I recently took the opportunity to attend the Midlands Parks Forum Annual Conference at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Cannon Hill, Park Birmingham. 

Cannon Hill Park is one of Birmingham’s premier Parks. It’s a park I remember fondly, having worked there as a propagator in the 1980s and as a member of the decorating team who had the opportunity to work at the Chelsea Flower Show. I am proud of the impressive record Birmingham City Council have with well over thirty Chelsea Gold medals for their floral decorations exhibited at the show during the last forty years. 

Cannon Hill Park 

The park was originally donated to the citizens of Birmingham by Louisa Ryland. Cannon Hill Park was opened to visitors in 1873, and was designed by TJ Gibson, who also designed Battersea Park in London. Louisa Ryland hoped the park would help the people of Birmingham enjoy their recreation and keep healthy, a legacy that is still going strong.

The park itself includes 80 acres of formal parks, as well as 120 acres of conservation and woodland. It’s a brilliant place to enjoy a walk, run or cycle, or just to sit and relax. There’s also a natural amphitheatre with a beautiful, listed bandstand at its centre.

The day’s conference attracted over 100 delegates representing over 60 different local authorities and organisations that included Green Flag, RSPB, Historic England and National Trust. The conference was sponsored by ProLudic, a designer of play and sports areas. 

Liz Suffins, chair of MPF

We were welcomed by the Chair of the Midlands Parks Forum, Liz Stuffins and Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet member for the Environment, Birmingham City Council. The voice of parks in the Midlands - Home - Midlands Parks Forum

The conference offered a fantastic programme of speakers, beginning with a presentation by Clare Warburton, principal advisor for green infrastructure at Natural England. She began by saying how the recent pandemic had shown how important nature is to our health and wellbeing, but also how many people do not have access to high quality green spaces close to home. 

Clare Warburton

And with that in mind she then went on to clarify the importance of the recently published Environment Act 2021 and the role of the Green Infrastructure Framework that is being promoted by Natural England that will be the catalyst for change in the way local authorities can promote the true value of our green and public open spaces. 

Dr Nicola Dempsey

Next up was Dr Nicola Dempsey senior lecturer / director of Graduate Research at Sheffield University, who gave a fascinating talk on place keeping. 
Place-keeping refers to the long-term management of public and private open spaces, from around Europe and the rest of the world. There has long been a focus in urban landscape planning and urban design on the creation of high-quality public spaces, or place-making. This is supported by a growing body of research which shows how high-quality public spaces are economically and socially beneficial for local communities and contribute positively to residents’ quality of life and wellbeing. 

She gave several examples of the merits of this work along with mentioning one of the most controversial ones that involved the poor communication by the council regarding the felling of hundreds of street trees in Sheffield in 2020.

However, the key message was something the industry has been concerned about for many years, the fact that finding capitol monies to build a new facility is the easy bit – it’s generally finding the money for ongoing maintenance that becomes the biggest problem. 

Most partnerships focus on place-making – the creating, the regenerating, the physical changes to a place. But what happens afterwards? Who maintains and manages the place once it’s ‘finished’? Who looks after it for the long term? Do partnerships stay interested? Too often, places fall into disrepair through neglect and poor management because place-keeping doesn’t happen. Place-keeping activities fall into two broad categories. FACILITATING place-keeping (campaigning, awareness raising, developing green space strategies) and DELIVERING place-keeping (ongoing maintenance, organising events, fundraising). Partnerships that work well have a shared vision, clear objectives and share resources. 

Next up was Nick Grayson, Green City manager at Birmingham City Council; part-time Senior Research Fellow at University of Birmingham, and Advisor to the Future Parks Accelerator - ‘Naturally Birmingham’ 

Birmingham is one of several Biophilic Cities that acknowledges the importance of daily contact with nature as an element of a meaningful urban life, as well as the ethical responsibility that cities must conserve global nature as shared habitat for non-human life and people. 

Nick gave us an update on the work Birmingham were doing to bring about a cultural change in the way the council manages its urban landscape with the aim of different departments coming together to deliver the new required services to improve the life and experiences of all those who live and work in Birmingham. 

The Birmingham Future Parks Standard then aims to ensure that each site in council ownership would reach the entry level requirement for Green Flag with each criteria gaining 4 points or above.

With over 600 such sites in Birmingham, the City of Nature Plan, allows for a 25-year timeframe; but clearly starting with those in greatest need. For this solution to work it requires the council to recognise an integrated solution; namely that the parks service alone, will not be responsible for delivering all the proposed activities or engagements. This is where and how the Birmingham Fair Standard represents a change-model and not just a bolt-on audit tool.

For me, one of the most interesting presentations was given by Sean Flecher, chief officer Leeds City Council, who I have known for many years. Back in the early 1990s when I was parks manager for Telford & Wrekin Council, I used to travel up to Leeds to buy our annual bedding plants from Leeds Council Nursery, that at the time was being managed by Sean. 

Sean Flesher, chief officer Leeds City Council

Over the years I have seen Sean’s career prosper and develop into the successful role he now holds as chief officer. He transformed the fortunes of the council when he came up with the idea of improving the income generation ilof some of their prime open space assets.

In 2010/ 11 the Council’s Parks and Countryside department had trading figures of gross expenditure of £28 million, income of £14 million and net costs of £14 million. Compare that to the most recent 2022/23 figures of gross expenditure £36 million, income £28 million and net cost £8 million - a tremendous improvement in what the council are now earning from their own assets.  Over the years they have built on the success of these financial models and are continuing to invest in the potential of their public open spaces. 

Three of their most popular sites are:

• Tropical World
• Lotherton Estate
• The Arium - a brand new nursery and café complex that grows and sells its own plants, trees and shrubs

The final speaker of the morning was Sarah Allen, education and engagement officer for Historic Coventry Trust, who gave an insight into their work.

Leeds Council, workshop 

After a fine lunch we then had the opportunity to attend some afternoon workshops, led by some of the morning speakers that allowed attendees to find out more about the topics covered in the morning sessions. 

Q&A panel 

The day was rounded off by a Q&A session with a panel of speakers responding to questions from the audience. All in all, it was an informative day with plenty of opportunity for networking for those attending the conference. A big thank you to Liz Stuffins and her team for putting on a splendid conference. 

There were many positives I heard during the day in relation to how local authorities are changing their mindset to the current issues and problems they have been facing for decades. It is indeed a time for a revolution in how we manage these unique and priceless landscape assets of ours. 

Now is the moment for all local authority departments to start working together even more closely to achieve these new initiatives and hopefully secure the adequate funding to fulfil the needs and expectations of their communities in the years to come.

Robotic line marking company, Turf Tank, has teamed up with Scotland-based universities to support this month’s annual moustache-starring campaign for  men's health charity, Movember. 

 
Scotland-based universities, Heriot-Watt, and Strathclyde, who are existing Movember Ambassadors, both allowed Turf Tank, an autonomous line marking robot company, to paint its iconic mo across its very own sports fields. 

Now in its 19th year, Movember is encouraging its Mo Bros around the UK to band together to bravely sacrifice their upper lips in support of men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. 

Movember’s country director for UK and Europe, Anne-Cecile Berthier, said, “It’s a real pleasure to have received support from Turf Tank, Herriot-Watt, and Strathclyde University this year as we’ve been able to continue to raise awareness for men’s health in a way we’ve never once done before. 

“Being able to replicate our moustache on such a large scale really does help to amplify our message - men are dying too young. Support like this we admire as it helps us to spread the message far and wide, so together, we can change the face of men’s health.” 

According to a recent report released by the men’s health charity, in the UK, 3 out of 4 suicides are by men. 1 in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and testicular cancer continues to be the most diagnosed cancer in young men. 

To date, Movember has welcomed six million supporters and helped fund 1,250 innovative health projects across twenty countries.

Campey Turf Care Systems celebrated Ian Pogson’ - affectionately known within the industry as Poggy - 80th birthday on their stand at SALTEX recently.

Poggy with Richard Campey at SALTEX

Ian has been a valued member of the Campey team for over 15 years, first as product specialist for the Southern UK and Ireland regions, then taking on an ambassadorial role in 2017. Campeys say he has proved an invaluable asset, attending seminars, open days, exhibitions, and training days, using his extensive knowledge of product and the sports turf industry to greatest effect.

Ian says he doesn't intend to step back, saying, “First I intend to travel with my wife Christine for a holiday and then I will continue to be available to Campeys as long as they see fit to require my services.

"Any spare time I can find will be spent enjoying the great outdoors walking with my daughter’s beautiful golden Labrador, having fun with the grandchildren, although the eldest is already 19 and an apprentice PGA Professional golfer, and of course gardening under instruction from Christine.”

Richard Campey, Chairman of Campey Turf Care presented Ian with a celebratory gift at the show, saying, “Congratulations to Poggy on his 80th birthday. We are pleased to mark this occasion at an industry event, which is completely appropriate as he is part of the fabric of our company. Long may it continue!”

Boss ORV, the UK distributor of Corvus Off-Road Vehicles has announced a new partnership with Godstone All Terrain Ltd.

L-R: Karen Olsson and Nikki Gunner of Godstone’s and Phil Everett MD of Boss ORV

Established in 2020 Godstone's customer base is in the south east of England covering the broad area of Surrey, Sussex and Kent with a showroom in South Godstone, Surrey, 15 minutes from Junction 6 of the M25. They offer an extensive range of 2wd and 4wd quad bikes and utility vehicles for farm and off-road use, now also offering the Corvus Terrain UTVs, road legal 2wd and 4x4 utility vehicles. 

In addition to sales, Godstone has fully equipped onsite workshop facilities with a team of trained and experienced technicians. 

“We now have Corvus coverage and expert support in the Surrey and Sussex areas,” said Boss managing director, Phil Everett, “and extend a big welcome to Graham, Karen, Nikki, David and all the team at Godstone All Terrain Limited. We all look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership.”   

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) say they are continuing to grow their Can-Am off-road dealer network with the appointment of Cowan Bros NI Ltd in Northern Ireland.

The manufacturer says the new addition is part of their ongoing expansion plans to increase their share of the utility market.

Cowan Bros, a family-run business with over 50 years’ experience in the construction and agricultural sectors, will be adding the Can-Am off-road line-up to the products sold at its two depots based at Mallusk (Co.Antrim) and Eglinton (Londonderry). The agreement will enable the business to meet the growing demand for utility ATVs and SSVs in the sectors in which its customer base works. At each depot there is a dedicated team on hand to help new and existing customers find the right ATV or SSV for the job at hand.

David Cowan, director, Cowan Bros NI Ltd, says, “We viewed the Can-Am brand at several shows we attended and were impressed with what we saw. We did our own research and saw that the ATVs and SSVs were premium products and met a need for our customer base, so we decided to add the line-up to our portfolio. The teams at both our depots are looking forward to working with Mike and the rest of the Can-Am off-road team as they open up new avenues of sales for the business.”

Major Equipment International have welcomed Wildwood Machinery as the newest member of their dealer family.

They will represent the Major brand of professional groundscare machinery across Dorset and South West Hampshire. This includes the Contoura golf and sports mower, plus the Swift line of roller mowers, flail collectors, and deck mowers.

The East Horton business is managed by turf care professionals with over 50 years of combined experience with clients in golf course, sports clubs and amenity.  Founder, James Bastian, said, “My years overseeing East Horton Golf Club ensure that I understand precisely what turf-care customers require from a machinery servicing, repairs and sales partner."

A Major spokesperson added, "Their commitment to sales and after-sales service aligns with the values of reliability, performance and efficiency that we stand for here at. We look forward to working together and growing the business in the region."

DONT LEAF IT TOO LATE!

REWILD THING

ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE IS KEY

ROLE OF THE CONSULTANT

RENOVATION TIME

RECRUITMENT WOES

A COG IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

BOWLS IN DECLINE

BONE-HARD PITCHES!

TIME TO RECRUIT

HOT & BOTHERED

FAKE NEWS

PARKS MUST BE A STATUTORY SERVICE

WORKING PRESSURES INCREASING

CURRENT STATE OF PARKS SERVICES

HOT STUFF

GET CONNECTED

A GROWING NATIONAL REPUTATION

NEW BEGINNINGS

SUMMER SPORTING SEASON STARTS

CALCULATING THE VALUE

IRRIGATION IS VITAL

WEEDS FLOURISHING

TREE PLANTING INNOVATIONS

END OF SEASON RENOVATIONS TIME

PARK AND RIDE

IT'S NOT THE LENGTH THAT MATTERS . . .

NO EXCUSES FOR POOR FACILITY MANAGEMENT

SPRING INTO ACTION

SUN SHINES ON BTME

BRIGHT START

INDUSTRY INITIATIVE LAUNCHED

TESTING TIME

TIME TO PAY UP

DON'T PANIC!

ALL APSE-PECTS DISCUSSED

WINTER WARMING

THE BANE OF BUNKERS

POOR PERFORMANCE? BLAME THE PITCH!

PREPARING FOR 2022's GROWING SEASON

THREE AREAS OF CONTENTION

AREAS OF CONCERN

View all of 2021's blogs here

View all of 2020's blogs here

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

As a former greenkeeper myself, I know only too well the up and downs, the life changing experiences and the challenges you face while working as a practicing greenkeeper.

A recent conversation with Bruce Cruickshank, a well-respected golf course manager who has spent most of his working career caring for several golf courses, allowed me to hear of his experiences of taking on a new challenge at Hamilton Golf Club.

Aerial photo of Hamilton GC 

Where did you work prior to taking the Hamilton job?

I started my career at Falkirk Carmuirs, Stirlingshire as an apprentice earning £40 per week. I then progressed to Hartsbourne Golf and Country Club, Hertfordshire to finish my apprenticeship, where I spent time learning the basics of greenkeeping and working towards a more senior post.

I subsequently moved to Saunton Golf in Devon as first assistant. After a couple of years I then got my first head greenkeeper position at Crail Golfing Society in Fife.

After a challenging five years, I moved to The Nevill in Royal Tunbridge Wells as course manager. This soon led to a further opportunity when I was headhunted to take on the role of course manager at The Roxburghe in the Borders where I was responsible for the grow-in. I was also responsible for preparing the course for a series of televised events, including five European tours.

After 14 years at the Roxburghe, I felt a new challenge was needed and moved to Hamilton  where I took on a long list of jobs to bring the golf course back into a playable condition.

Bruce Cruickshank 

What type of course is Hamilton and what issues have you faced?

A feature of the original layout of the course is the number of bunkers that were clay lined. We have started a bunker programme to reposition, reshape and install drainage, with the greenside being lined with capillary concrete. The fairway bunkers will be completed over the next two winters. 

The championship standard course is a mature parkland design, framed by over twenty species of trees, and measures over 6,600 yards from the back tees. The condition of the course was not great when I joined. The greens were soft and the irrigation system was a 1970s Cameron where the glued joints were leaking to the extent we did not know what was a drainage or irrigation issue. The machinery was rented and 8 - 10 years old, which mean it was constantly breaking down. 

All the greens are soil push-up and, with the course lying on a very heavy boulder clay, up to 30 metres deep in places. They would often become waterlogged after heavy spells of rain and, therefore, unplayable.

One of my first tasks was to take soil samples to see exactly what each green was sat on. Once we knew what we were dealing with, we set to work on improving the greens and work began in earnest after a new irrigation system was installed. All the greens had new drains installed and we attacked the organic matter using the GKD sand filler and improved the secondary drainage with the Imants SandCat.

The results were dramatic. We have gone from greens that you could hardly walk on to ones that are very firm.

As for staff, I have seven people including assistant course manager, Brian Scott, senior greenkeeper Martin Scott, Ggreenkeepers Iain Douglas and Conner Falconer, and apprentices James Brown, Aidan Dunne and James Mcfarlane. All of the staff have worked with me from apprenticeship level.

Evening sunshine at Hamilton GC

What is your typical work regime?
 
 We usually arrive at 5.30 for a 5.45 start. The greens are cut daily at 4mm and rolled three times per week. Fairways are cut three times and tees and aprons twice. Bunkers are raked three times and the holes moved three times. Semi rough is ongoing all week. Wednesday afternoons are kept for maintenance checks. Thatchaways from Greentek are used twice monthly to aid control of organic matter.

Cutting heights on the greens are 3.5-4mm in the summer and between 6-7mm in the winter, cutting twice a day using Jacobsen G-Plex triple mowers. 
I like to topdress the greens heavily in the autumn and spring and allow the grass to grow through then lightly in the summer just to improve the surface. I aim to get around 120 tonnes of material onto the greens each year.

Aeration is carried out once a month to greens, tees and fairways. We have a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi solid tine aerator that is in constant use throughout the autumn and winter. We use ¾" Hamilton VertiDrain solid tines on the fairways and ½" tines on greens and tees. We've also got a Toro ProCore which is used on the greens and tees. We also sarrel roll the greens on a regular basis.

Tees and surrounds are cut at 9mm all year round. Fairways at 12mm and the rough is maintained at 50mm. Our fertiliser programmes consist of a combination of granular and liquid formulations at the start of the growing season.

Hamilton greenkeeping staff 

What machinery have you introduced at the club since you started?

We had quotes in from Ransome Jacobsen, John Deere and Toro. After deliberation and discussion with the various parties, we felt that the best quote, backup and value for money was Ransome Jacobsen - who through Fairways GM, the club has had a relationship with for 12 years with no issues. 

A new Toro irrigation system, updating the old Cameron system was installed in 2017 and has helped us produce better playing surfaces.

I also introduced a full PrimoMaxx programme to our greens, tees and bunker surrounds. This has helped reduce cutting time spent on bunker faces which, in the past, had to be cut on a weekly basis. Now, they are only cut once a month which saves time and labour and frees up the staff for other tasks.

What’s next for you?

Now after 13 years working at Hamilton I have finally decided to move on and have a complete career change. I have offered my services to teach and encourage the next generation of greenkeepers to come into our industry. 

I have recently taken up a post at East Durham College enabling me to become a lecturer and trainer in horticulture and greenkeeping.

Our industry is going through a lot of turmoil in attracting and retaining greenkeepers. Pay and often working conditions are poor compared to other industry sectors. It seems youngsters today do not want to work unsociable hours and expect better prospects and pay.

You can earn more money driving a white van or working at McDonalds! However,  we need to change the mindset of these youngsters and show them the real benefits of working in this unique industry. My own working career clearly shows the opportunities that can be had if you dedicate yourself and are willing to move around. 

However, having said all that, I do really think it is about time golf clubs and industry governing bodies work together to ensure their most valued staff, the greenkeeping team, get the recognition, pay and conditions they deserve for maintaining these very diverse and unique golf courses up and down the country.