TheChairmanofGreen

APracticalGuide

Contents Page Section1 Introduction 1Section2 TheRole 1Section3 Duties&Responsibilities 1

3.1 InConjunctionwiththeGeneralCommitteeand/orGreenCommittee 1

3.2 GeneralDuties 2 3.3 ObligationstoHealth&Safety 3

3.4 CapitalEquipmentProvision/RollingProgramme 4

3.5 Training 4 3.6 Communications 4 3.7 CourseClosure 4 3.8 CompetitionDays 5 3.9 Environment 5Section4 QuestionsFrequentlyaskedofaChairmanofGreen 6Appendix1 GolfCourseManagement 9-21

Appendix2 R&ASustainableGolfCourseManagementandDevelopment 22-24

Appendix3 STRIDisturbanceTheory 25-27 SourcesofInformation

Bibliography 28 Magazines 28 Websites 28 Acknowledgements: TheGolfUnionofWaleswouldliketothanktheScottishGolfUnionforgrantingpermissiontoreproducemuchofthetextusedinthisbooklet.

.

1

1 Introduction“…inmanyclubsthereisoftenonebravesoulwhowillbattleonasChairmanuntilhetiresoftheyearlyabusethrowninhisdirectionbyimpatientgolfers.Histhanklesstaskincludesattemptingtoprotecthisgreenstafffromthemorebelligerentmembers,andfightinginGeneralCommitteeforsufficientfundswithwhichtomanageacourse” QuotefromtheR&Adiscussiondocument“TheWayForward”(1989)TheintentofthispracticalguideistohelptomakeyourterminofficeasChairmanofGreenasproductiveandenjoyableaspossible.

2 TheRoleoftheChairmanofGreen

• TheroleoftheChairmanofGreenistoliaiseandworkcloselywiththeHeadGreenkeepertomaintainanddevelopthegolfcoursetothesatisfactionoftheclubmembership.

• ItisofparamountimportancethattheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeperandstaffarefullyinvolvedinalldecisionsmadeinregardtoequipment,machinery,budgetsandcoursemaintenancepractices.

• Unquestionably,theresponsibilityfortheday-to-daymanagementofthegolfcourseshouldrestwiththeCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeperoperatingtoagreedpoliciesandstandards.

3 Duties&Responsibilities 3.1 InConjunctionwiththeGeneralCommitteeand/orGreenCommittee:

• Toformulate,ifnotalreadyinexistence,aCourseManagementPolicyDocumentwhichshouldserveasanagreementbetweenclubandgreenstaffdetailinghowthecourseistobemanaged,theexpectedstandardsofmaintenanceandpresentationandanyfuturedevelopmentplansforthegolfcourse.

ItisstronglyrecommendedthateveryclubproducesaCourseManagementPolicyDocument.

AsampletemplateofaCourseManagementPolicyDocumentisprovidedinAppendix1.ThisdocumentaimstoprovideinformationonwhatshouldbeconsideredforinclusioninaCourseManagementPolicyDocument.Itisnotanexhaustivelistofcontentsandshouldonlybeconsideredasaguide.

ThetemplatecanbeobtainedfromtheGolfUnionofWalesinelectronicformat,ifrequired,ordownloadedfromtheGUWwebsitewww.golfunionwales.org

ThisdocumentalsoprovidesausefuloverviewofGreenkeepingpracticesandactivitiesfornewlyappointedChairmenofGreensorCommitteemembers.

TosetabudgetonanannualbasistomeettheaimsandpoliciescontainedintheCourseManagementPolicyDocument.

2

• Thebudgetshouldtakeaccountofthe‘historical’levelofspendandanyanticipated

changestothespendpattern.

• Toproduce,withinthefinancialcapabilityoftheclub,a‘rolling’programmeforthereplacementandpurchase/leaseofnewmachinery,tomeetfuturerequirements.

• Todevisea‘rolling’courseimprovementprogramme.

• Toensurethatanychangestothecoursee.g.theplantingoftrees,newbunkersetc.arewithintheframeworkoftheoverallclubpolicyandinthelongterminterestsoftheclubanditsmembers.

• Toensurethatthestaffinglevelandtrainingareadequatetomaintainthecourseinthecondition,andtothestandardssetoutintheCourseManagementPolicyDocument.

• ItisrecommendedthataffiliatedgolfclubsuseR&A’scoursemanagementbestpracticewebsitewww.randa.org/en/TheGolfCourse/The-golf-course.aspxandimplementbestpracticeinthesustainabledevelopmentandmanagementoftheirgolfcourse.

3.2 GeneralDuties:

• Toliaise,onbehalfoftheBoardorCommitteeofManagement,withtheCourse

Manager/HeadGreenkeeperonallmattersrelatingtothemanagement,maintenanceanddevelopmentofthecourse.

• Tooverseethemaintenanceandpresentationofthecoursetoensurethattheexpectedstandardsareachievedandagreedcoursemanagementpoliciesimplemented.

• TochairmeetingsoftheGreensCommitteeatappropriateintervals.

• ToreporttotheCommitteeofManagementatregularintervalsonmattersaffectingthecourseanditsmanagement.

• TomeetregularlywiththeCourseManger/HeadGreenkeeper,generallyatleastonceperweek,withasmanymeetingsaspossibletobeheldonthecourse,sothatcurrentconditionsandproblemscanbeviewedanddiscussed.

• Tomonitoronamonthlybasisgreenspendagainstbudgetandinvestigateanysignificantvariances.

• ToadvisetheMatchCommittee,orequivalentbodyoftheexistenceofsuchpayingorotherconditionsonthecoursewhichrequireprotectionbyLocalRuleorotherwise.

• TooverseetheimplementationoftheWinterProgrammeandanyotheralterationstothecourseauthorisedbytheCommitteeofManagement.

• Toensurethatthepoliciesinregardtocourseclosureandtheuseofwintergreensandotherprotectivemeasuresareconsistentlyapplied.

• TobefamiliarwiththerequirementsoftheCONGUUnifiedHandicappingSysteminregardtoplacementoftheteemarkersandpreservationoftheplayinglengthofthemeasuredgolfcourse.

3

3.3 ObligationstoHealth&Safety:

TheorganisationtodischargetheobligationstoHealth&Safetylegislationvariesfromclubtoclub.However,itisrecommendedthatacheckbecarriedouttoensurethattheClub:

• HasaHealth&Safetypolicywhichsatisfiescurrentlegislationandbestpractice.

• DisplaysacopyoftheCertificateofEmployersLiabilityInsurance.

• Displaysa‘Health&SafetyLaw–WhatYouShouldKnow’poster.

• HasanAccidentBookorfile.

• HasaqualifiedFirst-Aiderabletodealwithemergencies.

• Providesandmaintainsanadequatenumberoffirstaidkits.

• Providesandmaintainsadequatefireextinguishers.

• ProvidesadequatefacilitiesforthewelfareoftheGreenstaff.

• Hasasecurestoreforthesafestorageofchemicals.

• Hasaprocedureforthesafestorage,useanddisposalofpesticides.

• Hasasecurestoreforthesafestorageoffuel.

• Hasanemergencyprocedure.

• Hasaprocedurefordisposingofhazardouswasteandcontrollingspillage/leakage.

• Providespersonalprotectiveequipmentwherenecessary.

• CarriesoutRiskAssessmentsforallrelevantGreenkeepingactivities.

• Keepsrecordsofthefollowing:

o StaffTrainingandcompetency.o RiskAssessments.o COSHH,NoiseandmanualHandlingAssessmentswhereappropriate.o InventoryofGreenkeepingequipmentandmachinery.o Maintenancerecordsformachinery.o Pesticidestocklistandusage.

TheabovelistisnotexhaustiveanditistheresponsibilityoftheGolfClubtokeepabreastofchangesinlegislationandtomakeadequateprovisiontocomplywithHealth&Safetyrequirements.TheGUWthroughXactAdviceofferastandardisedSafetyManagementSystemthatcanbeusedbyallclubsaffiliatedtotheGolfUnionofWales.ThissystempromotesstandardisedHealthandSafetyManagementthroughoutgolf.http://guw.xactadvice.co.uk/

4

3.4 CapitalEquipmentProvision/RollingProgramme:

• Toplanforreplacementofcapitalequipment,machineryupgradingandpurchase/leaseofnewmachinery.Itissuggestedthatafive-year‘rolling’programmebeoperated.

• LikewiseitisrecommendedthatasumofmoneyissetasideeachyearinaDevelopmentAccountfortheexpresspurposeoffundingthe‘rolling’capitalequipmentprogramme.

3.5 Training:

• Allstaffmustbetrainedandbecompetentforthetaskstheyarerequiredtoperform.Recordsoftrainingandcompetencymustbekept.Trainingneedsshouldbereviewedatleastannually.

• Withinreason,qualifiedstaffshouldbeencouragedtoattendlectures,demonstrationsandseminarsonGreenkeepingmatterswheretheseareconsideredtobeofpotentialbenefittothecluborthepersonaldevelopmentofthestaff.

• MembersofstaffshouldbeencouragedtobemembersofBIGGA.Thismembership

incorporatesaContinuingProfessionalDevelopment(CPD)Scheme. 3.6 Communications:

• Membersmustbeinformedofanyapplicationofachemicalsubstancewithahazardtohealth.

• Itisimportantthatmembersareawareofthefactthattomaintainagolfcoursetothedesiredstandard,workhastobeundertakenattimesthatwillcauseinconvenienceanddisruptiontoplay.

• Tominimisefrustrationandadversecommentmembersshouldbeadvisedin

advanceofanycoursemaintenanceoperationthatislikelytodisruptplaye.g.verti-draining,hollowcoringandtopdressingapplications.

• ThecontentsofmajorprojectssuchastheWinterProgrammeshouldbe

communicatedtotheclubmembersforinformationbynewsletterorviatheclubnoticeboard.

• DocumentssuchastheCourseManagementPolicyDocumentandEnvironmental

ManagementPlan,ifappropriate,shouldbemadeavailabletotheclubmembership.

• Membersshouldbemadeawareoftheclubarrangementstodischargeits

obligationstoHealthandSafetylegislationandanysafetymattersthatcouldaffectthempersonally.

• Toeducatemembersinmattersaffectingthegolfcourse,considerationshouldbe

giventoholding,fromtimetotime,an‘openforum’withmembers.

3.7 CourseClosure:

5

• Itisprudenttohaveclearresponsibilitieslaiddowninregardtoclosureofthecourseanditsre-opening.ItisrecommendedthatduringtheworkingweekthisistheresponsibilityoftheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeper.Ifatweekendsandstaffholidays,membersofthegreenstaffarenotpresent,itshouldbetheresponsibilityoftheChairmanofGreenornominatedCommitteemembers,operatingtoguidelinesdeterminedbytheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeper.(Aconsistentinterpretationoftheconditionsaffectingcourseclosure/openingiskey).

• Intheeventofclosure,notice(s)shouldbedisplayedinaprominentposition(s)toinformmembersandshould,wherepracticable,indicatethetimeofthenextcourseinspection.

• Alogshouldbekeptofdatesofcourseclosureandthereason.Thisprovidesfactual

evidenceof‘problemareas’onthecoursepossiblyrequiringrectification. 3.8 CompetitionDays:

• Apolicyshouldbedefinedidentifyingtheextentofcoursepreparationforcompetitiondayse.g.greenscuteitheronthemorningofthecompetitionorcutduringtheprecedingdayand‘switched’beforeplaycommencestoremovesurfacewater.

• Undernormalcircumstancesitshouldbetheexpectationthatnewholeswillbecutforeachcompetition.Intheeventofanunfavourableweatherforecastholesshouldbepositionedonhigherground.

• Bunkersshouldberakedandthepresenceofflagsticksandteemarkerschecked.

• GreenstaffshouldbemadeawarethatincompliancewiththeCONGUUnified

HandicappingSystemrequirements,noteemarkersshouldbemorethan10yardsinfrontof,orbehind,thePermanentDistanceMarkeroneachholeandthetotalchangetothemeasuredplayinglengthofthegolfcoursemustnotexceed100yards.

3.9 Environment:

• Itisrecommendedthat,ifnotalreadyinoperation,anEnvironmentalPolicyDocumentisproducedforyourgolfcourseandencapsulatedwithinanEnvironmentalManagementPlan.

6

Section4 QuestionsFrequentlyaskedofaChairmanofGreenInyourroleasChairmanofGreenyouwillbeaskedmanyquestionsregardingthecourseanditsupkeep.Thequestionsarelikelytoincludesomeofthefollowing:Whyisaerationandtopdressingwiththeassociateddisruptiontoplaynecessary?Aerationisameansofcombatingcompaction,improvingdrainageandcreatingfavourableconditionspromotinghealthygrassgrowth.Byallowingingressofairitassistsinthebreakdownofthatchandpromotesdeeperandstrongerrooting.Aerationtreatmentssuchashollowcoringfollowedbytopdressingallows‘soilexchange’wherebypoorcompactedsoilsareinpartreplacedbyfreerdrainingmixesofsoilandsand.Althoughgenerallyunpopularwithgolfersbecauseofthetemporarydisruption,aerationisanextremelyimportantmaintenancepractice.Thetimingofaerationisimportantandisoftenbestcarriedoutwhenthegreensaredryandperceivedbymemberstobeinprimecondition.Topdressingwithsandorfreedrainingalternativeusuallycomplementstheaerationprocessbyfillingtheholes.Topdressinginadditiondilutesthatchandprovidesfirmergreensaswellastruerputtingsurfaces.Itisimportantthatclubmembersrecognisethatgreenstaff,bycarryingoutregularaeration,aredoingexactlywhatisnecessarytopromotethelongtermhealthoftheturf.Whatisthatchandhowcanitbecontrolled?Thatchisalayeroforganicmatter(leaves,stems,rootsetc)invariousstagesofdecaylyingontopofthesoil.Itisassociatedwithexcessgrowthcombinedwithareductionindecomposition.Excessivethatchaccumulateswhentheinputofdeadturfresiduesexceedstherateofmicrobialbreakdown.Thatchaccumulationisfavouredbyexcessivefertilisation,highlevelsofirrigationandcompactionresultinginpoorsurfacedrainageinhibitingthemicrobialactivitythatshouldbedecomposingthethatch.Inwetweatherthatchactslikeaspongeproducingsoft,heavilyfootprintedgreensandwaterloggedfairways.Thatchcanbecontrolledbyacombinationofseveralmechanicalturfmaintenancepracticesappliedattheappropriatetime,includinghollowcoring,scarificationandtopdressingtogetherwiththeminimumapplicationoffertiliserandirrigationwater.Professionalgolfisplayedongreensreadingaround10’.Whyareourgreenssoslow?Speedsof10feetonaStimpmeterarefortournamentplayandarenotgenerallysuitable,norsustainable,fornormalclubgolf.Insummerconditionsgreenspeedscanbecategorisedas: Fast 8’6”orgreater Medium–Fast 7’0”–8’0” Medium–Slow 6’6”–7’0” Slow 6’orless

7

Linkscoursesaregenerallyapproachingthehighestcategorywiththemajorityofothercoursesbeinginthemiddlecategories.Thequestforeverfastergreenscanresultinoverstressingtheturfresultinginweakgrowthanddominationofannualmeadowgrass.(TheStimpmeterisa36-inchlong,aluminiumtooldesignedtomakeastandardmeasurementofgreenspeed.AtoneendisaballreleasenotchthatisdesignedsothatagolfballwillalwaysbereleasedandstarttorollwhentheStimpmeterisraisedtoanangleofapproximately20degreestohorizontal.AStimpmeterreadingisadistancemeasurementinfeetandinches.Greenspeedisdeterminedbyselectingaflatareaofgreen,rollingaballinonedirectionthenintheoppositedirectionandaveragingthetwomeasurements.)Yardagestothegreentargethavebecomeveryimportantingolfthesedays.Istherearuleregardingdistancemarkers?Unfortunatelythecolourandplacementofmarkersonthefairwaytoindicatethedistancetothecentreofgreen‘target’hasnotbeenstandardised.However,themostpopularcolouredmarkersare: White 200yards Yellow 150yards Red 100yards.Theseconfigurationsarestronglyrecommended.Arethereanyrulesregardingholelocationsandhowfartheyshouldbefromtheedgeofthegreen?Thisisnoruleregardingholelocationsandthereforeaparticularholelocationcannotbedeclaredtobeillegal.Thereare,however,guidelinesdirectedatproducingfairresults.Holesshouldbelocatedatpositionatleastfiveyardsfromanyedgeofthegreenwherethereisatwotothreefeetradiusofreasonablylevelputtingsurface.Itshouldbepossibleforaplayerabovetheholetostoptheballatthehole.Goodjudgementisnecessaryandholelocationsshouldnotbe‘trickedup’.Shouldbunkerrakesbeplacedinsideoroutsideofthebunker?Thereisnosetruleastowhererakesshouldbeplaced.TherecommendationoftheR&Aisthatrakesshouldbeleftoutsidebunkersinareaswheretheyareleastlikelytoaffectthemovementoftheball.ThismatterisdiscussedindetailinDecisionMisc./2intheR&ApublicationDecisionsontheRulesofGolf.WhyhavetheCommitteeallowedtheremovaloftreesaroundsomeofourgreensandtees?Surely,thisissacrilege?Toimprovethehoursandlevelofsunlightexposureandairmovementessentialforgrowth,itmaybenecessary,fromtimetotime,tocutback,orremovecompletely,treesclosetooroverhanginggreensandtees.Wheretreesandshrubsaretooclosetoplayingsurfacesgrowthisoftenweakresultinginunacceptablewearandtear.Whentreesarebeingplantedconsiderationshouldbegiventotheirfuturesize.

8

Ihaveheardtheterm‘GreenCreep’.Whatdoesitmean?Whenagreenkeepercutsgreensitisconsideredimportantforaestheticreasonstoprevent‘scalping’oftheadjoiningcollar.Littlebylittlethe‘safetymargin’toensurethis,resultsinareductioninthegreendimensionsandcanbecomemanyfeetoveraperiodoftime.Thisphenomenonistermed‘greencreep’.Onsmallgreenstheconsequenceisareductioninsuitablepinpositionsandincreaseincompaction.Theeffectcanbecontrolledbyrecordingthedesiredgreendimensionsandperiodicallyrestoringaffectedgreenstotherequiredsize.Thesamephenomenonaffectsfairwaywidthandteedimensionsandsimilarcontrolsshouldbeexercised.

9

Appendix1 GolfCourseManagementPolicyDocumentTemplate

SECTIONAINTRODUCTION,PURPOSEANDPRINCIPALOBJECTIVES

1. IntroductionThefollowingdocumentisasampletemplateofaCourseManagementPolicyDocument.ItshouldbeusedbytheGreensCommitteeasthebasistoestablishaCourseManagementPolicyDocumentthatmeetstheneedsofyourgolfcourseandfacilities.

• SectionA–Introduction,PurposeandPrincipalObjectives• SectionB–CourseAdministration• SectionC–CourseMaintenancePolicies• SectionD–CourseDevelopmentProgramme• SectionE–EnvironmentalManagementPlan

2. Purpose

2.1 Tospecifytheresponsibilitiesandproceduresforthemanagementofthegolfcourse.

2.2 Tooutlinethekeyelementstoallowthecoursetobemaintainedanddevelopedtoagreedstandards.

2.3 TheCourseManagementPolicyhavingbeenagreedbytheCommitteeofManagementandGreenstaffmembersshouldbestrictlyfollowedandsupported.

2.4 TheCourseManagementPolicywillbereviewedregularly(perhapsannually).Ifanymodificationisrequireditmustonlybedoneafterwideconsultationwithgreenstaff,greenscommittee,andtheagronomyconsultant.

3. PrincipalObjectives

3.1 Tocontinuetomaintainthegolfcourse,intheplayingseason,tothehighstandardsetinpreviousyears.

3.2 (Anyfutureaimsordesiresofcoursemanagementshouldbeinsertedhere.Forinstance,improvewinterplayingcondition,reducediseaseincidence,improvespringpickup,enhancefairwaydrainage,restoreheatheretc.)

3.3 Topromotethefinerbentandfescuegrassesandreducepesticide,waterandfertiliserusebyimplementingappropriateculturalandmechanicaloperations.

3.4 TomanagethecourseinaccordancewiththeR&AGolfCourseCommittee’sdefinitionofSustainableGolfCourseManagement.

Agreedby: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ForGreenstaff)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….(ForCommitteeofManagement)

Date: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

10

SECTIONBCOURSEADMINISTRATIONPOLICYTheGolfCourseManagementPolicyCommitteewillcomprise:

• CourseManager/HeadGreenkeeper• ChairmanofGreen• AssistantChairmanofGreen• NominatedmembersoftheCommitteeofManagement• Anyclubmembersdeemedtohaveexperiencerelevanttothisfunction

TheGolfCourseManagementPolicyCommitteewillmeetseveraltimesayear.Forexample…

• ShortlyaftertheAGMtoreviewthecoursemaintenancepolicyfortheforthcoming

season.• InAugust/SeptembertoselectprojectsfromtheCourseDevelopmentPlanforthe

WinterProgramme.• Toconsidercoursemaintenancebudgetandcapitalequipmentrequirements.

1. ThepurposeoftheGolfCoursePolicyCommittee

1.1 ToreviewtheCourseAdministrationandMaintenancePolicyonanannualbasisandmakerecommendationstotheCommitteeofManagementforchangeormodificationasdeemednecessary.

1.2 ToconsiderandrecommendtotheCommitteeafiveyearCourseDevelopmentPlan.ThewinterworkprogrammewillconsistofprojectsoutlinedinthisPlan.ThiswillensureallCourseDevelopmentprojectscompletedarewithintheoverallclubpolicyandinthelong-terminterestsoftheClubanditsmembers.

1.3 ToanalysemachineryupkeepandbreakdowncostsandmonitorviabilityandmakerecommendationstotheCommitteewithregardtoreplacementandpurchaseofnewequipmenttomeetfutureneeds.

1.4 ToconsideronanannualbasisthebudgetforcourseupkeeppriortotheendofthefinancialyearsothatarealisticbudgetcanbesetandcontrolledbytheCommittee.

2. Roles&Responsibilities 2.1 RoleofChairmanofGreen

• Toliaise,onbehalfoftheCommitteeofManagement,withtheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeperonallmattersrelatingtothemaintenanceofthegolfcourse.

• Tooverseethemaintenanceofthecoursetoensurethatstandardsaremaintainedandagreedpolicyimplemented.

• ToreporttotheCommitteeofManagementatmonthlymeetingsonmattersaffectingthecourse.

• TocallmeetingsoftheGolfCoursePolicyCommitteeatspecifiedintervals.• TomeetregularlywiththeCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeper,generallyatleast

onceperweek,asmanymeetingstobeheldonthegolfcourseaspossible,sothatcurrentconditionsandproblemscanbeviewedanddiscussed.

• ToadvisetheMatchCommitteeoftheexistenceofsuchplayingorotherconditionsonthecoursewhichrequireprotectionbyLocalRuleorotherwise.

11

• TooverseetheimplementationoftheWinterProgrammeinaccordancewiththeCourseDevelopmentPlanandanyotherchangestothecoursewhenauthorisedbytheCommittee.

• ToadvisetheCommitteeofManagementofthestaffinglevelandthetrainingneedsrequiredtomaintainstandardsandimplementtheCourseAdministrationandMaintenancePolicy.

2.2 RoleofCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeper• TomaintainthecourseinaccordancewithGolfCourseManagementPolicy.• TomanagetheGreenkeepingstaffanddischargethedutiesasdefinedintheCourse

Manager/HeadGreenkeeperjobdescription.• TodeterminethedailyworkprogrammeandallocatetaskstotheGreenstaff

accordingly.• ToensurethattheGreenkeepingoperationinallrespectsiscarriedoutin

accordancewiththeHealthandSafetyPolicyoftheClub.• TokeepabreastofdevelopmentsinGreenkeepingmachineryandplayakeypartin

theformulationofthecapitalrollingprogramme.• ToliaisewiththeChairmanofGreen,asnecessary,onallmattersaffectingthe

course.• ToliaisewiththeSecretaryonadministrativeanddisciplinarymatters.• Tomaintainrecordsasnecessary

3. HealthandSafety

3.1 ToensurethattheClub’sHealthandSafetyPolicycomplieswithGovernmentlegislation.

3.3 Toensurethatthepolicyisreviewedannuallybyaudit.3.4 Toensurethatthegreenstaffareprovidedwithallnecessaryprotectiveequipment.

Itisincumbentuponthestafftoweartheequipmentforthosetasksspecified.3.5 Toensurethatthegreenstaffonlyundertakeworkforwhichtraininghasbeen

provided.Theymustnotundertakeanyworktheyconsidertobeunsafe.

4. CapitalEquipmentProvision

4.1 Toprovidethereplacementofcapitalequipmentandequipmentupgrading.ThisisanintegralpartoftheFinanceandDevelopmentCommitteeremit.Itissuggestedthatafive-yearrollingprogrammebeoperated.

4.2 TheChairmanofGreenwillbeamemberofthatCommittee.4.3 ToseethatasumofmoneyissetasideeachyearintheCapitalDevelopment

Accountfortheexpresspurposeoffundingthepurchaseofmajoritemsofgreensequipmenteitherasreplacementsoradditionalitems.

5. ControlofRevenueAccountExpenditure

5.1 Thegreensexpenditurebudgetshallbesetatthestartofthefinancialyeartakingaccountofthepreviousyears’spendandanyanticipatedchangestothespendpattern.

5.2 Expenditureshallbemonitoredonamonthlybasisbymeansofthe‘expendituretobudget’controlexercisedbytheTreasurer.Variancetobudgetwillbeinvestigated.

5.3 TheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeperhastheauthoritytopurchaseconsumableitemssuchassand,seedsandfertilisersandsanctionmachineryrepairs.Heis,however,accountableforoperatingwithinbudgetconstraints.Inthisregard,closeliaisonwiththeChairmanofGreenisnecessary.

12

6. RecordKeeping 6.1 TheCourseManger/HeadGreenkeepershouldmaintainarecordof…

• Allfertilisers,pesticides,fungicidesandherbicidesappliedtothecourse.Therecordshouldcontaindetailsofdateofapplication,quantityapplied,areatreatedandpersonnelcarryingouttheapplication.SuchrecordsmustsatisfyallrequirementsoftherelevantPesticideLegislation.

• Dateofplacingoforder,andreceiptof,majorpurchasesincludingsand,fertilisersandpesticides.

• Itemsofmachinerysentforoverhaulandrepairanddetailsoftheworkcarriedout.Adetailedserviceandrepairrecordshouldbemaintainedforeachmajoritemofmachinery.

• Stafftrainingcarriedoutinternallyandexternally.• Anyaccidentorincidentaffectingthehealth,safetyorwell-beingofthestaff.• AllproductssuchaspesticidesbearingaCOSHHhazardwarningsign.Detailsof

quantitiesstoredshouldbeavailableattheChemsafe.• PersonalProtectionEquipmentissuedtostaffanddetailsofperiodicinspection.

6.2 Staffshouldmaintainadailylogoftheworkcarriedoutontheformprovidedforthe

purpose.

7. Training

7.1 Trainingofstaffshouldbeconsideredas‘on-going’andtheClubwillassistinanyreasonablewayintheirparticipationinGreenkeepingrelatedcourses.

7.2 Qualifiedstaffshouldbeencouragedtoattendlectures,demonstrationsandseminarsonGreenkeepingmattersconsideredtobeofpotentialbenefittotheClubandwillbeallowedtimeoffwork,normallywithpay,todoso.

7.3 Itshallbeaconditionofemploymentthatapprenticesattend‘college’andsuccessfullypassrelevantexaminationsorassessments.

7.4 TheClubwillencourageactivemembershipandparticipationinBIGGAmatters.

8. ExternalConsultants

8.1 AdecisionshouldbetakenonanannualbasisinregardtoanAdvisoryVisitbyarecognisedagronomist.

8.3 FollowingthevisitofanagronomistandreceiptofhisreportitwillbenecessarytoreviewSectionBofthisdocumenttotakeaccountofanyrecommendationsmade.

9. CommunicationwithMembers

9.1 Membersmustbeinformedofanyapplicationofachemicalsubstancewithahazardtohealth.

9.2 Membersshouldbewarnedinadvanceofanycoursemaintenanceoperationthatislikelytodisruptplaye.g.Verti-drainingorhollowcoring.ThisistheresponsibilityoftheSecretary/ManagerinconjunctionwiththeChairmanofGreen/HeadGreenkeeper.

9.3 ThecontentsoftheWinterProgrammeshouldbecommunicatedtoClubmembers.SimilarlythemembershipshouldbemadeawareoftheCourseManagementPolicyDocumentand,periodically,theprogressonitsimplementation.

13

9.4 ThemembersshouldbemadeawareoftheClubarrangementstodischargeitsobligationstoHealthandSafetylegislationandmattersthataffectthempersonally.

9.5 Itisalsoimportantthatmembersbemadeawareofthefactthattomaintainthecoursetothedesiredstandard,workhastobeundertakenattimesthatwillcauseinconvenienceanddisruptiontoplay,e.g.aerationandtopdressingprogrammes.

9.6 ThecontentsofAgronomyReportsshouldbecommunicatedtotheMembersandtheGreensCommitteeshouldconsiderdisplayingcopiesofagronomyreportswithintheclubhouseformembers’reference.

10. CourseDevelopment

10.1 AfiveyearprogrammeforCourseDevelopmentshouldbedrawnupbytheGolfCourseManagementPolicyCommitteeandendorsedbytheCommitteeofManagement.

10.2 EachyearprojectsoutlinedintheCourseDevelopmentprogrammewillbeselectedandcarriedoutastheWinterWorkProgramme.

10.3 ThecontentoftheannualWinterWorkProgrammeshouldbemadeavailabletoClubmembers.

11. CompetitionDays

11.1 TheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeperwillbeprovidedwithafixturelistannuallyonitspublicationbytheSecretaryanditishisresponsibilitytoensurethatsatisfactoryarrangementsaremadeforallcompetitionsheldattheClub.

11.2 Fornominatedcompetitionsthegreenswillbecutonthedayofthecompetition.Otherwisethegreenswillbecutduringtheprecedingdayand‘switched’onthemorningofthecompetition.

11.3 Undernormalcircumstancesitisexpectedthatnewholeswillbecutforeachcompetition.Ifthereisrainintheearlymorningofacompetitionacheckshouldbemadeforflooding.Anyholesunderwater,orlikelytobecomeunderwatershouldbechangedtohigher,drierground.

11.4 Thepresenceofallflagsticksshouldbechecked.11.5 Allbunkersshouldberaked.11.6 IncompliancewiththeCONGUUnifiedHandicappingSystemrequirementsnotee

markershouldbemorethan10ydsinfrontof,orbehind,thePERMANENTDISTANCEMARKERandthetotalchangetothemeasuredplayinglengthofthegolfcoursemustnotexceed100yds.

11.7 Ondaysofheavydew‘switching’shouldbecarriedoutasfollows:• Teeingareas.• Greensurrounds–toremovetyremarksfromgreenscuttingmachineryand

dispersecuttingsandmoisture.

12. UseofPesticides 12.1 Pestsshouldbecontrolledasfaraspossiblebyculturalandmechanicalmeans.

12.2 Whenapplicationofapesticideisnecessary,i.e.incidenceisbeyondthestatedtolerancethreshold,sprayingmustbestrictlycontrolledincompliancewiththePesticideRegulationsusingapprovedsubstances.

12.3 Sprayingmustonlybedonebypersonsdeemed‘competent’undertheprovisionsoftheregulationsusingapprovedpersonalprotectionequipment.

12.4 Sprayingshouldnotbecarriedoutinwindyconditionsandcontaminationofwatercoursesmustbestrictlyavoidedinaccordancewitha‘nosprayzone’policyi.e.sprayingshouldnotbecarriedoutwithin20feetofawatercourse.

14

12.5 Anoticemustbepostednotifyingmembersandvisitorsofthehazardoneachoccasionasubstancewithahealthhazardapplied.

13. ClosureoftheCourse 13.1 Theonlyreasonforcourseclosureshouldbeadverseweatherconditions.

13.2 TheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeper,orhisdeputy,hasfullauthorityfordeclaringthecourseclosedandforitsre-opening.

13.3 Intheabsenceofanauthorisedmemberofstaffthedecisiontocloseorre-openthecoursewillbetakenbytheChairmanofGreenornominatedCommitteeMember.

13.4 Intheeventofclosure,noticesshouldbedisplayedtoinformmembersandshould,wherepossible,indicatethetimeofthenextcourseinspection.

13.4 Alogshouldbekeptofcourseclosureandthereason.

14. Security 14.1 Allrelevantsecuritymeasuresmustbedeployedattheendofeachworkingday.

14.2 Theworkshopmustbelockedwhennotinuseandtheshutterdoorsclosedwhengreenstaffareoperatingonthecourse.

14.3 Keysmustnotbeleftintheignitionofanyvehiclewhenunattended.

15. Storage

15.1 AllhazardouschemicalsmustbestoredintheChemsafe,thecontentsandquantitiesofwhichmustbelistedanddisplayed.

15.2 Fertilisersshouldbestoredonpalletsandkeptofftheground.15.3 Sands,topdressingsandpathcoveringmaterialsshouldbestoredinthecompound

provided,ensuringthatthevariousmaterialsarekeptapart.Topdressingshouldbekeptasdryaspossible.

16. Resources

16.1 Regularreviewofstaffinglevelsshouldbeconducted.

17. Complaints

17.1 Nocomplaintonanymatterrelatingtotheconductofthestafforconditionofthecourseshouldbemadedirectly,orbyinnuendo,toanymemberoftheGreenstaff.

17.2 AllcomplaintsandcommentsshouldbemadetotheSecretaryorChairmanofGreen.

17.3 Whereappropriate,suchcomplaintsshallberequestedinwritingandbroughtbeforetheCommitteeofManagementfortheirconsideration.

15

SECTIONCGOLFCOURSEMAINTENANCEPOLICY

1. Greens

1.1 Maintenanceobjectives• Theaimofmaintenanceistoprovidefirm,smoothandtruegreensthatremain

playablethroughouttheyearandareeconomicallyandenvironmentallysustainable.Tofulfilthisaim,weencouragethefinergrassesatalltimes.

1.2 Promotingthefinergrasses• TheClubiscommittedtoencouragingthefinergrassessuchasbentandfescueon

thegreensandthereductionintheproportionofannualmeadowgrass.ThiswillreducethevulnerabilityofthegreenstoClimateChange,stricterpesticidelegislationandtighterwateruse.Itwillalsoprovideconsistentyearroundgolfingsurfaces.

• Topromotethesegrasses,thefollowingpolicyforthemanagementofthegreenshasbeenagreed.

1.3 Fertiliserandirrigation• Themainaimistokeepproductivityaslowaspossible.Thismeansrestrictingwater

andfertiliserinputstoaminimum,i.e.onlyenoughtoprovideuniformgrowth.• Fertiliserisonlyappliedtokeepthesurfacesuniformnevertoprovidegoodcolour.• Unlessotherwiseadvisedbyouragronomicadvisors,fertilisersingeneralwillbe

nitrogenbasedwithlittleornophosphate.• Wateringshouldnotbecarriedoutwiththeintentofproducingsoftamenable

‘targets’.Waterwillonlybeappliedtokeeptheturfalive,nevertomakethegreensmorereceptive.

• Tooptimisewaterpenetrationandprovideuniformsurfaces,wettingagentswillbeused.

1.4 Aerationandtopdressing• Regularaerationwillbecarriedoutwhenrequiredthroughouttheyearbyan

appropriatemethod.Anoutlineaerationprogrammeisdocumentedbelowbuttheintensityandfrequencyofworkissubjecttoweather,groundconditionsandgrowth.

• WeeklyslittiningnormallybetweenOctoberandMarch.• FortnightlySarelrollingduringtheplayingseason• Monthly/six-weeklysolidtiningduringtheplayingseason.• Verti-drainingnormallyintheearlyautumnandearlyspring.• Hollowcoringnormallyinthespringandautumnasnecessary.Theautumn

operationshouldbecarriedoutduringstronggrowingconditions.Thisnormallymeansnolaterthanmid-September.

• Topdressingwillconsistof(insertasrelevant)Regularlaboratoryanalysiswillbecarriedouttomonitoritsquality.

• Theaimistoapply(insertasrelevant)oftopdressingtoall18greensduringthecourseofthegrowingseason.Regularlightdressingsshouldbeappliedinsummerandheavierapplicationsdirectlyaftercoringoperations.Itshouldneverbeappliedsoastosmothertheturf.

• Topdressingshouldonlybeappliedduringgrowthsothematerialcanberapidlyabsorbedintotheturf.Itshouldbegentlyworkedintothebaseoftheturfusingmeanstominimisedamagetotheturf.

16

• Aftereverycoringoperationtheholesshouldbefilledwithfreshtopdressing.1.5 Surfacerefinement

• Topromotethefinergrassesitisessentialtominimisethedisturbancepressureontheturf.Thismeansrefiningthesurfacegentlyandneveraggressively.

• Mowingwillbecarriedoutwhenrequired.Duringstronggrowththisshouldbedaily.

• Handmowingwillbeundertakenasfrequentlyaspossible.• Whenusingthetriplexmower,thefinalperimetercutwillbemissedoutacoupleof

timesaweektominimisewearthroughscarring/scriving.• Asensibleheightofcutwillbeestablished,atwhichhealthyturf,stress-freeturfcan

bemaintained.• Gentleverti-cuttingwillbeimplementedasrequired.Thisshouldbecomplemented

withlightgroomingandbrushing.• Lighttopdressingmentionedearlierwillprovideasmoothandtruesurface.

1.6 Greenspeed

• Toprovidegreensofreasonablespeedwithoutimposingunduepressureontheturftheclubwillroll,topdressandbrushratherthancutlowandintensivelyverti-cut.

• ThespeedwillbecontrolledbyuseofaStimpmeter.Theobjectistoprovidegreensreading7-8feetontheStimpmeterattheheightoftheplayingseasonandnoslowerthan6feetatothertimes.

1.7 Holecuttingandchanging

• Toensurethatholesarenotcrownedwhencutitismandatorytouseeitheraboardoraholecutterwithaflangeattachment.ThepositionofholesforcompetitionsisatthediscretionoftheHeadGreenkeeper.

• Ifrainisforecastitwouldbeprudenttocutholesinhighspots.Thisshouldbeborneinmindbystaffpreparingthecourseinthemorningofcompetitions.

• Holesshouldbechangedatleasttwiceaweek.

1.8 Thegrowingenvironment• Wherevegetationshadesgreensitisthepolicytolimittheirnegativeinfluenceby

appropriatepruning/removal.

1.9 Overseeding• Tofurthertheaimofincreasingthepromotionoffinergrasses,itistheClubpolicy

tooverseedthegreenstwiceayearwithanappropriateseedmix.Highqualitycultivarswillbeusedatalltimes.

2. Tees

2.1 Theaimistoprovideafirm,levelandwell-grassedteeingplatformoneachhole.2.2 Toaccomplishthisobjective,themaintenanceprogrammeshouldinvolveregular

aeration,controlledfeedingandtopdressing.2.3 Themowingheightisnormallyintherange8-10mm.Teesshallbemownatleast

twiceaweek.2.4 Divotmarksshouldberestoredweeklyusingamixofsand/loam/seed.2.5 Otherthanmedaltees,theteemarkersshouldbeprogressivelymovedback(or

forward)inaplannedfashionsothatateeingareaonceusedcanbetopdressed,seededandrested.

17

2.6 Fulluseshouldbemadeofthoseteesaffordinganalternativeroutetotheholesoastominimisewearandtearofthewalk-offareas.Thisisparticularlyimportantinthewintermonths.

2.7 Permanentdistancemarkersshouldbemaintainedsuchthattheyareclearlyvisible.

3. Fairways

3.1 Thefairwaywidthshouldbelessthanfortyyardsatparfourandfiveholes.3.2 Itisdesirabletodevelopsomeshapeandformtothefairwaycuttingandsoavoid

‘straightlines’.Oncethedesiredcontouringhasbeenestablishedtisimportantthatthememberofstaffcuttingthefairwaypreservestheagreedline.The‘agreedline’shouldbeestablishedbeforethefirstcutoftheseason.

3.3 Theneedforfairwayweedcontrolshouldbeassessedonanannualbasis.Spotorlocalisedtreatmentismuchpreferredtoanoverallapplication.Itispreferablethatsprayingiscarriedoutatthestartofthegrowingseasonbeforeweedsflowerandseedsform.Thisshouldminimisetheincidenceofweedsthefollowingyear.

3.4 Likewisetheneedforwormcontrolshouldbeassessedonanannualbasis.Itisparticularlyimportthatwormcastingbecontrolledintheautumnifnecessarytoavoidmuddyfairwaysandweedseed‘beds’.

3.5 Limeshouldneverbeappliedtofairways.3.6 Inperiodsofwetweatherandvigorousgrowthitmaybenecessarytodispersegrass

cuttingstoprovidepresentableplayingandaestheticconditions.3.7 Deepaerationwillberequiredonatleastanannualbasistoimprovesurface

drainage.Scarificationandlocalisedsanddressingmayalsobyrequired.3.8 Irrigationapplicationmayberequiredshouldonlybeappliedtokeeptheturfalive.

4. Bunkers

4.1 Bunkersshouldberakedonadailybasis.Anystonesorotherdebrisshouldberemoved.Thisshouldincludethepracticebunkers(s).

4.2 Aconstantmonitorshouldbekeptonthelevelofsandinthebunkersandontheir‘playability’.TheneedfortoppingupabunkerwithsandshouldbebroughttotheattentionoftheCourseManager/HeadGreenkeeperbythosemembersofstaffmaintainingbunkersonadailybasis.

4.3 Whenbunkersare‘toppedup’thesandshouldbeconsolidatingtoreducethelikelihoodoftheball‘plugging’.

4.4 Approvedbunkersandwithacontrolledparticlesizefromareputablesupplysourceshouldbeused.

4.5 Thedesignofthebunkersshouldbeinaccordancewiththecharacterofthecourse.

5. Semi-Rough

5.1 Thepurposeofsemi-roughistopunishthewaywardshotandsorewardthestraighthitter.Thisshouldbedonemindfulofthesearchingforgolfballsandimpactonthespeedofplay.Itshouldbetheintentto‘reward’theplayerplayingfromthefairway.

5.2 Semi-roughshouldthereforebemaintainedataheightwherethereisareasonableexpectationthattheballwillbefoundbutthenextshotwillbesignificantlymoredifficultthanfromanequivalentpositiononthefairway.

5.3 Foroperationreasonssemi-roughmustbemaintainedwithina‘range’.Asatisfactoryrangehasprovedtobe2-3”.

18

5.4 Itisvitallyimportantthatcarebeexercisedwhencuttingamongtreestoavoiddamagetothetreetrunksasdamagesoinflictedleadstodiseaseandcurtailmentofthelifespanofanytreesoaffected.

6. Out-of-playareas

6.1 Thenaturalvegetationtypetothecoursewillbepromotedatalltimes.Thisshouldinvolveappropriatemaintenanceasinstructedbyaqualifiedecologist.

6.2 Itisthepolicytominimiseunnecessarycosmeticmowingtoout-of-playareas,asthiswillsavetimeandfuel.Itwillalsoprovideamorenaturallook.

7. Trees

7.1 Toallowfulldevelopmentofgrowingtreesitisnecessaryto‘thinout’certaintreesparticularlyin‘plantations’.

7.2 Naturalregeneratingspeciessuchashawthornrequiretoberigorouslycontrolled.7.3 TreemanagementshouldbeconsideredannuallyatthesettingoftheWinter

Programme.7.4 Considerationshouldbegivenregularlytothereplacementofoldordyingtreesin

strategicgolfingpositionssothatthereplacementtree(s)canbeestablishedbeforetheoriginalrequirestoberemoved.

7.5 Careshouldbeexercisedwhenplantinginvicinityofteesorgreenstoensurethatwhenthetreeorshrubisfullydevelopeditdoesnotcreateexcessiveshadeordenytherequiredcirculationofairtotheteeorgreen.

7.6 Broad–leafedand/orconiferspeciessuchassycamore,chestnut,cherryandSitkaspruceshouldbeavoided.Nativespeciessuchasbirch,oak,ScotsPineandbeecharemoredesirable.

8. IrrigationSystemandWaterQuality

8.1 Theprimefunctionofthewateringsystemistoallowsurvivalofthegrassesonthegreensandsurroundsintimesofrelativedrought.Itshouldnotbeusedtoprovide‘targetgolf’.

8.2 Thegreenandteesaretheonlyplayingsurfacesirrigated.Thisconstitutes5%ofthetotalplayingareaofthegolfcourse.

8.3 Ourtotalaverageannualwaterusageis(insertasrelevant).8.4 Itisnotadvisabletousethesysteminthecolddryconditionsofearlyspringasthe

coldwetgreenssoprovidedinhibitgrowth.8.5 Itisimportantthatthewateringsystembetestedinearlyspringtoensurethatitis

inworkingorderfortheincomingseason.8.6 Toprotectthesystem,itshouldbedrainedtothelowestpointinautumnbeforethe

onsetoffrost.8.7 Handwateringshouldbeimplementedasnecessarytominimisetheuseofthe

automaticsystem.8.8 Waterqualityshouldbemonitoredonanannualbasis.

9. WinterGolf

9.1 Temporarygreensshouldonlybeusedintimesofhardfrost,thawingconditionsorabnormalrainfall.

9.2 TemporarygreensshouldbepreparedonsuitablerelativelyflatareasofthefairwayinthemonthofSeptember.Theyshouldbeprogressivelycutdownandlightly

19

scarifiedtoprovideacceptableputtingsurfaces.Thegreenareasshouldbewhitelinedtoprovidepositivedefinition.

9.3 Alternativenaturalturfwinterteeinggroundswillbeusedwherepossibleduringthewinterperiodincludingmedalcompetitions.

9.4 Theneedforfairwayprotectionshouldbereviewedonanannualbasis.

10. Trafficmanagementandcourseprotection

10.1 Theneedforfairwayprotectionshouldbereviewedonanannualbasis.10.2 Provisionwillbemadetoprovidealternativetrafficroutesforsummerandwinter

play.Thiswillspreadwear.10.3 Whitelinesandropesshallbeusedtoprotectsensitivepartsofthecourse.The

CourseManagerandChairmanofGreenwillimplementprotectionmeasuresastheyseefit.

10.4 Itistheresponsibilityofallgolferstorepairtheirownpitchmarksandreplacetheirdivots.

11. AdditionalDuties

• ThegreenstaffareresponsibleformaintainingthepathsandgrassedareasfrontingtheClubhouse.Thegrassedareasshouldbeweedfreeandgrassclippingsremoved.Itisimportantthattheseareasareroutinelymaintainedtoahighstandardastheycreatetheinitialimpressionoftheclubandcourse.

• Collectionsofgrassattheshoecleaningpointshouldberemovedonadailybasis.• Thecourseshouldbe‘toured’onaweeklybasis(ormorefrequentlyifrequired)to

collectdiscardedcans,bottlesandotherdebris.• Binsatteeboxesshouldberegularlyemptiedparticularlybeforeandafterweekend

play.• Aweeklycheckshouldbecarriedoutontheboundaryfencesorwalls,withrepairs

carriedoutasnecessary.

20

SECTIONDSPECIMENCOURSEDEVELOPMENTPLANInordertoprovidecontinuityregardingCourseDevelopment,thefollowingprovidesalistofprojectsthathavebeendrawnupforcompletionoverthenextfiveyears.ThepriorityprojectseachyearwillbedecidedbytheGolfCoursePolicyCommitteeandimplementedaspartoftheannualWinterProgramme.(Pleasenotethefollowingareprovidedasexamples.Arealworkingdocumentwillhavemuchmoredetail).

1. Drainageinstallation

1.1 Installpipedrainageinto7thfairwayandinstallcut-offdraintorightsideof3rdgreen.

2. Teeenlargement/levelling

2.1 Levelteeson3rd.2.2 Enlargeladiesteeon15th.

3. TeeConstruction

3.1 Constructnewteeon14th.

4. Bunkerrenovation

4.1 Re-facebunkerson13th,16thand18thholes.

5. Pathwayinstallation/restoration

5.1 Installpathwayfrom6thgreento7thtee.

6. MaterialsandMethods

6.1 Allmaterialsusedincourseconstructionprojectsshouldbeofhighqualityandbeapprovedforuse.

6.2 Triedandtestedmethodsofconstruction,drainageorirrigationinstallationshouldbefollowedatalltimes.

6.3 Allprojectsshouldbecarriedoutwhengroundconditionsaresuitable.6.4 TherelevantHealth&Safetyguidelinesshouldbefollowedatalltimesin

accordancewiththeClub’sHealthandSafetypolicy.

7. Externaladvice

7.1 Adviceshouldalwaysbesoughtfromprofessionalexternalconsultantsbeforeanyprojectcommencestoensurethebestqualityresultsareobtained.

21

SECTIONEENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENTPLANThefollowingareasshouldbeincludedinthissection……

• EnvironmentalManagementPlanning• WildlifeandHabitatManagement• LandscapeandCulturalHeritage• WasteandEnergyManagement

EachareaisentirelyClubspecific.Therefore,toprovidesufficientdetailundereachheadingrequiresthoroughconsultationwithanappropriatequalifiedGolfCourseEcologist.

22

Appendix2 R&ASustainableGolfCourseManagementandDevelopment

Whatissustainability?TheR&AGolfCourseCommitteehasdefinedsustainabledevelopmentandmanagementas:Optimisingtheplayingqualityofthegolfcourseinharmonywiththeconservationofitsnaturalenvironmentundereconomicallysoundandsociallyresponsiblemanagement.Thishastobeacontinuousgoalandweshouldallbeasking:

• Arewecurrentlysustainable?• Couldwebemoresustainable?• Willwebesustainableinfutureyears?

ThesustainabilityladderClimbingthesustainabilityladderisallaboutimprovingthegolfingexperience;providingbettervalueformoney,betteryearroundplayingsurfacesand,atthesametime,reducingtheenvironmentalimpactofcoursemanagement.However,itrequiresthecommitmentandsupportoftheclubsoasnottoshaketheladderasyouattemptyourascent.ThisnecessitatescontinuitywithinthecoursemanagementstructureandtheprovisionofaCourseManagementPolicyDocumenttoprovidestabilityduringtimesofchangeinpersonnel.Thebasicprinciplesofprogressivelyimprovingturfhealthtoclimbtheladderapplytoallareasofthegolfcourse:developingdrier,firmerturfwithgoodaccesstosunlightandairmovement.Puttinggreens,whatevertheirspeciescompositionandconstruction,canbeconsideredsustainableiftheyfulfiltheplayingquality,environmental,financialandsocialconstraintsnotedinourdefinition.Theseparameterswillvarydependingonclimate,budget,legislation(pesticideandwater,forexample),drainageandmanyotherfactors.Inanysituationtherewillbetheopportunitytobecomemoresustainablebyimprovingonaspectsoftheseconstraintsortobecomelesssustainablebymovingintheotherdirection.Thesameappliestoallotherareasofthegolfcourse.Improvingdrainagetofairwaysthroughthatchreductionandenhancedwatermovementthroughthesoilwillresultinbetterplayingconditions,particularlyovertheautumnandwintermonthswhensoft,wetfairwaysresultinplayingrestrictionsandotherproblemssuchaswormcasting.Firm,dryteeinggrounds,ofadequatesizeandnotinashadedenvironment,willprovideasuperiorsurfaceforplay.Bunkersthataremoreakintosmallpondsoverwinter,oroneswithbadlyerodingbanks,willdonothingtoencouragegolferstorenewasubscriptionorpayavisitorsgreenfee.Roughthatisgradedtopresentafairchallenge,maintainedtothinoutjunglegrasslandandmanagedtoincreasehabitatandwildlifediversitywillimprovetheoverallgolfingexperience.Achievinggreatersustainabilityisallaboutdevelopingtheenvironmentforhealthierturfandisaconstantchallengeforeveryone.Tomakeprogress,itisimportanttoassessthecurrentlevelofsustainabilityofthecourseandtogaugeitspotentialforclimbingtheladder,notonlyintermsofhowfarlimitingfactorswillallowyoutoclimbbutalsoatwhatpacetheclimbcanbeachieved.Setrealisticgoals;climbingacoupleofrungscouldbeaconsiderableachievement,atwhichpointitmaybenecessarytoreassessthepotentialtoclimbhigher.

23

TherungsofthesustainabilityladderForthemoreintensivelymaintainedareasofthegolfcourse,suchasgreens,theirsurrounds,fairwaysandtees,thegrassspeciescompositionofturfprovidesanexcellentbiologicalindicatorofprogressupthesustainabilityladderandthesevenstepstowardsgreatersustainabilitycanbedescribedthus:

Step7afescue/browntopbentswardisattainedbutneedscarefulmanagementtoavoidslidingdowntheladder.Step6asfirmness,drynessandairflowcontinuetoimprove,theoddpatchoffinefescueappearsandamixedswarddevelopswithbrowntopbentandincreasinglyannualmeadow-grassintheminority.Introducingfescueintotheoverseedingregimemaywellberequired.Step5browntopbentbeginstodominateablendwithannualmeadow-grass.Afairlyintensiveoverseedingprogrammemaybenecessarytomakethisstepor,attheveryleast,toincreasetherateoftheclimb.

Step4browntopbentbeginstoincreasebutannualmeadow-grassremainsinahighproportion.Overseedingmaybenecessarytoachievethisstep.Step3thatchundercontrol,shadeadequatelyreduced,stillannualmeadow-grassbutnativebrowntopbentbeginningtobecomeestablished.

Step2 firmerwiththatchbeingcheckedandshadereducedbutstillannualmeadow-grassdominated.

Step1wet,soft,thatchyturfdominatedbyannualmeadow-grass,inshadeandsubjecttoregulardiseaseattack.Drier,firmerturfinlessshadehastobedevelopedifyouaretostartclimbingtheladder.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mostsustainable

Leastsustainable

24

Throughoutthisprocessitisnecessarytomonitorprogressandtheworkbeingputintoachieveeachstepontheclimb.Atsomesites,itmaynotbepossibletogetbeyondacertainstepontheladder,e.g.duetodrainageorshadeconstraintswhichsimplycannotbeovercome.Thismaylimitthesustainabilityofthesiteintermsofplayabilityandincomegeneration.Futureclimatechangeandregulations,e.g.waterorpesticideavailability,mayremoveoneortwoofthelowerrungsoftheladderintermsoftheirsustainabilityandthispossibilityshouldbefactoredintolongtermplanning.Sustainablecoursemanagementisnotanoption,itisessentialtoensurethatourgolfcourseswillbeenjoyedbyfuturegenerations.Formoreinformationaboutsustainablemanagementthroughtheimplementationofbestpracticevisitwww.randa.org/en/TheGolfCourse/The-golf-course.aspx

25

Appendix3

DisturbanceTheory

Theterm‘DisturbanceTheory’isregularlybeingreferredtowithinGreenkeepingcircles.WhatisdisturbanceTheory?TheDisturbanceTheoryaimstopromotethecreationoftherightenvironmentalconditionsthatencouragethefinerbentandfescuegrassspeciestopredominate,specificallyongolfgreens,withoutcompromisingplayingquality.Thetheoryoutlinesthateachgrassspecieshasevolvedandadaptedtosurviveunderspecificenvironmentalconditions.TheDisturbanceTheoryaddressesthebalanceofenvironmentalfactors–disturbance,stressandcompetition–thatneedtobemanagedtoallowthefinergrassestothriveandpredominate.TheDisturbanceTheoryrefersto‘environmentalpressures’thatcanbeimpactedbycoursemaintenanceprogrammes–whatarethese?TheDisturbanceTheoryreferstothreemainpressuresthatgoverntheenvironmentunderwhichspecificplantspecieshaveevolvedandadaptedtosurvive:

• Disturbance:Externalpressuresplacedongrassspeciesinhabitingunsettledenvironmentse.g.mowing,scarification,verti-cutting,weardamagefromgolfertraffic,pests,diseases,pitchmarksetc.

• Stress:Environmentalconstraintstogrowthandregeneratione.g.shade,water,nutrient• Competition:Theabilityofgrassspeciestocapturerequiredresources–light,water,

nutrientandspaceandsuppressingtheavailabilityofthesetotheircompetitiveneighboursTheDisturbanceTheorysuggeststhatgreenkeepersneedtocreatetherightbalancebetweentheseenvironmentalpressurestopromotethefinergrasses,incorporatingintermittentlevelsofstressattheappropriatetimetodiscouragetheingressofannualmeadowgrass.Whatimpactdocoursemanagementpracticeshaveondisturbingtheenvironmentrecommendedtopromotethefinergrasses?TheDisturbanceTheoryoutlinesthepotentialimpactthatvariouscoursemanagementpracticeshaveonthelevelofenvironmentalpressurethattheseactivitiescreate:

Mowing: potentialhighdisturbance(dependingonfrequencyandheightofcut)

Verti-cutting: potentialhighdisturbance(severity,timing,depth)Wear: potentialhighdisturbance(e.g.walkoffareas)Pestactivity: potentialhighdisturbance(e.g.leatherjackets)Diseaseactivity: potentialhighdisturbance(e.g.fusarium)Aeration: lowtomoderatedisturbanceTopdressing: lowdisturbance

26

Wateravailability: lowtomoderatedisturbanceTopdressing: lowdisturbanceWateravailability: potentialstressanddisturbanceNutrition: potentialhighstressAcidification: potentialmoderatestressSalinity: potentialhighstress

TheDisturbanceTheorypromotesasettledenvironmentsuggestingconsideratepreparationoftheplayingsurfacese.g.topdressingandrollingratherthanmowingexcessivelylowandincessantverti-cutting,minimisingaggressivemanagement,whereverpossible.TheDisturbanceTheorypromotesthefinergrasses,specificallybentsandfescues.Howdowemakethetransitionfromarelativelyhighcontentofannualmeadowgrasstoincreasetheproportionsofthefinergrassesrecommended?TheDisturbanceTheoryrecommendsanumberofcoursemanagementpracticesthatyoumaywishtoconsider,inrelationtoyourcurrentsitespecificcharacteristics:

• Managethesoilconditions:Reducethatchandalleviatecompactionthroughtimelyaerationandpromotionofgooddrainage.Thisisconsideredtobethestartingpoint.

• Minimisedisturbancepressureontheturf:Concentrateonoperationsthatminimisepressureandstressontheturf–topdressandrollratherthanmowexcessivelyloworintensivelyverti-cut

• Overseedregularly:Thiswillencourageincreasedproportionsofthefinergrassesontheputtingsurfacesandcombattheingressofannualmeadowgrass.

• Controlstress:Stresscanbemanagede.g.throughfertiliserinput,irrigationtosettheenvironmentalconstraintsforgrowthandregenerationofspecificgrassspecies.Manageyourcoursemaintenanceprogramtoensurethatyouonlyexertstresse.g.throughdroughtorstarvationoftheturfforshortperiodswhenthefinergrasseshaveestablishedthemselvesandyoucanaffordtolosetheannualmeadowgrasscontentfromtheturf.

• Minimisethegapsintheturf:annualmeadowgrassinvadesviagapsintheturf.Keepgapstoaminimumthroughmovingpinpositionsregularly,timingaerationoutsidetheannualmeadowgrassseedingseasonsandencouraginggolferstorepairtheirpitchmarks.

TheDisturbanceTheoryalsosuggeststhatcourseswithahighannualmeadowgrasscontentandevidenceofthatchneedtoconsiderdisturbingtheenvironmentinthefirstinstancetoalleviatetheseconditionswhichareveryunsatisfactoryforthepromotionofthefinergrassspecies.Pipedrainage,soilcompactionrelief,intensivecoring,scarification,topdressingandare-assessmentofyournitrogenandwaterinputsmayallthereforeberequiredinitiallytocreatetherightsoilconditionsandenvironmenttopromotingthefinergrasses.Oncewehavecreatedtherightsoilandenvironmentalconditionshowdowepromoteandactivelyencouragethefinergrasses?Youstartbypreparingyoursurfacesinamannerthatdoesnotrequireintensiveverti-cuttingandclosemowingbyreducingyourfertiliserandwaterinputssothatyoudonothavetoadoptaggressivepractices.Topdress,brushandroll/turf-irontomaintainsmootherandtruerputting

27

surfacesofacceptablespeed.Overseedateveryavailableopportunityandlettheseedlingscomethrough.Asthefinergrassesstarttoestablish,continuetokeepanyintensivetreatmentstoaminimum.Inapproximately3to4yearswhenthefinergrasseshaveassumeddominancewithinyoursward,youcanstarttoconsiderputtingsomestressontheannualmeadowgrass,butonlywhenyourexistingswardcanwithstandlosingtheannualmeadowgrass.Howdoweensurethattheannualmeadowgrassdoesnotingressonceagainandtakeover?Firstofall,bewareofthegap!Annualmeadowgrasssetsseedtosurvive,manyandwidespread.Bymaintainingadenseswardyoucanclosedownthegapsandminimisetheopportunitiesforannualmeadowgrasstoingress.Regularlyoverseedtofillanygapswiththefinergrassspecies.Onceagainminimiseanyintensivecoursemaintenancepracticesandadopttopdressing,brushing,rolling/turf-ironingtomaintainqualityplayingsurfacesasthesepracticesminimiseanydamagetothesward.Bewarenottointroduceanygapsintheswardbyuntimelycoringorscarificationpracticesthatallowstheannualmeadowgrasstotakeadvantage(e.g.whenannualmeadowgrassisseeding).WhatbenefitscanadoptionoftheDisturbanceTheorybringtogolfcourses?Ifthefinerbentandfescuegrassspeciescanbeencouragedtoflourishbetteryearroundplayingsurfaceswillresult.Theturfwillhavegreaterresiliencetodroughtconditionsandprovidegoodqualitysustainableplayingsurfacesfortheenjoymentofyourmembersandvisitorsalike.

28

SourcesofInformationBibliography

• TheCareoftheGolfCourse(2ndEdition)EditedbyJPerrisandRDCEvansandpublishedbytheSportsTurfResearchInstitutein1996ISBN18734311919

• PracticalGreenkeepingJimArthur1997ISBN0907583040

• ACourseforAllSeasons(AGuidetoCourseManagement)RoyalandAncientGolfClubofStAndrews1997ISBN0907583067

• GolfCourseArchitecture:Design,Construction&RestorationDrMichaelJHurdzan1996ISBN1866947015(Advancedandexpensive!)

• ConfessionsofaChairmanofGreenMalcolmPeakeandtheSportsTurfResearchInstitute2001ISBN1873431457

• TurfManagementforGolfCoursesJamesBBeardISBN1575040921(Advancedandexpensive!)

• STRIDisturbanceTheoryHenryBechelet&RichardsWindows2007ISBN1873431104

Magazines• GreenkeeperInternational

TheofficialmonthlymagazineoftheBritish&InternationalGolfGreenkeepersAssociation

• TurfgrassBulletinTheofficialbulletinoftheSportsTurfResearchInstitute.

Websites• GreenkeeperTrainingCommitteewww.the-gtc.co.uk• TheR&Awww.randa.org• TheR&AGolfCourseCommitteewww.randa.org/en/TheGolfCourse/The-golf-course.aspx• SportsTurfResearchInstitutewww.stri.co.uk• BritishandInternationalGreenkeepersAssociationwww.bigga.org.uk• UnitedStatesGolfAssociation–GreenSectionwww.usga.org/green• www.everythingturf.co.uk• GolfEnvironmentEuropewww.golfenvironmenteurope.org

January2013