The views of a course superintendent.

An open letter to all Golf Clubs.

The John Collier Survey results, now published, show a lack of compliance as well as an interest of clubs to return surveys. Is this because there is a lack of concern, or is it that the clubs are ill-equipped to understand and complete the survey?

The fact that more than two-thirds have no environmental policy, bodes a bad reputation to, first, the Government and second, the world. Is it now not time for committees empowered, nay sanctioned with caring for the Golf Clubs well-being, to stand back and instruct their permanent employees in the form of the Management and Course Superintendents to get such policies in place, for their approval?

Some clubs have their own environmental committees, and lauded for their concern and foresight. Others insufficiently blessed with qualified members, now have no excuse for not being seen to comply with the legalities. Mr Collier has freely supplied standard policies for basic compliance with the results of the survey. Placing some consultants out-of-pocket so to speak. But as the consultancy and furnishing of document fees are now not an excuse, all clubs can become advocates of change.

Winter approaches and course work slows down, this is the time to allow the management team to take these supplied document samples and develop policies for the committees to approve. It is time to step up and show a concern for the legislation that governs the industry. (Also listed by Mr Collier.)

If Golf is to attract more investment and interest from overseas, then a concerted effort needs taking. The other industries of the land have a better compliance record and are making an effort. “Green” in their industry, or should I say lack thereof, can result in a depreciate market. The same applies to Golf, specially as a tourist attraction.

I am aware that financial constraints, inhibit implementation of policies, but it does not inhibit the creating of the basic intent. A club equipped with a document, accepted by the committees and members, are declaring their concern as well as guides for the future. Naturally, once a document approved, it becomes a policy of the club, and a control to following committees.

I feel it is time for Green Keepers and Club Managers to take the initiative and insist on committees co-operation, to show the Government their willingness to comply.

Articles I have written on gardens.

Click on any of the links to view the article as per it’s heading. These are all to be bound in a book one day so enjoy while you can.

Hydroponics or conventional vegetable gardening.

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/hydroponics-or-conventional-vegetable-gardening

Watering Lawns.

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/watering-my-lawn-the-pitfalls-of-over-or-under-watering

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/garden-irrigation-the-do-and-do-nots

Soil condition in the lawn.

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/good-soil-in-the-garden-what-constitutes-a-good-soil

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/moisture-map-your-garden-save-water

Improving the garden.

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/my-neighbours-grass-is-always-greener-what-you-want-to-hear-not-say

Garden indicators.

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/hadeda-the-garden-indicator-bird

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/yellowing-lawn-surface-another-tip-for-solving-problematic-lawn-grass

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/thatching-in-lawns-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly

Fertiliser the lawn.

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/fertiliser-organic-or-chemical-which-is-best-for-the-garden

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/the-over-application-of-fertilizer-how-not-to-burn-the-lawn-grass

Garden pests/ tree planting/ decoration.

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/tree-planting-how-to-ensure-a-healthy-growth

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/the-garden-gnome-enhancing-or-nullifying

http://www.streetarticles.com/gardening/garden-pest-some-you-want-to-encourage

How did I enter the Green Keeping Profession.

Many years ago I was introduced to “Green Keeping” by an experienced “old school” type, who practised his magic on grass greens, the type of which would be any ones guess, yet they were the most fantastic, superb putting surface, one could wish for. I trained under his supervision for three odd years learning to do things his way. The science behind the practises we followed, never came into the picture. “Spring treatment” was done on the first day of September, come hell or high water, soil temperatures, not an issue, so long as the sand for top dressing ran through your fingers and yet was not too fine. The 2:3:2 fertiliser needed to be on hand. Watering was by hand, and the quantity? When it looked enough! The cutting process started when it finally broke through the sand, and had sufficient healthy growth. You kept adding nitrogen until the green looked good, lowered the cutting height when it felt right! Kept an eye out for the dreaded “dollar spot” and algae, and insured the necessary curative chemicals were on hand. This was my introduction to keeping the green. Soil condition, black layering, verti cutting, and soil testing never came into the equation, additions of fertilisers and which combinations to use, were done by feel. “The green tells me what it needs, and that is what I give it”, this was a standard answer to my inquires. Later we became more modernised, and started the practice of verti cutting, and sometimes even dusting. But no matter what we did the greens remained superb. I started on my own to study more, and read all I could get my hands on, whenever a person appeared to know something about golf greens, they became a target for me to harass, not letting up until they had divulged all their know-how. (Knowledge is gained from looking, listening and asking questions)

This site is reaching a state of readiness for posts about Golf Course maintenance, Golf Course discussion, as well as general gardening tips and posts. The idea behind this blog site is to generate discussion. Do not wait for an article to place a comment. I invite you to ask questions about any subject within the Golf Industry, fertilising, irrigating, pest control, legal compliance, machinery and mowers or any other related subject. We will contact experts, or people that we think can help you, to arrive at an answer conducive to your situation.
Don't be afraid, post today, and share this blog with all of those that you know can benefit from this Blog site.

Read this article to get an insight into the Green Keeping experience.
http://www.streetarticles.com/golf/the-frustrations-of-a-golf-course-green-keeper

Our program is making tremendous progress, with two programmers typing away in a language only they can understand. Encoding they call it, but the results that I am seeing are astounding. I developed this programme a few years ago, and refined it before approaching to have it "encoded". It assisted me to make significant savings within the work environment and hopefully soon will help many more world wide. keep watching.

Hi All,
My first Blog, to be followed by links to stories and articles I write.
I am involved with a computer program that is being developed for use on Golf Courses.
I am the author of the incomplete book "A Greener Green - The personal experiences of a Green Keeper" it will be completed soon and hopefully be published. It will not only help Golf Course Superintendents but hopefully all golfers to better understand the difficulties of preparing and the upkeep of golf course turf. I am a semi retire Green Keeper with expertise to share, so please follow me and show your interest.