Cornwall Golf Union
First Green Educational Event at Newquay
Newquay GC hosted a First Green field trip for a group of 60 local schoolchildren yesterday and also offered the club membership the opportunity to hear about some of the current issues facing greenkeepers.
The First Green field trip provided a variety of inclusive hands-on practical learning stations, where the golf course's greenkeeping team and a number of industry experts, at different stations, demonstrated some of the skills they use every day as they strive to produce a course in the best condition. The skills and knowledge featured science, nature, technology, engineering & maths skills used by professional greenkeepers every day. All were delivered on a beautiful sunny day out on the Newquay links in what was a safe, real-world setting surrounded by nature.
The children were able to look at and sit in some of the machinery, have a go at making holes in greens, learn about some of the natural species of insects and birds which inhabit and visit the course, types of grass, soil and their associated drainage and the efforts being put in to ensure sustainability in the current climate.
The day was organised by Course Manager Dan Kendle with help from the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Machinery manufacturer John Deere, England Golf and ICL, a world-renowned leader in agricultural products. And all of the children had an extra surprise as they left with well stocked goodie bags containing a variety of caps, pens, sunglasses note paper and even a John Deere tractor fidget toy!
Later in the day the experts delivered short talks to club members covering 5 different areas. England Golf Sustainability Officer Owen James revealed how some 1200km2 of land in England is made up of golf courses all facing climate, social and legislative pressures which need to be managed. Data relating to change of climate is clear to see and brings about additional challenges facing greenkeeping. England Golf recognises sustainability as a crucial priority and acknowledges the role the game has to play in the global sustainability effort. Aligning with the 12 principles of the British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS ) the national governing body has developed resources, recommendations and advice for clubs, counties facilities and golfers alike, to ensure that sustainability is embedded into golf across the country.
Marie Athorn works as a Business Conservation Adviser for the R&A and the RSPB collaborative and emphasised how some 60% of golf courses can be well managed for the benefit of nature. She complemented Dan for the work he has undertaken at Newquay and described it as a blueprint for the industry, with different species existing on the course as a result.
Scott Reeves, Head of Membership at BIGGA gave an oversight of the association. With more than 5,500 members drawn from across the United Kingdom, Europe and further afield, BIGGA is a large community of golf greenkeepers who share ideas, discuss best practice and collaborate in ways to support each other and the wider industry. BIGGA provides outstanding career-defining opportunities for its members and the chance to gain skills and experience that can propel a career. The BIGGA team plays a crucial role in supporting and advancing the interests of its members and the wider golf course management industry.
Liam Rowlands from ICL provided a fascinating insight into Dollar Spot, a fast spreading fungal disease which loves moisture and warmer temperatures and has affected more and more courses, sometimes with dramatic effect. Historically the problem could be addressed by chemical application but legislation now prevents this and alternatives have to be found to minimise the impact. Research is underway but time is a delaying factor. Different grass types may be a future solution. Rowlands expressed thanks to Dan Kendle for the trial work he is undertaking in the treatment of dollar spot and also praised the work of Kendle in what is a challenging seaside environment.
Closing the day was Stuart Barber of John Deere UK, He provided a history of the company which has been in existence for 185 years John Deere and is a worldwide leader in Agriculture, Forestry, and Roadbuilding Equipment and continues to develop innovative solutions to help customers become more productive. Earlier in the day the John Deere fleet of vehicles had been on display out on the course and had proved very popular with the schoolchildren. Barber spoke about the huge advances in technology which permits precision machinery working and maintenance through GPS equipment on all its machinery. With operator permissions vast amounts of data are obtained and this in turn can assist with breakdown prevention and operating time analysis. Autonomous machinery (not robots!) is available now and only the legislative process prevents its use.
And so concluded what had been a very enjoyable and informative day. So a big thanks and kudos to Dan Kendle and all those who took part. The local community had been involved and learnt about a plot of land many see every day but had never set foot on and some of the club members readily admitted to having their eyes opened not only at the level of work which goes in to providing golf course fit for play but also the barriers and challenges facing those tasked with doing so.
If you or your club would like to stage a similar event or learn more then have a look at First Green or contact Jenny Bledge, Workforce Project Manager, by emailing jenny@bigga.co.uk or call 01347 833 800.
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