gmé | issuu 19

In Service We TrustNew direction, same values for Golf Car UK

In Service We TrustNew direction, same values for Golf Car UK

coastal erosion - the factsLinks courses are under threat from nature.

Europe’s coastline is in grave danger oferoding into the sea, but as GME investigates

the tide may soon be about to turn.

The leading business magazine for the pan-European golf industry

GolfGolfManagementE u ro p e page 8

June 2001www.portman.uk.com

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It must be catching. The 2001 general election in Britain attracted a turnout of just 59 per cent of the population, leading political commentatorsto declare that apathy was now ruling the country. But it would seem it’s not

just in politics where apathy is a dominant factor.

The golf course construction industry appears to be suffering the same malaise - and unlike the newly-elected government of the UK, thereappears little direction and guidance from the top.

This was brought home to us recently in discussion with severalprominent members of the industry who felt they gained little ornothing from membership.

There are successful construction companies managed by peoplefrom all walks of life - some from the old school and some fromthe school of hard knocks. But each has something to offer theindustry. But not everybody appears catered for in the currentclimate.

One prominent player admitted that membership of theorganisation had helped his company at first, merely byway of introduction, but once the company had a foothold, it gained nothing from membership with itsgood name going before it.

Where would the PGA be, if it did not prove beneficialto its members seven days a week, 52 weeks a year?

Member organisations are not designed simply toenable people to rule their own kingdoms and toenjoy the privileges such positions bring, they arethere to provide strong leadership and advice - andin times of trouble to guide its members throughthe industry minefield.

These organisations already exist within our indus-try, but many have sat back on their laurels,content with their mere existence and offering lessand less to their clients - for that is, in pure busi-ness terms what a subscription implies - year onyear.

The time has come for apathy to be laid to restand for some administrative body to take up thechallenge of leading the industry and taking itforward for the benefit of all.

It is in all our interests - media included - to have astrong, pro-active association that is dedicated to

developing the golf construction industry.

A strong association reflecting a buoyant industry canonly be good for all parties concerned.

Contents

Golf Management Europe June 2001

A clearerdirection isnow needed

issue 19credits;editorJohn Vinicombe

contributorsDavid BowersAlister MarshallRob Wright

publisherMichael Lenihan

administrationSharon O’Connell

printColourspeed

Golf Management EuropeSuffolk Studios284 Ravenswood AvenueIpswich IP3 9TQUnited Kingdom

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Whist due care to detail is takento ensure that the content of Golf Management Europe isaccurate, the publisher cannotaccept liability for errors.

© Portman Publishing andCommunications Ltd 2001

cover story 7

irrigation 26

the palmerston 23

barrelfield 31

News

June 2001Golf Management Europe

Inaugural Conference set toattract worldwide audienceLead StoryThe first ever Turf Care conference willbe held at The Gleneagles Hotel from 18-20 November 2001.

Designed to appeal to and addressissues facing both the business entrepre-neurs who wish to build a golf course aswell as to those already involved in theindustry that can turn the developer’sambition into reality, the conference isthe brainchild of Jimmy Kidd, director ofturfgrass management at Gleneagles.

Kidd explained: “There are a lot ofdifferent individuals required to buildand maintain a golf course, each withtheir own area of expertise and all withan important role to play in the develop-ment process.

The conference is the ideal spring-board for representatives from each partof that process to meet and expand theirknowledge and understanding of oneanother’s role.

“Experts in the field of golf coursedesign, construction, turf care and golfmanagement will provide professionaladvice on each aspect of the develop-ment process, taking them from theinitial idea to the first tee-shot.

“The conference will address projectmanagement issues from how to presenttheir idea to the bank manager to select-ing the best course design for their land-mass.

“We will also be addressing environ-mental and ecological issues which, Ipassionately believe are essential aspectsof all golf course management.”

The conference instantly sparked theimagination of Peter Bell, marketingdirector of Textron Golf, Turf andSpeciality Products, who said:

“I am delighted on behalf of Textronto offer our full support for the confer-ence. It’s a phenomenal idea.

“I am confident that the speakers fromthe UK and USA, who bring with them awealth of experience, will inspire dele-gates and undoubtedly nurture examplesof good practice from day one, which will,in turn, benefit their golf course ventureand the industry in the long-term.”

Delegates from as far afield asMalaysia, South Africa, Egypt and SouthAfrica have already registered for thethree-day conference which costs £600per person.

UK golf clubs are to be the first in the world to benefit from a brand new servicededicated to improving the visibility of their web sites. Internet Data Management isthe brainchild of William Dowty, managing director of CWS Limited, and a majorshareholder in Ombersley Golf Club in Worcestershire.

Dowty hopes to drive home to golf clubs the need to ensure that they have astrong presence on the huge number of directories and golf sites that are available.

“Having established a web site many golf clubs are unaware of the need for regularpromotion,” said Dowty. “While our recent survey of 1,535 UK clubs discovered that481 had their own web site, a simultaneous study of the Internet’s most popularsearch engines, directories and golf sites could only confirm an average of 84 -leaving 75 per cent of these sites effectively invisible.”

Searching for new ideas

Cuba is destined to become theworld’s new golf hotspot following aseries of initiatives inspired by the PGA.

PGA Golf Management has signedcontracts with RUMBOS SA (the CubanGovernment) worth in excess of£350,000 for the design of new coursesin Cayo Coco and St Migul de Banos nearthe famous resort of Varadero.

The contracts also include the trainingof Cuban personnel in golf courseconstruction.

A national golf development strategyis also being formalised by the PGA withRUMBOS SA over the next few monthsfor all golf development, managementand training in Cuba.

Commenting Sandy Jones, chief exec-utive of the PGA said: “We believe thatCuba is one of the most exciting newmarkets for the expansion of golf.

“This new venture therefore gives usthe chance to be at the forefront oftaking the game to a new and undevel-oped area and establishing professionalgolf in Cuba.”

Assistant greenkeeper Jamie Gill gotmore than he bargained for during arecent demonstration of the Terraliftmachine at Stowmarket Golf Club.

Invited by head greenkeeper, RogerEade, Terrain Aeration Services probedto a one metre depth injectingcompressed air at 10 bar into an area ofthe fairway. Although the blast liftedthe turf 2-3 metres around the probehole, the surface returned to normal.

“As the machine is capable of inject-ing air up to 20 bar, we decided to upthe pressure,” remembers TAS directorLynda Green. “The spread was moreextensive and the blast blew old divotsout of their replacement slots and deliv-ered a free mud pack to Jamie’s face.”

No golf crisisin Cuba

Here’s mud inyour eye


Southerndown Golf Club, situated in Bridgend, South Wales, has taken delivery ofthe first Envirojet liquid injection aeration system from Textron Golf and Turf.

Mounted on and powered by a Cushman Turf-Truckster utility vehicle, the Envirojetcan place liquids, wetting agents and fertilisers directly into the soil, within or

below the rootzone with minimum disruption to the playing surface guaranteeinguninterrupted play all year round.

Cushman Envirojet hits the UK

YOUR SEARCH IS OVER

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Following their recent successfulconclusion to the Professional Diplomacourse of the European Institute of GolfCourse Architects, Ljubica Jovetic(pictured) and Richard Myers have nowjoined the Institute as graduates.

Both were awarded distinctions in thegraduation ceremony which was held atthe EIGCA’s headquarters at MerristWood, Surrey.

Myers, with a landscape design degreefrom the University of Grennwich alsogained the Barenbrug prize. Jovetic aCroatian who has played golf for hercountry, and a graduate from ZagrebUniversity, becomes her nation’s firstqualified golf course architect.

Both have gained employment withSwan Golf Designs, who have recentlyteamed-up with St Andrews InternationalGolf Development - a joint UK, Chineseco-operation which has been setup toadvance golf development in thePeople’s Republic of China.

A co-operation agreement has nowbeen signed which will see Swan GolfDesigns work with Julia Min and GeorgeManson on new projects in China.

St Andrews IGD have alreadyannounced the first project, in Hefei,close to Shanghai, and a second isexpected in Kunming on the formerChina Expo site, to develop a public golfcourse.

China Golf 2001, the Asian golf tradeexhibition scheduled to be held inDecember 2001 has been cancelled byAustralian show organisers Gold WorldManagement.

Commenting on the cancellation, CEOand founder Stephen Allen said: “Giventhe current worldwide economic situa-tion, golf development is slowing downin China.

“Also, because of the situation in theUS, many of the leading golf courseproduct and equipment companies arepulling back on their expansion into theAsian market, including China.

“We are committed to continuing theshow, but as a result of market condi-tions and as a response to serious feed-back from exhibitors it is clear that ashow every other year, rather than annu-ally is more suited to requirements, atleast for the present.

“So our next scheduled China Showwill be in 2002.”

No show-boatto China

Schools out for new golfcourse architects

News


For sale signup at Dale Hill

Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club in EastSussex is up for sale with an asking pricein excess of £6 million.

The club, which was once described byGolf Monthly as the ‘best new course inEngland’, was originally opened in 1974as an 18-hole members course.

In 1997, the facility was given asubstantial face-lift with the opening ofthe aptly named Woosnam Course,designed by Ian Woosnam.

Situated in Flimwell, 50 miles south ofLondon, the development also includes asubstantial clubhouse and a four-star 32-bedroom hotel with conference facilities.

Outline planning consent exists forthe extension of the hotel, a new pro-shop and increased car parking.

Interested parties are asked to contactFPDSavills for further information.

All change atAdvanta Seeds

Increased business throughout the UKhas led to personnel changes in thesales and marketing department atAdvanta Seeds - with Simon Harrisonand Jim Fulton taking on expandingroles within the company.

With immediate effect, Harrison hasbeen appointed the Amenity marketingmanager and Fulton becomes theAmenity UK sales manager.

Based in Leeds, Harrison has a careerbackground in sales and marketing with-in the sports trade.

As well as looking after sales in theNorth of England, he is now responsiblefor managing Advanta’s advertising andpr spend, attendance at shows such asSALTEX and BTME and all externalpromotional activities.

New pretenderto the Crown

Crown Sports plc has appointed DavidSneesby as commercial director withimmediate effect.

Sneesby, who is aged 41, has hadextensive experience in a number ofmarketing and commercial roles includ-ing director of buying and direct market-ing for The National Magazine company.

He holds a degree from EmmanuelCollege, Cambridge, as well as an MBAfrom the University of Warwick.

Commenting on the appointment,Steve Philpott, chief executive of CrownSports said: “The appointment of a firstrate commercial director was an impor-tant objective in the next phase of thedevelopment of Crown Sports.

“We are delighted that David hasdecided to join us at this exciting time.”

New facilities open atSandford Springs

The latest phase in the extensiveenhancement programme to transformfacilities at Sandford Springs, the 27-hole golf course at Tadley, Berkshire,was officially opened in June at a specialceremony by co-owner Jennifer Gibbons.

The transformation has included majorworks and landscaping to give the club asuperb new approach and has created anew first tee plus an ornamental practiceputting green in a lakeside environment.

A new greenkeepers enclosure hasbeen built in woods and the ground floorof the Clockhouse is to be converted intoa reception area, boardroom and officeswith an adjoining practice area to beused by the club pro.

Paul Gibbons, chairman and co-ownerof Leaderboard, the parent company ofSandford Springs said: “We want playersat Sandford Springs to have that feel-good factor not just when they comethrough the entrance but all the wayround the course and in the clubhouse.

“Sandford Springs is being transformedfor our members as we continue toinvest in improving the course andgeneral facilities.

“Some of the planting will obviouslytake several years before its full effect isfelt but it is certainly very impressive.”

Leaderboard also owns Chart Hills GCin Kent and the Leaderboard Golf Centrein Reading.


Mox Golf Car UKDunmore Court, Wootton Road,

Abingdon OX13 6BH England

Telephone: 01235 537575Facsimile: 01235 537576

www.golfcar.uk.com

COVER STORY

Cover StoryFollowing the acquisition of Golf Car UKby MOX International earlier this year,plans have been announced that willfurther help develop the brand through-out the UK and European markets.

MOX International already operatesin France, Spain and Portugal and recentacquisitions include not only Abingdon-based Golf Car UK but also Modern Cross,a brand that will now form part of thecollective portfolio.

Golf Car UK has always prided itselfon an ability to service the needs of itscustomers - a tradition that generalmanager Geoff Heritage is keen toretain.

“Although we have a new parentcompany, our reputation and attitudetoward service coupled with our salesknowledge were qualities that I firmlybelieve attracted MOX International tothe company.

“Freedom of choice is a fundamentalaspect of the new organisations ethoswhich will continue to provide all theadvantages of medium and long termoperating leases.

“Freedom of choice is what thecustomer deserves - freedom to choosethe correct product for the specific joband freedom to choose the best financialpackage most suited to the customer’srequirements.”

MOX International, which is a divi-sion of ABN Amro Lease Holding, has awealth of European experience gained ingreencare utility vehicles, golf cars,personnel transportation and urbanservice infrastructure.

Based in Paris and Toulouse, France,the company plans to expand into tenEuropean countries within the next fiveyears, although within the UK, golf willremain the core market.

“Golf Car UK is the nation’s premiergolf car and utility vehicle distributor,and we have every opportunity toexpand our already impressive clientbase with the encouragement andsupport of MOX,” concluded Heritage.

MOX offers freedom ofchoice at Golf Car UK

A International Company

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Turning the Tide


SPECIAL REPORT

Parts of the Old Course at StAndrews, the home of golf,are under threat from thesea. And not only is St

Andrews menaced. Nearly 70 per centof the UK�s links courses are in dangerof disappearing under the waves.

All over the country, and not onlyScotland, the fight is on to combatcoastal erosion. However, it is a battlein which well-intentioned parties mightdo more harm than good.

That view has been expressed byJim Hansom of Glasgow University�sgeography department. He told TheScotsman: �Attempts to halt erosionoften exacerbated the problem. Low Intensity�It could be said golf courses are fairlylow intensity land uses that can beshifted and that chucking good moneyafter bad was not a solution. It�s just amatter of chuck in the towel when suchmeasures become too expensive.�

Hansom, head of the university�scoastal research group, added: �Thekey is inducing people to move to areasthat are not subject to coastal erosion.�

He said building protective barriersaround golf courses and propertystopped the incursion of the chain reac-tion that exported erosion. �In manyways natural shoreline problems areexacerbated by our own hands, we areprotecting bits of coast but that willaccelerate erosion elsewhere.�

Hansom�s views are backed by DrJohn Rees, head of coastal geosciencesat the British Geological Survey. Hemaintains systems were able to slowdown erosion for short periods but overthe long term - decades and centuries -little could be done to stop the sea.

�This is what people don�t seem toappreciate. We can put a lot of concretedown, but erosion will continue.�

Meanwhile a number of agencies aregrappling with the problem by introduc-ing high-tech engineering methods. Anda new publication, written by HRWallingford, and available from ScottishNatural Heritage, reviews the optionsavailable for managing the erosion ofsandy beaches and dunes.

The guide helps address the difficul-ties of securing effective coastal protec-tion while minimising or avoiding envi-ronmental damage. Importantly, it alsoprovides guidance of the most appropri-ate responses, the legal implications ofplanning a response and illustrates howeach technique might best be designedto the greatest effect.

One of the most seriously affectedcourses is Royal West Norfolk that hasbeen lapped by the North Sea since thetreeless links was laid out 110 years ago.

Last October the Brancaster club,with good reason, hosted a seminar inassociation with the R&A, to considerthe implications of climate change andin particular its effect on coastal erosion.

In the first of a two-part major series � concluding in August � John Vinicombe examinesthe dangers of coastal erosion, and the steps that can be taken to help keep the tide at bay.The threat to some of our famous links courses including St Andrews and Royal Portrushis a real one - a threat which unattended could intensify.

�IT COULD BE SAID GOLF

COURSES ARE FAIRLY LOW

INTENSITY LAND USES THAT

CAN BE SHIFTED AND THAT

CHUCKING GOOD MONEY AFTER

BAD WAS NOT A SOLUTION.�


Sixteen clubs were represented, allwith problems of varying degrees tothose affecting Brancaster. The scenariothere is dominated by the tidal marsh, acontinuation of high water marks andwind sometimes leading to flooding.At BayLike many links, wooden railway sleep-ers shore-up bunkers where the dunesstretch to the south and marram grass inthe opposite direction. Thus the sea, forall its threatening presence, is kept at bayby traditional means. But new technolo-gy has taken over in such cases as theBrancaster meeting revealed.

Apart from the speakers and fivemembers of Royal West Norfolk, therewere three members from the R&AGolf Course Advisory panel present -Nick Park, Michael Barratt and DrMichael Scholfield.

The clubs represented were:Aberdovey, Ballybunnion, Formby,Hayling, Prices, Royal Aberdeen, RoyalCounty Down, Royal Porthcawl, RoyalPortrush, Royal St David�s Royal StGeorge�s, Royal West Norfolk,Seahouses and the R&A.

When such a powerful body getstogether there is bound to be action.While delegates heard from Dr DavidViner of the Climatic Research Unitabout the projected climate change overthe next century, most present wereconcerned with the present than thefuture.

Richard Nunn, principal civil engi-neer at the Environment Agency, saidthe risk of flooding could not beremoved completely. He added that thefuture for golf clubs was bleak as theyfaced restricted government funding.

It was vital that the R&A recognisedthe importance of being stakeholders inany relevant flood defence schemes forthe Environment Agency, which has anannual budget of £135m, had no statu-tory right to go in and improve.

Cyril Southerland, member of thelocal Fisherman�s society outlined hissolution to the erosion of dunes protect-ing the course at Brancaster. He saidthe sea had undercut the dunes to suchan extent that the first green was within

one metre of a sheer sand cliff face, sixmetres high. To prevent it collapsing, itwas necessary to take the power out ofthe sea and to stabilise the dunes.

The method used was to construct acontinuous �W� - shaped structure of 3mpine poles driven vertically into the sandabout 15m from the top of the dune anddraped with 1.5m geotextile mesh.

Despite doubts, the system is work-ing and the dunes have stabilised andmarram grass is growing on the newlyformed dunes. The defence worksextend for approximately 600m and theimmediate danger to the course hasbeen removed at nominal cost.

Walter Woods, former course super-intendent at St Andrews, recalled howthe dunes there were stabilised.Previously, the banks of the Eden hadbeen stabilised by the use of �wavingmud grass� imported from East Anglia,and sleeper revetments. Now, holidaymakers and strong winds had brokendown the dunes protecting the courseand a simple solution using stonegabions was adopted.

Problems with local planners werehighlighted by Mike Taylor, a memberof the management committee atHayling. The council put in timberbreastworks and concrete groynes butthese caused heavy scouring so stonegabions were added filled with beachgravel.

The knock-on effect caused concernby English Nature and other statuarybodies in Hampshire. Only temporarypermission was granted by the plannersfor two years. �English Nature�s atti-tude has been appalling and unhelpful,�Taylor told the delegates at Brancaster.

Donald Steel, the golf course archi-tect, observed that man�s activitiesplayed an important part in coastalerosion. It was not always due toclimatic causes.

While prevention was always betterthan cure, contingency plans should beprepared. He stressed that it was impor-tant to establish a friendly dialoguewith the statutory bodies and confirmedthat English Nature proved to be themost difficult.

Steel suggested a national appeal belaunched on behalf of golf courses underthreat and that a pool of money be heldby the R&A for this purpose and perhapsa society for the preservation of tradition-al links courses could be formed.

Richard Tregarthen of Aberdovey,said his club was suffering from duneerosion due to tourism and lateralmovement of the sea. A scheme fordune protection was vital and he saidthe use of elevated board-walks, as usedat Royal St David�s, Harlech, has seen aconsiderable improvement to the dunes.

At Royal Portrush, according to JoeFindlay, the local authority encouragethe public to walk the dunes and thisresulted in pedestrian erosion. Stonearmament had been put in place andthis was effective.

The second green at Royal Porthcawlhad already been lost said FrankPrescott, while Peter Rolph (RoyalCounty Down) stressed that clubs keeptrying with the statutory bodies as in theend they gained their support.

However, John Stevens (Seahouses)queried the term, �managed retreat�which was used by English Nature. Inhis view it meant doing nothing andleaving nature to take its course.ExceptionalMike Schofield, R&A panel membersaid English Nature were aware of theproblems faced by golf clubs andbelieved the experiences at Brancasterand Hayling were exceptional.

This was not agreed by the meetingin general and Schofield welcomed theidea of the creation of an R&A data-base. Nick Park, deputy chairman of theR&A Golf Course Advisory Panel, saidthe governing body is not responsiblefor golf courses.

Their only mandate is for the rulesand management of the game. Howeverthere was the advisory panel, compris-ing a membership of 15, that is beingreorganised. Letters must come fromclubs requesting help if the R&A�smandate is to be changed.

The concluding part of this specialreport will be published in August.

The place to be in the third week ofMay had to be Ipswich Town FootballClub and their training ground atRushmere St Andrew, just four miles fromPortman Road.

The football club which exceeded allexpectations last season by qualifyingfor the UEFA Cup was a hive of activityplanning for next season’s groundscaremaintenance equipment.

As all surface management is handledby the club’s own staff, head grounds-man and current groundsman of the yearAlan Ferguson decided to search themarket for a top class sacrificer/hopperfor use at the Premiership club.

The sheer versatility of the Long Equip1502 Sacrificer Collector which waschosen ensured that ‘controlled renova-tion’ was achieved and the results havealready justified the decision to purchaseoutright.

News


Another renovation project this timeat Brickendon Grange Golf Club,Hertfordshire, has been awarded toSwan Golf Designs.

The Essex-based practice now looks-after some 25 courses from Reykjavik toBeirut and extensively throughout main-land Europe.

Director Howard Swan said: “It is verysatisfying to see more established clubsretaining professional and experiencedgolf course architects in setting outlong-term improvement programmes forexisiting courses.

“This represents an increasing andsignificant part of our architectural workat home and abroad.”

Half way around the world at one ofgolf’s little known outposts, Swan GolfDesigns are redesigning the Ras AlHamra Golf Course in Muscat, Omanwhere the nine-hole brown course isbeing revised and is likely to become theSultanate’s first green and grassedlayout.

The course is being lengthened, and afull irrigation system being installed toallow effluent water from the nearbyrefinery to be used to water the newgrass.

The course is designed to allow therecycling of all water so conserving tothe maximum a resource whose value isimmense in such a part of the world.

Swan-ing off to all corners of the globe

There are just four 18 hole golf cours-es in Greece, the last one having beenbuilt in 1979.

With initiative from the Governmentand Tourist Industry of Greece, the firstof several new courses planned for thefuture is being constructed at The CreteGolf Club

The Course will be Par 72 Champion-ship Standard and 6,400 yards long.Four sets of tee position on each holewill make it a challenging course forgolfers of all standards.

There will be two driving ranges and astate of the art golf academy with prac-tice putting greens and short game prac-tice area.

Situated in Hersonnisos, Crete, thecourse is being developed by a group oflocal Hoteliers and the City ofHersonnisos. Construction by Greekcontractors started in May, 2001.

Costing in excess of Dr 4,400 million,(£8 million), it has been designed byBritish golf designers, PGA GolfManagement.

Head of golf design, Bob Hunt said:“This is an important site where we havefollowed our design philosophy of envi-ronmental friendliness. When completedit will be a positive addition to the land-scape of Crete.

“It is certainly one of the most impor-tant events in Greek Tourism for manyyears. It has taken a great deal of hardwork by the developers to be able tostart work and we aim to be ready forplay in March 2003.”

Greece teesup for golftourism

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Bridlington Links Golf Club, situated on the East Yorkshire coast has upgraded itsgolf course maintenance equipment following a £80,000 contract with Textron Golf,Turf and Speciality Products.

The range of equipment, supplied through local dealer Henton & Chattel Ltd, fromthe Jacobsen and Iseki brands encompasses ride-on greens, tees and fairway mowersand an Iseki compact tractor.

Phil Hancock, general manager atBridlington Links said: “We were in a posi-tion to upgrade our course machinery, sowe contacted our local Textron dealer andthey sent their sales manager along to seeus.

“Textron put together a finance proposalthat included extended warranty agree-ments enabling us to make substantialsavings on servicing and maintenance.”

The English Golf Union has announcedthe launch of its ‘get into golf’ campaignin an effort to introduce more peopleinto the game.

The EGU claim that following thesuccess of last years campaign, free golfcoaching for beginners will again beavailable throughout this summer withmore venues and more dates.

Funded by sponsorship from Prosimmonand supported by Sportsmatch, anybeginner wishing to experience golf forthe first time can simply register with avenue and receive one-hour of free golfcoaching with a qualified PGA pro.

News


Familiar facesaddles up atWhite Horse

White Horse Contractors Limited ispleased to announce the appointment ofJim Crabbe to compliment their success-ful and experienced contract manage-ment team.

Crabbe will have particular responsi-bility for sportsturf projects and bringswith him over 15 years experience in thegolf course and sports turf construction,drainage and irrigation industry.

Previously with Pearl Land Drainageand Southern Golf, Crabbe has managedmany golf course construction projectsin the UK and Europe including TheOxfordshire, The Buckinghamshire,Hanbury Manor and the 'Old Course'Vilamoura, Portugal.

Last month saw the opening of theworld’s first 18-hole golf court.Developed by Compac Golf Ltd, the golfcourt is located at Lensbury atTeddington Lock on the banks of theRiver Thames.

Designed by Swan Golf Designs, andbuilt by Land Unit Construction, an idealgolf court covers 18 acres of land butdue to the restricted space available atLensbury, Compac Golf adapted theconcept and made it possible to play afull 18-hole, par 3, round of golf on justsix acres of land.

The substance and density of theproject is underlined by the decision ofthe project team to specify a fullconstruction profile to the greens, teesand bunkers.

The putting surfaces of the greens arelarge and accommodating, contoured tocreate a test of putting skills equivalentto a full golf course.

The contouring and bunkering aredesigned to the requirements of thefacility, whereby the direction of theapproaches to the greens vary with eachplaying sequence of six holes.

The greens, tees and fairway are allturfed - the greens have been laid withwashed turf to achieve the best possibleestablishment of a consistent andresilient sward when open for play.

The rough was seeded with a predomi-nantly dwarf perennial ryegrass, to retaina rapid establishment in the ever decreas-ing weather window the wet Spring hadplaced upon the construction team.

Dream becomes a reality forGolf Court backers

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Penfold Golf, makers of personalised gift packs and golfing accessories, havelaunched their own website www.penfold-golf.co.uk. The East Grinstead-based

company has been an established and respected name within the game for almost three-quarters of a century, and this latest step into the world of

electronic buying allows Penfold's existing and potential customers to browsethrough the whole range of products online.

Penfold Golf go on-line

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Martin HawtreeFellow of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects

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Hole in one for Greasley asEls tees-off at Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is hardly the locationyou would expect to find a golf course.Nor is the roof of Cabot House a likelytee-off point for world number threegolfer, Ernie Els.

However, with event management bySouthampton-based Merchant DesignInternational and the constructionexpertise of John Greasley, the impossi-ble became a reality.

The Omega golf challenge - sponsoredby the global watch brand - was part ofa spectacular brand awareness campaignaimed at heightening the brands profile.

Inviting visitors to pit themselvesagainst Els at the end of June, theDocklands area of Cabot Square playedhost to a magnificent full golf greenmade of real grass, complete withbunker.

Els teed off from a balcony 100 feetup, across a road, fountain and hoardsof spectators to come within inches ofthe pin!

A recent reseeding programme at RAFLakenheath Golf Range, has alreadybrought about an 88 per cent increase inrevenue since re-opening in April 2001,according to Derek Turner, manager ofthe range.

Members who were disappointed whenthe range had to close over the winter,feel the wait was worthwhile.

The range, mainly made up of alkalinesand, had minimal growth by the time itwas closed last August. The soil struc-ture had broken down and most of thegrass had been lost due to the drought.

Grass seed was chosen from theJohnsons Sport and Amenity Range -Taskmaster 70%, Ryegrass and 30%Slender Creeping Red Fescue, andsupplied by Driving Force Leisure.

The size of the area re-seeded wasapproximately 3.5 hectares. The grassbegan to establish before the coldweather arrived and was then left undis-turbed during the winter.

Golf range re-vitalised

Under the Weather


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Ashfield House1154 Melton RoadSyston Leicester LE7 2HB

Telephone: 0116 269 6766Mobile: 07836 553899

Fax: 0116 269 6866

JOHN GREASLEY LIMITED

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Hole 14 Rudding Park

We�d like to promise youthat one day, some timesoon, we�re going to stoptalking about the weath-

er. Granted, where golf is concerned,the weather is king.

And in the golf construction indus-try, this maxim is no less true.

So for now, guess what golf�sspecialist contractors are talking aboutin the wake of what should have beentheir busiest time of year?

�As an industry, golf in the UK hashad a real kick in the stomach thiswinter,� mused Barrelfield GolfConstruction director, Melvin Thomas.

�But it wasn�t just the weather; Footand Mouth had a real affect on courseswhich rely on travellers and tourism tohelp their income, too.�

Barrelfield Golf Construction are acuriously new/old company in the golfconstruction industry, conspicuous aftera series of notable construction busi-

nesses collapsing over the last fewyears. ClimateBut neither the recent testing climate inthe industry or the atmospheric climateseems to be able to deter their ingenu-ity; �We�ve used the bad weather tomarket ourselves, encouraging coursesto use us and address problem areas ofplay!�

So has the weather been an unre-served godsend to constructors? "

The golf construction companies have certainly missed the golden years of the 80�s and90�s when new courses were springing up all over the place. But even though there arefewer specialists around than there were, recent enquiries from Rob Wright seem toindicate that the industry is reasonably stable.

�THE CULTURE IN THE UK AT THE MOMENT IS CHEAPEST WINS. IN THE US, BUDGETS ARE LARGER

BECAUSE THEY EXPECT THE BEST PRODUCT - NOT THE CHEAPEST - SO THAT�S WHAT THEY GET.�

Lionel R. WhitnellGolf Course Construction

Previous contracts include:Brocket Hall 18 holes Merrist Wood 18 holesCaversham Heath 18 holes Mid-Sussex 18 holesClandon Regis 18 holes North Weald 18 holesColne Valley 18 holes Ongar Park 18 holesHappy Valley 18 holes Reigate Hill 18 holes


Brian DD. PPiersonTHE GOLF COURSE BUILDER

NEW CONSTRUCTION - ALTERATIONSPROJECT MANAGEMENT

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE250 GOLF PROJECTS6 �OPEN� COURSES

For information, please contact:Tel: +44 (0) 1202 822372 Fax:+44 (0) 1202 826447

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GERMAN OFFICE: Tel/Fax (0049) 6282 40662

WHITNELL CONTRACTS LtdWoodlands, Ellis Road, Boxted, Colchester CO4 5RN

Telephone: 01206 272834Facsimile: 01206 272104Website: www.whitnell.co.ukEmail: [email protected]

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Clients includeCleveland GCRowlands Castle GCBoarshead GCWorthing GCHazlewood GCIford Bridge GCRushmore Park GCKingstan GC

Artington Golf Limited28 Pump Lane, Waterlooville

Hampshire PO8 9TSTelephone 023 9259 2390

Facsimile 023 9257 0218www.artington-golf.co.uk

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Landscape and Golf Course Construction

Contour Golf Limited1 Jubilee Cottages, Norton RoadDaventry, Northants NN11 5LS

Tel: +44 (0) 1327 879464Fax: +44 (0)1327 705777

CONTOUR GOLF

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View of the 18th green from the clubhouse, Fota Island Golf Club


�Like a lot of other contractors,from October onwards we got caughtshort part way through the seasonbecause of the weather,� recalled IngridEichler, a director from Contour Golf, aleading golf construction specialist withoffices in Ireland and England. �Thewet weather certainly slowed us down.But it was always going to be tough.�

Which is precisely the problem withwinter work. Winter weather is notnaturally conducive to effortlessconstruction work.

Golf is certainly a fair weather sportfor obvious reasons. So when the fairweather finally arrives, the last thinggolfers want is the sight of a JCB inter-rupting their vista of the greens. RevenueAnd the last thing club owners want isany threat to their revenue at the busiesttime of the year. So refurbishment�sand extensions are scheduled for wintermonths. Which is fine, but not neces-sarily the best solution.

Eichler again; �The preferredoption, giving much better qualitymuch faster and more efficiently is toget course work done in the summer -especially when it comes down to thefinishing when you need drier condi-tions. In winter, you�re relying on luckonce you�ve got to that stage of a job.

�So if you can phase your opera-tions over two-to-three years and giveyour members 12 or so holes to playwith, it�ll work much better in yourfavour.�

With costs driving a lot of decisionmaking, architects and projectmanagers are under pressure to producethe cheapest construction option insteadof the most ideal to help secure acontract.

�So few architects are prepared tostick their necks out and insist on asummer build,� Eichler continued.�We�re now starting work on six holesof a 24-hole course. The architect onthis project did stick his neck out andhe�ll be proved right.�BestNigel Ely expanded Eichler�s point:�The culture in the UK at the momentis cheapest wins. In the US, budgets arelarger because they expect the bestproduct - not the cheapest - so that�swhat they get.

�As a result, development costshave probably been capped in the golfconstruction industry over here for thelast five years.� And without apportion-ing blame, he too said that architectswere partly responsible, because�they�re in a very competitive market.�

Having the freedom to make longer-term decisions which aren�t driven sole-ly by price depends on a series of vari-ables which are different for every club.

And Ely highlighted one overridingvariable; �Does their management planeven allow them to rebuild?�

Ely encourages course managers tomake plans which not only take intoaccount key drivers such as cashflowbut include other important considera-tions such as course recovery. He wenton: �With the down-time and the loss ofrevenue, a rebuild might not be practi-cal at all due to budgetary constraints.

�Alternative solutions include a soil-exchange programme which will allowthe course to be kept open for play.

�Even with low ground-pressuremachinery, in the Autumn and Winterthere will still be some damage. Thebetter the conditions during rebuilds,the quicker the greens will open.�

Ely is in a unique position tocomment on golf construction in gener-al. Alongside his brother, Mark, he runsJ&E Ely Ltd, a specialist sportsconstruction company with a strongreputation in golf and a number of high-profile builds in their portfolio.

Additionally, Ely is also chairmanof the British Association of GolfCourse Constructors, an organisationwhich serves to help set and raise stan-dards among in its members in theconstruction industry.

Membership also recognises golfconstruction ability and quality - whichneeds to continually evolve as the gamecontinues to develop. And courseowners would do well to use rebuilds tohelp keep pace with those developments.

�The way the golf market haschanged with balls and clubs, this mightbe a good opportunity to make holesmore suitable for the modern game,�said Ely. �Even I�m hitting the ballfurther than I�ve ever done!�

And change in the world of golfconstruction appears to be here to stay,with the pattern of construction turninga definite corner. �There are not somany new builds each year as there hasbeen, but there are still some in theright locations, especially extensions ofcomplexes to satisfy members andcorporate demands.� continued Ely.

�But in the UK, the refurb marketshows robust growth year on year. Itnever ceases to amaze me. You askwhere�s the work going to come from,but every year, there seems to be moreof it.�

As a result, Ely says that qualitycontractors will always have plenty ofwork on. �If you�re good, you getwork,� he said.

�IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME. YOU ASK WHERE�S THE WORK GOING TO COME FROM,

BUT EVERY YEAR, THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE OF IT.�


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CONSTRUCTION &RENOVATION OFGOLF COURSES

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So what�s stimulating this increas-ing demand for refurbs and extensions?Ely had an interesting perspective onthis which involves satellite TV! �Withsports channels, you can turn on thebox in January and February and seegreen courses.

�And with the advent of USGAspecifications, complete with drainageon greens and tees, you can play allyear round.�

Which means that clubs which areplayable all-year round are prosperingas they win the attention of die-hardplayers, while the older clubs sufferpoorer footfall because their coursesare not able to keep pace. Which then,of course, makes them vulnerable in allsorts of different ways.ChangesJohn Greasley runs the leading special-ist golf course construction companywhich bears his name. He�s noticedother changes in the constructionmarket which appear to be typical ofother companies� perspectives.

�We�re quite happy if we get an 18-hole course to build every other year,so the market certainly has changed.�The reason for this he believes comesback down to money.

�Operators can buy courses up-and-running and spend their money refur-bishing, rather than building and wait-ing two years to get a return on theirinvestment. "

Artington GolfIford Bridge Golf Club, Christchurch New 18Kingstan Golf Club, Leicester New 9Rushmoor, Swindon Refurb

Barrelfield ConstructionQueenwood Golf Club, Chobham New 18

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Contour GolfBlackley Golf Club, Manchester RefurbCherwell Edge Golf Club, Banbury RefurbDisley Golf Club, Stockport Ext 3Staverton Golf Club, Daventry RefurbThe Abbey Golf Club, Redditch Refurb

Contour Golf (Ireland)Palmerston Castle, Co Kildare New 18The Grange Golf Club, Dublin Refurb

J&E Ely ConstructionBridgedown Golf Club, Barnet New 18Cotterell Park Golf Club, Wales New 27Tracy Park, Bristol Refurb

John Greasley ConstructionBallindilloch Castle, Scotland New 9Brickdndon Grange Golf Club, Hertford RefurbBromborough Golf Club, The Wirral RefurbChilwell Manor Golf Club, Nottingham RefurbCotswold Hills Golf Club, Cheltenham RefurbRickmansworth Golf Course, RefurbWychwood Park, Crewe New 18

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Whitnell ContractsOngar Park Golf Club, Ongar New 18

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�And the ones that are getting builtare fairly low-budget affairs on landfillsites. Bigger jobs are now few-and-farbetween, whilst the mid-range, 18-holeconstruction is where it appears to havedried up altogether. Fortunate�Though we�re probably rather fortu-nate because we do an awful lot ofrefurbishment which keeps us busy,especially through the autumn andwinter.�

So what does the future hold for theindustry? �I can�t ever see a return tothe nineties,� continued Greasley. �Isuspect it�s going to stay like this forquite some time.

�The only thing that�s likely tochange all this is if the big players havebought up all they�re interested in andlook to plan new courses.

�But I can�t see that making toomuch difference because of the diffi-culties with planning permission.You�re probably looking at a five-yeardevelopment plan.Upbeat�But talking to architects, they seemquite upbeat, with a number of newprojects already on their books for nextyear. On top of which, I predict thatwe�ll still find sufficient work in refur-bishment and extensions.�

Assuming, of course, that it doesn�train too much. But then again, maybebecause it will do.

�BUT TALKING TO ARCHITECTS, THEY SEEM QUITE UPBEAT, WITH A

NUMBER OF NEW PROJECTS ALREADY ON THEIR BOOKS FOR NEXT

YEAR. ON TOP OF WHICH, I PREDICT THAT WE�LL STILL FIND

SUFFICIENT WORK IN REFURBISHMENT AND EXTENSIONS.�

Great Scot! III


FEEDBACK

Scotland On Line has beenworking in conjunction withthe Scottish Golf Union andScottish Ladies Golfing

Association to develop a centralisedhandicap system to deliver real benefitsto all participants, players and adminis-trators of the game's future in Scotland.

This scheme is being delivered throughScottishGolf, the trading name for GolfingScotland Limited, which is a whollyowned subsidiary of Scotland On Line.The evolution of that development hascome about with the ever-present chang-ing nature of technology that presentsdifferent opportunities at different times.

However, the core principles of acentralised handicapping system remainthe preserve of the governing bodies,which by their very nature exist to servethe interests of their member body.

ScottishGolf proposes to provideevery SGU affiliated club in Scotlandwith a free smart enabled PC to partici-pate in the scheme. In addition, all clubmembers will be provided with aScottishGolf smartcard that will recordtheir handicap and be readable at anyparticipating club in the country.

The option to participate in any ofthe commercial elements of the schemeis entirely the golfers choice.

A tee time booking system, devel-oped with clubs, hoteliers and touroperators will be provided to clubswhen they have the capability to oper-ate it. This is the only link between teetime booking and the handicap system. SafeguardedIt is important to understand the use ofpersonal information is strictly safe-guarded by the regulations in the DataProtection Act. The key point to note isthat use of personal data for directmarketing activity and any disclosure tothird parties must have the consent ofthe individual to whom the data relates.

The number of systems available toprovide the opportunity to make onlinebookings is irrelevant. What is impor-tant to golf tourism in Scotland is thatthe number of clubs participating ismaximised. This cannot happen whenclubs cannot afford expensive softwareand hardware.

It does not matter which avenue thegolfer visits Scotland from, as long ashe books his golf in a Scottish golfclub. That is the benefit to golf tourism.

Our aim is to bring everyone togeth-er under the ScottishGolf banner andpromote Scotland as a golfing destina-tion, as outlined in the ScottishExecutive Golf Tourism Strategy.

I fail therefore, to see how the faceof Scottish golf tourism is diluted.Rather, there is a healthier and widerchoice from which the visitor maychoose, as well as sticking to the well-trodden path of championship venues.

ScottishGolf provides the platformto link to every club in the land and inturn link them to an active database ofaccommodation, restaurants and othertourist attractions in the areas they maywish to visit. I would ask the question,is anyone else providing such a servicefor the industry?

The allegation of favouritism of onecommercial venture over another isincorrect but a sentiment we wouldentirely endorse. As with all commercialapplications, the success of a project ofthis size depends upon working withpartners with established experience andknowledge of the market place.

The final solution will be an openplatform that will provide all otherparticipants in the market with a speci-fication that allows them to continue to

be active in the marketplace, if theywish. Scotland On Line does not offeror sell handicap systems, preferring towork with existing suppliers.

The creators of golfagent werecontacted alongside other suppliers, tosee if they were interested in beinginvolved in the centralised handicapscheme. ScottishGolf welcomes allcomers in what is an extensive market-place. There has been no influence onthe market to act in one way or another;clearly a healthy market is one wherethere is choice for the consumer.ConfusionGolfagent may be forgiven for theirconfusion regarding the gathering ofdata for the handicap system and theprovision of a tee time booking system.This is entirely separate from the teetime booking system.

The SGU and SLGA have appoint-ed Scotland On Line for the purpose ofadministering the centralised handicapscheme. In terms of presenting twosystems to the world, ScottishGolf willonly be presenting those clubs on theweb that wish to participate, but provid-ing the mechanism for all clubs to doso. As far as ScottishGolf is aware, noother organisation is providing thisinfrastructure in the market.

I would agree that online tee timebooking systems could work in perfectharmony with club-based systems.Indeed it is the very premise of provid-ing a flexible booking solution thatintegrates the web with club manage-ment systems. Not everyone is able orwilling to utilise the web and wouldrather speak to the club directly.

I am delighted that the St AndrewsLinks Trust generated handsomerevenues with its system last year.ScottishGolf will provide the mecha-nism for other clubs across Scotland tobenefit from similar success in thefuture.

By providing the infrastructure toembrace the web, ScottishGolf is provid-ing an opportunity for clubs to choosehow they manage their affairs. It is notfor any one organisation to insist uponthe use of one system or another; thebenefits must speak for themselves.

In response to previous articles in February and April regarding plans for the Scottishcentralised handicapping scheme, Nigel Ironside, general manager of ScottishGolf,addresses some of the issues raised and offers clarification.

Stressing the Point


ANALYSIS

What do we mean bystress? When at the play-off the apparently bril-liant contender misses a

three foot putt that would have securedthe championship, the media report �thepressure got to him.�

Although the physiology of stress isbeing extensively studied and is wellunderstood, finding solutions to controlpeoples� response to stressful circum-stances remains elusive.

All the physiological processes inthe body, awake/asleep, eating/excret-ing, drinking/thirst, exercise and restoperate within strictly defined limits.

The blood is constantly being moni-tored by part of the brain (the hypothal-amus) which releases hormones whichcontrol other tissues to maintain theconcentrations of vital materials in theblood in adequate supply for the activi-ty being performed. ThreatIn an emergency all these mechanismswhich maintain balance can betemporarily suspended by a differentstress-responsive system which worksthrough nerves and special hormonesecreting glands. When confronted by athreat or a challenge, the body is imme-diately geared up for fight or flight - thealarm stage of the stress reaction.

Nervous connections from the brainto the adrenal glands cause an immediaterelease of the hormone adrenaline.Hormones are necessary because theyensure that all the different organs of thebody are co-ordinated in order to preparefor fight or flight at the same time.

Consider driving your car along themotorway when another driver cutsacross you, provoking a feeling of furywhose only relief is an indignant toot-ing of the car horn.

The effect of adrenaline will be tostop all digestion - all available glucosefor energy will be diverted to muscles,the heart rate and pulse will increasedramatically, blood pressure rises, themouth becomes dry, pupils constricted,the palms sweat and sugar and fat willbe released into the blood from bodystores for energy.

This is the condition that is ofteninappropriately termed running onadrenaline. All the energy substratesreleased by adrenaline are unused asthere was no real danger. Under thesecircumstances the fats can be depositedin the arteries leading to narrowed arter-ies, resulting in raised blood pressure.

Clearly, no one can survive thisalarm state of high alertness for long. Sowhat if the challenge doesn't go away?When the threat persists a hormone isreleased from the gland at the base of thebrain, travels in the blood to the adrenalsand causes them to release a hormoneknown as cortisol.

Cortisol is concerned with the stage ofresistance to a threat or challenge - highcortisol means increased arousal/agitationand learning and attention is increased.

The medical consequences ofprolonged high blood cortisol will bedifficulty in sleeping at night, decreasedimmune function (increased susceptibil-ity to infection or developing a tumour)

loss of calcium from bone tissue andmore. The psychological consequenceis that mixture of symptoms looselytermed depression.

The problem is that we have a physi-ology perfectly adapted to the stressorsand strains of everyday life as experi-enced by our primitive hunter-gathererforebears. It is inappropriate to solve a21st century problem, such as avoidingchoking with a simple putt on the green.

A focal dystonia (popularly termedthe �yips�), destroys the putting strokeof a quarter of people who play golffrequently, often with profound psycho-logical consequences.

The high blood cortisol associatedwith coming to terms with an ever-present stressor as typified by unhappyexperiences at work, cannot easily beswitched off afterwards.

The stressed individual is trappedpermanently in the same unhappy situa-tion by his own hormones. These mayinfluence people to seek early retire-

It is almost impossible to pick up any magazine, newspaper or periodical without finding areference to stress. The day-to-day management of a golf club can involve a great deal ofstress, a condition that is increasingly causing concern. Article by Professor Ifor Capel.


ment with the hope of playing moregolf and reducing stress. With inade-quate preparation the opposite effectwill result.

One of the pioneer researchers onstress said �it's not what happens to youthat matters, it's how you take it.�

National Health surveys indicate 75per cent of the general population expe-rience some stress every two weeks.About 70 per cent of all visits to GeneralPractitioners surgeries every year are forstress related problems. Those whopresent with acute anxiety or panicattacks will probably be offered tranquil-lisers, but these can only be a short-termremedy.

Persistent use, apart from the otherside effects, will certainly lead to addic-tion. When taken, the tranquillisersuppresses the action of the nervesassociated with stress. Longer term,unless increasing amounts of drug aretaken the effect of these nerves andmonths of suppressed stress can berapidly delivered, resulting in a reboundpanic/anxiety attack.

Tranquillisers and antidepressantmedications account for one fourth ofall prescriptions written in Americaevery year. There is a fine distinctionbetween anxiety and depression - bothare manifestations of stress andfrequently occur together.

Many herbal remedies have beenadvocated as helpful for those sufferingstress, most remain to be validated.Ginseng can be used for short periodsand some report benefits, and, St John'sWort has been demonstrated to haveantidepressant properties.

The preparations of these substancescan vary between different manufactur-ers and in terms of side effects they arenot as well characterised as convention-al drugs. These substances have beenused for some time, however, and thereare no convincing reports of majorproblems associated with their short-term use.

An alternative natural method ofcontrolling stress is self-administrationof minute electrical stimuli (cranialelectrostimulation, CES) across thebrain to ameliorate variously thestress/pain in the region of the brainwhere it is processed.

Probably the best example of thistreatment currently available is sub-perception electrical stimulation(SPES®) which has the added advantagethat it simultaneously relieves the anxi-ety associated with quitting tranquillis-er/antidepressant use.

It is important to find the answer tostress inside yourself, rather than fromchemicals to alter your mood. There areany number of specialist books or coun-sellors to help.

Ultimately, modifying the behaviourand lifestyle to ensure some time forrelaxation provides the opportunity forthe body to repair the stress-induceddamage that may have occurred. Anideal solution is to escape to the golfcourse or, use the golf course as a doorbetween office time and leisure time.

Some of the medicines intended torelive stress have more associated side-effects and exacerbate stress-relatedproblems.

Golf is a sport that could be similarin effect and its adherents run the riskof obsession if not addiction. Golf alsodemands a high input of physical andparticularly mental energy.

Golf can be the most frustratingchallenge. The stress mechanisms asso-ciated with the alarm reaction are betterfor explosive actions such as sprinting,and not conducive to controlled,smooth, modest effort while keeping thehead and most of the body still.

The skill in converting potentiallydamaging distress into positive motiva-tional Eustress (good stress) usuallyrequires professional advice than practice.

Stress-relieving drugs will, in theshort term, overcome but not solve theproblem. Practice may perfect tech-nique, but the most important practicehas to be under competition conditions. AdaptThe body has a remarkable ability toadapt to stress and if the situation isroughly similar each experience is lessstressful - which is why the championalways appears to be so cool and therookie challenger nervous.

Young golfers who have notcompeted in serious competition areless tense and susceptible to self-doubt.As they enter serious competition theymay choke through lack of experienceto pressure.

With practice, maturity helps themdismiss the bad shot from their minds.As competitive golfers age, their attitudemay change and memories of missedputts and bad shots in similar crucialsituations may return to haunt them.

The great golfers remain greatbecause they relax and allow their train-ing and skill (associated with focussedconcentration by the reasoning part ofthe brain) to override the primitive alarmreaction associated with fear and anxi-ety.

In the final analysis, it is howdesperate you are to win that will deter-mine the extent that the physiology ofthe alarm stress reaction will affect you.AntidotePeople involved in the amelioration ofstress often recommend golf as thegreat antidote to stress and as an exer-cise in which older people can partici-pate.

Perhaps such pundits have no experi-ence of the game and, for the older play-er, the physical as well as psychologicalstressors experienced. Attempting tocopy the swings of the greats may add tothe physical stress golf exerts on thespine.

Sliding the hips, especially duringrotation, or forward thrust to generatepower, exerts sheering forces on thelumber spine, particularly on the domi-nant-handed side of the player's back.

Poor style while addressing the ball,such as bending from the waist, round-ing the shoulders to position the arms infront of the body and dropping the headforward, tucking in the chin to watchthe ball, all contribute to low back pain.

A poor technique will contribute toproblems, whereas, a technically soundplayer will go on indefinitely. The temp-tation for the older player is to resort topainkillers in order to remain playing,refusing to accept that their back pain isa consequence of golf rather than ageing.

Drug-free relaxant treatments likeSPES® can help in acute pain situations,but correcting deficiencies in style withappropriate lessons will enable oldergolfers to continue playing for longer.

The older player must care for theirbody, regardless of how diverting thegame. Simply bending at the knees whilecollecting the ball from the hole, andensuring their golfing bag has two strapsand is not carried over one shoulder.

Golf should provide a focus and willcontribute to keeping a player fit, it isnot the means of becoming fit. Olderplayers should ensure their generalhealth is good enough in order to play.

All players should exercise regular-ly, particularly those involving flexibili-ty and suppleness, regardless of the factthat they are now playing for fun.

Golf is a unique sport available toplayers of all ages. Top competitorslearn strategies to cope with stress large-ly to improve performance. All playersshould take some measures to approachthe game with a similar attitude in orderto enjoy the full stress-busting benefitthe game offers.

NATIONAL HEALTH SURVEYS INDICATE 75 PER CENT OF THE GENERAL POPULATION EXPERIENCE

SOME STRESS EVERY TWO WEEKS.


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Sporting Club Berlin


CLUB INSIGHT

How to describe a conceptthat is unique? That is thequestion when reviewingthe Palmerston Golf Resort

and Sporting Club. Yet another fabulous multi-million

dollar playground for the rich andfamous in the Arizona desert or spreadamid the lush meadows of NewEngland?

The name affords no clue to theactual geographic location so it comesas a surprise to discover that thePalmerston is on the shores of theScharmützelsee just 45 minutes fromthe centre of Berlin.

The five-star resort, formerly theKempinski Hotel, provides the perfectsetting for not only golf, with threecourses, but other sports and spa facili-ties coupled with a separate, dedicatedconference centre.

The Palmerston does not stand alone.Apart from the Sporting club, Berlin, itcurrently manages Brocket Hall justoutside London and is developing further

resorts at Sammezzano Castle nearFlorence and at Hangszhou in China.

In a remarkably short time,Palmerston Hotels and Resorts have builtan international reputation as the finestname in their specialist field. In fact theparent company CCA International hasmanaged some of the world�s mostexclusive private member clubs andresorts for over 20 years.

The championship courses designedby Nick Faldo and Arnold Palmer havebeen rated the best in Germany. Topbilling is also accorded by the PGAEuropean Tour. ChoiceThe third course, the Silberberg, createdby European Golf Design is also highlyrated. There is, in addition, the GolfAcademy and its nine-hole executivelayout. The golfer is clearly spoiled forchoice.

The main focus is on the Faldo Platzas the locals call it. In all the opinionpolls it gets rave notices plus personalendorsements from star players. "

CCA Internationals recent acquisition, the Palmerston Golf Resort on the banks of theScharmützelsee, is one of Germany�s finest leisure resorts comprising three world-classgolf courses. John Vinicombe reports from the possible venue of the 2008 Solheim Cup.

�NICK FALDO WAS INSPIRED BY BRITISH LINKS WHEN HE

SET TO WORK ON THE PAR 72 DESIGN AT BAD SAAROW. �


Padraig Harrington, the Irish RyderCup golfer, and Sweden�s RobertKarlsson, praised it as the best on theTour after the German Open in 1998and 1999. The plaudits of BernhardLanger were equally unstinting after the1999 championship: �I would say it isone of the best we play throughout theyear.�

Nick Faldo was inspired by Britishlinks when he set to work on the par 72design at Bad Saarow. He incorporatedwavy fairways, 131 pot bunkers, undu-lating greens and even indigenousBritish plant life. Both challenging andaesthetically pleasing, the course is areal treat for all in a country where thegame has been catching on steadilyover the last few years.

Built on sand and decorated by trapsthat would not be out of place at RoyalBirkdale or Muirfield, the course hasbeen accorded high billing by GolfWorld, the Peugeot Golf Guide and theMichelin Guide for Golfers. Theycannot all be wrong. CreditAll credit to Faldo for re-creating avisual delight and tactical examinationin the best traditions of the great coastalclassics of Britain.

It follows that Arnold Palmer drewhis inspiration from some of the finestcourses in his homeland. Arnie�s Platzis notable for wide open spaces on thefirst nine with no shortage of waterobstacles.

The second nine have been calledthe most beautiful in Germany, which issaying a lot, and take a gentle direction,meandering through forest and criss-crossing the numerous brooks. As afitting climax, the 18th green is posi-tioned by the elegant and relaxed club-house and restaurant.

Here the tranquillity of theBrandenburg countryside is comple-mented by a superb centre for tennisand sailing; 300 hectares of perfectriding and a private beach on one of thelargest and most beautiful lakes inGermany.

You could fall in love with a placelike this and many people do. After allthe spa has attracted Berlin�s high soci-ety since the turn of the century, notjust for its thermal baths but also for thedelights of the scenery.

It was in January this year that CCAtook over the management of the resort.Little time was lost in coming to therescue of the Ladies German Open.

Cancelled by G&CC Hamberg-Treudelberg due to lack of main spon-sors, it has been taken over by thePalmerston Golf Resort and will goahead on August 17-19. Bad Saarow isalready the venue for the AmateurTeam championship and the seniorsopen this summer on the Faldo course.

The Ladies open, with a total prizemoney of £100,000, is planned for theSilberberg course much to the delightof the German Golf Association as Dr.Wolfgang Scheurer, the president,explained: �We have gone out of ourway to preserve the continuity of theevent and prevent its cancellation.

�For this reason we are very gratefulto the management of the PalmerstonGolf Resort for their commitment atsuch short notice.�Solheim CupThe German Golf Association are alsohoping that the Palmerston will host the2008 Solheim Cup, pitching the bestwomen professionals from Europeagainst the Americans.

The Silberberg, Palmerston�s newestcourse, though shorter than the othertwo, still offers a challenging game foreven the most proficient players.

While the design owes much of itsdeceptively straight forward characterto a combination of broad fairways andlarge areas of semi-rough, the waterhazards are placed in such a way as tomake the golfer think long and hard.The greens further guarantee a gamedemanding the maxim in accuracy.

If length is any reliable indication ofthe difficulty factor in a course, andoften it is not, the Arnold Palmer is thelongest at 6,566m with the Nick Faldoat 6,477m and the Silberberg at 5,956m.The Arnold Palmer, by the way, ranks13th in Golf World�s Top 100 through-out the world.

For those seeking to improve theirgame, the resort has the perfect answerin the Simon Holmes Golf Academy.Well-known through his Sky TV series,Get Your Handicap Down, Holmes is asought after teacher and can countBernhard Langer among his pupils. FacilitiesThe facilities on offer at the academyinclude a 280 metre driving range with100 grass and 15 covered bays pluschipping and putting areas. The profes-sional team also offer individual andgroup lessons.

And apres golf? The resort boasts asuperbly appointed 200 room hotel,dedicated conference hotel and a further63 apartments. The tennis, sailing andriding centres are designed respectivelyby Nick Bolletieri, Axel Schmidt andAlwin Schockemoehle.

The terraced, lakeside restaurant istop of the range and provides theperfect way to end the day either at anyof the sporting attractions or the beautycentre, enjoying the water sports, or justtaking time out on the beach.

But golfers will head for the mainattractions which may be reached byroad, rail, boat and helicopter. Berlin,one of the most exciting capital cities inthe world, beckons.


Fact FileClub: The Palmerston Golf Resort

Parkallee 1D-15526 Bad SaarowGermany

Telephone: (0049) 0336 316 1000Facsimile: (0049) 0336 316 2000Email: [email protected]: www.sporting-club-berlin.de

Golf Directors: Michael Longshaw (pictured right)Pro: Simon Holmes

Course Info: 54-hole Complex + 9-hole AcademyPalmer: Par 72, 7215 yards (Opened 1995)Faldo: Par 72, 7117 yards (Opened 1996)Silberberg: Par 72, 6554 yards (Opened 2001)

Members: 300Green Fee: DM 70-100

Fast climbing the ladder in theleisure industry is Michael Longshaw,who became CCA�s European directorin November 1999 assuming responsi-bility for overall company operations inthat sphere.

Having also recently secured theoperations contract for the PalmerstonGolf Resort in Berlin and the acquisitionand operation of the Monolith FamilyCity Club in Moscow, Longshaw, 46,has now pledged to increase CCA�sportfolio of clubs having successfullymanaged the interests of Brocket Hall inEngland.

Promoted to general manager andthen managing director, Longshaw�stenure at Brocket Hall was an over-whelming success.

In less than three years he increasedturnover from £1m to £7m, breakingeven in year one and generatingsubstantial profits by the end of the thirdyear. He orchestrated the capital devel-opment on the estate, refurbished theclubhouse, establishing the renownedrestaurant Auberge du Lac and devel-oped the highly regarded Palmerstoncourse and new golf academy.

Under his direction the membershipincreased from 174 to 600 and staff from57 to 167 while the number of eventsrose from 30 to over 200 per yearincluding the prestigious Laura DaviesInvitational which was staged in 1999and establishing the club as a champi-onship venue.

Not content to simply enjoy thefruits of his success, Longshaw is nowfocused on expanding CCA�s Europeanportfolio leaving Brocket Hall in thehands of director and general managerAndrew Hepburn.

As one of CCA�s top men, responsi-ble to the proprietor Dieter Klostermann,Longshaw spends three or four days aweek in Berlin.

As we talked he was particularlyenthusiastic about the PalmerstonResort in the Brandenburg countryside.

�It has great potential for the future.The Faldo Course is extremely toughand it will be one of the scalps a goodgolfer will want on his belt. And whatwill be very interesting will be how theprofessionals play it,� he said beforeleaving Berlin to check out otheroptions in Maastricht and Moscow.

With business consuming his inter-est, Longshaw has little time to pursuesporting interests which include sailing,flying - he retains a private pilots�licence - and golf. He says his handicapfluctuates from 24 to 28. Very much asailor, he recently navigated a 42ft boatfrom the Seychelles to South Africa.

But his burning ambition is toreduce his handicap at Brocket Hall.First LoveBut Rugby was Longshaw�s first loveand, as a schoolboy he honed his skills asa flanker and then in the front row. Heplayed for Newbury Stags in Englandbut most of his Rugby was played inSouth Africa where a promising careerwas ended by injury. He represented theSeychelles against Kenya and Zambiaand was then forced to purse the gamefrom the sidelines.

Born in Nairobi, Longshaw�s earlyyears were spent in Kenya, Tanganyika,Uganda and Barbados and this widemulti-cultural experience has played aninvaluable part in the development ofhis career within international hotelmanagement.

After a short time as a physicaleducation instructor, Longshaw enteredthe hotel business. Within nine monthshe became deputy general manager ofBeech Hill Hotel, Windermere beforemoving swiftly on to the Queens Hotel,Dundee where, in 1981, he became theyoungest general manager in TrusthouseForte at only 26.

He moved to London in 1984 asoperations manager at the Waldorf,following which he was appointedgeneral manager of the Skyway Hotelwhere he increased occupancy from 30to 83 per cent in just 18 months.

A move to Forte Crest in St James,formerly The Cavendish, followedbefore he seized the opportunity tomanage the Coccoloba Hotel in Angelain 1992 when he rescued the businessafter Receivers were called in and re-established it as a first class resort.

In 1993, CCA Europe Ltd, impressedby Longshaws tenacity, drive and busi-ness acumen, offered him the post ofdirector. His mandate was to launch theLondon Capital Club, for which heremains responsible and negotiate thepurchase, re-launch and re-opening ofBrocket Hall, Hertfordshire�s statelyhome and the adjoining golf club.

High flyer, mover and shaker,Longshaw is a man to mark and golf isonly one of many strings to his bow. FellowHe is a fellow of the Hospitality andCatering International ManagementAssociation (one of 200 in the UK) butseems condemned to an executive rolethat leaves practically no time toachieving a deep-rooted ambition of thevast majority of golfers - to get thathandicap down.

�THE FALDO COURSE IS EXTREMELY TOUGH AND IT WILL BE ONE OF THE SCALPS A GOOD GOLFER WILL

WANT ON HIS BELT. AND WHAT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING WILL BE HOW THE PROFESSIONALS PLAY IT.�

Winter of Discontent


Before painful memories ofthat winter fade complete-ly, course managers arewise to take a good look at

the issue of irrigation and drainage. Looking back at our own reflections

on the weather over the last few yearsin this magazine alone should tell allbut the most die-hard of optimists thaterratic climate patterns look like beinghere to stay. One construction companyseeded 30 hectares on a golf course inmid-November 1999. It was green amonth later.

Last year, the last seed to go downbefore the rains came in the UK was inmid-September - effectively wiping outtwo months of work.ChallengeThe greatest challenge for greenkeepersacross Europe, therefore, must surelyinvolve arresting control from the heav-ens as far as is humanly possible. Good,reliable irrigation and drainage can notonly make course management far easi-er, but much cheaper, too. And it canalso help satisfy the changing demandsof golf members. "

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UK golf courses have had an interesting time of it weather-wise these last ten months,which has largely thrown up stark irrigation and drainage issues. Looking to help golfclubs across Europe tackle Jekyll and Hyde climates, Rob Wright talks to companies whocan advise on the ideal course of action to take.


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�New builds are coming into matu-rity now, which can make older clubslook shabby,� explained White HorseContractors� managing director, RobertDonald. �And if a course is closedbecause of waterlogged greens whenanother�s still open, members�ll soonjump ship and go where they can playas much as possible.�

Over 55 per cent of White Horse�sconstruction work is in drainage and,with six crews, they claim the title ofthe UK�s largest, specialist sports turfdrainage contractor. Last winterbrought mixed blessings.

�Over the winter, our work force of70 were pretty disgruntled. We try toextend our season by making our equip-ment as light on its feet as possible,because low ground-pressure kitprovides less roughing and disruption.

�But there comes a point when itdoesn�t matter how light you are, youjust can�t work because the ground�stoo wet. Effective trenching becomessimply impossible.�

But there have been some hugebenefits, too. �The weather certainlyconcentrated the minds of managers tothe problems they had with drainage.So now we�re flat out and our staff arepretty motivated and flying. And, keennot to disappoint anyone, we�re work-ing beyond capacity!�

Drainage is simply a means oftaking water from areas of high to lowlevels. Means of transporting that waterare essential and this can be donethrough primary and secondarydrainage schemes.

�Greens chairman are told they candrain courses with gravel banding andsand slits,� said Donald. �Thesesecondary drainage techniques won�tperform a specialist function withoutprimary pipework. Transporting watereffectively must involve pipes.�

So can anything be done in time fornext winter? �Now? It�s almost toolate,� cautioned Donald. �A largescheme is unlikely to get started untilnext spring, which still leaves potentialproblems to face this winter.�

�But phasing an installation is prob-ably a more logical and practical solu-tion, anyway. In year one, mainpipework and drains can go down andowners will immediately see a signifi-cant improvement in drainage. Thiswork can be started now. In year two,augment the system with lateral drains.Then, in year three, intensify the later-als and add secondary drainage.�

In the UK, money is relativelycheap to borrow and so this approachcould have wide appeal. However, withirrigation, the issues are very different.Persistent rainfall lulls greenkeepersinto a false sense of security. PitfallsBut now that the edges of fairways in theUK have been turning brown after a six-week dry spell, the pitfalls of short-termism are clear for everyone to see.

We talked to OCMIS Irrigation -said to be northern Europe�s largestcompany for designing, supplying,installing and servicing irrigationnetworks - and their senior design engi-neer, Robert Davey. As in drainage, theproblems faced now are in completecontrast to last winter.

�In March we were in the depths ofdespair. Now, the weather�s absolutelybone dry and we�re working flat out.But those who haven�t updated ormaintained their irrigation systems arenow panicking.�

Much of OCMIS� irrigation workcurrently involves updating olderschemes. �There�s a huge replacementmarket out there,� continued Davey.

�There are around 2,500 golf cours-es in the UK alone. Most had their irri-gation systems installed in the early70�s using UPVC pipe, glued every sixmetres and with a 25-year shelf life.

�In winter, the clay soil�s soddenand heavy. In summer, it�s drier andlighter. UPVC pipe joints are not greatat absorbing movement, so they crackand the irrigation systems break down.

�But now, advances in pipe technol-ogy are outdating traditional pipes withMDPE [medium-density polyethylene].�

MDPE pipe has a longer-shelf-life,is easier to install, more flexible and thejoints when cured correctly are evenstronger than the pipes themselves.

But that�s not all. A modern, fullfairway irrigation scheme will not onlyeven out the anomalies of localclimates, but also pay for itself veryquickly. PricelessPlus, its residual value can remainpriceless. In hotter parts of Europe,with far drier golfing seasons, there�s ashort window of four hours wherecourses must be irrigated. If for whatev-er reason the system fails to deliver, anentire course can be lost in just one day.

�A good irrigation system is thereforeas much a management tool as green-keeping equipment or greenkeepersthemselves,� explained Davey. And withmajor advances in pump technology, thisclaim is substantiated even further.

Flowtronex is the UK subsidiary ofthe US pump and system suppliers forirrigation schemes. Their managingdirector, George Pflaster agreed withDavey. �Fit an irrigation system with anautomatic pump set and it gives waterwith less wastage whenever needed.

�With the finesse of the controls,pressure, volume and timing can all beactioned by remote control. We canalso measure how many gallons havebeen used and inform the greenkeepervia a pump log.Labour�Greenkeepers therefore end up withless kit and less maintenance concernsand reduce the amount of labour atnight and during the day. Which meansthere�s less people milling around tointerfere with the golfer�s leisure.

�You can also do a lot more fertilis-ing via the irrigation system,� contin-ued Pflaster. �With an automatic chem-ical feed system, everything�s loggedand recorded - including how muchchemicals have been distributed.

�You can even experiment and testwhich cocktail of mixtures work beston your greens, more precisely and a lotquicker than can be done manually.�


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This precision is backed up bydevelopments from companies such asRainBird UK, arguably the world�sbiggest irrigation manufacturer.

�There are lots of different levels ofcontrol systems which are improvingall the time,� explained RainBird�s UKsales manager, Victor Jamieson.

�There�s a radio system whichworks through a handheld computer andallows you to sit at home and stop orstart your irrigation system. A mapcomes up on the handheld, allowing youto control individual sprinklers all overyour course with the touch of a stylus.

�We�ve also developed softwarewhich links the irrigation system to thepump set station and makes changesautomatically. Let�s say that one of thevalves is down at the pump station.

�Normally, the system will begin torun at say, 75 per cent pressure andeventually come to a halt. Now, thesoftware can read what�s happeningand make adjustments, so that the irri-gation continues uninterrupted.�

�Which is essential for more andmore courses - particularly those builtto USGA specification as they�re builton 80-85 per cent sand and so regularwatering is vital if the course is to beideally maintained.

�Even so, it�s still not the norm tohave full fairway irrigation over in theUK,� commented Jamieson. �But if youwant to hold competitions, you needfull fairway irrigation.

�So it�s wise to install irrigation onthe greens, tees and approaches andconsider adding primary irrigation onthe fairways later.Planning�Unfortunately, golf clubs are oftentempted to leave things to the lastminute. Therefore, long-term planningis key.

�We�re going to have a long hotsummer at some stage, so coursesmight as well bite the bullet and get aneffective irrigation system sorted outnow - especially if their existing oneisn�t performing.�

�COURSES MIGHT AS WELL BITE THE BULLET AND GET AN

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ESPECIALLY IF THEIR EXISTING ONE ISN�T PERFORMING.�


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Firm Focus


COMPANY PROFILE

Since its formation in 1992,Barrelfield Golf have built asound reputation as a one-stop golf development

company and golf network. By finding new sites for develop-

ment, managing construction on newand existing courses, putting manage-ment teams in place and helping cours-es maximise their potential withmarketing support and group-buyingbenefits, Barrelfield have created asuccessful operation, now serving 29courses across England.

With the golf network continuingapace, Barrelfield have taken a majorleap in their already impressive ascentby launching a new golf constructioncompany. And what a launch it's been!For their very first self-build project isan extremely prestigious course, aimingto be one of the finest golf sanctuariesin the world.

Cradled in the heart of Surrey'srolling countryside on the edge ofLondon, Queenwood Golf Club isundoubtedly one sizeable feather inBarrelfield Golf Construction's cap.

The development team behind theproject is eyebrow-raising enough,consisting of Fred Green, the namebehind two of America's most widelyacclaimed members-only clubs, EagleSprings Golf Club and Nantucket GolfClub. Like Queenwood, membership atthese award-winning clubs is by invita-tion only.PedigreeIn addition to the owner's pedigree, thearchitect is Scotland's exciting youngcourse designer, David Kidd. His recentOregon Design at Brandon Dunes hasbeen acclaimed as one of the great newgolf courses in the world and thereforelends the promise of Queenwood beingboth an exemplary golfing challenge andvisually breathtaking.

So just how did a fledgling golfconstruction company win such amouthwatering contract?

Melvin Thomas, managing directorof Barrelfield explained that Fred Greenwas looking for a site near London tobuild a course along the lines of his twoworld-class efforts in the US.

Unable to find one, an estate agentreferred him to Barrelfield. �We had toestablish trust,� recalled Thomas, �andour experience as project managers of12 new-build courses in the UK to datehelped us with that.

�To begin with, not only did we findan ideal site, but also negotiated theright price and payment method. We'dalso sourced the architect who hadquickly begun to prove his worth. Andwe'd saved the client a lot of money byestablishing contracts which broughtthe flexibility with fixed fees to get theclient the design they wanted.

�So as our involvement continuedand we kept delivering on our promises,when the time came to pitch for thecontract against other competitivetenders, we'd already proved our abilityand won on merit.�

Leading up to this point, Barrelfieldhad seen the number of contractors inthe industry reducing but saw more andmore talented people becoming avail-able. �We had wanted to expand theconstruction side of things for sometime and Queenwood certainly helpedus to hit the ground running.

�The client is ecstatic about whatwe've done there so I anticipate thatwe'll now be taken very seriously forsome of the higher specced opportuni-ties available abroad and the UK.

�But obviously, we're not just look-ing for Queenwoods. We're old enoughto know a Queenwood won't comealong every week. We'd be foolish ifwe did! So I hope the message we'reputting out is that we're known fordelivering projects on time and tobudget and not marginalising ourselvesexclusively to this type of work.�

Looking to retain their staff andtheir equipment, Barrelfield are current-ly pursuing a strong pipeline ofenquiries. �We have excellent shapersand earth movers so we can work andprice efficiently.

�So prospective clients can restassured that whether it's nine-holeextensions in the north east of Englandor new builds in Europe, we'll pay asmuch attention to budgets and details aswe've done at Queenwood.�

Barrelfield hit theGround Running

Barrelfield Golf 302 Ewell RoadSurbitonSurrey KT6 7AQ

Tel: 020 8390 6566Fax: 020 8390 8830Web: www.barrelfield.co.uk

Breaking New Ground

OPINION


Iguess that I am fortunate havinghad a father who had a passion forgolf, and in my early childhood inthe north-east of England, was

engaged in greenkeeping. As I recall, his greenkeeping in the

main was on the greens at the Countyof Northumberland Bowling Club,rather than on the golf course.

Living close to quite a few courses,and with the family connection, thegame had an increasing influence andinterest for me.

Never a great golfer then, and nobetter now, I have never really sharedmy father�s passions for the playing ofthe game but can but admit to a seriouslove for what I am now privileged topractise in working throughout theworld in the game�s development as anarchitect.AmbitionNot for once in my school andUniversity days, did I have an ambitionto become an architect but, assisting myfather in his golf, sportsground andlandscape construction business I guessit was almost inevitable that I might endup doing what I now do.

In the early seventies, building apublic course under Fred Hawtree�sexpert eye, I learned a lot but soon feltthat there was a significant need toimprove the way I worked and builtcourses - eventually designing them -and a need to understand more aboutthe art and science of my practising.

I took the first trip of UK golf turfpeople to GCSAA in San Antonio,Texas in 1976, and have continued tothis day to take as much a part in educa-tional initiatives - as a pupil and as wellas a teacher - so that I can improve mylot and my performance.

That is one of the primary reasons in1980 that I started the BritishAssociation of Golf Course Constructorsby asking the other major players to joina group to improve the industry, itsknowledge, its standards, its quality.

In that respect BAGCC organisededucation sessions on an annual basis -at Writtle and Myerscough Collegesand at Trinity, Cambridge, bringingtogether such a crucial philosophy.

After all, what is done must bebettered by good teamwork - architect,constructor, irrigator, specialist consul-tants, suppliers, all working in ourclient�s best interests. Sadly BAGCCmembers don�t seem to share thateducational philosophy any more.

Between 1985 and 1990, as chair-man of the National Turfgrass Council,I had the great opportunity to bringpeople and organisations together - golfand other turf - particularly in theeducational arena with the wonderfulhelp of the late John Shildrick, and Ienthused in the challenge.

But the NTC went by the board andwith it, it has always seemed to me achance to build bridges and cementcross industry relationships.

I feel strongly, and have done so formany many years, that golf needs co-ordinating in some way. In GeorgeMcPartlin�s and Fred Hawtree�s day wehad a Golf Development Council. StrategyHow we could have done with its direc-tion and leadership in the late 80�s andearly 90�s to point a way forward for allof us, producing a strategy for us allwithin golf development, when theboom arrived.

Just look at how many projectsfaltered, stuttered, failed, and howmuch discredit they brought to all ofus, and more importantly to the golfindustry!

However, we came through theboom, and the bust, and I can but sayhow satisfying my life has been since in1987 I decided to give up construction,with some design, and look to a careerin golf course architecture.

It has become my passion, myenthusiasm being unbridled in its prac-tice and my intent to study hard, workhard and improve my lot as an archi-tect.High Point Becoming a member of the then BritishAssociation of Golf Course Architectswas a high point in my budding career,and I have been fortunate to have beenable to contribute as a Member ofCouncil and then as president for twoyears, to the development of the profes-sion.

Howard Swan has for the last thirty years been at the forefront of golf development andhas unique knowledge of both the construction and design industries. His practice, whichemploys five architects, is currently working in over sixteen countries world-wide.


BAGCA became BIGCA, then,finally this year after much debate, theEuropean Institute - a move that I muchsupported in widening the representa-tion of the profession to almost 100practitioners throughout Europe. Amove that was, I guess, really a take-over of two continental groups byBIGCA, but, officially a merger.

A move that I can but hope, in thehands of my successors, drive the quali-ty of the profession up, driving thequality of golf course architecture upalso as a consequence.

Just at this moment in the EIGCA�shistory, I am yet to be totally convincedthat we have a stronger professionthroughout Europe because of themerger; I think most of the effort seemsto come from the old BIGCA - maybe italways would have done - and there issome dilution of that effort. Time, andonly time, will tell.

One of the greatest achievements ofthe profession - and credit needs to goto Martin Hawtree for his foresight inthis respect - has been the creation ofthe EIGCA Diploma in Golf CourseArchitecture, and now the Mastersdegree at Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh.

Giving the benefit of knowledge tothose who want to learn, and join theprofession, is a tremendous objective,and I take great pleasure and pride inbeing able to spend time with thestudents.

Today, the challenge of practisingas a golf course architect is a greatlypleasurable one.

Working internationally is a greatlearning experience and wholly enjoy-able. Travelling, meeting other nation-alities, working with them, experienc-ing their cultures, is second to no othermore interesting part of life.

Pioneering as I have done, has beenfun, risky, but greatly rewarding.Having the chance to create and culti-vate those international relationships, iswonderful. It is difficult for me tounderstand why so few of us architects,and that goes for constructors also, donot spread our wings further.

There is no such thing as the UnitedKingdom and Europe. We are part ofEurope. It is one country - differingcustoms and languages - but no borderssave for emotional ones.

I can but commend my colleagues inthe profession who yet don�t step out, todo so. Do some pioneering... fly theflag... if you do it well, it�s worth flying!AdviceOne of the most interesting parts of myprofessional life in recent years, athome and increasingly abroad, has beenthe influx of architectural work at exist-ing clubs and courses. Convincing thecaptain, chairman of the green, thecommittee, the secretary, even thegreenkeeper, that taking professionaldesign advice is far from easy.

However, my experience at the likesof classic courses at home such asRoyal Wimbledon and abroad atHubbelrath, Krefeld and Koln, allGerman Open courses, has lead me tobelieve that more courses will abandon

the amateurism of trying to do it them-selves, and look to us to provide expertadvice in forming a renovation andrestoration programme.FutureTo the future, it would be my earnesthope that I can contribute towards thecontinued expansion of the game, athome and abroad, in the mature andyoung markets.

I hope that such an expansion willsee simple, more economic, moreaffordable golf facilities designed byprofessional architects.

Facilities designed to encouragenew players to the game - ranges,Academies, par 3�s, short courses,enjoyable, playable courses, realistical-ly costed developments, successful onescommercially.

After all, what in heaven�s name dobudding countries, with no golfingtradition, heritage or in fact players,want loads of championship golf cours-es for?

Dare I say it, to satisfy the ego ofthe developer? - to put lots of cash inthe architect�s pocket? ... surely not!HopeIt is my hope that in the years to come,I can see such a way forward,contribute towards it as a professionalarchitect working alongside the R&A,the PGA, The Golf Foundationsthroughout the world to supply just oneor two pieces to the big jigsaw of thedevelopment of this great game of ours.

If I can, and I do, the feeling ofprivilege will continue.

�JUST AT THIS MOMENT IN THE EIGCA�S HISTORY, I AM YET TO BE TOTALLY CONVINCED THAT WE

HAVE A STRONGER PROFESSION THROUGHOUT EUROPE BECAUSE OF THE MERGER�

Portfolio


01480 226800

Dimitri wins Toro student awardDimitri Van Hauwaert from Belgium

has been chosen from an interna-tional line-up of contestants as the

winner of the 2001 Toro studentgolf course architect award. The

annual award scheme is open to allstudents studying on the two-year

Diploma Course in golf course archi-tecture - organised by the EIGCA at

Merrist Wood College.

01797 320636

DED previews Eltron P210DED Limited, Eltron’s elite partner,

will be launching in October theP210 which DED claims is the small-

est, lightest and most economicalcard printer of its class. Designed

for single-sided edge to edge print-ing and capable of producing rich,vibrant colours at a 300dpi resolu-

tion, the P120 is ideal for healthclubs and golf clubs.

01473 270000

Major scoop for E-Z-GOE-Z-GO golf cars has won a substan-tial contract to supply a fleet of 60golf cars to Portal Golf and County

Club in the heart of Cheshire.Replacing the previous Club Car fleet,the contract worth over £200,000 inretail value, provides the golf coursewith a fleet of modern, petrol-driven

buggies ideally suited to thesurrounding countryside.

07000 785036

Signed up for successBurnley Golf Club, Lancashire, and

Woodclass Signs have just completeda joint venture to replace every tee

board on the long established moor-land course. The Greens Committee

decided that Woodclass sandblastedsigns, which are made from Cedarwood, would suitably enhance the

course and the outstanding views itoffers to both members and visitors.

020 8688 5191

Breakthrough in access controlASSA, specialists in high-securitylocking systems has introduced a

series of products based on a newapproach to intelligent access

control technology. Called‘TimeLox’, it is available in four

different formats to accommodatevarying levels of access control and

is designed for use on both singleand multiple-door installations.

01473 270000

Leatherhead’s future is OrangeTextron Golf and Turf has signed a

three-year agreement withLeatherhead Golf Club to exclusivelysupply a range of turf maintenanceequipment from their Jacobsen andRansomes brands. The Surrey club is

in the process of upgrading andimproving the facilities at the

members club that includesinstalling fairway drainage.

01924 897711

Slazenger’s ultimate fit and feelSlazenger Golf has unveiled Select

III, the world’s most luxurious mois-ture-resistant leather glove. Man-

ufactured from Cabretta-ES leather,this remarkable material is treatedwith a hybrid resin, which perme-

ates the leather’s collagen fibres toprevent any hardening due to alka-line perspiration or dry conditions,

mainting the original softness.

01473 270000

The Gateway to Scottish GolfRenowned as the ‘Gateway to

Scottish Golf’, the Roxburghe Hoteland Golf Course has recently signed

an exclusive turf maintenanceequipment agreement with Textron

Golf & Turf through their local deal-er, Scottish Grass Machinery. The

equipment includes a wide range ofmachinery from the Jacobsen Golfbrand including two Iseki tractors.

COURSE CARD

For more than two years the Rain Bird MaxiNimbus computer control system has been theonly Windows operated system for decoders andsatellites in Europe.

Rain Bird Maxi Nimbus systems have beeninstalled on 80 Golf Courses in the UK and Irelandtogether with Rain Bird Eagle sprinklers.

In fact more than 200 Rain Bird Nimbus systemshave been installed in Europe alone.

All Rain BIrd systems are installed and maintainedby highly experieced contractors, with technicalsupport and backup provided direct from RainBird.

Future installations at golf courses currentlyunder development include Queenwood,Wychwood Park, St Andrews Bay Development,Doonbeg, Southern Gails and The Grove all duefor completion later this year.

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FRONT NINEAldeburgh GCBallybunion GC (Old & Cashen)The Belfry (Brabazon, PGA & Derby)Burhill GC (Old & New)Celtic Manor GC (Wentwood Hills)Foxhills GC (Longcross & Bernard Hunt)Forest of Arden Hotel G&C ClubGleneagles Hotel (King & Queen�s)Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers

BACK NINEFota Island GCLahinch GCRichmond GCRoyal Wimbledon GCSunningdale GC (Old & New)St George�s Hill GCThe Royal St George�s GCWest Lancs GCWoburn GC (Marquess)

If you want a reliable irrigation system that has proven itself follow the course leader

Rain Bird Europe S.A.R.L.535, Rue Georges ClaudeB.P. 72000Aix-en-Provence, Cedex 3FRANCEPhone: (33) 4 42 24 44 61Fax: (33) 4 42 24 24 72

Rain Bird U.K. SalesPhone: 01273 891326

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Rain Bird U.K. Field ServicePhone: 0121 3581883

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GOLF IRRIGATION

gmé | issuu 19

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