these Open Championship Clubs choose to relief grind - Pitchcare

Augusta National
levels of cricketers and rugby players are
a lot higher and any pitch imperfections
are soon forgotten when the beer flows.
One difference between preparing
cricket wickets and producing putting
surfaces is that groundsmen spend the
summer compacting pitches by constant
rolling to generate controlled bounce
but, the moment the season ends,
vigorous aeration to break up the
compaction is required to let air into
the soil so that the cycle can start again
in the spring.
No doubt sophisticated machinery has
made that task simpler, too.
In January’s Greenkeeper International
Magazine, David Golding, GTC’s
Education Director, makes the good
point that campaigning “for new
Tel: 0845 026 0064
www.jsmd.co.uk
Outstanding Top Dressing
and Grooming Brush
Completely fills aeration holes in 2-3 passes
Use up to 25% less sand
Use to groom greens to remove grain
Increase putting speed
Promotes healthier denser turf
equipment, materials and staff isn’t easy
at the best of times, but all of these
skills can be gained through training,
and a well presented case can engage an
employer, especially when they see
projected benefits from the proposals”.
This brings me back, conveniently, to
communication and the fact that the
former generations of head greenkeeper
wouldn’t recognise the role of his
successor, and the current reliance on
computers, paper work, spread sheets,
smart phones, never mind the armoury
of shiny machinery. Greenkeeping used
to be an escape to the golf course where
nobody could bother them, but now
anybody can be called up in an instant.
As far as I know, guidelines on mobile
phones are not included in any
Golf
“Augusta has been
something of a
distraction to those who
believe you can grow
azaleas, dogwood and
magnolia on a links”
education package, but let me end with
a relevant tale that may strike a chord
and is a lesson in itself. It concerned the
golfer, who related;
“My boss phoned me today”. He said,
“Is everything OK at the office?”
I said, “Yes, it’s all under control. It’s
been a busy day. I haven’t stopped for a
minute”.
“Can you do me a favour?” he asked.
I said, “Of course, anything, what is
it?”
He said, “Hurry up and take your
shot, I’m right behind you on the 8th
tee”.
For further information on the
Greenkeepers Training Committee visit
www.the-gtc.co.uk
All these Open Championship
Clubs choose to relief grind
with a Hunter precision grinder:
St Andrews • Carnoustie
Turnberry • Troon • Muirfield
Royal Liverpool • Royal St Georges
Royal Lytham St Annes
Tel: +44 (0)1462 683031 www.huntergrinders.com
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 PC 45