSAI has
been starved of golf outings this year.
Infact we have only had one in February
and none since then. These are hard times
for greenkeepers in the northwest region
and simply getting the time off to attend
such outings can be difficult and even more
difficult to justify to greens committees and
general managers. However, as a whole, it
is imperative that these outings go ahead
and are well attended. The existence of
the organisation depends on the support
from all involved. We have, therefore,
organised two outings for the coming
months. On Thursday the 15th of August
an outing will be held in Tuam Golf Club
at 3pm. Following on from this
we will have another outing
in Castlebar Golf club on the
19th of September, a tee time
will be confirmed closer to the
date. A text message will be
sent out to notify all members
of these outings closer to the
time. It should be noted that
both of these outings will
be qualifying events for the
forthcoming Presidents Cup in
October. This will be our new
president, Michael Mcfeely`s,
first Presidents Cup. On behalf
of myself and all our members in
the northwest region I would like
to wish Michael well in his tenure
as President of the GCSAI and I
would also like to acknowledge
our previous president Damian
McLaverty from Ballinasloe.
Damian worked tirelessly for the
good of the organisation during
his term of office and I would like
to congratulate him accordingly.
No sign of rain in Galway Bay
Sad News
Conference
It is with deep regret, that we learned recently
of the death of Tom Jennings from Castlebar.
Tom who died in April, was a greenkeeper
at Castlebar GC for more than 40 years. As
part of what then was called, the Connacht
Greenkeepers Association, Tom played a
major role in establishing golf outings for
greenkeepers in the Northwest Region. On
behalf of myself and all our members in
the northwest region I would like to pass
on my deepest condolences to his family.
The annual GCSAI conference will be
held this year in Croke Park on the 26th
of November. This event is a unique
opportunity for all greenkeepers around
the country and promises to be an extra
special one this year. Attendance is crucial
in order to sustain the viability of the
event. Therefore it is imperative that every
effort is made to attend.
35
Northeast Report by Stephen Kelly Westmanstown Golf & Sports Club
H
ello to all our Northeast Region members. I hope you are
enjoying this summer’s better working conditions. At least
we are reaching for the suncream and t-shirts a bit more than
the last few summers. Our first outing this year was held in Sutton
Golf Club on the 26th of April. A very enjoyable time was had by all
who played, with the course and weather giving a great challenge on
the day. I would like to thank Simon Lewis and all the staff in Sutton
for their hospitality.
Sutton Results
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Trade Simon Lewis
Dean Brock
Gerry Brehany
Stephen Kelly
Daniel Mooney
Bobby McDermott
Winners from the Seamie Kelly outing at Newlands
Sutton Golf Club. Photo: Alan Mahon
Paul Fitzgerald (left) receives the Seamie Kelly trophy from Ron Kelly
Seamie Kelly win for Paul
Sponsors
Our second outing this year was the Seamie Kelly trophy held at
Newlands Golf Club on the 27th June. A big thanks to Gerry Byrne
and Gay Nolan for all their help. This is always a very popular event
every year in a great venue and it was great to see Seamie Kelly’s son,
Ron, on the day. Congratulations to Paul Fitzgerald for a fine score.
I would like to thank all our sponsors who supported the Northeast
Region this year. If it was not for our sponsors we would be unable
to run all the excellent outings we have every year. I hope all our
Northeast members will support you in return. Our generous
sponsors are:
I look forward to seeing our Northeast members at our next outings.
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Newlands Results
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Trade
Paul Fitzgerald
Frank Donlon
Gavin Dillon
Shay Boyce
Gerry Byrne
Eddie Connaughton
Martyns Grass Lawns Ltd
Whites Agri
King Tree Services
Dublin Grass Machinery
SOL Construction
Buggyman Ltd
Reeltech
Algae Green
Aqua Turf Solutions
Unichem Ltd
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Tacit Golf
Breslin Brothers
Sea Nymph
Lely Ireland Ltd
DAR Golf Construction Ltd
Goldcrop Ltd
MSK Silversands Ltd
JFB Golf Supplies Ltd
Philosophical
“I used to dread getting older because I thought I would not be able to do all the things I always wanted to do,
but now that I am older I find that I don’t want to do them”.
Nancy Astor, on her eightieth birthday
www.gcsai.org
36
Southwest Report by Finbarr O’Mahony Kanturk Golf Club
Castletroy Outing
Castlemartyr Results
n the 17th of April we held our first outing of the year at
the magnificent Castletroy Golf Club. We were unsure
whether or not it would go ahead following the torrential
rain overnight but, thankfully, the Limerick area avoided the worst of
the rain. Conditions on the day were tough with a very strong cross
breeze sweeping across the course making golf very challenging. I
won with a credible score of 38pts to pip David MacIndoe Snr. by one
shot. Sam Leech from Spraychem won the Trade section.
A big thanks to the management at Castletroy for making the course
available to us on the day. The course was in fabulous condition, even
after all the rains of previous months, and the greens were very firm,
showing the benefits of a good aeration and top dressing programme.
A great credit to Course Superintendent Aidan Hiney and his
dedicated staff for presenting the course in such excellent condition,
despite growth being nearly a month behind normal. The following
are all the results from the day.
1st Seamus Lyons 2nd Simon O Hara 3rd Patrick O Sullivan Cat 1 Finbarr O Mahony Cat 2 Mark Holland Cat 3 Alex Newenham Trade Denis Collins Guest Padraig Doyle O
Charleville GC Fota Island GC Douglas GC
Kanturk GC Fota Island GC
Douglas GC
Goldcrop Castlemartyr 18 hcap 5 hcap 9 hcap 5 hcap 18 hcap 23 hcap 18 hcap 13 hcap 39pts
37pts
35pts
32pts
34pts
29pts
24pts
38pts
Castletroy Results
1st 2nd 3rd Cat. 1 Cat. 2 Cat. 3 Trade Finbarr O Mahony,
David MacIndoe Snr. Tom Gentleman Simon O Hara Seamus Lyons Colman Fitzpatrick Sam Leech Kanturk Unattached Unattached Fota Charleville Kanturk Spraychem 6 hcap 4 hcap 11 hcap 5 hcap 16 hcap 20 hcap 11 hcap 38pts
37pts
37pts
34pts
36pts
27pts
27pts
Finbarr O’Mahony presents third prize to Patrick O’Sullivan at the
Castlemartyr outing.
Seamus wins in sun-drenched Castlemartyr
We held our second golf outing of the year on the 19th of June at
Castlemartyr Golf Club in glorious weather conditions. Temperatures
close to 20 degrees with clear skies were the order of the day, and it
sure made a change from playing in waterproofs at previous outings.
Seamus Lyons from Charleville Golf Club won 1st prize with a good
score of 39pts and in second place was Simon O Hara from Fota
Island Golf Club with 37pts. The Trade section was won by Denis
Collins from Goldcrop and a big ‘Thank You’ as always to our trade
sponsors. I would like to thank the owners and management of
Castlemartyr for making the course available to us on the day. The
course itself was in pristine condition from the creeping bentgrass
greens to the fescue tee boxes, and great credit must go to Course
Superintendent Trevor Norris and his hard working staff.
It was great to see a few new faces at Castlemartyr and I would
encourage as many as possible to play in our outings.
Finbarr O’Mahony makes a presentation to Trevor Norris, Course
Superintendent at Castlemartyr.
Next golf outing
This will be held on Tuesday 13th of August at Bandon Golf Club, tee
times 1:15 - 3pm. Just a reminder that this will be the second qualifier
for the Presidents Cup team which will be held this year at Newlands
Golf Club, Dublin on Friday 4th October.
New Chairman
As most of you know, I have succeeded Michael F. O’Connor as
chairman of the south west region and if I can help any of you with
anything please do not hesitate to contact me on 087 7728720 or
[email protected]. I would like to commend Michael F. on
the trojan work he has done for our region in his time as chairman.
With most of the main golfing season still ahead lets hope the weather
picks up a bit to increase playing numbers, which will lead to a badly
needed increase in revenue for clubs up and down the country.
Finbarr O’Mahony presents the first prize to Seamus Lyons at the
Castlemartyr outing.
37
F. E.G. G. A. RE PORT By D ean Cleave r CE O
Work of FEGGA Reviewed
I cannot believe that the longest day, supposedly midsummer, has been and gone. I am
sure that during this period you have all had major challenges in the process of getting
your golf courses into perfect condition. Let’s hope that the weather provides you
and your golf courses with the ideal conditions to allow your member and guests the
opportunity to enjoy their golf and boost the much needed economy within golf clubs.
T
his year the Irish
Open made a return
to Carton House, and
it proved a great success.
Unfortunately there was
no Irish winner. Hopefully
the event will boost and
encourage more people to
enjoy the great game of golf.
My congratulations to all the team at Carton House!
During the last few months the FEGGA board has been
very active in reviewing the work of FEGGA, focusing on
a constitutional review, and also looking at all aspects of
communication and how we can best improve this for the benefit
of all our member countries. The objectives of this review is
to produce a network of stronger greenkeeper associations
throughout Europe, whose well-trained and motivated volunteers
support each other in providing access to training for local
greenkeepers. This increases and enhances the skill levels of
greenkeeping to produce better maintained and more sustainable
golf courses, thus encouraging more golfers to take up the sport
and to enhance & protect the role of the greenkeeper.
this information to establish their own links with government
representatives in order to benefit from successful lobbying
that can make golf and its supporting business’s stronger. More
information can be found at whatisgolf? you can also find this
link on our FEGGA website.
Golf-A European Success
The second goal was GEO achieving ISEAL recognition. In a
significant milestone, the Golf Environment Organization (GEO)
was accepted as an ISEAL Alliance Associate Member, following a
very rigorous evaluation by ISEAL – the global leader in defining
credibility in sustainability standards systems. GEO Certified™,
the international ecolabel for the golf, is the only one in the sports
industry to achieve this distinction.
FEGGA and its supporting Greenkeepers have played a major
part in reaching this milestone, and it is a great achievement
for GEO and the game of golf. GEO now has great credibility,
something that the industry sector can be very proud of. It
clearly shows what can be achieved when working together and
supporting a vision that has real meaning to the game of golf and
the sustainable way we manage our golf courses.
Finally, I am happy to say that we have recently launched a new
electronic Newsletter, which will be produced on a monthly basis,
and will be a positive way of communicating with greenkeepers
and the wider industry. I really would like to send this to all of
you, and if you would like to receive it, then please send me an
email with your contact details.
On the subject of sustainable golf courses, collectively we have
achieved two major goals recently, the first was the meeting and
exhibition held in the European Parliament in Brussels under
the heading of “Golf-A European Success” It proved to be a very
positive event, and a good reward for the committed work that
has been done by the European Golf Association Golf Course
Committee, of which FEGGA has been a major player during the
past four years. It was a tremendous gathering of all the prominent
organisations working and representing golf, and showed to the
gathering of MEP’s the strong commitment collective golf is
making towards all aspects of the game today.
The exhibition, which brought the Ryder Cup and Solheim
Cup trophies together in celebrating the success of the European
teams in their respective matches against the United States at
Medinah last year and Killeen Castle in 2011, highlighted the
environmental, social and economic impact of golf across Europe.
With over 100 attendees, and many visitors to the exhibition, it
certainly gave many non golfers the opportunity to find out more
about the game of golf and its supporting industry.
The breakout sessions were very interesting, and gave the chance
to illustrate some of the good work now being done within golf.
It also showed how much more national associations/countries
could be doing based on the good collective work Europe was
now engaged in. Europe can do a lot in promoting, engaging,
and providing guidance, but countries themselves have to use
www.gcsai.org
[email protected]
@DeanCleaver
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fegga/176426639112956
38
News
Greenside Scoops 8 Awards in US
Greenside picked up eight awards, including five first-place entries, at this year’s Turf and
Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) annual Communication Awards contest.
Greenside also took Merit
awards in three categories.
In its 24th year, the Turf and
Ornamental Communicators
Association is a 200-plus member
association comprising editorial,
advertising and marketing
professionals working in various
segments of the green industry.
The winning entries were in the categories:
★★
★★
★★
★★
★★
Best International Photograph (December 2012 front cover)
Best International Writing (From Krakow to Drumcondra with Love - June 2012)
Best International Design - full article layout (Bantry Bay Golf Club - March 2012)
Best International Design - single page (GCSAI Members Help at Croker - December 2012)
Best International Design - two page layout (From Krakow to Drumcondra with Love - June 2012)
Paul McGinley and Quinta Do
Lago to Host UK’s Top Juniors
PREM Group to Manage
Ballykisteen Hotel and Golf
Resort
The UK’s top young golfers will head to Quinta do Lago in
Portugal later this year to compete in the final of the world’s
largest junior golf event – and the chance to meet 2014
European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
PREM Group, one of Ireland’s leading hotel management
companies, has been appointed to manage Ballykisteen
Hotel and Golf Resort, Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary,
which has been placed into provisional liquidation.
M
cGinley will take time
out from his preparations
for next year’s Ryder Cup
at Gleneagles to greet the 21 finalists
who will gather at the resort for
the climax to the Telegraph BMW
Junior Golf Championship from
9-11 October.
Quinta do Lago will host the
54-strokeplay competition as
budding stars of the future compete for the chance to succeed 2012
champions Matthew Fitzpatrick and Emily Taylor.
Previous finalists have included the likes of Justin Rose, Tom
Lewis, Melissa Reid and Rebecca Hudson and more than 40,000
youngsters will take part in the competition to vie for final places
- 12 for boys and nine for girls. The resort is home to the only Paul
McGinley Academy in the world which, with regular input from
Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain, features the latest in state-of-theart swing analysis technology at its TaylorMade fitting centre and
first-class practice facilities.
C
ommenting on
the appointment,
Jim Murphy,
Managing Director,
PREM Group said: “Its
business as usual at
Ballykisteen Hotel and
Golf Resort. We look
forward to working with
the staff here and to
continuing to provide a professional and friendly service at one of
Tipperary’s leading hotel and conference venues.”
The 4 star hotel, adjacent to Tipperary Racecourse and the Glen
of Aherlow, offers 36 guest rooms, conference and event facilities
for up to 350 people and an 18 hole, 72 par Des Smyth designed
championship golf course.
As a whole the Resort is believed to employ approximately 80
people.
39
Bringing in
Expert Assistance
B y
J ohn H andley
John Handley discusses the role of the contractor and the benefits they can
provide over ‘doing the job’ in-house.
In straitened economic times, it can be difficult to justify obtaining resources to outsource work,
and a lot of managers will be told that they need to try to undertake the job themselves. This is
a double-edged sword; in struggling to undertake a new task we develop fresh skills, but it can
also reduce the flow of new ideas and tie up resources that might be more usefully employed
elsewhere. The best facility managers have the confidence to acknowledge that they can’t do
everything. They understand that ‘knowing a man who can’ is probably more important.
Photo courtesy of Pitchcare Magazine
S
o, who do the top venues trust to
undertake work on their facilities
and what do they stand to benefit by
allowing strangers to carry out contract
work?
It is inherent in our nature not to trust
strangers, particularly itinerant workers.
We develop relationships; that builds trust.
This is hard to do with individuals who we
only see occasionally, but not impossible.
Managers can learn a lot from people who
regularly get to work at other facilities.
Trusting other people takes time, but it may
be worth doing.
This is a good time of the year to walk over
your venue with them and pick their brains;
www.gcsai.org
they may come up with ideas that can help
earn or save you money.
Seeing the same venue day-in and day-out
can prevent you looking at it objectively;
as a manager, you can be too close to
the action to make difficult decisions.
Occasionally, renovations at the end of a
season may need to be damaging to the
surface to be beneficial in the long-term and
create a better surface for the start of the
next playing season.
Managers can be reticent to upset
members, and this is where contractors are
commonly called upon to be more objective
and prepared to do the work that’s going to
resolve the underlying problems.
40
The equipment used by machinery
contractors is often more reliable as it is
used more often and, consequently, serviced
and maintained more frequently. It more
often complies with the latest Health and
Safety legislation than machinery only used
occasionally.
The machinery used by a contractor
is often best suited to undertaking the
job more effectively, thereby reducing
inconvenience to customers. For example,
a golf course manager may have the option
of employing a specialist contractor to apply
a herbicide to the fairways with a machine
that has turf tyres, 1000 litre tank and a
9 metre boom fitted with blob markers
Feature
Photo courtesy of Clive Jeffers
and a rinse tank all within a few hours; or
alternatively, they might consider using
their own 200 litre, 3 metre boom sprayer
that is occasionally mounted on course
machinery, thereby taking up considerably
more time and resources to undertake the
same job less effectively when considering
ideal spray windows.
Using a contractor can provide you with
access to machinery that might fall outside
your budget. Verti-drains can cost between
£30,000 and £45,000, and that’s before the
maintenance costs. It still costs £2,500 to
have all the fairways of a golf club aerated,
regardless of whether the machine breaks
down. Being a contractor’s machine, the
club gets the benefits without the problems.
A fairway mower, costing the equivalent
of a verti-drain, is likely to be used almost
every day, providing better return on
investment than on a machine that might get used only once or twice
a year.
Course managers are often critical of golf club members who refuse
to see that the most qualified person to manage their course is their
full-time employee; however, course managers are equally reluctant
to hand responsibility over to contractors who specialise in their
field. It takes courage and confidence to develop partnerships. A good
contractor is proud of the work they undertake and will stand by it.
It’s easy to see how useful that relationship can be for the course
manager. One contractor told me of situations where he and his
colleagues regularly arrive, discuss the scheduled work and that is the
last they see of the manager until shortly before they depart. There
have been other situations where they start work before the greenstaff,
which means they are able to keep ahead of the club members, again
only seeing the course manager on departure.
Time and again, managers specify the technician that came last time
because they did a great job, and why shouldn’t they? Practice makes
perfect, and somebody who spends lots of time in different situations
on a machine is bound to be able to get the best out of it.
41
Photo courtesy of Pitchcare Magazine
Greenside would like to thank Pitchcare magazine for
permission in reproducing this article.
greenside magazine | April 2013
News
Golf Exhibition at
European Parliament
An historic first golf exhibition in the European Parliament
in Brussels showcased ‘Golf - A European Success’. The
exhibition, which brought the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup
trophies together in celebrating the success of the European
teams in their respective matches against the United States
at Medinah last year and Killeen Castle in 2011, highlighted
the environmental, social and economic impact of golf across
Europe.
O
rganised under the patronage of the European
Parliamentarians Golfing Society by the European Golf
Association Golf Course Committee (EGAGCC), the
ground-breaking exhibition was officially opened by Doris Pack
MEP, Chair of the Culture and Education Committee at the
European Parliament following a welcome from James Elles MEP,
Chair of the European Parliamentarians Golfing Society.
Some 100
delegates from
across the
European golf
industry came
together for
the exhibition
and a series
of breakout sessions
exploring
the challenges and opportunities for golf throughout the Europe.
Significantly the exhibition offered a platform for members of the
EGAGCC – a partnership of bodies including the European Golf
Association, The R&A, The European Tour, European Golf Course
Owners Association, PGAs of Europe, European Institute of Golf
Course Architects, Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers
Associations, Club Managers Association of Europe - to liaise and
interact with European Parliamentarians and Commissioners on
matters of sustainability and golf.
Highlighting the sport’s impact across Europe, the exhibition
underlined golf ’s importance from an economic perspective with
the industry contributing €15billion to the European economy
annually; from a social perspective with 7.9 million Europeans
playing golf annually; and environmentally with more than 6000
courses in Europe, up to 70% of the area of which can be used for
habitat creation.
This Grass Is Greener:
Eco-Friendly Lawn
Mower Devised By
College Students
College-level environmental engineers in California
have created a device that attaches to a lawnmower and
significantly cuts down the dangerous emissions associated
with the gardening tool. The technology could save
businesses and millions of dollars in manufacturing and
public health costs, respectively.
A
mericans spend three billion hours per year using lawn
and garden equipment, according to the Envirionmental
Protection Agency (EPA). They also calculate that push
mowers spew as much pollution per hour as 11 cars, while a riding
mower emits as much as 34 cars. For decades, small gasoline
engines have existed with few regulations, and thus they have
become serious contributors to air pollution, which can cause
asthma and other respiratory diseases. In 2008, the EPA instituted
new standards for small engines and required manufacturers to
be compliant by 2011-2012. The mandates should prevent 450
premature death and 500 hospitalizations per year, but could
ultimately cost producers and consumers millions of dollars.
Some states with substantial high-polluting urban areas, such as
California, are adding their own standards for small engines on
top of the EPA’s. To help lawnmowers meet these new regulations,
student engineers from the University of Califorin-Riverside
Bourns created “NOx-Out”, a retrofitted air filter for small engines.
The device is attached in place of the muffler and reduces harmful
pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (by 87 percent), nitrogen
oxides (by 67 percent), and particulate matter (by 44 percent).
Estimated price for the filter is $30, which features an innovative
pollutant-eradicating compound that was developed by the team. It
could also be adapted for leaf blowers, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles.
The new gadget won two first place awards at the WERC: A
Consortium for Environmental Education and Technology
Development competition, which is run by the Institute for Energy
& the Environment (IEE).
Read more at http://www.medicaldaily.com/
articles/15450/20130513/air-pollution-lawn-mower-asthmagreen-engineering-environmental-protection-agency.
htm#FVF2dhZPLBp4s6ED.99
Greenkeepers Remembered
Lorne Smith of FineGolf newsletter is seeking some information on golf holes named after
greenkeepers. In his own words he mentions two he knows about in the Island Golf Club, Dublin.
“The Island GC, north of Dublin is on a peninsula and when
I played this wonderful links, set among high sand dunes in
September 1965 we approached via a small ferry and beach at the
south end of the course. A new clubhouse has subsequently been
built further up the peninsula and the hole numbers and some of
the names have been changed.
I mention this as I have been advised that the second hole is now
named after Paddy Caul, who served The Island for 38 years from
1954 until 1992 as greenkeeper. Paddy was also a champion golfer
representing Ireland seven times between 1968 to 1975.
The second hole in the 1960s was called ‘Prairie’ which is now the
www.gcsai.org
15th, while the old 15th (now the 11th) is called ‘Cricket Field’ . I
am advised from Frank Pennink’s Golfers Companion that this title
derives from a famous incident, as follows.
W.G. Grace had brought a team over to play a friendly game of golf
on a Sunday. In the morning, the Island side made a clean sweep and,
during a good lunch, ‘W.G.’ mentioned it was a pity that they couldn’t
take the Island on at cricket. The greenkeeper (before Paddy’s time!)
was told to roll out a pitch and the great ‘W.G.’ was promptly bowled
first ball !
Does anybody else know of a hole named after a greenkeeper?” If
so contact me at: [email protected]
42
News
CAFRE Greenmount Campus
Awards Day
Sixty students of greenkeeping and sports turf management were among the 170 or so horticulture students
who qualified at the Greenmount Campus of CAFRE at the recent Horticulture Awards day.
T
newly qualified assistant
hose that did turn
and head greenkeepers.
up were treated to a
Amongst the graduates
balmy evening with
on the day was Alistair
an inspirational talk given
Brown, head greenkeeper at
by the guest speaker Mr
Dungannon Golf Club.
Leigh Morris, President of
The project work
the Institute of Horticulture
undertaken by these
and Assistant Curator
students, involved
at Edinburgh Botanic
investigations into the
Gardens. The Awards day
construction methods
celebrated the achievement
and materials used in the
of many students, across
students’ own workplace.
the horticulture disciplines,
Peter Roberts and Andrew
receiving their Certificates,
Foster’s work on bunker
Awards and Diplomas at
sand was so compelling that
levels 2, 3 and 5. Among
Clandeboye golf course are
the special guests at
seeking to adopt many of
the event was Michael
the findings from this work.
Loughran, Course Manager
Left: Paul Campbell, lecturer in sports turf management with Foundation Degree
Should students wish to
at Hilton Templepatrick,
graduates in Sports Turf, Nathan Johnston, Simeron Cameron, Michael Witherspoon,
continue their studies into
and Education Officer with
Matthew Culbert and Matthew McCarragher.
higher education, there is
the GCSAI. Michael took
a part-time option, with sports turf management being
time to meet and congratulate the graduates at the event.
facilitated in the Foundation Degree in Horticulture.
Among the recipients of certificates and diplomas
This day-release programme takes up to 4 years to
were two father and son duos - John and Jason
complete and requires the student to develop critical
Spence from Donegal, and golf course maintenance
thinking skills about the design of golf courses, the
contractors William and Raymond Jackson.
types of machinery and technology involved, and the
The courses of study on offer from CAFRE start
management practices used to maintain turf. Of the five
at the craft level course, with the Level 2 Work-Based
greenkeeping students who qualified this year at Foundation
Diploma in sports turf maintenance. This course takes up
Degree level, two wish to complete a final year for an Honours
to two years to complete on a day-release basis, and relies heavily on
Degree at Myerscough college in Lancashire, and one wishes to
workplace support for each student, with assessments taking place
travel to New Zealand to pursue a greenkeeping role there. The
both at College, and on the golf course at work. By the time each
remaining two students are already in work, including Nathan
student has finished the course, he or she will have completed about
Johnston who is working with the family business at Armagh Seeds.
60 separate tasks and assessments, all to an industry standard of
Guest speaker, Leigh Morris encouraged the graduates to take
competence and work-rate.
whatever opportunities come their way, as the awards day was only
CAFRE also has a strong partnership with the GUI (Ulster Branch)
the beginning, and that they had the ability to shape the future of the
in running the Level 2 Cadetship Programme at the Greenkeeping
industry. He stressed the importance of continually updating their
and Golf Academy (home of the Darren Clarke Golf School) at the
knowledge
Antrim campus. This year sees another two successful candidates
and skills,
qualifying with Diarmaid McInerney and Ben Moore achieving their
extending
Level 2 Diploma at the end of an intensive year’s training and work.
their
The Sports Turf Cadets work in partnership with the greens staff
professional
at the academy, under the guidance of lecturer Paul Campbell and
capability, and
instructor Stuart Nixon, who is in effect the head greenkeeper for the
using industry
facility.
qualifications
Once candidates have completed their Level 2, the next potential
to raise the
qualification for greenkeepers is the Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in
standards
Sports Turf management. This course runs for two years on a dayof the
release basis, and takes the skills from Level 2 to a supervisory level,
horticulture
with students undertaking project work, as well as learning more
sector for the
about the scientific and business principles behind the practiced
future.
skills and working practices. This is a useful skills set for aspiring or
Left: Alistair Brown, head greenkeeper at Dungannon; Michael
Loughran, GCSAI Education Officer; Andrew Gray, graduating
43
Level 3 greenkeeping student.
News
ITB Grows with New
Horticulture Facilities
STRI Launches New
Format For 2013 Golf
Environment Awards
ITB (Institute of Technology Blanchardstown) have launched
their new plans for growth in their Horticulture Department.
The plans include a new Horticulture Facility on a 0.67 hectare
site on campus costing well in excess of
1 million euro.
Entries for the 2013 STRI Golf Environment Awards are now
open, rewarding both individuals and golf courses for their
environmental and ecological best practice across the UK.
T
he prestigious awards are managed and
administered by STRI, the world’s leading
sports turf consultancy. Each entry is
independently judged, not on the scale of project or
financial investment, but on what a golf course has
achieved and how it has benefited the environment.
2013 sees the launch of a new format for the awards
with three winning categories:
1. Environmental Golf Course of the Year - recognising
and rewarding golf clubs that can demonstrate efficient
management across each of the following four areas:
• Nature Conservation Management
• Turfgrass Management
• Waste Management
• Water Management
2. Conservation Greenkeeper Award - recognising and
rewarding an outstanding individual contribution to the
success of environmental and ecological management.
3. Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year recognising and rewarding golf courses who have implemented
a successful environmental project, with clear objectives and
targets on how the project will directly contribute to a better
environment.
The coveted awards are supported by a group of sponsors
committed to supporting and promoting proven sustainable
projects within golf clubs - Syngenta, CountyTurf, Ransomes
Jacobsen, Farmura, Greenkeeping, Golf Monthly, Operation
Pollinator, BIGGA and Greenkeeper International.
Also supporting the awards is winning Ryder Cup team member
and current US Open Champion Justin Rose, who continues as the
official ambassador of the awards for the fourth consecutive year.
Bob Taylor, STRI’s Head of Ecology, said “Golf has an
exceptionally significant role to play in sustaining and improving
local environments and these awards give us the opportunity to
highlight the most effective environmental projects and solutions
from all across the UK. The awards have now gained both
recognition and momentum within the golf industry with more
entries received each year and we encourage golf clubs to enter to
show the real contribution golf is making to the environment.”
Ian Willett, Course Manager at Thorpeness Golf Club, the overall
winning club for 2012 said: “Winning this award is beyond all
our expectations. If you have done anything on your course that
enhances the environment I would encourage you to have a go at
entering the awards. Taking part will raise the profile of your club
giving your Greenkeeping team and members great pride in their
golf course.”
Entry to the 2013 STRI Golf Environment Awards is now open.
Entry is free and details can be found on the website:
www.golfenvironmentawards.com
www.gcsai.org
G
iven that ITB has a unique location set in circa 22.5 hectares
of land on the fringes of the fastest growing city in Europe,
they will utilise this opportunity by developing facilities that
other colleges simply do not have. ITB will invest significantly in
building a new state of the art horticulture facility which will include:
glasshouses, poly-tunnels, workshops and welfare facilities as well
as a range of outdoor practical work areas for fruit and vegetable
production and sports turf management. Planning permission has
been granted and it is envisaged that construction will commence
in late summer with an expected completion date in March 2014.
This investment in up-to-the-minute Horticulture facilities will
complement ITB’s purpose-built campus. ITB’s horticulture courses
immerse students in the science, technology and business involved
in food cultivation, sportsturf expertise and plant and landscape
management.
At ITB, the horticulture courses have been designed to incorporate
the theoretical and practical aspects of horticulture and include
modules on landscape design, fruit and vegetable production, soil
science and plant nutrition, ecology, organic and sustainable practices
in conjunction with modules in project management, information
technology, marketing, customer service and professional practice.
ITB Horticulture graduates have been employed in a variety of
careers, including sports facility management, retail, business,
organic food production, education, heritage and community
horticulture with many graduates becoming self-employed in a these
sectors too.
ITB offers Horticulture degree programmes at level 6, 7 & 8 in
addition to a part-time course in plant studies.
First in Ball Technology
on EuroPro Tour
Burhill Golf Club and the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour
welcomed a world first in ball tracking technology during
the Kerry London Championship 2013.
T
he event, staged on Burhill’s New Course in
England, marked the first time for a shot
taken on a professional tour to be tracked
electronically from tee to complete rest.
While equipment has been developed to track
the trajectory of the ball off a tee, until now, nothing
further had been designed for analysing the effects of spin once
the ball hits the ground. However the latest technology from
FlightScope, which set up its latest system on the par-3 closing
hole during the tournament, is able to track ‘bounce and roll’ on
the green and combine it with data from the tee to show the ball’s
entire motion of the shot. With more than 150 tour professionals
taking part in the annual tournament at Burhill Golf Club, the
venue proved the perfect opportunity to test the groundbreaking
tracking system. Following the success of the event at Burhill, the
system is in development for worldwide use in 2014.
44
News
A Drier May and June
It makes a change reporting on how dry May and June have
been compared to previous years. The date below was
taken from two regions in the country, Mount Juliet Golf
Club and Galway Bay Golf Resort.
The most striking contrast is for the month of June. June 2012 saw record amounts
of rainfall while June 2013 was extremely dry. At the time of going to print it looks
like that July will also be one of the driest for many years.
Greenside would like to thank Aidan O’Hara CGCS of Mount Juliet and Damien
Coleman of Galway Bay for providing the data below.
Location
May 2013
June 2013
June 2012
Mount Juliet
56.0
39.8
195.5
Galway Bay
77.0
42.0
156.0
Rainfall in mm
www.advancedtt.com
SIMPLY
ADVANCED
9
SMART cassettes
for ultimate turf
management
2
Power sources
for maximum
flexibility
TM
aerate
brush
de-thatch
groom
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45
top dress
News
Carr Golf Launches
Invitational Pro Am for
‘The Gathering’
Killarney Golf Club
Undergoes
Restructuring Plan
Carr Golf, Ireland’s leading golf company are organising
an Invitational Pro-Am which will be held in Dublin from
21st to 25th October, to celebrate The Gathering.
Killarney Golf Club is currently engaged in a complex
three-year process to ensure it can overcome ongoing
recession-related trading difficulties.
T
F
wenty teams from
North America and
Canada will compete
over four days for a prize
fund of $10,000. The event,
which is to be annual,
will be played over four of
Ireland’s best links courses.
Portmarnock Golf Club, Royal County Down Golf Club, Royal
Dublin Golf Club and Co. Louth (Baltray) Golf Club.
Carr Golf has teamed up with the PGA Met Section in
New York, the Northern California PGA and the PGA of
Canada to promote this event in North America. “Carr Golf
is delighted to do its part for the Gathering and having been
in the golf event business for over 24 years, we felt now was a
good time to launch an Invitational Pro Am for all our friends
and clients.” The four day event comprises four nights at the
Burlington Hotel in Dublin, four rounds of golf at the best
links courses, two receptions, a gala dinner, transport, gifts and
a prize fund of $10,000. Each team will comprise 3 amateurs
and 1 professional with the PGA professional participating free
of charge. The cost per Amateur is $3,000 (€2,250).
For more information contact Carr Golf Travel:
www.carrgolf.com
ollowing a detailed business overview,
which has been in progress since
last year, a major restructuring plan
has now been put in place to enable the
Club to remain viable. As part of the
process to safeguard the facility’s future, it is with real regret that
management had to inform the club’s 41 staff of the requirement
to implement up to 21 redundancies. A number of jobs will be
created, however, through the outsourcing of some of these roles.
At the meeting, General Manager, Maurice O’Meara, and
senior human resources consultant, Alf McGrath, outlined the
seriousness of the situation and the difficulties that have been
experienced.
Mr O’Meara said: “We have retained as many jobs as possible in
the circumstances but it is a source of great regret that positions
are being lost. I would like to thank the staff for the great service
they have given to the club and I wish them well for the future.”
The restructuring process was brought about by a dramatic
decline in business in recent years with the collapse of the
economy impacting heavily on the Irish golfing market.
There has been a 20 per cent reduction in forecasted green fees
while subscriptions have also fallen by approximately 20 per cent,
with 220 people opting not to renew their membership.
The adverse weather conditions in recent years has also had
a very negative impact in terms of visitor numbers and in the
preparation and maintenance of the club’s championship courses.
As a result of the implementation of the business plan, the
club has cleared all debts and creditors will be paid over time.
Management has confirmed, however, that the bank has taken the
decision to withdraw all credit facilities going forward.
As part of the detailed development strategy for the period up
to and including 2015, there has been an extensive evaluation of
the club’s trading performance and revenue streams, projective
green fees, membership subscriptions, retail income and
marketing activity.
BTME to be even BIGGA
for 2014
Following the success of 2013 BIGGA are gearing up for
BTME 2014, as it returns to a four hall exhibition with the
world’s major machinery manufacturers preparing to head to
Harrogate.
been extremely positive.” BTME begins next year on Tuesday 21st
January at the Harrogate International Centre - showcases market
leaders from all sectors of the turf industry, including artificial
grass, course furniture, drainage, fertilisers and top of the range
machinery, to name just a few of the highlights.BTME 2014 will also
host an educational programme, with the popular Turf Managers’
Conference again returning to the week when the industry converges
on Harrogate. There will also be more workshops and seminars
through the ‘Continue to Learn’ programme with a range of
knowledgeable and passionate presenters.
BIGGA is urging anyone looking to reserve a stand to call now
to avoid disappointment. There is still limited space remaining and
places are being taken quickly. For your opportunity to exhibit at
next year’s BTME, contact Jill Rodham or Matt Wignall on 01347
833812 or 01347 833 832. http://btme.org.uk/index.php
M
any of last year’s exhibitors are also returning with many
increasing their stand space. After a surge of early bookings
over 85% of stands are already reserved with companies
determined to showcase their latest products.
Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA, said: “We’re delighted that the
exhibition will once again feature four halls. This will allow us to both
increase the number of exhibitors and attract even more visitors from
all corners of the turf management industry.”
Discussing the success of BTME 2013, Croxton continued: “This
will be BTME’s 25th year and it’s becoming increasingly popular.
The feedback we’ve received from exhibitors, buyers and guests has
www.gcsai.org
46
Useful Publications
New book Celebrates
History of the U.S. Open
Ohio State Professor
Publishes Turf ID
Worksheet
To celebrate the best of America’s most prestigious golf
championship, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has
announced the release of its
new book, “Great Moments of
the U.S. Open.”
Dave Gardner, Ph.D., associate professor of horticulture and
crop science at Ohio State University, has produced a turfgrass identification worksheet for professional turf managers.
W
T
ritten by Robert
Williams, director
of the USGA
Museum, and Michael Trostel,
the Museum’s senior curator and
historian, the book celebrates
the accomplishments of U.S.
Open champions, shares their
inspirational stories and chronicles
the extraordinary circumstances
that each faced.
Published by Firefly Books,
“Great Moments of the U.S. Open,” is a 216-page celebration of one
of the world’s premier sporting events, making it a must-have for golf
fans and sports history enthusiasts.
The book is currently available for purchase at www.usga.org/
publicationsstore as well as Amazon and Barnes & Noble stores.
he worksheet, which is available in a
downloadable PDF format, separates
turf types by growth habit, ligule type,
auricle type, vernation, leaf tip, sheath type
and collar type, with photographs of each
trait.
• Growth type: rhizomonous,
stoloniforous, bunch type.
• Ligule type: membranous, fringe of
hairs, absent.
• Auricle type: long/clawlike, short/
stubby, absent.
• Vernation: folded, rolled.
• Leaf tip: boat shaped, pointed.
• Sheath type: split-overlapped, fused tube.
• Collar type: continuous, divided, constricted with twist.
The book is also available from Amazon. For more details you can
contact Dave Gardner at [email protected]
The worksheet also includes a check list of 17 common turfgrass
varieties and the identification characteristics of each for easy crossreference.
Nature’s Way: An Taisce
Launches New Illustrated
Booklet on Invasive Species New Everris Product
in Ireland
Guide
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland is delighted to
announce the publication of the latest educational booklet in
their highly successful Nature’s Way series, entitled “Nature’s
Way - Invasive Species”.
The Everris 2013/2014 Product Guide is now available, with
a fresh image and lots of useful information for those who
manage turf and amenity areas.
A
T
s well as being a
comprehensive guide to
the company’s full range of
products Everris has included its iTurf
Solutions sheets, with guidance on
weed, pest and disease identification
and control, managing turf in
challenging weather conditions,
enhancing green speed and
improving wear tolerance.
A detailed technical section
includes spreader setting guidelines,
spreader calibration and testing
procedures, a tank mix compatibility
table, spraying guidance, nutrient
calculators and conversion tables.
The Product Guide can be viewed
online by vising the Sports Fields, Golf & Landscape section at:
www.everris.com
Hard copies are also available from Everris distributors.
www.everris.ie
Above: Everris Turf & Amenity Product Guide 2013/2014
his fun and informative
16 page booklet deals
with the threat of invasive
species and addresses some of
the challenges associated with
them. The booklet is charming
and accessible, with vibrant
illustrations featuring many
of Ireland’s invasive species, as
well as clear and engaging text
explaining the issues.
The topics covered include:
• How invasive species got
to Ireland
• Ecological and economic
impacts
• Established threats
• Potential threats
• What you can do
To request hard copies of Nature’s Way booklets, please e-mail:
[email protected]
47
Beauty
is a Beast
The
What does a Playboy bunny have in common with golf on TV? Far too much, argues one
Superintendent.Televised golf is to the game what Playboy magazine is to women. Hear me out.
T
he connection to Playboy and TV golf may not seem obvious
at first, but the similarities are scary. Let’s reflect for a minute
on what the core of Playboy’s business plan is. It takes a natural
beauty, puts her through hair and makeup, augments parts of her body,
spraytans her, then snaps countless pictures of her.
But even with her natural beauty and all of that work, the photos
still aren’t good enough to be published. Playboy asks its Photoshop
experts to clean up the images and make this beauty somehow sparkle
even more. Is that process all that different from what the professional
tours do to a golf course for a tournament? They take a nice golf course,
spend months (if not years) preparing it for a tournament, bring in
dozens of volunteers to help maintain it, haul in plenty of equipment
to mow it, and spend thousands of dollars to make it perfect for a fiveday event.
But that level of beauty still isn’t good enough, so the TV cameras
install green filters to make it look even better! A golf course - just
like a 5’10” 23-year-old who enjoys long walks on the beach and likes
a good sense of humor - is a living, breathing organism. Living things
are subject to weaknesses and illnesses. Golf courses get diseased, are
subject to environmental stress, deteriorate from lack of care, and
age. They’re also each remarkably different from one another, just like
people. When golfers compare their course to the one down the street,
it’s about as fair a comparison as sizing up Tiger Woods to Seth Jones!
This quest for perfection doesn’t end following the Playboy photo
shoot, nor does it end when the final putt is dropped. Young women all
over America strive to be as “perfect” as women in magazines. Likewise,
the “perfect” conditions that golfers see on TV spark questions about
the condition of their home clubs, but without the benefit of an
unlimited budget, volunteer force and handy camera filters.
We might like to admire what we see on TV and what we see in the
magazine. But let’s be clear: What we’re seeing isn’t perfect and it’s far
from real.
Keep it real
of our industry. I also understand that competing for a prize in the
hundreds of thousands of dollars is much different than partaking in
the Friday pot game at the local course.
But there are countless examples of how TV golf has unnecessarily,
and often negatively, affected everyday golf. Where did the concept of
painting edges on cups come from? It was done so that viewers could
better see the hole on TV while the player is putting. Now painting
cups has become an everyday standard on clubs all over the country.
Why?
Green divot sand was used so divots wouldn’t stand out as much
in aerial shots on TV. Laying green divot sand is expensive, time
consuming and has no impact on playing conditions. Yet how common
is green divot sand on courses that don’t ever see a single TV camera?
I’m not saying that a desire to improve is a bad thing. My point is, we
need to show Mr. Smith that Tiger gets a bad lie in the fairway every
now and then. If the course is dried out to make it firmer and faster
for the golfers, don’t alter the picture on the TV to hide that from the
viewers. Here’s another suggestion: Within reason, keep the rounds to
4.5 hours. How do we as an industry convince golfers to play in 4 hours
when the guys on TV take 6? There are more questions than answers
at this point, but unless we commit to re-educating golfers about
expectations, clubs will continue to experience the same self-esteem
problems that women do when sizing themselves up to the “perfect
female body” in magazines. We don’t need to convince our customers
that playing on dirt fairways is acceptable, but can we convince them
that bunkers don’t have to be “consistent” every day?
Let’s keep golf real. Let’s put the focus back on what the game’s all
about - having fun. Our author, a superintendent on the West Coast,
asked to remain anonymous. He said it was because he didn’t want to
damage his career, but we also think part of it was because he didn’t
want his wife to know he never cancelled that subscription to Playboy.
Love it? Hate it? Let us know! Send your feedback to sjones@
northcoastmedia.net. If you’re OK with us publishing your reaction,
state “OK to print” in the email.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that professional golf (and golfers)
drive interest in our business, generate funds and are a critical piece
Written by Seth Jones C/O Mike O’Keeffe
Trade News
INFiNiSystem™ from ATT
When designing this system, ATT adopted
a “no compromise” attitude at the
forefront of their design process. It was
determined from the outset that their
walk behind INFiNiSystem™, configured
purely as a mower, would need to cut
as well as a conventional mower; track
straight and follow undulations; be within
a certain weight category; be quiet;
have a swappable dual power source;
be maintenance and environmentally
friendly, and above all be within a certain
price range offering value for money. It
also had to accept, and power, the full
range of existing TMSystem Cassettes.
E
ach of the ATT SMART cassettes
impart different requirements on the
drive system, but do not compromise
the usefulness of any of the other cassettes.
For example, the SMARTCut (cutting unit) cassette needs to
operate at a greater height to cut grass than most of the other
SMART cassettes (verticutting, spiking, scarifying etc.) If the
same geometry was used to house all of
the different cassettes then the relationship
of the bedknife angle to the turf for the
SMARTCut cassette would be wrong. It
would still cut, but there would necessarily
be a compromise. This was resolved by the
chassis having a multi-position rear roller
that brings the geometries of the unit into
line with which ever process the machine is
required to perform.
Secondly, available power was one of
the key design considerations. Brushless
electric motors are typically 85 – 90%
efficient and can be electronically
manipulated to gain the most in various
situations. By using two; one to drive the
forward motion and the other to drive the
cassette; their speeds and torques can be
manipulated to maximise power output to
suit the individual cassettes. Cassettes that
allow the ATT INFiNiSystem™ to be a complete maintenance
system that can Aerate, Brush, De-thatch, Groom, Level, Mow,
Scarify and Top dress.
Bayer Launches New Turf Fungicide - Interface™
Bayer has introduced the first turf fungicide in Europe with the company’s
innovative StressGard™ Formulation Technology. This new optimised
formulation has taken over 15 years of Research and Development and
has been specifically developed to support Turf Managers in their quest to
achieve the ultimate playing experience.
T
ailor-made for sports turf, the formulation upgrades the performance of the
product, providing disease control leading to visibly healthier turf. Dr. Colin
Mumford, Bayer’s Technical Manager explains that Interface™ is unlike any
other turf fungicide on the market due to this unique formulation.
“Interface’s StressGard™ Formulation Technology has been designed to help
turfgrass thrive in these disease stress conditions, protecting it from turf fungus
and leading to visibly healthier turf.
Not only does Interface™ deliver disease control against six key turf diseases, the
StressGard™ Formulation Technology alleviates disease stress, providing a solution
that improves turf which appears visibly healthier.
Bayer’s Conor Egan, responsible for Ireland stated: “With preventative, curative
and eradicant properties, Interface™ can be used at any stage of disease and at any
time of the year offering Turf Managers complete flexibility.”
Interface™ will be officially launching to the Irish market at three upcoming
greenkeeper events, taking place between noon and 4pm on 27 August at Royal
Belfast Golf Club, 28 August at Carton House, Maynooth, Co. Kildare and 29
August at Thomond Park, Limerick. Dr Ruth Mann of STRI will be presenting the
product’s trials data at the events, and greenkeepers are invited to join the team for
lunch and learn about this revolutionary new fungicide.
Interface™ is available in a 5 litre pack, and can be purchased through James
Coburn & Son Ltd and John Lindsay Porfessional Sportsturf in Northern Ireland.
Interface™ will be available in the Republic of Ireland from Cropcare Amenity Ltd,
Spraychem Golf and Unichem Ltd at the start of September.
49
Trade News
TURFCO Widespin
1550 Top Dresser
Coburn’s Host NI Launch
of Bayer’s New Fungicide
Ransomes Jacobsen, is now offering the new WideSpin
1550 top dresser. This is the most advanced addition
to Turfco’s WideSpin family. It features more capacity,
easier hopper loading, programmable presets, rate
calculation and a wider range of applications.
Bayer’s new fungicide, which can be used for the prevention
and control of certain diseases of turfgrass, was launched in
Northern Ireland on February 21 at Banbridge Golf Club.
I
nterface, which will
be stocked by James
Coburn & Son
Limited in Banbridge,
is a fungicide which
can be used mainly on
golf greens and bowling
greens but is also
suitable for professional
sports grounds and
stadia, tennis lawns and From left to right: Daniel Redmond
- Amenity Sales Director James
cricket pitches.
Coburn & Son Ltd, Dorin Pop - Bayer
Technical
Technical Manager, William Cartmill
representatives from
- General Manager James Coburn &
James Coburn & Son
Son Ltd, David Eager - Technical Sales
Limited joined head
Representative and Conor Eagan - Bayer
greenkeepers and
National Account Manager (Ireland)
Bayer representatives
at Banbridge Golf Club for the first launch of the fungicide in
Northern Ireland. William Cartmill, general manager of James
Coburn & Son Limited, said: “Coburn’s is delighted to have hosted
the first launch of Interface in Northern Ireland. Interface is the first
Bayer fungicide with StressGard formulation which means it is the
most high powered fungicide available from Bayer.
“Greenkeepers who will use Interface will see how the greens
benefit from it as it can be used all year round. It can be used as a
preventative curative measure or as an eradicant. Interface provides
superior disease control and manages disease stress leading to
improved playability and visibly healthier turf.”
StressGard Formulation Technology is Bayer’s most advanced
turf formulation yet. StressGard Formulation Technology is a
unique combination of active ingredients, inert ingredients and
turf specific co-formulants. It is the combination of these which
help the product perform in unique turf disease stress conditions.
StressGard Formulation Technology is specifically designed for turf
and has been fine tuned to upgrade the performance of the product,
providing superior disease control leading to visibly healthier turf.
For further information on the product call James Coburn & Son
Limited on 028 4066 2207.
A
new electronic controller
also makes adjusting the
application rates simple.
Without leaving the seat, operators
can adjust 95 percent of the
application rates for spreading on tees, greens and approaches,
ensuring effective results again and again. Additionally, the
WideSpin 1550 features instantaneous width and rate control
for topdressing tee boxes, greens and approaches.
As well as featuring the widest hopper opening in the
industry, it also includes a larger capacity hopper to increase
productivity and efficiency. The wider opening prevents
sand and material from spilling over the sides and makes
loading easier in general. The WideSpin 1550’s 20% increase
in capacity gives operators the ability to top dress more area
without the need for reloading. It provides more consistent
spreading, enabling greenkeepers to top dress 18 greens in less
than 90 minutes.
Additional WideSpin 1550 Tow-Behind features include:
• Galvanized hopper for worry-free rust proof durability no paint to get sanded away.
• Patented three-position switch guarantees spinners turn
on before conveyor, ensuring a clean application every
time.
• Trench filler attachment available
The 1550 top dressers are available in three options: with an
engine; as a hydraulic-driven tow-behind unit or a hydraulic
truck-mounted unit. All offer spreading widths from 2.13–
13.72 metres (7-45 feet) and spreading ranges from as little
as 0.08mm to more than 5.00mm. All units are also available
with manual or electronic control.
The WideSpin top dresser range is covered by Turfco’s threeyear warranty.
Cream of the ‘Gold
Crop’ for DLF
With offices in Co. Cork and Co.Lough, Johnsons Sports
Seed have strengthened their customer service throughout
Ireland by the appointment of Goldcrop Amenity as a new distributor.
S
erving the Agriculture, Horticulture and Professional Amenity sectors, the
company was established by Michael P. Murphy in 1984 and has grown into a
specialist business as a leading supplier of Amenity grass seed, fertilisers, chemicals
and hardware. Goldcrop has a strong relationship with parent company DLF Trifolium
contributing to the on-going search for new products. The company also participates in
trials of existing lines that are tested and monitored in different parts of Ireland to give
Greenkeepers and Groundsman the reassurance of top quality proven products.
Mark Booker, Amenity Manager at Gold Crop Amenity, “Goldcrop is run by a group of
professional business managers who develop key business areas and ensure we remain at
the forefront of all new developments.”
www.gcsai.org
50
Jeremy Hindle
(left), Wholesale
Manager DLF
UK & Ireland
and Mark
Booker (right) on
the DLF stand at
BTME 2013
Trade News
You’ve Koro’ed but have
you Terraplaned yet?
The new Terraplane® Rotor for the Koro Field TopMaker
takes renovation methods to the next level.
K
nown as
Terraplaning, the
latest style Koro
Field TopMaker (FTM)
when fitted with the new
Terraplane® rotor will
deliver a surface that is
cleaner and smoother than
ever before.
Good surface hygiene is the key to eliminating the spread of
poa annua. The success of the Koro Field TopMaker has been
built on this premise. Terraplaning expands this idea by using
carbide tipped blades on the rotor to remove organic buildup. This leaves the top surface not only more hygienic than
ever before, but crucially more durable. Once the material
is removed (via the side arm conveyor of the FTM directly
into a trailer), you are left with a perfectly level stable playing
surface into which it can then be overseeded. The Terraplane®
rotor has been purchased by a number of premier league clubs,
who already have a Koro Field TopMaker and are skilful in
koro-ing and some who are just beginning to adopt these wellpractised methods of pitch renovation.
In the pursuit of perfection, they have recognised the
advances made with the new rotor and are now implementing
a Terraplaning programme at their own grounds.
Following a series of successful demonstrations, Terraplaning
has already been taken on board as an important service to
offer by several contractors.
For more information contact Brian O’Shaughnessy of
Campey Turfcare on 087 9274521 or visit:
www.campeyturfcare.com
Toro Reelmaster 3550-D
Weighing in at only 900kg, the Reelmaster 3550-D is 15 to 20
percent lighter than comparable models. This machine is not only
kind to turf, but is also more fuel efficient and cheaper to run.
T
oro has combined the mower’s lightweight build
with smooth, turf-friendly tyres, a 208cm (82in)
cutting width and a power unit. This allows
the 3550-D to float across fairways and green
surrounds – undulations and all - providing
the ideal combination of turf friendliness,
productivity and performance.
Ideal for links and heathland
courses, the 3350-D’s cutting width is
complemented by a 7mph (11kmph)
mowing speed for fast and effective
cutting. But a kit to increase the height of cut
is also available, making this mower suitable for sports
fields, too. The new Reelmaster’s performance is based on that
of the popular Groundsmaster 3500-D power unit. Powered by a
25hp (18.5kW) Kubota diesel engine, the 3550-D has the oomph to
climb hills, even while running groomers and rear roller brushes. A
patented Series/Parallel three-wheel-drive system provides power
to at least two wheels at all times for greater traction. The result is
improved grip in even hilly and wet conditions, plus minimal wheel
slip so that the mower remains gentle on turf. The 3550-D also
benefits from improved ground-following performance, provided
by a new 46cm (18in) version of Toro’s renowned Dual Precision
Adjustment (DPA) cutting units fitted as standard. These units
handle fairway undulations, ensuring that each blade of grass is
cleanly cut - not torn - to keep the sward green and healthy. Optional
56cm (22in) rear cutting units can also be installed to achieve
additional overlap if required.
For more information on the new Toro Reelmaster
The new
Reelmaster Toro
3550-D, call distributor Lely UK on 01480 226800
3550-D
or email: [email protected]. Alternatively, visit: is the lightest fairway
mower on th
www.toro.com
e
market.
Turn Down the Water Volume with Qualibra
Application of Qualibra wetting and water conservation agent can be faster and more effective when sprayed in a water
volume of just 500 litres per hectare, using the new Syngenta XC Nozzle. The new recommendations would mean half the
number of sprayer fills compared to traditional applications at 1000 l/ha - with lower costs of time, fuel, wear and tear and
less interruption in play on the golf course.
S
yngenta Technical Manager, Dr Simon Watson,
reported trials have shown the same results
with deep and even Qualibra distribution
in the soil profile when applied at the lower
water volume - giving the full benefits for firm
playing surface quality and enhanced soil moisture
retention through the profile and root zone.
“Historically wetting agents have been applied
at very high water volumes to ‘wash’ them into the
soil,” he said. “With the advent of new 08 Soil XC Nozzle spray
applications can be targeted to reach the soil surface far more
effectively. Furthermore, the combined penetrant and polymer
technology of Qualibra aides movement down from the surface
and retention deeper in the soil profile.”
Dr Watson pointed out that a water volume application of 500 l/
ha equates to 0.05mm of rainfall per hectare.
For a golf course with a 600-litre tank sprayer, the
new recommendations would typically enable all greens
to be quickly and conveniently treated with one fill.
However, Dr Watson calculated the most significant savings
will come when treating fairways - requiring just 10 spray tanks
to cover the 12 hectares of an average course, compared to the
20 fills and extra time spent spraying at 1000 l/ha.
The Syngenta 08 Soil XC Nozzle will apply 500 l/ha when
spraying at 7 km/hr with an operating pressure of 2.5 bar. The
low-drift technology will provide a greater number of spraying
opportunities, whist the extra coverage design ensures more
even distribution on undulating ground. The XC Nozzle
technology is specifically designed to operate at lower water
volumes for turf applications.
51
Trade News
Ransomes Jacobsen
Offering New Turfco
TriWave 40 Trailed
Overseeder
New five-in-one water
aeration system from
Otterbine
Not only is this 0.5hp unit more efficient and cost effective
to run, but its spray can also be quickly and easily switched
between four different patterns and into a horizontal mixer
system for maximum value and versatility.
Ransomes Jacobsen, the distributor of Turfco products in the
UK and Europe, is now offering the new TriWave™ 40 trailed
overseeder. This new model can be towed behind a utility
vehicle, quad bike, bunker rake or tractor.
T
his means that those with ponds and water features of
around half an acre or
2,000 square metres or
less can ring the changes with
four attractive spray patterns.
And simply by adjusting
the discharge angle, the
Fractional unit is transformed
into a horizontal mixer,
further improving water aeration and flow in operating depths as
shallow as 16in/14cm. Ideal for small- to medium-sized bodies
of water on golf courses, estates, residential and commercial
developments and in parks and gardens, the Fractional unit
is a versatile and cost-effective way to keeping algae blooms,
stagnation, foul odours and even fish deaths at bay. That’s because
efficient water circulation helps to maintain optimum oxygen
levels, keeping water healthy and appealing. Costing from just
£1,270 +VAT, the Fractional unit has an oxygen transfer rate
of 1kg/2.2lbs per hp/hr, with a pumping rate of 506 gallons per
minute or 115 cubic metres per hour. That means it’s got the
highest performance rate of any fractional aerator
on the market. It has improved serviceability,
w
e
n
e’s
Otterbin aerating
corrosion resistant rotors and a two-year
l
a
n
Fractio and mixer
warranty. A version with lights is also available
fountain packs four
to further enhance the fountain aesthetics.
m
e
d
syst
tterns an
For more information on Otterbine’s new
spray pa ntal mixer
Fractional aerating fountain and mixer system,
a horizo ne unit.
into o
contact distributor Lely UK on 01480 226848 or
email [email protected] to request a free leaflet
on the benefits of aeration - ‘It’s Never Too Late To Aerate’.
Alternatively, visit: www.otterbine.com
T
he TriWave 40 seeder can be
quickly attached and ready to
use, eliminating the typical
hassle associated with setting up
a seeder. Once ready, the TriWave
40 can overseed and spot seed a
variety of turf areas including greens,
fairways, roughs, tee boxes and driving ranges with any seed without
any requirement for gear or mechanical changes. It is literally an
‘attach and go’ operation.
With the patent-pending WaveBlade technology, the counterrotating blades on the TriWave 40 create clean square slits for
optimal germination with decreased turf disruption. To further
increase productivity, the TriWave 40 can turn while seeding and
even seed greens with steep sides and bunker surrounds. One button
lifts and lowers the seeder so operators can spot seed quickly and
move on to the next area.
In addition, the seeder features floating heads that follow the
contour of the ground and a patented seed-delivery system to
ensure germination each time. It is also available with an optional
electric lift and lower kit for vehicles without hydraulics. This
allows operators to hook up to any vehicle, and it further enhances
manoeuvrability and versatility of the overseeder.
The TriWave 40 trailed overseeder is covered by Turfco’s standard
two-year warranty and is available with both greens blades for
minimal disruption and standard blades. Visit Ransomes Jacobsen
www.ransomesjacobsen.com or Turfco www.turfco.com for more
information.
Wildflower Mixes from Barenbrug
Barenbrug has launched a new range of wildflower mixes
designed specifically to meet the demands of greenkeepers
as they look to become more environmentally friendly.
T
here are three dedicated perennial mixtures available with
100 percent wildflower species, which have been carefully
selected to match the environments and soil types found on
UK golf courses.
Barenbrug have also allowed greenkeepers the opportunity to
buy wildflowers separately to grass seed. The three mixes are
designed for use on Heathland, Links and Parkland courses.
Alongside the three mixtures, there is also annual British native
wildflower mixture, BAR Colour, designed to be sown on its own
or adding a splash of colour to perennial wildflower mixtures.
Each mixture comes with a recommended grass seed mixture to
www.gcsai.org
52
support the aesthetics and playability of areas
with wildflowers.
BAR 13 is the recommended diversity mix
for links and parkland courses and is suitable
for out-of-play areas, while BAR 20’s fescue
blend is ideal for links and heathland courses, both in
and out of play. BAR 12 completes the range offering a blend of
fescue and bentgrass to provide a fine, open, wispy sward for in
and out-of-play areas of parkland courses.
One of the major advantages of wild flowers for green keepers
is they can leave the area un-mown for much of the year, but still
create a pleasant environment which will encourage wildlife.
For more information please refer to the ‘Wildflower Factfile’
available at: www.barenbrug.co.uk/wildflowers
Trade News
Gator Gets a Makeover
TORO MVP PACKS
Following customer feedback, John Deere has introduced
a number of additional new features on the XUV 855D
Gator 4x4 utility vehicle for 2013. These include a digital
instrument cluster, a bigger capacity 55A alternator and a
much larger 27.6-litre fuel tank, to enable longer working
days.
When money’s tight and time is at a premium, it’s
tempting to run your turf equipment harder and
longer without proper maintenance. But this can lead
to poor performance or even threaten its life, with
costly early replacement a real possibility.
T
he dash-mounted instrument
cluster displays the odometer,
ground speed, fuel level and
coolant temperature, engine rpm,
a clock and the four-wheel drive
indicator. It can be adjusted for
different tyre sizes to ensure that the
ground speed is accurately shown,
particularly when using sprayer or spreader attachments, or
driving on the road. Engine braking has also been improved, to
provide better performance in hilly conditions. The vehicle’s descent
control system has been redesigned to enable the clutch to stay
engaged, providing more controlled deceleration down to around
3mph. In addition, the continuously variable transmission (CVT)
intake now draws in 50 per cent more air to reduce heat, as well as
the amount of water ingested by the CVT system and the clutches.
This leads to less belt slippage and improved durability overall.
The 25hp XUV 855D Gator has a top speed of 32mph (52kph) and
features true on-demand four-wheel drive, activated by a dashmounted electronic switch, and all-round suspension, adjustable
at the rear. Ground clearance is 267mm (11in), total payload is
635kg and towing capacity is 680kg. The Gator’s standard four post
ROPS frame can be optionally upgraded to a deluxe full glass cab
if required, and further options include tool carriers and cargo box
dividers, a front mounted load rack, a bull bar and side extensions.
Price of the new 2013 model John Deere XUV 855D 4x4 Gator
utility vehicle starts at £12,227 (€14,385 in Ireland) for the base
machine in green & yellow livery, fitted with standard seats and
Terrahawk all-purpose tyres. The power steering option adds £512
(€602) to this model, while the olive & black version with power
steering as standard starts at £12,843 (€15,110). All prices exclude
VAT.
T
his is where
Toro’s MVP Packs
can be a real
life-saver. From kits for
rebuilding rollers and
replacing hydraulic hoses
to overhauling cutting
units, MVP Packs with
Toro MVP Packs
genuine Toro parts protect your equipment and
are a summer lifekeep you working all summer long.
saver when it comes
These handy packs provide all that’s needed to
to keeping your
machinery in
complete a routine servicing or special repair task
optimum working
– interval maintenance kits even instruct on when
condition.
to carry out the job depending on the model and
number of hours of use.
The kits also make ordering all the necessary genuine Toro
parts simple and save money on buying parts individually,
too. Toro customers can typically save up to 20 percent on
purchase instead of forking out for individual parts as and
when maintenance is required.
Toro’s MVP Filter Packs are a particularly prudent
investment. Making it easy to stay ahead of scheduled
maintenance, these kits include all the filters recommended
for replacement during the first 400 to 500 hours of
operation. And since the kits are designed for a specific
Toro model, the right filters are always to hand come each
maintenance interval.
Toro’s MVP Packs span over 100 maintenance and rebuild
kits, including Cutting Unit Overhaul Packs, Cutting Unit
Hydraulic Hose Packs, bearing, seal and roller rebuild
kits and touch-up paint. For more information contact
distributor Lely UK’s Toro parts department on 01480
226870, email [email protected] or visit: www.toro.com
New AIR 2G2 Pedestrian Aerator from Campeys
can be resumed immediately
following the treatment.
The benefits include
improved growth in the root
zone through good micro
biotic activity. Better drainage
and aeration provides a more
efficient take-up of nutrients
and moisture that will have
long term beneficial effects to the soil structure and health of the
grass.
The Air 2G2 runs on a Kohler 19hp petrol engine with
hydrostatic drive axle. It is easily manoeuvred by the handles for
forward or reverse. All operations are automatically controlled by
the push of a button and a computer control panel.
For more information please take a look at Campey’s website
www.campeyturfcare.com
This latest addition to the Campey range of turf aeration
equipment is suited for tackling deep seated compaction
on and around golf greens, walkways, professional football
pitches and bowling greens.
T
ried and tested on golf courses and sportsturf around the
world, the Air 2G2 self-propelled Air Injector, uses air
to shatter the hard pan created through normal to heavy
everyday activity on the course.
Poor soil conditions caused by drought, excessive root
encroachment, flooding or general over use of the surface, can all
be alleviated quickly and effectively with the Air 2G2.
The Air 2G2 works on the principle of injecting compressed
air vertically and horizontally over an area of 5ft (1.5m) to 12”
(35cms) deep (depending upon probe fitting). This causes a
fracturing effect of the compacted rootzone, with no surface
disruption. Play on greens and fairways, tees and around bunkers
53
greenside magazine | April 2013
President’s Report by Michael McFeely Westmanstown Golf & Sports Club
Contact Points
Alan Mahon (Communications Manager)
Rathjarney Piercestown, Co. Wexford.
Tel/Fax: 053 9158606 Mobile: 087 6260889
Michael McFeely (President)
Westmanstown Sport & Conference Centre
087 2342051
Tom Carew (Vice President & Treasurer)
Craddockstown Golf Club – 087 6260182
John Egan (Hon. Secretary)
Rathfarnham Golf Club - 086 3470388
Michael Loughran (Education Officer)
Hilton Templepatrick - (0044) 797 4229343
Finbarr O’Mahony (SW Rep.)
Kanturk Golf Club – 087 7728720
Dean Brock (NE Rep.)
Grange Golf Club – 085 1411291
Damien Coleman (NW Rep.)
Galway Bay Golf Resort – 087 6666131
Mark Murphy (SE Rep)
Tullamore Golf Club - 087 2609255
Fionna Brown Johnson (Helpline - members only)
051 872898
GCSAI Website:
www.gcsai.org
P r esident ’ s Repo r t
Hello
Hello to all of you in Greenkeeping land. As
you are probably aware Damian McLaverty has
completed his term of office as President and I
have succeeded him in that role.
I
have been
involved with the
GCSAI for a long
time and I hope to
meet a lot of you in
my travels during my
term of office.
The golf industry
has been badly
affected in recent
years by the recession
as have the GCSAI
who have had
Myself with Padraig Harrington at the Padraig Harrington
to make decisions
Golf Clinic at Westmanstown Golf Club last June
regarding finances but
the organisation is vital to golf in Ireland and we need you as a member to
play your part.
We have embarked on a membership drive and each region has the task
of contacting and, hopefully, speaking to greenkeepers whose membership
has lapsed. It is essential that we keep our membership numbers strong
and I would ask you as an active member to always encourage fellow
greenkeepers to join. It must be remembered that we are all volunteers and
the people on your regional committee can always do with extra help from
time to time.
Our main source of income is our membership and our trade
membership. Our aim, over a period of time, is to increase this source of
revenue. Having said that I have to commend our trade partners who have
supported us for many years.
I urge you all to support your regional events and do not be shy in
coming forward because I know that strong regions will result in a strong
GCSAI which is good for the industry.
I wish you all the best for the future and hopefully our paths will cross.
The deadline for receiv ing
advert ising and edi tor ial
for
the nex t issue of Gre ens ide
is:
30 Oc tobe r 2013
54
GCSAI Trade Members
The GCSAI thank each and every one of our Trade Members for supporting us throughout
these challenging times. Please support them when purchasing goods and services.
Company Name
Contact
Telephone
Email
Advanced Landscape Services
Karl Dooley
087 9402650
[email protected]
Amenity Turf Supplies Shay Phelan
087 2765259
[email protected]
Anthony D’Arcy Sands
Pat Murphy
087 2585653
[email protected]
Barenbrug UK Ltd
Paul Warner
00441359 272000
[email protected]
Bayer Environmental Science
Conor Egan
086 2643001
[email protected]
Campey Turfcare Systems Ltd Brian O’Shaughnessy
087 9274521
[email protected]
Cropcare Ltd
Rose O’Donovan
01 2874485
[email protected]
Dar Golf Construction Ltd
James D’Arcy
087 2573550 [email protected]
Declan Branigan Designs Ltd
Ronan Branigan
041 9846627
[email protected]
Drummonds Ltd Rosalyn Drew
041 9838986
[email protected]
Dublin Grass Machinery
Robert Mitchell
01 8386867
[email protected]
Eddie B. Connaughton Ltd
Eddie Connaughton
01 6283300
[email protected]
Everris Ltd
Colman Warde
087 7799527
[email protected]
Goldcrop Ltd
Mark Booker
087 9580110
[email protected]
Mark Harris
087 2540166
[email protected]
Headland Amenity Ltd
Andy Russell
00 44 1223 597834
[email protected]
Horta Soils Ltd Priscilla McFarland
048 38852888
[email protected]
Irish Grass Machinery Ltd
Michael Smyth
01 8991212
[email protected]
James Coburn & Son Ltd
William Cartmill
048 40662207
[email protected]
JFB Golf Supplies Ltd Frank Byrne
087 2374285
[email protected]
John Deere Ltd Joedy Ibbotson
00441949 860491
[email protected]
Lely Ireland Ltd
Richard Harris
045 526170
[email protected]
Major Equipment International Ltd
Eibhlin Murphy
094 9630572
[email protected]
Martyns Grass Lawns Ltd
Brian Martyn
093 38012
[email protected]
MSK Silversands Ltd
Michael Kelly
087 2887016
[email protected]
National Agrochemical Distributors Ltd Liam McMahon 01 8437808
[email protected]
Rainbird
Kneale Diamond
00447979 651765
[email protected]
Ransomes Jacobsen
Gina Putman
0044 1473276370
[email protected]
Reel-Tech
Barry Drennan
087 6388955
[email protected]
Sea Nymph (Galway Bay Marine) Ltd David Casburn 087 6788481
Syngenta
Caroline Carroll 00441223 883466 [email protected]
Teagasc Colm Dockrell
01 8459016
[email protected]
The Buggyman Ltd
Liam Ross
045 878200
[email protected]
TurfCare
Pat Galavan
045 409330
[email protected]
Whites Amenity
Noel Walsh
01 8438521
[email protected]
[email protected]

Course feature: Wexford golf club sunburn survey results

Transcription

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