E&S Sportsground Contractors/Kestral Golf Ltd held a footballtournament at Motspur Parkrecently for greenkeepers,groundsmen and trade.

The London English teamendued up victorious which wasparticularly disappointing to theLondon Scottish team who had tosit and watch Scotland's unlucky

Contributing Golf ClubsAshton-in-Makerfield GCBanchory GCBeaconsfield GCBedale GCBingley St Ives GCBirchwood GCBishops Stortford GCBlackmoor GCBrancepeth Castle GCBristol & Clifton GCBromborough GCBungay & WaveneyValley GCCardigan GCChestfield GCChildwall GCChipping Norton GCChorlton-Cum-HardyGCChurston GCClitheroe GCConwyGCCooden Beach GCCoombe Hill GCCoombe Wood GC

Copt Heath GCCoventry Hearsall GCCoxmoor GCCrompton &Royton GCDore & Totley GCDunfermline GCEdenmore GCEnfield GCFlamborough Head GCGlenbervie GCGoodwood GCHabberley GCHaggs Castle GCHalifax GCHaltwhistle GCHam Manor GCHampstead GCHandsworth GCHankley Common GCHaywards Heath GCHenley GCHindhead GCIpswich GCKilmarnock (BarassielGC

defeat to Brazil in the World Cuplater in the day.

Richard Veitch, ManagingDirector of Kestral Golf Ltd, pre-sented George Barr, of BIGGA'sBoard of Management, with acheque for £500 towards theAssociation's Building Fund. E&Swill also present a cheque for £250to the lOG's Education Funds.

Kirby Muxloe GCKnowle GCLincoln GCLittle Aston GCLoch Lomond GCLongniddry GCMalone GCManchester GCMasham GCMerrist Wood GCMoor Hall GCMoortown GCMoray GCMullion GCMurrayfield GCNairn GCNormanby Hall GCNorth Hants GCNorth Oxford GCNorth Wilts GCNorthenden GCPollok GCPotters Bar GCPurley Downs GCPyle and Kenfig GCRanfurly Castle GC

Ravelston GCRavensworth GCRoehampton GCRoyal Birkdale GCRoyal Burgess GolfSocietyRoyal Cinque Ports GCRoyal Guernsey GCRoyal Liverpool GCRoyal Porthcawl GCRoyal Portrush GCRoyal St Georges GCRoyal West Norfolk GCRoyal Wimbledon GCSandy Lodge GCScarcroft GCSeacroft GCSedbergh GCSherwood Forest GCSitwell Park GCSonning GCSt AndrewsSt Bees GCStand GCStanmore GCSundridge Park GC

Sunningdale GCSutton Coldfield GCSwinley Forest GCTain GCTandridge GCTemple GCTenby Golf GCTenterden GCThe Wisley GCThorpeness GCTidworth Garrison GCTulliallan GCTynemouth GCTyrrells Wood GCUttoxeter GCWakefield GCWalmleyGCWalton Heath GCWest Byfleet GCWhitley Bay GCWhittington Heath GCWoburn G&CCWorcestershire GCWorksop GCYork GC

Opening of Nicklaus-designed courseMaster Greenkeeper Andy

Campbell had his hands full onthe Monday of Open week withthe opening of the new Jack andSteve Nicklaus designed course atCarden Park Hotel, Golf Resortand Spa, near Chester.

Course Manager Andy had tocope with a 3000 strong gallerywho had come to watch the inau-gural match between the greatman Jack Nicklaus himself andformer Masters Champion andEuropean number one, IanWoosnam.

Nicklaus has previously with-drawn from The OpenChampionship - the first time hehad missed it for since 1961- butwas desperate to fulfil his com-mitment to Carden Parle

He flew into the UK on themorning of the opening and,despite obvious discomfort,thrilled the galleries with a com-mentary and description of thematch and the magnificent newcourse.

Caddying for the big two whereWoosnam's Welsh World Cup ofGolf winning partner, DavidLlewelyn, who carried Nicklaus'bag and Ian Botham who tottedthe Woosnam bag.

Carden Park now boasts 192room hotel, 45 holes, a JackNicklaus Golf School and ahealth spa with swimming pool,gymnasium, aerobic studio, ten-nis course, and mountain biketrails.

Carden Park, built by KestralGolf Ltd, has also recently takendelivery of £300,000 worth ofJohn Deere equipment.

From theChairman'sdesk ...

It is with great regret that due toa lack of support the NationalTournament for 1998 has had tobe cancelled.

This is certainly no reflection onScotts, who in partnership withBIGGA staff, were preparing awonderful event at a superb venuebut is purely down to the lack ofsupport from BIGGA members.

However from this major disap-pointment comes the opportunityfor us to bring this event into the21 st century and this we intend todo for 1999.

Details will be announced in thenear future.

May I say again how grateful wewere for the support so willinglyprovided by both Scotts and theLetham Grange Resort who wereso understanding of the circum-stances which prevailed.

I would like to stress that anyBIGGA event can only be success-ful with the support of its mem-bers and in this regard, members'views are always welcome.

Gordon Child.

Stateside linkfor MerristWood CollegeMerrist Wood College, in con-junction with Grass RootsTrading Company and AmenitySolutions Ltd, has created alibrary based computer link toMichigan State University's"Turfgrass Information File".Access will be available to allcommercial greenkeepers orturf managers as well as stu-dents at Merrist Wood."We do not have a restrictedaccess policy at Merrist Wood.We want to encourage theindustry to come in to the col-lege to look at and use ourextensive facilities," saidSenior Lecture in TurfAgronomy, David Rhodes.The computer link allows read-ers to source or research infor-mation about all aspects of theturf world. Entering a key wordwill produce a bibliography orabstract list of all publishedwork that makes reference toa chosen subject area. A fullcopy can then be printed off."I have been extremelyimpressed with Merrist Wood'sfacilities and their commitmentto the future of turf grasstraining in the UK," said GrassHoots Managing Director,Jamie Bennett.

August 1998 Greenkeeper International 7

,.s5'STANT GREEN~- Profile

Usually the spotlight falls onthe Course Manager or Head

Greenkeeper at a Club.Now it is the turn of those

whose work often goesunheralded to star.

Name: Ben Whelton

Club: Menist Wood GC

Position: AssistantGreenkeeper /InigationTechnician

Age: 21

1. How long have you beena greenkeeper?Four years

2. What education are youcurrently undertaking?NVQ Level 3 and the BTLIACertificate in Turf lnigation

3. Which one task do youmost enjoy doing?Cutting Fairways

4. Which one task do youmost dislike doing?Cleaning Sludge traps

5. What job other thangreenkeeping might youhave ended up doing?Always wanted to work on turf

6. Who has been the biggestinfluence on your career?10m Smith, Head Greenkeeperat Menist Wood

7. What would you do toimprove the life of a green-keeper?A more understanding and clos-er relationship between green-keepers and members

8. What are your hobbies?Watching Chelsea and playinggolf

9. What do you get out ofBIGGA?A good monthly magazine andan excellent show in BTME

10. What do you hope to bedoing in 10 years time?Course Manager or HeadGreenkeeper at a high profilecourse

8 Greenkeeper International August 1998

Hayter'S enduring Harrier rearroller lawnmower has been voted"Product of the Decade" by read-ers of Lawn & GardenEquipment.

The poll, which was commis-sioned by the magazine to cele-brate its tenth anniversary,resulted in a clear win for a prod-uct that first entered the marketin 1970.

Now in its fourth form, theHarrier was the trail-blazer ofrotary mowers that make stripes.With thousands of satisfied andloyal users over the past 28years, this accolade is a fittingtribute to the machine's place in

BIGGA support grouThe Midland Region has set up

a support group on a trial basis.Because of the many factorsinvolved in forming such a pro-ject, it was thought advisable tobegin with a trial which wouldserve as a learning time, allowingus to assess demand and costsbefore embarking upon furthertraining for support group (mem-bers) for other regions.

"The formation of this projectcomes from the many concerns wehave about the high percentage ofgreenkeepers who are sufferingfrom stress as a result of pressureat work. This often has a knock-on effect, leading to more seriousillness, thus affectin~ families andalso places of work, said BIGGA

Past Chairman Paddy McCarron."We are also aware that the

demands on today's greenkeepersare many and varied and ever-increasing with all-year-roundgolf. People's expectations attimes are too high for the green-keeper to deal with and because offinancial constraints and courselimitations and/or poor communi-cations, difficulties build up. Itmay be that the golf club and thegreenkeeper are just not compati-ble," explained Paddy.

It is also a concern that toomany greenkeepers are looking tochange their jobs, often for thewrong reasons as many may besuffering from stress during thetime that their grievances are

developing. What we are saying is:Talk to us first.

"Our desire is to see more green-keepers happy in their work andmore golf clubs happy with theirgreenkeepers. We do not promisesuccess - that depends on you, butwe are there to talk to," saidPaddy.

The service will be totally confi-dential and the only cost to thecaller will be that of the telephonecall. Appointments will be neces-sary if someone wishes to talk inperson.

Thanks to A.L.S. Amenity LandServices for their financial sup-port of this worthy cause

Telephone: 0116 2739189 or01480437507

A Royal occasion for ChrisChristofer Rawlings, (right)

who was a runner-up in lastyear's Toro Student of the YearAward, visited BuckinghamPalace recently to receive a silvermedal from the Duke ofEdinburgh.

Chris (25), of Rodway HillGolf Complex, Gloucestershire,was voted top Level 3 Sports TurfMaintenance City and GuildsNVQ student in the countryafter put forward for the awardby Hartpury College.

"It was a great honour andquite an experience," explainedChris, who was working at RoyalBirkdale with Alan Owen, theother runner-up in last year'sToro Student Award.

"Congratulations to Chris onhis wonderful achievement. Itreally does show that our educa-tion system, including NVQs, isworking well," said BIGGAChairman, Gordon Child.

Hayter Harrier is voted"Product of the Decade"

history. Commenting on theannouncement of the award,Hayter's Sales & MarketingDirector, Kim Macfie, said :"This is tremendous news - veryexciting. We have always lovedour Harrier model and thisacknowledgment is a super voteof confidence for all our staff,our specialist dealers and ourcustomers" .

"What is doubly pleasing isthat this award comes from thepeople who really know theirproducts - those that sell themand those that use them. To berecognised for excellence by onespeers, is always very special."

BTME placesfilling up fast'

Places are filling up fast for theannual trip by the South West andSouth Wales Region to BTME tothe extent that RegionalAdministrator, Paula Humphries,is considering booking a secondcoach to travel directly up the Mlto Harrogate from somewhere inHampshire.

If there is space left this coachfacility will be available to mem-bers from other Regions at a costof £25 return. Hotel accommoda-tion may also be available at£3~.50 per per.son per night in atwin room shanng.

All enquiries should be directedto Paula Tel: 01363 82777.

Wentworth sign upbig deal with ToroThe Wentworth Club has

signed an agreement committingitself to Toro as the exclusiveprovider of both machinery andirrigation products for the nextfive years.

It is the latest in a series of"big-name" signings by The ToroCompany and its UK distribu-tors Lely and Hydroscape withthe next two Open venuesCarnoustie and St Andrews, aswell as The Oval andMurrayfield becoming Torousers.

Wentworth's 54 holes arealready irrigated by Toro and themajority of equipment is alsoToro but Director and CourseManager Chris Kennedy saidthat did not stop Wentworthfrom speaking with other suppli-ers before committing to Torothis time.

The machinery side of the con-tract will see £800,000 work ofToro kit supplied to Wentworthin two phases this year and next.Phase one comprises a replace-ment fleet valued at just over£250,000 for the West Courseand a further £355,000 worth ofother equipment for delivery thisyear while phase two, to com-plete the contract, is scheduledfor spring '99.

As for irrigation all three cours-es already have Toro systems sothe new contract is for mainte-nance, repairs and some possiblereplacement or updating later ofcontrol systems.

"We chose Toro for our first joband we've been pleased to keepwith them ever since. We feltmore comfortable putting bothour irrigation and equipment

with one manufacturer. It's easi-er to mana&e, plus we can get abetter deal, ' explained Chris.

"Toro is the only manufacturerthat can provide machinery andirrigation products andWentworth chose us for bothbecause it makes sound econom-ic sense," said Tore's EuropeanSales Manager, BobBuckingham.

Scottish National TournamentWest Kilbride Golf Club was

the venue for the the ScottishNational this year by kind per-mission of the Captain andcommittee.

Conditions on the day werepretty miserable with rain for-ever present. However this didnot dampen the enthusiasm ofthe members who attended andsome very fine scores werereturned and the course was inexcellent condition due to theefforts of Jim Paton and hisstaff.

At the end of the day theprizes were presented by the

Captain, John Lyon, who wasable to congratulate youngBarry Crawford, of OldPrestwick GC, who becameScottish Champion for 1998.

Among the other winnerswere BfGGA Vice Chairman,Elliott Small, who won theVeteran prize.

Prize Winners.Scottish Champion SGGA ChallengeCup - B.Crawford, Old Prestwick GCScr 70.Best Nett Friendship Trophy - I. Miller,Cowal GC, 77-9-68Cat 1 Ransomes Trophy - 1. M. Kay,Bogside GC, 75-6-69; 2. D. Hutton,Hamilton GC, 77-7-70; 3. G. Morrison,

West Kilbride GC, 79-9-70.Cat 2. Pattisson Trophy - 1. A.Mcintee, Bogside GC, 83-11-72; 2. D.Robertson, Newmacher GC, 91-14-77;3. C. Wallace, Wishaw GC, 90-13-77.Cat 3. STRI Trophy - 1. J. Bell,Kilmacolm GC, 93-20-73; 2. S. Briory,Wishaw GC, 99-23-76; 3. B. Napier,Retired, 104-28-76.Best Head Greenkeeper, Dick AitkenTrophy - D. Gray, The Pines GC, 78-8-70Best Assistant, M&M Trophy - W.Mercer, Skelmorlie GC, 78-8-70Best Apprentice, Souter Trophy -S.McLean, West Kilbride GC, 78-9-69.Best Veteran, SIGGA Trophy - E.Small, Tulliallan GC, 82-7 -75.Team Event, St Mungo Trophy -Ayrshire, 415Trade, Kevin Brunton, Greentech.

Royal Inverdivot Ge... by Tony Husband

"Brand" newjob for Dave

Mommersteeg have appointed DavePhilips to the position of BrandManager - Mommersteeg AmenityProducts. Dave, who was previouslyresponsible for sales of Mommersteegamenity grass seed in the south east ofEngland, takes on the new role as thecompany introduces a new strategyfor its amenity business.

It will now concentrate on salesthrough its distributors and, with theexception of a small number of spe-cialist accounts, will no longer handledirect sales.

New role forChris Briggsat Avoncrop

Avoncrop Amenity Products haveappointed Chris Briggs as BusinessDevelopment and Marketing Manager.

Chris is well known in the industryhaving worked at ICI Jeallots HillResearch Station as well as with FisonsHorticulture, Mommersteeg Intern-ational and latterly LevingtonHorticulture/Scotts Turf and Amenity

The appointment has been made toexpand Avoncrop's ability to provideprofessional expertise and qualityproducts in the amenity market.

Best wishesfrom BIGGA

BIGGA Headquarters staff and allBIGGA members would like to sendbest wishes and hopes for a full recov-ery to Chris Cumming, Deputy HeadGreenkeeper, at Fortrose & RosemarkieGC, who was badly hurt in a road acci-dent at the beginning of July

August 1998 Greenkeeper International 9

David celebratesSilver anniversary

David Rea, Head Greenkeeperat Droitwich Ge, recently com-pleted 25 years service at theclub and was presented with awatch to mark the occasion.

Prior to d'oining the club in1973 Davi worked for 14 yearsat the seed trial grounds atEdward Webb & Sons,Wychbold.

In his 25 years David has beendirectly involved in the manychanges to the course and seenthe p1anting of over 2,000 trees.

''I'm proud of the fact that I'veserved at Droitwich for a quar-ter of of the club's 110 year his-tory and am looking forward tothe challenges that the new mil-lennium will bring," said David.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE@COllEGE OF@AGRICULTURE &HORTICULTURE

Cambridgeshire College ofAgriculture and Horticulture

Courses in:Greenkeeping and Sports Turf

Management for NVQ Levels 2 and 3commencing in late September

GTC approved for the Craftsman Certificate

For further details contact:Richard Walpole at

Cambridgeshire College ofAgriculture and Horticulture,

Milton Centre, Landbeach Road,Milton, Cambridge CB4 6DB

Tel: 01945 581024ffj'ta:

~ •.._---------------------_ ..•10 Greenkeeper International August 1998

A familiar Ringfor new course?

Ireland's newest golf holedevelopment, Ring of KerryGolf and Country Club,opened during he week ofThe Open Championship andlays claim to the title of firstquality upland course in thecountry.Set in the foothills of theMacGillycuddy Reeks, over-looking the island studdedKenmare Bay the c0l.1rsealso has the Caha Mountains

serving as a backdrop.Due to a site comprisingbog land and rock, the fair-ways have been constructedentirely with sand, claimedas a first for any inlandcourse in Ireland.It was designed by RogerJones, a member of theProfessional GolfArchitects Association andan Associate member ofBIGGA.

1 Hippo Golf Bag and full set ofclubs - Mr K. B. Heaney

2 Weekend break for two atMajestic Hotel - Mr S.Ormondroyd

3 Golfing weekend for two atAldwark Manor - Mr R.Greaves

4 Luxury day for two at HenleyRegatta - Mr S. Cox

5 Weekend for two at a MarriottCountry Club - Mr P.Grant

Hi-Tee Golf Shoe winnersMr G. DaleMr K. KentMr Phil BaldockMr John DarrochMr Mark HaverGreenlands LandscapesBIGGA South EastMr Steve HarrisMr Peter HamptonMs A. WadeBIGGA Devon & CornwallMr John ScottMr S. LawrenceMr Roger JonesMr Rodney FelthamMr Nathan MarshMr Mark BroughtonMr Lee RobertsonMr Simon Gidman

Mr D. SmartMr Don CartledgeMr Ian J McMillanMr David WardMr J. WestonMr Bruce Jamieson

31 Case of wine supplied by Hi-Tec Print - Brookmans ParkGolf Club

32 Case of Yorkshire Terrier beersupplied - Mr P Arundel byYork Brewery

33 Bottle of wine supplied byCourse Care - Mr Carl Creme

Watertight• •seminar In

ScotlandIrrigation Scotland held the lat-

est in a series of seminars atCowglen GC, Glasgow, to giveadvice to golf clubs consideringinstalling irrigation systems.

The panel of experts includedSteve Isaacs, of STRI, the WaterSourcing Desgn Consultancy, TheLottery Commission and theBTLIA who spoke on their Code ofEthics.

Further information can beobtained from Irrigation ScotlandTel: 0131 333 5495.

Changes atRain BirdRain Bird's Golf Division have

appointed Laurent Reinhardt andBrent Thorley as Brand Managers,responsible for the development,testing and marketing of specificnew and existing product lines.Both Americans, Laurent will be incharge of all of Rain Birds's satel-lite irrigations system controllersand weather detection products,while Brent is responsible for therange of golf course sprinklers.

New aerator from John DeereJohn Deere's Aercore800 is a walk behind ver-sion of the tractor mount-ed Aercore 1000 and1500.The self-propelledAercore 800 is designedfor aerating golf greens,fairways and other fineturf areas and features an18 hp Kohler petrolengine with four selec-table forward gears andone reverse.There is an operator pres-ence system with electricraise and lower controlsand the aeration unit canbe raised manually out ofwork without damagingthe turf. Top speed fortransport is 3.5mph andoverall weight is around392kg.It can work at up to 2123sq m/hr pulling 266cores/sq m. .A typical selection of sec-ond gear at 50x50mmhole spacings provides awork-rate of 1440sq m atup to 398 cores/sw m.For further details con-tact John Deere, Tel:01949 860491.

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Charterhouse extend rangeCharterhouse Turf Machinery

have continued their programmeof UK expansion with the acquisi-tion of Michael Richmond, one ofthe country's largest mail ordersuppliers of chainsaws and otherforestry tools, clothing and equip-ment.

"This is an excellent acquisitionfor us which fits perfectly into ourinternational growth plan. Twoyears ago we broadened our prod-uct range and moved into mailorder with a range of environmen-tal tools, clothing and equipmentand now, a a single stroke, we haveacquired probab1y the largest andcertainly one of the most respect-ed companies in the business,"said David Jenkins, ManagingDirector of the Haslemere-basedcompany.

Michael and Shirley Richmondstarted their business in

Haslemere 28 years ago and seenit grow to become a major force inthe forestry market.

"We are delighted with the deal.Charterhouse have the vision,

management skills and financialbacking to take our business tonew heights and we are confidentthat our future is in very capablehands," said Shirley Richmond.

BIGGA invests in the FutureBIGGA Headquarters staffat Aldwark Manor have offi-cially signed up to theInvestors in PeopleProgramme.After an initial series ofmeetings during whichBIGGA was assessed for itssuitability and desire to suc-ceed, Investors in PeopleRepresentive, Avril Jenkins,of North Yorkshire Tech, vis-ited Aldwark Manor to pre-sent the staff with theirCertificate of Commitmentwhich formerly begins theprocess of working towardsthe Award.

Kubota OAPrestored byEveshamCollege

A 23 year old Kubota B6000tractor with front loader has beenrestored "as new" by staff and stu-dents from Evesham College inWorcestershire.

When it was acquired by Kubotalast year the 12hp four-wheel drivemodel was the oldest knownKubota tractor in original condi-tion still at work in the UK andonce the decision was take torestore it the College volunteeredto carry out the work. The projectinvolved a complete dismantling ofthe tractor followed by meticulousinspection, overhaul or renovationof all mechanical components anda total respray.

Pictured on the tractor is AdrianRogers, the student responsible forthe majority of the mechanicalrestoration work.

Swan designs first modern Croatian CourseFresh from the success of the

country's footballers and GoranIvanisovic's excellent performanceat Wimbledon this year Croatia'sfirst modern golf course has beenopened.

The Dolina Kardinala Golf andCountry Club, just outside Zagrebis 6200 metres long and a par 71.

Designed by Howard Swan thecourse is laid out in open land adwell as woodland with matureoaks and beech. The design fea-tures sweeping interlinking lakesand pongs throughout which the8th and 17th greens lie within onelarge water feature.

"It has been a wonderful experi-ence working in a new golfingcountry and the enthusiasm of theCroatians for sport is immense,"said Howard, who is currenly thePresident of the British Instituteof Golf Course Architects.

August 1998 Greenkeeper International 13