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Meet the Ten Selected FEGGA Ryder Cup Volunteers in Partnership with Capillary Concrete

Introducing them from left to right:

Paul Marley, Assistant Head Greenkeeper – Estonian Golf and Country Club and representing the Estonian Greenkeepers Association “it’s just an honour to have been selected. But I hope to learn a great deal over the week about how to manage such a large group, what kinds of details can be looked after with such a large crew, and just how polished a golf course can really be. I also hope to make some good contacts within the industry”

Bernardo Almeida, Head Greenkeeper – West Cliffs / Praia D´el Rey Golf Club and representing the Portuguesse Greenkeepers Association “I’m Very proud to go to help, learn and exchange ideas in an Event so demanding and always Magnificent”

Ciarán Byrne, Assistant Head Greenkeeper – Old Conna Golf Club Bray and representing the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland “For me, this is a once in a lifetime experience to contribute too, and learn from the best in the industry. To see how a golf course is managed and set up for the biggest golfing event in the world will be something that will stay with me forever and will help me going forward with my career”

Hector Forcen, Golf Course Superintendent – Golf Club Payerne and representing the Swiss Greenkeepers Association “Unbeatable scenery to meet with old friends and participate in the preparation of one of the best sport events in the planet with a crew of passionate turf professionals from around the world”

Jiří Lahodný, Head Greenkeeper – Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná and representing the Czech Greenkeepers Association “The Ryder Cup experience will have, with no doubt, a huge impact on my professional life, because I will be part of the greenkeeping team made up from some of the best people in our industry, preparing a golf course on the highest possible level for the best players in the world”

Matija Pipan, Golf Course Superintendent – Golf & Country Club Castello di Spessa and representing the Slovenian and Italian Greenkeepers Association “I have great expectations from this magnificent experience. I am very curious about how the whole team will succeed in preparing the course for such an important event. It is incredible the energy that every single person will invest in this tournament in order to make it perfect. I am really looking forward to be part of this fantastic team that will contribute to make this event unforgettable”

Chloe Gallagher, Assistant Greenkeeper – Gulf Harbour Country Club and representing the British & International Greenkeepers Association “I am so excited to be apart of this incredible tournament! This tournament is massive to any greenkeeper and to be apart of it is simply a dream come true. Sunday can not come quick enough and I can’t wait to be there, inside the ropes at Le Golf National”

Frank Czarnietzki, Head Greenkeeper – Golf Club Maria Bildhausen and representing the German Greenkeepers Association “It’s a great honour for me to be part of this.
I’m looking forward to share my passion with more then 160 colleagues”

Mads Andersen, Course Manager – Søllerød Golf Club and representing the Danish Greenkeepers Association “I’m honoured to be selected as a Greenkeeper to the 2018 Ryder Cup. Thank you Martin Stenberg and FEGGA for giving me an unforgettable experience and the opportunity to meet some of the best in our business from around the world”

Abel Marius Pascariu, Assistant Greenkeeper – Golf Club Wien and member of the Austrian Greenkeepers Association “This is my first practical training in a foreign country. Before I have never been involved in the Ryder Cup. I am delighted to be a member of the volunteer group and happy to take place in such a great event”

NewsSep 22nd, 20180 comments

Inside the ropes at the Ryder Cup

Along with the World Cup, Super Bowl and Olympics, golf’s Ryder Cup is one of the greatest team events in all of sport.

It has seen many epic battles, such as 1991’s War on the Shore and the 2012 Miracle of Medinah, that are etched in our memories. Whether you are rooting for the US or Europe, or simply want to admire the world’s best golfers competing in a rare team format, the 2018 event at Le Golf National in Paris, France, will be one of the most eagerly-anticipated sports events of the year.
But in addition to the competition itself, the Ryder Cup also provides a wonderful opportunity for those of us in the golf industry to transfer skills and knowledge with counterparts from around the world.

Representatives from all aspects of the golf industry, from golf design to maintenance and operations, and from all over the globe, will be converging in one place, where one of the world’s great golf courses will be showcased at its very best.
In my travels to golf courses around the world for bunker renovations projects, I feel fortunate to have met so many different people, each of whom has fascinating experience and a huge passion for the sport.

Take Andy Johnston for example, the general manager and director of agronomy of Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, the host course for the SMBC Singapore Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour and won in January this year by Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia.

Andy joined Sentosa having originally worked for the club while with Gene Bates Golf Design. With a multi-disciplinary background covering agronomy, architecture and management, he has a wealth of expertise. For me, as a native of Northern Europe, learning from Andy’s experiences of the Asian market has been invaluable.

I am always grateful for the opportunity to learn from experts at the golf clubs we visit. I started my working life as a greenkeeper, and at that time would have given anything to find a way to tap into the knowledge of people like Andy, all over the world.

Reflecting on my career journey and experiences like these led me to want to find a way to enable more people to benefit from the expertise of others throughout the golf industry. And that has now culminated in the development of the 2018 Ryder Cup Greenkeeper Experience Program.

Working with FEGGA, the umbrella body for greenkeeping associations in Europe, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the initiative will see 20 selected greenkeepers spending the Ryder Cup week experiencing how a world-class golf course is set up for one of the sport’s biggest events.

We had over 750 applicants and the 20 greenkeepers selected are representing the USA, Canada and ten European countries including the Czech Republic and Estonia.
They will join Alejandro Reyes, the golf course manager at Le Golf National, and his team in the run-up to the tournament.

It’s a unique opportunity to work alongside peers from different regions, then take what they have learnt back to their home clubs.

Already the impact has been very positive. I recently received a letter from the superintendent at a club where one of the assistants had been selected. He told me how delighted he was for his team member, and what an impact it will have on the whole club.

I look forward to reporting back on the initiative and planning more in future.

Martin Sternberg, CGCS, is the founder and inventor of Capillary Concrete, a Class A PGA professional and was Europe’s first GCSAA Certified Golf Course Superintendent.

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

Jacobsen Tournament Support at Ryder Cup

Jacobsen® turf equipment is an Official Supplier of Tthe 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National and is providing tournament support to the greenkeeping team during the competition. Technical staff from the Ransomes Jacobsen facility in Ipswich, U.K. will assist staff based at Ransomes Jacobsen France (RJF) in Toulouse throughout the competition.

Jacobsen turf equipment is designed and manufactured by Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

In 2016, Le Golf National signed a five-year preferred supplier agreement with Ransomes Jacobsen. The prestigious golf course, which belongs to the French Federation of Golf, has demonstrated its confidence in Ransomes Jacobsen France, which has supplied equipment to the facility since 2010.

In addition to the course’s regular fleet of Jacobsen equipment, an additional 31 pieces of equipment have been delivered to support Tthe Ryder Cup. The additional machinery consists of 12 Eclipse 2 greens mowers, three SLF-1880 fairway mowers, three AR-3 rotary mowers, two Jacobsen Trucksters, four Smithco Lite rollers and 11 mower caddies.

Alejandro Reyes, Golf and Courses and Estate Manager at Le Golf National, said of theof the support provided by Jacobsen and RJF:
“Le Golf National has been in partnership with Jacobsen since 2011. The quality of machinery, the back-up support, and the product innovation are just some of the reasons we choose Jacobsen. Together, we have created a world-class golf course that will host The 2018 Ryder Cup, and the Olympics in 2024.

“We are excited to use Jacobsen equipment during The Ryder Cup. I am confident that it will assist us in making the Albatros course absolutely spectacular for such a huge event. The HNA Open de France went very well, and we are making sure that we maintain high standards all the way through until the Ryder Cup in September.”

Since opening in 1990, Le Golf National has hosted the Open de France 25 times. It consists of three courses: the Albatros, an18-hole championship course, on which The Ryder Cup will be played; the Eagle, a second 18-hole course; and the Oiselet, a 9-hole course.

Alejandro Reyes’ 5 top tips for preparing to host a major tournament
Alejandro is the golf courses and estate manager at Le Golf National in Paris, host of the 2018 Ryder Cup.

1. Predict the unpredictable
Spend time thinking about what could go wrong, and try to come up with ways to prevent those things from occurring. You must always plan for every eventuality!

2. Volunteer programme
Make sure that you have a good volunteer programme. Ensure that you are going to provide a unique experience for the volunteers and make sure they are well fed and happy throughout the tournament!

3. Orientation Day
Make sure your volunteers check out the holes they will be assigned and get a good feel for the course. It is also important to run through the machinery, if they are unfamiliar with it, and ask them if they are happy with the job they have been assigned- if not, be flexible enough to change things up.

4. Communication
It is crucial to have good communication with the tournament director, the agronomy side of the organisation, and any other associations or official bodies involved in the event. Be open and honest to make sure everyone is on the same page.

5. Education
Bring in some industry experts to deliver some seminars which will provide confidence and education to the volunteers during the tournament.

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

Q&A with… Alejandro Reyes Golf Courses and Estate Manager, Le Golf National- venue of the 2018 Ryder Cup.

What is the biggest compliment you have had about the venue? I don’t know if it is the biggest compliment, but I remember one during the 2014 French Open. Sky Sports were talking about long putting on the first green, and the commentator said, “these greens are as pure as they can be.” I saw this and took a video of it with my mobile phone, which I still have to this day. I was very proud of that comment!

What will be the most rewarding thing for you regarding hosting the Ryder Cup? I’m looking forward to Sunday afternoon of the Ryder Cup, once the last putt has been made. Everyone will be happy with the set-up and hopefully we will have a good week. The main thing is that our staff, the organisation and the players are all happy and proud of the job that we have done- that will be the most rewarding thing.

How do you cope with the pressures of hosting such a prestigious event? At this point in time, I don’t have too much pressure. As I always say, I sleep very well; I don’t get under pressure easily. Any pressure I do have is usually not to do with the tournament, so I just try to enjoy every moment here with the team.

What helped you make the decision to pick Jacobsen over the other big names? Service, tournament support and the security that we already had with Jacobsen. This course was Jacobsen since 2011, and when we were doing the bidding process for the Ryder Cup in 2015, security and trust were the biggest factors. We receive fantastic tournament support from Jacobsen every year for the French Open, and that’s what we wanted for the Ryder Cup. We were just delighted with the quality of the mowers, and we trust in them to produce top quality surfaces. For us, it was an easy choice.

What is your favourite Jacobsen machine and why? My personal favourite is the Eclipse 2 greens mower, the 122 model. We use 15-blade cutting units, and I really like the groomer attachment. We are also able to easily adjust the frequency of cut with just one button, and the reliability is fantastic- great mower.  I am also a big fan of the Jacobsen fairway mowers. We are going to have the new SLF530 lightweight fairway mowers for the Ryder Cup; I am impressed with what I have seen so far and the team is looking forward to mowing with them this summer.

What has been your career’s biggest challenge before you came to le golf national? Without a doubt, it was when I was 25 years old. I got my first golf course superintendent position at a Jack Nicklaus signature course in the south of Spain. I had a lot of education, but it was a huge challenge. It’s hard when you are so young and you have to make your own decisions for the first time, that was a lot of pressure! Managing a team for the first time was difficult as well, it’s very easy to make mistakes when you lack experience of management, but it was a great learning curve and it made me a better person for it.

Are you keeping the blanket cut or going back to the diamond cut on the fairways for the Ryder Cup? We are going to cut the fairways all one way. It will probably be tee to green.

10 Quick-fire Questions

1. What’s your golfing handicap? I’m not a great golfer. It’s 21. I wish I could play at that standard, but I don’t practice enough. It’s officially 21, though!

2. What annoys you most? Unprofessional people

3. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? At Le Golf National! With a few months to go until the Ryder Cup, why would I want to be anywhere else?!

4. If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? I would love to complete the certification programme of the GCSAA. It’s something that is on my to-do list. I told myself I would do it one year before the Ryder Cup, in 2017, but I just didn’t have time. I’d also like to re-read all my turf books, there are plenty of them!

5. Do you have any hidden talents? I don’t think so! But who knows, maybe we’ll find out soon…

6. What job would you be terrible at? Working with kids. When they are running around and screaming… it’s not for me. I am somebody that needs to keep control and that’s difficult with kids.

7. What skill would you like to master? I would love to be a pro-golfer. To even have a handicap of a single number would be amazing.

8. What motivates you? I use my role as a leader of a team to motivate myself. Sometimes during tournaments, you are very tired and there are lots of long hours, but I think of the team at the course and everyone smiling and proud of the job they are doing. So that really gives me motivation when I need it most.

9. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? When I took this job, someone said to me, “Alejandro, work every day like it is your last day working.” This meaning to give maximum effort every single day. This really stuck with me.

10. Most admired sports person? Rafael Nadal. His character, his power, everything about him- I really admire him.

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

Tale of two Dans as student greenkeepers claim prestigious Toro awards

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association is proud to announce that Daniel Ashelby of Wilmslow Golf Club has been proclaimed the 30th winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award.

At the same time, Danny Patten of Lee Park Golf Club, became the third winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award.

Daniel, 25, joins a proud tradition of former awards winners that stretches back to Mark Proctor, who won the very first hosting of the award in 1989 while a student greenkeeper at Portal Golf Club in Cheshire.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards is a nationwide contest hosted by greenkeepers’ association BIGGA and sponsored by turfcare machinery and irrigation manufacturer Toro alongside its official UK distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Each year, a selection of the best student greenkeepers, selected from regional interviews hosted across the country, descend upon BIGGA House at Aldwark Manor in York for the two-day finals of the event, where they complete a variety of tasks.

A second-generation greenkeeper, whose father was course manager at Gatley Golf Club, Daniel impressed the judges with his knowledge and passion for the profession. The presentation he delivered in front of the awards judges showed his dedication to greenkeeping and his eagerness to do well in his chosen career.

Daniel said: “I can’t believe I’ve won it to be honest. There was a really strong line-up and I couldn’t tell right until the end who had won because everybody else was fantastic. I’m absolutely delighted and I’d like to thank Toro, Reesink Turfcare and BIGGA for everything they’ve done this week, it’s amazing.”

As part of his prize, Daniel wins a seven-week scholarship at the University of Massachusetts in the USA, as well as a trip to the GCSAA’s Golf Industry Show in San Diego and a trip to Toro’s headquarters in Minneapolis.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award is open to students under the age of 20 and as winner, Danny receives a two-week work placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in France, as well as a trip to BTME in Harrogate.

Danny, 20, said: “I’m shocked to have won. I thought I had done a good course walk but wasn’t sure it would be enough. Then when they announced my name to say I had won it was just the best feeling in the world. I’ve been greenkeeping for just over two years so to get this award is really promising for my career and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”

BIGGA Head of Member Learning Stuart Green said: “Congratulations to Daniel and Danny, who showed outstanding passion and commitment, both during the finals of the awards and at every stage of the competition, to be crowned worthy winners of this year’s awards.

“To be crowned Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year isn’t just two days’ hard work; rather you must dedicate yourself to the greenkeeping profession every day of your working life and so both winners and everyone who made it to the finals should be incredibly proud of their achievements.

“Each year the finals of the competition get harder to judge, which gives me confidence that the future of the industry is in very safe hands.”

The runner-up in the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was John Scurfield of Morpeth Golf Club.

The runner-up in the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was Liam Pigden of Burnham & Berrow Golf Club.

David Cole, managing director of Reesink Turfcare and award judge, said: “Every year the challenge of selecting one winner from each category becomes greater and greater for the judges. This tells us that the greenkeeping baton is being passed to safe hands by virtue of the commitment we see in front of us from students towards their career and personal education.

“Congratulations, not only to the winners and runners-up, but also to the whole group in reaching the final in what is a very competitive awards competition. You are all a credit to yourselves and to your golf courses.”

BIGGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “We call the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards the most prestigious in the industry, but they are only made so by the commitment and dedication to the greenkeeping profession shown by those who have previously enjoyed success in the awards.

“Daniel and Danny join an incredible roster of past winners throughout the awards’ prestigious history, each of whom has done their part in elevating standards in the greenkeeping profession to new heights.

“Our thanks once again go to Toro and Reesink Turfcare for their support in hosting these annual awards, which remain a real highlight of the greenkeeping calendar.”

Applications for the 31st Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will open in February 2019.

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO discussing with the Golf Channel the GCSAA members volunteering at the upcoming RyderCup

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

Club Car Drives The 2018 Ryder Cup

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

Gregg Hood winning SRUC Elmwood’s annual John Deere HNC Student of the Year Award

A career change in his early 40s has led to trainee greenkeeper Gregg Hood winning SRUC Elmwood’s annual John Deere HNC Student of the Year Award, sponsored by John Deere and Scottish turf dealer Double A. Gregg was selected for his conscientious and enthusiastic approach to his programme of studies during the 2017/2018 academic year.

Born and bred in Glasgow, Gregg had a successful career as a qualified accountant and then a mortgage broker before making the jump into greenkeeping at the age of 42. “It was one of those life changing decisions that I just had to make,” he says. “I had thought for a couple of years that it was time for a change. I’ve always loved my golf, and thought it was a great environment to work in. I was also interested in how golf courses are put together, how they’re looked after and made to look so good.

“My partner Lisa was very supportive, so I finally left work in June 2017 and applied to the SRUC, having been in contact with Elmwood’s greenkeeping coordinator Mike Clark for a year or so before that. We agreed that the HNC in Golf Course Management would be the best entry level course for me, combined with volunteering on a golf course to get some practical experience.”

That golf course turned out to be St Andrews Links, where Gregg started volunteering two days a week from September 2017, about two weeks after starting the course. “It’s been fantastic, and course manager Kevin Muir and his team couldn’t have been more helpful. Everyone’s been very happy to give me the benefit of their time and knowledge, so it’s been an absolutely brilliant opportunity.

“Going in I was obviously a little apprehensive about my age, but both Mike and Kevin said if you show a good attitude and you’re there to learn, then as long as you can do the work and be a part of the team, there are no issues. I haven’t given it another thought since.

“I’ve never been part of anything like this before, certainly not in accountancy, where there’s always that element of competition, even when you’re working in a team. The only competition on a golf course is to improve your skills and make yourself a better greenkeeper. People at St Andrews Links and the college are really impressive, and all round I’ve found it to be a very encouraging environment to work in – I’m still very excited by it all.

“I’m now a BIGGA member and contracted at St Andrews Links until November 2018, and if a permanent position became available then I’d definitely apply. If not then I might try a warm weather grass course abroad over the winter months. Ultimately I would like to hone my skills and get more experience, including tournaments at other courses.”

Course tutor Paul Miller, who is based at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Cupar, Fife, adds: “Gregg’s decision to change career was made after a great deal of research, preparation and consideration of all the implications. This thoroughness of preparation soon became evident in his course work, which he produced most conscientiously and to a very high standard right from day one – his commitment to making the most of the learning opportunity was impressive.

“Quickly realising that he would also need to build up his practical skills and his industry networking, Gregg volunteered to work at St Andrews Links, again demonstrating his enthusiasm and willingness to learn in that environment as well as in the classroom. He also applied for and was successful in gaining an R&A Greenkeeping Scholarship through SRUC.

“Having also secured a seasonal position on St Andrews Links, Gregg’s development continues apace. We all look forward to watching his growth in the industry and the contribution that he will make to greenkeeping as his career progresses.”

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

St Andrews Links announces new Director of Greenkeeping

St Andrews Links have appointed Sandy Reid as Director of Greenkeeping at the Home of Golf. A hugely experienced figure in the greenkeeping industry, Mr Reid will make the move from Carnoustie Golf Links where he has worked as Links Superintendent since 2012.

St Andrews Links Chief Executive Euan Loudon said: “We are delighted to welcome Sandy to the Home of Golf. He has an outstanding track record at Carnoustie Golf Links, as evidenced by the wonderful condition of the Championship Course for The 147th Open Championship this summer.“Sandy has a great deal of experience of operating within a multi-faceted golf venue such as ours and shares our commitment to delivering unique and memorable experiences to every golfer. He is passionate about the game of golf and is committed to delivering the highest quality results in golf course maintenance and improvements to all our courses, operations and staff.”

Mr Reid originally hails from Blair Atholl and trained at Elmwood College in Fife before starting his career at Letham Grange. He joined Carnoustie Golf Links in 1997, becoming Head Greenkeeper of the Championship Course in 2005.

Mr Reid said: “I am extremely honoured and excited to be joining the hard working and dedicated team at the Home of Golf. “St Andrews Links is the pre-eminent public golf complex in the world and I hope to play a small part in ensuring that it continues to deliver excellence to all golfers and visitors who come to the Home of Golf.”

Over the last decade St Andrews Links has continued to make major investments in its facilities and services. In addition to maintaining seven public courses, St Andrews Links is now home to three clubhouses, five shops and the Golf Academy. It employs just over 400 people in the high season with almost 230,000 rounds of golf played on the six 18-hole courses in 2017.

Mr Reid’s appointment arose following the retirement of incumbent Gordon Moir, who has worked at the Links for more than 26 years and began his tenure as Director of Greenkeeping in October 2000. Mr Reid will take up his new role in St Andrews in early December with Mr Moir formally retiring at the end of the year.

St Andrews Links Trust www.standrews.com

NewsSep 21st, 20180 comments

Casper Erikson, recipient of the FEGGA Experience Programme sponsored by Jacobsen shares his first thoughts arriving at Le Golf National.

NewsSep 11th, 20180 comments