Greenside APR 2015 Low Res

Greenside News
Earth Day Program for
Golf Courses
Environmental nonprofit Audubon International is excited
to introduce the first global Golf Course BioBlitz, a free
programme for golf courses, which will run the week of
Earth Day, April 19-25, 2015.
BioBlitz is a species counting competition designed to create
awareness among golfers and the community about the
environmental value of the habitats supported by golf courses.
The program, sponsored by the United States Golf Association, is
open to any golf course worldwide including those unaffiliated with
Audubon International.
“How many species can you count? When we’re done, we’ll have
a great idea about the wildlife, plant-life, and ecosystems that golf
courses support around the globe,” said Doug Bechtel, executive
director of Audubon International. “A BioBlitz is also a great way for
golf courses to bring naturalists and families out to see the natural
beauty golf courses provide in their towns.”
A golf course may invite any number of participants such
as golfers and their families, local environmental
organizations, youth groups, community members,
and local experts to count plant and animal
species located on the property. Awards
will be given in the categories of Most
Species, Most Participants, and Best
Photo. Following BioBlitz, Audubon
International will compile the lists of plant
and animal species recorded and report on
the findings.
To register for BioBlitz 2015 and receive your
free toolkit, please email Tara Pepperman at tara@
auduboninternational.org The deadline to register is April 17th.
Keep Safety in Mind
Golf courses and farms are quite often seen
as opposite ends of the agri/hort industry,
particularly when it comes to maintenance.
However, one thing that is common to both sectors is the
use of machinery and the dangers that come with them
such as unguarded parts on tractors. 2014 saw the highest
number of deaths on farms in decades and farmers are being urged
to be careful this year, after thirty people died on Ireland’s farms last
year, including three children under the age of 16 and nine over 65.
This figure is an 87% increase on 2013 when sixteen people died on
farms. 55% of all work related deaths in 2014 occurred on farms.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) figures show that 55 people
were killed in work-related accidents in 2014, compared to 47
fatalities reported the previous year.
Martin O’Halloran of the HSA said that the figure is far above
what is usually seen. “It’s about one and a half times of what we
Tragedy at Celtic Manor
- ‘A Stark Reminder’
Ollie Floyd, a 20-year old operator for Complete Weed
Control, died after his vehicle rolled into a lake on the
Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor on 3rd March last.
On behalf of the Company
a spokesman said, “It
is with great regret
that we can confirm one of
our operatives, Ollie Floyd,
died at the Celtic Manor
Resort,Wales, following an
incident which saw a spraying
vehicle roll into a lake on the
Twenty Ten Course.
“The incident is clearly
The late Ollie Floyd
subject to an on-going
investigation which Complete Weed Control and Celtic Manor
are co-operating with fully. Our thoughts are with the family at
this extremely sad and very difficult time. A further statement
will be issued in due course.”
Jim Croxton, CEO of The British and International Golf
Greenkeepers Association, said, “Everyone at BIGGA was
shocked to hear of the tragic accident and our thoughts go
out to all of Ollie’s family, friends and colleagues as well as all
those at Celtic Manor who will be so profoundly affected by
the incident. The greenkeeping industry is very close knit so a
loss like this is felt very keenly across the board.”
“Coming only just over a year since a similarly tragic
accident at Hinckley Golf Club this serves as a stark reminder
that there are risks involved in working with machinery and
Mother Nature. Golf courses are beautiful environments in
which to work but we must make every effort to ensure they
are safe environments also, for greenkeepers and golfers alike.
“The duty of care for our employees and customers must be
our primary concern and we must all devote both the time and
the resources to keep it so.”
expect to see. Most times they’re foreseeable and preventable. We’re
asking farmers to make a resolution to act safely in 2015 and take
the time to check their machinery.”
He added that uncovered parts on tractors, unguarded slurry
pits and the carrying of children unrestrained in machines were
particular worries. “Any fatality on a farm is unacceptable. The
majority of farmers work safely, so there is nothing to fear for
farmers who work safely.”
These words of warning should equally be applied to those working
in the sportsturf sector.
Embrace FARM, in response to the dramatic increase in farm
accidents and fatalities, embarked on a farm safety awareness
programme that has commenced with the launch of a video
campaign ‘What’s Left Behind’, kindly supported by ABP Food
Group, in which it tells, through personal testimony, the harrowing
legacy of farm accidents. Embrace FARM was founded by Brian
Rohan and his wife Norma, a farming family from Shanahoe, Co.
Laois, in 2014 to provide a bereavement support group for farm
families who, like them, have lost a loved one or, indeed, suffered
serious injury in a farming accident.
www.gcsai.org
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