GMé | issuu 83

GolfManagement Europe

UK £6.00 Eur 7.25US $9.50

Faced with stiff competition in the Murcia region of Spain, La Manga Club was forced to

re-invent itself with the help of new owners. page 19

cushman. let’s workCushman replaces E-Z-GO as the new industry standard for golf utility vehicles, on and off the course

issue 83april 2012

ThE EssEnTial ManaGEMEnT publicaTion for EMEa Golf club opEraTors

apriL 2012 GME 3GOLFManaGEMEntnEwS.COM

publisher’s editorial

EGCOa stands for European Golf Course Owners association – i realise you’re probably aware of this, but i thought readers of Golf Management Europe should be reminded.

By its very nature the association purports to look after the interests of golf course owners and, by implication, the European golf industry.

Yet by taking the 2012 European Golf Business Conference to Hotel Majestic Barriere, in Cannes, it’s doing very little by way of reinforcing the industry. this is the seventh conference the EGCOa has promoted and not once has it been held at a golf venue.

Maybe it has escaped the attention of those who book the event but there are hundreds of golf resorts across Europe with excellent conference facilities; and most would consider it an honour to host such an event.

Yet by taking the conference to a luxurious and expensive non-golf venue such as the Majestic Barriere, the EGCOa is doing the industry a great disservice.

Some might suggest the kudos gained from being seen at such a venue is now regarded as more important than the actual topics under discussion and the industry benefits as a whole.

Golf Management Europe has pre-viously been a media partner to the European Golf Business Conference, but will not be seeking to re-engage that relationship until it sees more benefit to

the golf industry and less of a suggestion of self-indulgence.

From our discussions with other major industry players, it would appear that we are not alone in believing that the EGCOa and its conference are in serious danger of losing all credibility.

Several previous sponsors seem lukewarm to the idea of renewing their

partnerships, while it remains to be seen whether, in such austere times, delegates feel able to visit such an expensive loca-tion.

i’m not envious; i stayed at the Majestic Barriere a couple of years ago with my wife, and i still have the credit card debt to prove it – still it remains one of the most expensive hotels i have ever stayed in.

it’s the principle that sticks in the craw here – why is a conference designed to help put money in the coffers of golf clubs not helping to put money in the coffers of golf clubs?

isn’t it about time that an event that “seeks to address issues of common interest to all levels of the golf industry” started leading by example? GME

Why the EGcoa needs to lead by example

Michael [email protected]

Cushman is the new name in golf utility vehicles both on and off the course.

7

as the Masters tee’s off, there’s more to golf in augusta than augusta national.

25

is the announcement of another golf resort in northern ireland a step too far?

30

the UK Vat debate has once again be re-ignited following a recent court case.

33

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“the EGCOA and its conference are in serious danger of losing all credibility.”

4 GME apriL 2012

headline news

the number of golfers in Europe has declined after more than 20 years of growth, a new survey by KpMG has revealed.

there was a net loss of 46,000 registered golfers in 2011, with the UK & ireland -42,700 (-3.1%), Sweden -21,000 (-4.1%) and Spain -9,700 (-2.9%) recording the most significant reductions in player numbers.

the Golf participation in Europe 2011 survey – produced by KpMG’s Golf advisory practice – record-ed a small increase in the total number of courses in Europe last year (up 0.7% to 6,740), while the number of participants fell below 4.4 million (-1%).

the downturn in golf participation follows a 25-year period of impressive growth – the number of golf-

ers has more than tripled since the 1980s, while the number of golf courses has doubled in the same period.

andrea Sartori, head of KpMG’s Golf advisory practice in EMa, said: “while the growth of golf started to slow down after 2005, last year was the first time there was an actual decrease in registered golfers.

“the decline can be attributed to two factors: the reduction in the number of golfers in some of Europe’s largest golf markets, espe-cially the UK and ireland, and the lack of dynamic growth in Europe’s emerging markets, specifically Eastern Europe and the South-East Mediterranean.”

while the number of offi-cially recognised partici-pants in the UK and ireland fell to 1,326,700, still more

than double the size of Europe’s second largest golf market, Germany (610,100), Sartori pointed out that golf-ers in the UK and ireland don’t have to be registered, unlike most European coun-tries, so the decline could be attributed in part to players giving up club memberships, while continuing to play on a daily fee basis.

However, feedback from the survey also suggests golf courses across Europe are failing to respond appropri-ately to the challenging economic conditions, and may be losing customers as a result.

“Golf clubs need to proactively and effectively face up to the challenging economic climate to retain members or attract new golfers,” added Sartori.

“Based on our survey, rather than introducing youth and family programs, and promotional packages, approximately 30-40 per cent of Europe’s operators and club managers actually increased prices in 2011.

“More than half of clubs have not invested in enhanced marketing – and many have not yet capital-ised on the opportunities provided by social media.”

Golf participation in Europe falls, but courses increase

the European Golf Course Owners association (EGCOa) has announced a partnership with golf course design and construction compa-ny intergolf international.

intergolf international has designed and devel-oped some of the world’s leading golf courses and is currently constructing a Jack nicklaus signature course in the heart of new York City.

Lodewijk Klootwijk EGCOa director said: “we are delighted to welcome intergolf international into the EGCOa community and look forward to working together towards sharing their professional approach to golf course design and construction.”

with offices in the USa, Bulgaria and ireland, managing director Frank O’Dowd commented: “we are very happy to be a sponsor of the EGCOa and look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.”

Macdonald Hotels and resorts has increased its market presence in the UK by signing a management contract with historic Donnington Grove Country Club, in Berkshire.

Macdonald, the UK’s larg-est privately owned hotel operator with more than 40 four and five-star hotels in the United Kingdom and

Spain, took management control of the 18th century, 32-bedroom hotel in February, with the owners, Sandtrend Ltd, retaining the management of the pro shop, golf and estate pursuits.

the current staff will be retained in the deal that means Macdonald Hotels and resorts now manages

the country club hotel on behalf of the current owners.

the terms of the agree-ment will also see the Donnington Grove Country Club retain its own brand identity while Macdonald Hotels and resorts will stead-ily implement its hotel-wide operational practices, controls and quality stand-ards.

Macdonald in Donnington Grove deal

John Deere Limited has joined the UK Golf Course Owners association

(UKGCOa) as a Diamond Corporate partner, as of January 2012.

the UKGCOa was set up in 2010 to promote, develop and represent the interests of golf course owners in the United Kingdom and act as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences.

“about a third of all golf courses in the UK are propri-etary owned and operat-ed,” said UKGCOa execu-tive director Jerry Kilby.

“we believe that an active and vibrant owners association can play an important role in the growth of the game of golf and the development of individual golf businesses, and we are therefore delighted to welcome John Deere as one of our valued corporate partners.”

John Deere joins uK Golf course owners


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6 GME apriL 2012

news

Bray Golf Club in Ireland, has recently purchased a Jacobsen r-311t wide area rotary mower from local ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Kevin Broderick.

The old Thoulstone Park Golf Course near warminster has been sold by Strutt & parker after being closed in 2002. Charles Greville-Heygate from their Leisure & Hotels Department said: “it is gratifying to know that this site, which has been empty for ten years, has passed to a new owner and will get a new future.” the site has plan-ning consent for a 54 bedroom hotel.

Huxley Golf has just launched the rotanet 3, the very latest version of the professionally-endorsed Huxley rotanet retractable golf practice net, helping both new and experienced golfers to get into their swing in time for the new season.

Lopesan Meloneras Golf on Gran Canaria has invested in 60 new Club Car precedent i2 cars, 20 of which are fitted with state-of-the-art solar-pan-elled roofs, enabling the vehicles to complete up to five 18-hole rounds on just one charge – double the number of a normal electrical charge.

Nike Golf has appointed Simon parkhill as nike Golf’s new sales direc-tor for the EMEa region. parkhill replaces angus Moir in this senior man-agement position follow-ing Moir’s promotion to the role of general man-ager of nike Golf EMEa at the end of last year.

in briEf;

Jacobsen has signed a new global partnership agreement with the Golf Environment Organization, which will see the two organisations broaden their collaboration to jointly promote awareness, under-standing and solutions in the americas and asia as well as the EMEa region.

Commenting on the agreement, Jonathan Smith,

chief executive of the Golf Environment Organization said: “GEO is privileged to have such a dedicated partner, committed to continued investment in the things that make sustainabili-ty more accessible and productive to golf business-es.

“ransomes Jacobsen has supported GEO from the very start and has made a

significant difference in the development, delivery, and awareness of the solutions we provide for the golf community.

“Like every sector of busi-ness and society, golf needs sustainability leadership and now Jacobsen has stepped forward strongly.

“this is a prominent and respected industry stake-holder investing back into their industry to advance a subject that’s fundamental to the future growth of the industry, their own business and of course, of much wider importance to people and the planet.”

David withers, president of Jacobsen, added: “Jacobsen is a global company and GEO has global relevance and solu-tions, with programmes accessible worldwide in a growing number of languages and a high quali-ty, credible and increasingly recognised international ecolabel for golf.

“Expanding our partner-ship to encompass all of the Jacobsen business units around the globe makes good sense.”

Jacobsen sign global deal with GEo

Club inc have joined forc-es with the pGas of Europe as ‘Career Services partners’ to provide career advice and services to their national pGas and collective membership of more than 21,000 pGa professionals.

Furthermore, Club inc. will host workshops, provide film-ing material for lectures and support the pGas of Europe at any conference or meet-ing deemed necessary.

Club inc. CEO niall Flanagan, said: “we are delighted to partner the

pGas of Europe, particularly as we believe the role of the golf professional in Europe will be hugely influential in running golf establishments over the next five years.

“By helping professionals to develop their individual brand and think about where they want their career to go, Club inc. can ensure that every golf professional will know where to turn to when deciding the next step in their career.

“the partnership with the pGas of Europe is genuinely

exciting for both parties. we have agreed to partner them, because we believe we can provide them with an additional informative, experienced and knowl-edgeable arm.”

David Hales interior Design and Mitchell Evans architects, the team behind renovation projects at Cuddington Golf Club and the Berkshire, have joined forces to create a new one stop shop for clubhouse renovation.

the new company – Club Class Design – will focus on

everything from space plan-ning and interior design to major re-builds.

Commenting on the formation of Club Class Design, David Hales said: “Each of our projects has had an immediate and very positive impact on our clients’ bottom lines through increased membership

retention and recruitment, increased bar and catering sales, and enhanced society prospects and sales.

“Choosing to work with Club Class Design means a club will get it right, and avoid the potential pitfalls that are easy and very expensive to make,” added Hales.

club class Design to set the standard

pGas of Europe agree partnership with club inc


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Cushman is a name synonymous with rugged, versatile utility vehicles; Cushman introduced the first purpose designed utility vehicle for the golf sector – the turf-truckster – back in 1969 and this latest range of

vehicles continues that herit-age with the recent launch of the Cushman Hauler.

the Hauler range offers numerous features designed to make daily maintenance on golf courses more effi-cient, including a limited slip differential – which comes as standard – providing greatly improved traction on wet or loose terrain, whilst minimising possible turf damage from wheel slip.

Each Hauler features a standard steel brush guard and integrated front bump-er to protect the body

panels, paintwork and vehi-cle components from the wear of daily use and abuse out on the golf course.

the Hauler’s roof and tubular-steel support struts are designed to offer maxi-mum visibility and protection

from the elements, and also provide a modern, stylish look.

Large headlights integrat-ed into the vehicle’s cowl are specially designed and positioned for maximum light dispersion in front of, and around, the vehicle’s front providing high visibility at dawn and dusk.

the model range includes four different models with various payload capacities including the Hauler 800 which is available with either a quiet, zero-emissions 48-volt electric drivetrain or

a high-torque, fuel-efficient 9.7 kw (13hp) Kawasaki engine with a hemispheric combustion chamber.

with a maximum capacity of 363 kg, a 0.17m3 cargo bed and bench seating for two, the Hauler 800 is an ideal runabout vehicle for smaller tasks and transport-ing greenkeeping staff around the course.

For larger jobs that require additional payload, the Cushman Hauler 1000 provides a total capacity of 454 kg and a larger cargo bed of 0.27m3. GME

The Hauler range offers numerous features designed to make daily maintenance on golf courses more efficient

cushman drives forward with new hauler range

8 GME apriL 2012

news

Cutting height, ball speed and a light touch from the greens mowers are all criti-cal factors for Mike Mercer, course manager at Southport and ainsdale Golf Club, which hosts the final qualifying round for the 2012

Open Championship being held at royal Lytham and St annes.

“players of all abilities have become far more discerning about playing standards, and they’ll soon tell you if they are not up to

scratch,” said Mercer, who has clocked up 27 years at this heathland links course, 16 of these as course manager.

always keen to keep abreast of new technology, Mercer was an early adop-ter of John Deere’s 2500 E-Cut hybrid electric greens mower.

the operational issues that were experienced with some of the original machines, now fully recti-fied, could have led him to change his preferences.

However, area salesman ian roberts of John Deere dealer turner Groundscare at tarvin, Chester, persuad-ed him to keep the faith when Mercer was looking to replace the mower, and it’s a decision that Mercer and his five-strong greenkeeping team have not regretted.

“we run several other John Deere machines here, so i decided to replace our

first 2500E, which was five years old, with the new version.

“this has proved to be very reliable, and performs almost like a utility machine, so we can also use it for verticutting.

“in spring we increase greens cutting from three times a week to daily, and for competitions we double cut then iron the greens,” says Mercer.

Such regular mowing naturally raises the chance of accidental oil leaks, so Mercer chose the 2500E because, as he puts it, “it is kinder to the turf and drasti-cally reduces the chances of a potentially devastating leak.”

Sound levels are also reduced – another impor-tant environmental factor – while cut quality and productivity are maintained, and fuel savings can be as great as 20 per cent.

GME readers are being offered a once in a life-time opportunity to gain access to the private Birch Grove Estate while it is renovated by Campey turf Care Systems.

no expense was spared in the construc-tion of Birch Grove by original owner Larry Yung, and now under new ownership, the course is to be given a new lease of life.

For one week only, an intensive renovation programme will be imple-mented with the best machinery from Koro, imants, Dakota, Omarv, raycam, Coremaster and Vredo in use.

the course will be open to guests to view the equipment in action on tuesday 24 and wednesday 25 april.

Once the work is finished, the gates will be closed and locked by the owner and then the facili-ties and golf course will be once again reserved for his own private use.

to apply for your personal invitation, please call Julia Campey on 01260 224568.

the pGa has introduced a new fleet of lightweight, emission-free golf cars that can be conveniently recharged using an ordinary electric socket.

among the 11-car fleet, seven of the new vehicles from Club Car feature the innovative Delta-Q

on-board charger system, enabling simple plug-in-and-go recharging of each vehi-cle’s batteries.

the pGa runs 700 events throughout the year, includ-ing pro-ams, regional cham-pionships, national champi-onships and the pGa Europro tour, and its new

golf cars will assist in the smooth, efficient running of these events.

the pGa’s head of tourna-ments, Simon Higginbottom, said: “the benefit of this technology is the conven-ience of being able to recharge the vehicles anywhere we take them.

“previously, we were having to lease the vehicles at venues, so this is helping us make a significant cost saving.”

the Delta-Q on-board charger system was designed specifically for golf clubs with smaller fleets of up to 12 golf cars to elimi-nate the need for a dedi-cated car barn.

the convenience and effi-ciency of being able to plug golf cars directly into the mains electricity supply is persuading many larger fleet operators to switch over to the new recharging system.

pGa introduce new plug-and-play club car’s

new hybrid greens mower maintains quality

an application for a 100-ft high wind turbine on a Bolton golf course has been refused planning consent.

Douglas Valley Golf Club had applied to build one turbine, which would have been 147ft high when the rotor blades pointed up.

Despite having previous plans for two turbines reject-ed, the owners of Douglas Valley had hoped wind-generated electricity would power the golf complex and surplus supply could have been sold back to the national Grid.

But the latest application was rejected after Bolton councillors voted against the plans.

Controversial two-blade turbines cause more noise pollution than traditional three-blade turbines, the town hall meeting was told.

Wind energy rejected on bolton course


news

Huxley Golf, the pGa’s offi-cial supplier for all-weather golf surfaces, has announced the appoint-ment of a new distributor in russia – Huxley Golf russia.

the new distributorship, which will be led by Ostap Lukyanov and Dmitriy Mordasov, will strive to extend the sport’s reach throughout the country.

Speaking about the part-nership, Lukyanov said: “Golf in russia and across Eastern Europe is relatively new but it’s a game that russians are really beginning to take to.

“russian’s natural determi-nation in all that they do

means that they are more than willing to put in the hard work to improve and excel at any sport.”

He continued: “the trou-ble is, that for half the year, snow coverage renders the majority of the few golf practice facilities available there, unusable.

“all-season surfaces there-fore offer significant advan-tages in terms of fostering a golfing culture, developing youth training and potential-ly luring lucrative golf tourism to the region.

“i’m extremely proud to be bringing the prestigious Huxley Golf brand to russia.”

paul Huxley, director of Huxley Golf, which has a growing network of distribu-tors in the UK and abroad, added: “Ostap is the right man to help develop

russia’s budding golfing industry. Having trained in Switzerland and Spain, he is extremely knowledgeable and is dedicated to advancing the sport.”

the Sports turf research institute (Stri) has launched its Golf Environment awards for 2012, an award scheme which showcases best envi-ronmental practice at golf courses across the UK.

Each entry is independ-ently judged on what the

golf course has achieved and how it has benefited the environment.

Comprising 11 prizes, the Golf Environment awards include an overall achieve-ment accolade which was won last year by Loch Lomond.

the Golf Environment awards are supported by a number of sponsors commit-ted to supporting and promoting proven sustaina-ble projects within golf clubs including County turf, ransomes Jacobsen, Everris and Syngenta.

previewing this year’s awards, richard Stuttard, Stri’s environmental consult-ant, commented: “it is imperative that environmen-tally sustainable courses should be at the forefront of everyone within the golf industry.”

sTri launch 2012 Golf Environment awards

huxley Golf appoints russian distributor

10 GME apriL 2012

news

Morpeth Golf Club have been awarded a £50,000 grant by Sport England’s inspired Facilities pro-gramme. the grant will support the development of new practice and academy facilities at the club and some refurbish-ment of the ladies and girls changing facilities.

Bawburgh Golf Club, near norwich, has won the GolfMark Club of the Year award 2012, supported by Cobra-puma Golf. the award, introduced four years ago by the EGU and EwGa, recognises clubs which make an outstand-ing and innovative contri-bution to junior and beginner golf.

i-Kan GC have added Jo Smith to their staff. Smith is well established in the golf industry and has over ten years ex-perience working with range Servant on all their equipment, spare parts and servicing. She has extensive product knowl-edge and will now bring her expertise to i-Kan GC, who are looking to secure new and develop existing customers in the UK golf market.

Authorised SkyCaddie retailers in the UK and ireland have an exclusive sales advantage in april, as SkyCaddie has an-nounced a “1-Year Free Membership” launch-only offer to all who buy its new wireless SGXw from official stockists.

Monte da Quinta resort has moved to absorb Vat increases in golf green fee rates in portugal and is freezing its prices for 2012.

in briEf;

royal Zoute Golf Club in Belgium has recently completed the refurbish-ment of 12 bunkers in just 54 hours, thanks to the help and guidance of Fred Green of Greens and tees.

the contract to partially renovate and merge some fairway bunkers was award-ed to Greens and tees after another Belgium club – the Golf Club of tennessee –

recommended Green to Mark Lewis, the head green-leeper at royal Zoute.

“i received an email from Mark late last year asking if i could help renovate some fairway bunkers, and natu-rally i was only too pleased to help,” said Green.

“as the club wanted to carry out the work when the course would be quiet, we agreed a provisional work

slot in early January, which unfortunately as a result of severe frost, had to be pushed back a month to February.

“i arrived on-site on Monday February 20, and the work – which included renovating greenside bunkers as well as fairway bunkers – was completed to the client’s full satisfaction by Friday lunchtime!”

During the weeks construction, Green was also asked to help the club build a ‘tiger tee’ on the first hole, which was graded and turfed within a day.

“the renovation work involved changing the approach to a few holes, and i know that both Mark and club president Count Leopold Lippens are delight-ed with the final result.”

the changes to the course were completed to the clubs configuration, and Green fully expects to return to Belgium later in the year to undertake more renova-tion work.

royal Zoute’s bunker refurb a total success

Last month witnessed Swan Golf Designs venturing south to work with one of South africa’s leading chari-ties on the provision of a golf and learning facility close to the centre of Cape town.

through the FirstGolf initia-tive, Swan Golf Designs, together with the Mayor of Cape town, local Mp Leonard ramatlakane, the provincial Government of the western Cape, the western Cape Golf Union and representatives of the communities, will see a driv-ing range, golf academy, a

children’s course and a nine-hole public course developed for those who currently have no chance to play the game.

as an extension to the project the facility will be linked to the adjacent False Bay College, which will develop a curriculum of vocational training within the golf industry with the direction and help of the Greenkeeper training Committee and FirstGolf partners ransomes Jacobsen, rainbird and SnaG Golf.

sGD helping to develop the game in south africa

a £500,000 investment from the Finance for Business north East technology Fund will enable an innovative business to introduce its new course idea to golf ranges across the UK.

net60Six offers players the chance to play 60 shots in 60 minutes on a specially-designed course for driving ranges, and has received the investment as part of a

£25m fund which invests in technology businesses based in, or willing to relo-cate to, the north-east.

the business, which has also secured £230,000 from a number of business angel investors, plans to open an office in newcastle and its first course in the region during the spring.

the course is identical at each location, allowing

players at different venues to compete in the same game, thereby enabling the creation of an online golf club using mobile phones and tablets.

Craig Higgs, managing director of net60Six, said: “in no way are we trying to replace or redefine golf as a sport – we are hoping to open up golf to a whole new audience.”

net60six set to unveil first course

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12 GME apriL 2012

news

SnaG – Starting new at Golf – took to the road again at the end of March to visit St andrews, for the St andrews Golf Festival’.

Celebrating over 600 years of golf in Scotland and around the world, the ‘St

andrews Golf Festival’ was held at the ‘Home of Golf’ at the end of last month.

SnaG attended the festi-val, hosting a 70m by 100m practice area, to show attendees the benefits of the ‘Starting new at Golf’

coaching programme whilst allowing people to sample ‘one on one’ sessions with SnaG qualified trainers, including a Master trainer.

in addition, beginners were given the opportunity to put their newly learned skills into practice on a three-hole SnaG course.

the Festival also honoured individuals at a gala awards reception, where individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of golf were honoured.

the awards covered a multitude of different cate-gories including golf litera-ture, photography, golf art, golf humour and women’s golf with winners receiving the “Old tom Morris” award – a handsome commemo-rative bust named after the St andrews born golf pioneer.

snaG in attendance at st andrews Golf festival

with many golf courses struggling to justify capital expenditure on essential course maintenance at this time of the season, many golf clubs are turning to specialist contractors such as terrain aeration Services to fulfil their requirements.

“the logic for using contractors or ‘getting a man in’ is always the same,” says Lynda Green of terrain aeration Services.

“why waste scarce capi-tal on a machine that is only used infrequently and that sits idle for most of the year

when any available cash is much better spent on the every day equipment?”

it’s a logical argument given today’s economic outlook, and perhaps it explains why more and more golf clubs are turning to the Suffolk-based compa-ny to undertake work out on the course.

“it simply makes good sense to use your limited capital and training resourc-es efficiently,” added Green, “and call in a specialist contractor when the need arises.”

with over 25 years experi-ence in the relief of compacted sports pitches, terrain aeration Services are ideally placed to solve any areas of your course which suffer from compaction or drainage issues.

and with many parts of the UK and mainland Europe in the midst of drought conditions, terrain aeration Services can also advise golf

clubs on ways of saving money when it comes to water retention.

“as out terralift machines aerates from one metre depth to the surface, water storing polymers can be injected at the same time which swell up to 100-fold making best use of rainwa-ter or even less water use by irrigation,” explained Green.

“alternatively, we can inject dried products rather than water storing polymers which swell with the moisture content in the soil helping to keep the fractures and fissures open longer, mean-ing that greens remain open for longer.”

Specialist deep aeration used once every 10-12 years – if used in conjunction with your top surface aeration machinery – should result in a better understanding of the soil structure on your course, together with a healthier sward with a stronger root growth for turf.

Drought advice from Terrain aeration

One of poland’s top golf resorts has embarked on a series of phased developments which feature a new nine-hole course.

Designed by Gary player and opened three years ago, Modry Las’ new nine-hole course will be complemented by an academy – which will provide covered teach-ing bays overlooking the driving range – a debrief-ing area, club and equip-ment sales and a club-fitting service.

in addition, plans have also been drawn up to build a number of self-catering cottages, each accommodating up to four golfers, which will open later this summer.

arthur Gromadzki, chairman of Modry Las, said: “Creating a truly world-class golf course was the first and most important stage of our plans at Modry Las.

“with the course built and maturing nicely, the time was right to continue with the development of the resort including the new golf academy.”

a championship-standard golf course is included in plans for a £70m develop-ment of a castle made famous by Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the Scottish Highlands.

the aristocratic family who own Cawdor Castle in nairn, Moray, hope their plans for

a leisure and housing devel-opment will be given the green light by local council-lors.

the ambitious housing plans by the Cawdor Maintenance trust would also see 300 homes and a hotel with up to 120 bedrooms built.

the construction plans by the Dowager Countess of Cawdor include the golf course and academy, as well as two tourist centres and separate equestrian and ecological centres.

planning officials have recommended that the plans be given consent.

new course part of £70m development

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14 GME apriL 2012

company profile WEBLINK; iGrM.CO.UK

There’s a thriving London-based company with a worldwide reach that does exactly what it says on the tin... and it’s called International Golf and Resort Management.

“We know about golf, we know about hotels, and we have an integrated approach,” says chief executive Michael Longshaw. “And that’s it in a nutshell.”

But there’s more to IGRM... much more. It’s a global company with an eye for detail and a team of experts in a range of fields.

“People are absolutely crucial, in any business, but especially one like ours,” says Longshaw.

“And it’s also about having the right systems in place, the mechanisms to make your business work to its full potential.”

The company was launched in 2007. “We spotted an opening in the market... there was a need for integrated facilities, and especially someone with a knowledge of golf.”

At that time the majority of golf clubs, particularly in Europe and the UK, were owned and operated by members or small management companies.

IGRM came along and offered the full package, from feasibility studies, assess-ment and project development through sales and marketing to project manage-ment and operations.

Now, nearly five years on, virtually every country boasts world-class courses, and the expectation levels among golf resort clients have never been higher.

A big rise in recent years of truly inter-national top-class residential golf courses has seen IGRM involved in major projects from South America to the Far East... but the company is about more than simply development.

Property management, asset manage-ment and investment can all help trans-form the fortunes of an existing business, and IGRM has a team of people with a combined wealth of experience in every possible area.

It is also happy to take a low profile, and doesn’t seek to overshadow potential business partners.

For example, IGRM is well known for being very closely associated with Faldo Design, through ongoing course resort developments in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monte Rocha, Portugal, Vietnam and Cambodia... but as Longshaw explains, “We have an agreement with Sir Nick Faldo, and he is a valued client, but we are also perfectly content to work with other brands, on a business to business basis, without anyone else knowing we are there, behind the scenes.

“It’s very important to have a good relationship if you’re working behind someone else’s brand.”

Past projects include golf resorts in Cape Verde, Morocco, Russia, Anguilla and Italy, and IGRM has offices in Brazil, Mexico and Moscow, as well as its head-quarters in Britain.

The business has also developed and managed restaurants and bars in London, and is part of Worldwide Resource, an international partnership that also includes Delta Squared, Freeman Group, CST International and Corvirtus.

Now, with the boom in development showing signs of slowing down, IGRM is increasingly focusing on managing and/or turning around companies that are already operational as Longshaw explained: “The boom slowed down in 2008 and has remained slow, and our objective now is to focus on delivering more of an operational management serv-ice to golf clubs.”

If IGRM are called in as trouble-shoot-ers, the first thing they will do is look closely at the business and identify areas of strength, as well as weakness.

“Quite often the right people are already in place, but the correct manage-ment structures and principles are not,” says Longshaw. “It’s important to get the corporate structure sorted out, but bring-ing the right people on board is absolutely critical too.”

As well as a complete audit by director of finance David Mortimer, who has over 30 years’ experience in the hotel and hospitality industry, director of golf tech-nical services Steve Clement will put the

Your one-stop solution to a better golf operation

international Golf and resort Management can help any golf club, of any size, become a better operation regardless of size or location as Kevin Nash discovers.


Integrated resort ManageMent | ProJeCt deVeLoPMent & ManageMent | saLes & MarKetIng | oPeratIonsProPertY ManageMent | FInanCe | asset ManageMent | BUsIness tUrnaroUnd | InVestMent | goLF CoUrse ConstrUCtIon

igrm.co.uk

Established to provide a comprehensive service to the international golf and resort industry, we specialise in the management and operation of golf facilities and integrated resorts and residential golf developments worldwide. With our headquarters in

the United Kingdom and regional offices in Russia, Brazil and Mexico, our international team has the skills and the resources to give your property the edge it needs in a highly competitive marketplace, where quality of management is the key to success.

golf side of the business under the micro-scope... he too has an impressive CV, having worked for Marriott Hotels, PGA Golf de Catalunya and Aldwickbury Park among many other golf courses and hotels as golf project and construction consultant.

Fellow directors include Nick Edmund, a barrister with a passion for golf and two dozen books on the sport to his name, who heads up Faldo Design; and creative director Jonathan Davis, who started out at Conde Nast and has worked on brands ranging from Renault Formula One to Molton Brown and Tui.

Amanda Gentle who is responsible for Talent and Organisational Change in a turnaround scenario has developed with her team a new turnaround service – ‘Regenerate’ – which has been designed to enable clients to understand exactly what will be required to turnaround a potential golf resort business and achieve improved ROI.

‘Regenerate’ is a three-phase flexible service and uses a bespoke scorecard system which allows IGRM to evaluate, and partner with clients to change or turnaround the key factors which drive business profitability and success – customer value, employee retention, sustainability and financial stability.

Michael Longshaw himself has a wealth of experience in luxury golf clubs and boutique resorts; was responsible for the transformation of Brocket Hall, held senior positions with Forte and Delta

Hotels and played a significant role in the growth and development of CCA Europe.

As well as vast experience and talent at board level, IGRM can draw on a team between 20 and 30 key personnel who can spring into action anywhere in the world... for example, as one project in Vietnam is currently winding down, they’re setting their sights on Cambodia.

“We’ve got the people to do the job, there’s no doubt,” says Longshaw. “And we’re able to bring in the right people to help a business go forward and carry the project through.

“First of all, though, it’s important to identify and nail down what it is that the client really wants.

“Certainly, there may be times when they say they want something, and we know from experience that their expecta-tions may be unrealistic.

“That’s part of the reason why it’s important to develop a good relationship, because sometimes you may just have to tell people something they might not want to hear.

“But I strongly believe that by putting the right systems in place, having every-one knowing what’s expected of them, and getting them all pulling together, then we can make things work.

“I’ve seen hotels that are packed, for example, alongside a golf course that’s deserted. It doesn’t have to be like that... by integrating the entire business, it is perfectly possible to maximise all the potential that’s out there.” GME

16 GME apriL 2012

fleet management WEBLINK; DSGtaG.COM

Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd has announced the signing of a strategic agreement with DSG Tag Systems Inc. of Surrey, British Columbia in Canada, for the sale and co-marketing of its TAG-150 product line and accessories through the Ransomes Jacobsen distribution network and sales

channels. DSG Tag Systems has

developed the TAG-150, a

revolution-ary fleet manage-ment and

tracking system, designed

specifically to help golf

course opera-tors efficiently

manage their vehicles and equip-

ment, as well as labour resources. The system utilises a

combination of wireless tech-nologies to track and report the

exact location and status of all tagged assets, whilst issuing alerts to facility managers and notifications to vehicle operators.

The TAG-150 is compatible with any Ransomes Jacobsen mower or E-Z-GO or Cushman vehicle, be it petrol, diesel or electric.

“The product offered by DSG Tag Systems is a perfect companion for the products we are offering across our market segments and gives our customers a new high-tech tool to better manage their facilities and protect their mobile assets,” said Richard Tyrrell, product manager at Ransomes Jacobsen.

“Unlike similar products on the market it operates without any Wi-Fi equipment on site, so there’s no additional installa-tion expense; it is compatible with all makes of turf and utility vehicles and there’s even an option for walk-behind mowers. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.”

DSG offers two accessories for the TAG-150 product designed to add new functionality aimed at the vehicle operator and facilitate communication between the golf course operator and customers.

a new fleet management and tracking system for golf cars and turf maintenance equipment is now available thanks to a strategic agreement between DSG tag

and ransomes Jacobsen as Kevin Marks reports.

new strategic partnership to secure your golf fleet


The first accessory, the TAG TEXT, is an alphanumeric text display featuring a rugged weather-proof case with mounting options for any E-Z-GO golf car, which adds messaging and distance measure-ment capabilities to the versatile TAG-150 vehicle unit.

Players now have access to distance measurement capabilities while the golf course manage-ment has a very affordable and convenient way to communicate with the players in the field.

The second accessory is the TAG TOUCH, a high-defini-tion colour touch screen display, which provides the golfer with a graphic repre-sentation of the hole

played and offers features such as pro-tips, green-view, score keeping, distance measurement and more.

This new unit is aimed at high-end golf facilities that are interested in creating an exceptional user experience for their customers.

The executive team at DSG Tag Systems has over 30 years collective experience in

providing GPS and wireless solutions designed specifically

for the golf industry, and commenting at the

signing of the new stra-tegic agreement Robert

Silzer, Sr., CEO of DSG Tag Systems, Inc said: “We are very excited about the

new relationship with Ransomes Jacobsen and we

are looking forward to expanding our market reach through their extensive

network of sales professionals and distributors.” GME

“We are very excited about the new relationship with Ransomes Jacobsen and we are looking

forward to expanding our market reach through their extensive network of sales professionals and distributors.”

+44 (0)1865 784434 www.dsgtag.comContact us for a FREE on-course evaluation


club focusWEBLINK; LaManGaCLUB.COM

Life begins at 40, so the old saying goes. If that is the case, then La Manga Club can expect some pretty exciting times over the next few years.

It seems incredible to think that Spain’s flagship resort celebrates its landmark birthday this year and, having experi-enced many highs since its launch, it is looking forward to an even rosier future.

La Manga Club was the first golf resort in Spain to have two 18-hole champion-ship golf courses when it opened in 1972 and it has attracted a steady flow of some of the game’s biggest names ever since.

South African legend Gary Player, winner of nine Grand Slam titles, was the resort’s first director of golf while the late, great Severiano Ballesteros made his European Tour debut at La Manga Club in the 1974 Spanish Open at the tender age of 17 before becoming its touring professional.

As a fresh-faced schoolboy, Luke Donald used La Manga Club’s facilities to nurture the skills that would eventually take him to the top of the world rankings during family holidays to Spain and the Lee Westwood Golf Academy will return to the five-star complex this summer after making a successful debut in 2011.

The resort even provided the meeting place for Sergio Garcia’s parents to get together, with his father working as a teaching pro while his mother was employed in the golf shop.

And having also held numerous top golf events over the years – it staged the Spanish Open five years in a row from 1973-77 and is a leading contender to host the 2015 Solheim Cup – it is little wonder that people will be queueing up to wish La Manga Club many happy returns when it officially celebrates its big day in August.

la Manga celebratesas La Manga Club celebrates its 40th birthday, GME sent Peter Simm to the five-star Spanish resort to get a feel for

how Spain’s first golf resort is shaping up.

20 GME apriL 2012

facTfilE;

La Manga Club resort30389 Cartagena

MurciaSpain

TEl; (34) 968 33 1234faX; (34) 968 33 1235

EMail;[email protected]

DirEcTor of Golf;pedro Batista

hEaD GrEEnKEEpEr;Cosme Bergareche

club founDED;1972

Macu Hernandez, La Manga Club’s sales and marketing director, said: “It’s amazing to think how far La Manga Club has come in the last 40 years.

“When the resort first opened, there were just two golf courses, a few villas, a small hotel, the tennis centre and some other small things. Now we have a great development with around 2,000 villas, a five-star hotel, great spa, a third course and we have been the setting for many important tournaments.

“The transformation has been incredi-ble and it’s wonderful to think so many famous people have played a part in our success.”

Set in an area three times the size of Monaco in the Murcia region of south-east Spain, La Manga Club’s 1,400-acre site is truly spectacular and has helped it establish itself as one of the leading sports and leisure resorts in the world.

Offering visitors a five-star hotel, luxu-ry vacation apartments and 450 hectares of sports facilities, including three cham-pionship golf courses, 28 tennis courts and an eight-pitch professional football centre, the award-winning complex also features facilities for cricket, rugby and Gaelic football.

In addition, La Manga Club is home to numerous leisure facilities, such as the 2,000m² Spa La Manga Club, compre-hensive fitness centre and 25m indoor swimming pool, and more than 20 restau-rants and bars.

But it is as a golfing venue that the resort has really made a name for itself over the years with its first-class facilities a firm favourite amongst both profession-als and amateurs alike.

As well as hosting the Spanish Open – both men’s and ladies’ – the South Course has been the venue for many major professional tournaments, PGA championships and qualifying schools, with the resort having staged Final Qualifying for the Ladies’ European Tour for the last four years.

And hopes are high that La Manga Club can add another accolade to its roll call of honours in the coming months by being selected as the first Spanish venue ever to host the Solheim Cup in 2015.

“La Manga Club is one of the most famous golf destinations in Europe and offers the calibre of facilities necessary to host as prestigious an event as the Solheim Cup,” said Hernandez.

“We are passionate about golf and have a strong pedigree in hosting ladies’ events and the Solheim Cup seems the logical next progression of this.

“It would be a great honour for us to host the competition. It is truly is one of the biggest golf events on the world stage and would also provide a great economic boost to the region.”

Designed by Californian architect Robert Putman, La Manga Club opened its first two courses – the South and North – in 1972, with the West Course opening in 1996.

Determined to create a golfing product previously unseen in Europe, some 3,000-plus palm trees were imported from Egypt in Putman’s original design, while the resort’s commitment to excellence has been seen to the fore more recently with the remodeling of the South Course by golf legend Arnold Palmer and the complete renovation of the North lay-out.


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Too often in the modern game, resort courses tend to be built to a standard blueprint resulting in a dull, unexciting and all-too-familiar lay-out but that is definitely not the case at La Manga Club.

While the 7,107-yard South Course has wide, palm-fringed fairways, and features water hazards on 15 of its 18 holes, the slightly shorter North Course is drier but altogether tighter off the tee, with the emphasis on precision and accuracy.

Then there is the West Course, an alto-gether different proposition situated in pine woodland, with every element of a golfer’s game being put to the test with changes in elevation, undulating fairways and quick greens set against stunning views of the surrounding Costa Calida countryside.

It’s not all been plain sailing for La Manga Club over the years. A number of different owners and some testing economic conditions – not least of which in the present day – have led to some awkward challenges.

But the resort has come through any difficulties with flying colours and is pressing ahead with plans to maintain its position at the head table of the top sports and leisure destinations in the world.

Bearing in mind the important role it has to play in promoting the environment, La Manga Club has introduced a raft of forward-thinking green policies to make it as eco-friendly as possible.

Seventy per cent of the water used in maintaining the resort’s three golf courses

and eight international standard sports pitches and numerous garden areas are recycled water provided by a wastewater treatment plant.

Utilising the 300-plus days’ sun a year the Murcia region enjoys, solar power now provides between 30 and 40 per cent of the energy required for hot water and the heating of the pool in its five-star hotel.

It is also a source of power for the club-house, whilst there are future plans to extend the use of solar energy across the resort and a host of simple measures – including the introduction of aerators on taps, flow control and timer mechanisms – have also combined to reduce water consumption in the hotel and the Las Lomas village self-catering accommoda-tion by 60 per cent.

Hernandez added: “We are aware how important it is to respect and protect our natural environment and to preserve precious resources for our own benefit and enjoyment and that of generations to come.

“Our attitude to the environment fits in with our aim of being one of the best resorts in Europe. We are looking all the time at ways we can improve our product to continue to fulfil our desire to deliver the best possible service to our guests.”

It certainly didn’t do Luke Donald any harm, and it seems certain that La Manga Club will help many more youngsters rise to the top of the golfing world in the next 40 years. GME

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Golf course construction

Remodelling & renovation

Grow in & maintenance

Sportsground construction

22 GME apriL 2012

from the r&a WEBLINK; ranDa.OrG

All too often, changing the way a golf course is managed to take in the local and wider environment can be seen as a chore, a box-ticking exercise to be stored under the “we have to do it” category.

However, managing your course sustainably, both economically and envi-ronmentally, brings many benefits, which tend not to be well publicised.

The main focus of my role at The R&A is to promote the concept of sustainable golf course development and manage-ment. I spend a lot of my time explaining what this means!

Golfers want a good standard of play-ing surface across the course – though many have far higher expectations than they are willing to pay for! Most golf facilities have to, at the very least, cover the cost of their operation.

This is the service and business element of sustainability and unless these are achieved, the future prospects for the golf course will be bleak.

For a golf course to be truly sustaina-ble, however, there are several key envi-ronmental and social issues to consider such as, use of water for irrigation, poten-tial pollution from pesticide and fertiliser use, energy efficiency, how we manage our waste, conservation of wildlife as well as land use and access.

There are economic, social and legisla-tive drivers that encourage golf to consid-er and, to a degree, address these issues but often the belief is that they are a burden with significant costs in financial and time terms.

Are you one of those decision makers at a golf club that shares this view?

Many golf clubs have yet to appreciate the benefits

that a sustainable golf course can offer according

to Steve Isaac, Director of Golf Course Management

at the r&a.

sustainability pays


At The R&A we firmly believe that every course can make sustainability pay. Far from depleting your resources, it can improve your bottom line. Better course health providing smoother, truer and firmer greens with more run on fairways through a greater part of the year, is a good example.

As well as offering your customer or member better value-for-money, there are cost savings to be had from healthier turf – reduced bills for pesticides, water, ferti-liser, machinery maintenance, energy use and waste disposal.

Applying less water, pesticide and ferti-liser means reduced use of resources and reliance on artificial mechanisms for keeping grass green. Reducing the amount of close mown turf provides greater opportunities for encouraging wildlife.

Being seen to be a responsible custodi-an of land – and most golf courses utilise a large area for the pleasure of relatively few – can only enhance your reputation and that of the game.

Selfish attitudes to access and manage-ment – we must keep our turf green even when you can’t water your lawn – can only do harm. Opening up your doors to the community, if safe to do so, for them to enjoy the wildlife, space and facilities the golf club has to offer has to be productive both financially and in terms of relationship building.

It could bring in new members who might not have considered playing the game.

Environmental regulation is getting tighter on a global scale. Water scarcity, the pollution threat from pesticides and fertilisers, the problem of soil erosion and the loss of wildlife are all on the political agenda. In some parts of the world, legis-lation is already having an impact on how we manage our courses.

The R&A guidance notes on our website www.randa.org/thegolfcourse will help you meet legal obligations without sacrificing playing quality or revenue.

Giving golfers better playing conditions year-round, making the game more affordable, positively contributing to the environment and wider society – what is there not to like about sustainability?

However, implementing such a philoso-phy may demand a change in attitude from the golfer. Lush, green turf will not be the order of the day but, if you follow our guidance, the quality of playing surfaces will be maintained albeit to a more varied palette of grass colours as the course better reflects changing seasons and weather.

My colleague, Philip Russell, and I spend a lot of time talking to a wide range of stakeholders in the golf industry – course managers, club managers, boards, committees, golfers, architects, agrono-mists and so on. We attend events around the world in the hope that actions taken by those we speak to will far outweigh the carbon footprint of the messenger!

The message is simple – golf ’s financial health and reputation can benefit greatly if we take care of our environment and meet the needs of society. There are plen-ty of examples where this is happening.

Simple measures such as reducing the area of closely mown turf and encourag-ing more wildlife will not only reduce labour costs but also fuel and machinery wear. Finding ways of dealing with green waste on site, such as composting, saves significant costs related to transporting it to landfill.

Turf management aimed at creating a healthy growing environment, producing dry, firm surfaces will reduce the cost of inputs such as fertiliser, pesticide and water. In addition, energy audits can high-light plenty of opportunities to save on sources of power and cost.

If you can make your course blend more into the natural landscape, find ways of dealing effectively and safely with waste, minimise your use of water and potential pollutants and all of the other opportunities that a sustainable approach provides, then you can build a strong and constructive reputation that will serve you well locally and further afield.

Your customers, the golfers, must also be made aware of such activities so that they can take pride in being associated with a responsible and progressive club.

The information and examples on our website can help you work towards these goals. As you do so, let us know so that we can acknowledge your progress. GME

www.everris.com

New name, same people, same productsScotts Professional is now Everris.

24 GME apriL 2012

UNSEEN INNOVATION

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in person

There are a few tell-tale signs that you have arrived in Augusta. The impressive driveway banked by carefully manicured grounds is one, while the colonial club-house with a white-washed fence marking out the veranda is another. Refined and reserved, this is a special place.

But this isn’t 2604 Washington Road and that isn’t the clubhouse of the Augusta National Golf Club. Instead, it is the city’s local municipal golf course which was originally laid out by Scottish professional David Ogilvie in 1928.

Charming and parochial, this public-access course – known as The Patch due to the allotment created next to the club-house in which cabbages were grown – pre-dates its more illustrious neighbour by five years.

Despite the age difference, Augusta’s community course never reached the celebrity status of the younger upstart.

In fact, until recently, the council was losing up to $400,000 a year running the club. Not surprisingly, a decision was

made to relieve the city of the expensive burden and lease the property to a private operator.

Interestingly, the successful bid came from an operating company headed up by Scottish property developer Brian Hendry who is keen to resurrect The Patch’s Celtic roots.

“As soon as I saw it, I wanted it,” Hendry says with an Aberdonian lilt. “It had a beautiful driveway, a great club-house which they had invested a lot of money in over the years, and a great design.

“It even has a little private airstrip attached to it two miles from Augusta National – the heart of Augusta. It was perfect.”

Hendry’s team took over the club on the January 1, 2012 with an official re-opening timed later that month to coincide with Robert Burns Night. The new website is decked out in tartan and the club’s logo is now emblazoned with a Scottish flag.

WEBLINK; tHEpatCHaUGUSta.COM

Master strokeas the Masters is set to tee-off, Mark Alexander discovers

how a Scottish property developer took over augusta’s public golf course, and made it work in the shadow of its

more illustrious neighbour.

26 GME apriL 2012

Scotland has arrived in Georgia.While the new look is perhaps the most

obvious change, more fundamental improvements were also being planned. “It had great potential but it needed good management,” explains Hendry who is based in Aberdeen.

“The club had fallen into a lot of bad habits, namely that too many people were playing for free. Municipals have a prob-lem worldwide that people think they can play them for free. Once you put in some rules and regulations, then things pick up.”

After tightening up the club’s policy on enforcing green fees, Hendry turned his attention to another missed opportunity.

“They did nothing during The Masters – it was just a normal week,” says the 53 year old. “That’s when all the other Augusta clubs make their money. Part of the deal was that for two weeks of the year, I would essentially close The Patch for corporate use. If you get that right, it could get rid of all the deficits.”

Remarkably before Hendry took over, The Patch had operated as normal during Masters’ week while other nearby clubs capitalised on the frenzied attention that accompanies the event. For some clubs, the rewards could be as much as $1 million and a tremendously profitable start to the new golfing season.

This year, things will be different, Hendry confirms. International press,

PGA professionals and some of the PGAs from Europe will be at The Patch with private jets “queueing up to land” at the airstrip.

The commercial awareness has already borne fruit. In the few short months since his 15-year lease began, Hendry has seen

membership balloon from 64 to 120.

“The new operators of The Patch have done more work in two months than the city did in years of management,” noted a

glowing review from an Augusta Chronicle reader. “Membership is way up; it is

clean and offers a professional atmosphere to users. It is by far the

best deal in town.”With subs set at $500, no joining fee

and green fees priced at just $30, it is easy to see why The Patch’s popularity is on the up. Local golfer Wendell Scott said standards across the board had been raised.

He should know – he’s played the course three times a week since the early 1990s. “They’re running the course like a professional business,” Scott told the Augusta Chronicle. “It’s customer and family-friendly.”

With the locals happy, Hendry is start-ing to focus on improvements to the course. In his opening statement on the club’s website, he proudly points out his plans. “At The Patch, we intend to raise standards not prices. We will have an open door policy and all are welcome.


“We will improve the golf course over time. It will start with general housekeep-ing and repairs to areas that need atten-tion. Then we will embark on some course changes to the new signature holes – numbers 13 and 14.”

There is a distinct lack of ambiguity. The Patch is definitely entering a new era that will see a raft of long-awaited changes designed to drag it out of the economic quagmire in which it has found itself.

On the course, one of the most obvious changes will be the introduction of a “Scottish bunker” on the 13th and the redevelopment of the 14th into “one of the prettiest holes in Augusta”. There is also no shortage of self-belief here.

While Hendry has clearly set his sights high, he is also a practical businessman and, more importantly, a canny Scot.

“You can’t invest millions to get millions back out – it just isn’t that kind of club. You have to match the investment you make with what you’re likely to get out.”

With The Masters looming and all the income-generating possibilities that entails, Hendry says his initial investment in the club will be $500,000 in the first year.

This will be focused mainly on course alterations with any future outlay directed towards the clubhouse.

Apart from maintenance, little else will be done to the course, which Hendry believes is a testing track with a sting in its tail. “This is a tricky, nice, short course, but I don’t think the touring pros would get four threes at our par threes,” says the nine-handicapper. “It’s not an easy course.”

Hendry made his first trip to Augusta over twenty years ago back in 1991, and since then has developed various business interests in the area. As a result, he now visits the city once a month from his base in Scotland.

With The Patch firmly in his portfolio and his pragmatic approach already producing results, his connection with the city seems assured. With everything going so well, what does he think of his neigh-bours?

“We couldn’t have a better neighbour,” says Hendry plainly. “For me, it’s the best golf course in the world, probably the best run golf club in the world and they run the best tournament in the world.

“It’s the magic three, and it’s on my doorstep.” GME

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“For me, it’s the best golf course in the world, probably the best run golf club in the world and they run the best tournament in the world. It’s the

magic three, and it’s on my doorstep.”

28 GME apriL 2012

online tee times WEBLINK; OnLinEtEEtiMES.CO.UK

A few years ago in this very magazine, at the time when the online tee time market was still very much in its infancy, I said “that by 2010 I fully expect golfers and golf clubs to be benefitting from the efficiencies of the Internet.”

In our own experience this has definite-ly been the case, as the volume of book-ings made through Online Teetimes Ltd has grown by almost 100 per cent year on year since the article was published in 2007.

In 2011 we delivered around £300,000 a month in revenues to the clubs we work with and having just launched a six-figure marketing campaign beginning with TV ads on SkySports during live coverage of the WGC Cadillac, Arnold Palmer Invitational and Shell Houston Open, we are already seeing a significant increase in visitors to Teetimes.co.uk.

And this, of course, means we’re work-ing harder than ever with our clubs to

service that demand with good inven-tory at good prices.

For us, choice, value and flexibility has always

been the key to building a successful online tee time book-ing busi-

ness and this applies to

both consumers and golf clubs.

Yield ManagementUnlike established printed 2-for-1

voucher schemes, which have forced clubs to offer half-price golf – and newer

schemes like Wowcher and GroupOn which have driven the price (and revenue to clubs) even lower – our primary goal is still to find large numbers of golfers who aren’t necessarily seeking the cheapest golf, but are looking for quick availability, often at off-peak times, and a deal of some description.

At Retford Golf Club in Nottinghamshire, head pro Craig Morris says: “Having explored many avenues to fill quiet times on the tee I have found Online TeeTimes by far the most success-ful. This is mainly due to the customer service I have received from the support team and the amount of golfers using and trusting the web site.”

Offering yield management opportuni-ties and flexibility to busy golf course operators and administrators remains critical and technology plays a big role in this.

As the online tee time market has matured, methods of delivering tee time inventory have improved and we have built a self-administration interface to make uploading and pricing tee times even easier. And alongside that, integrat-ing with electronic teesheet providers like IntelligentGolf and BRS has been essen-tial.

Our business is built on building long-term relationships with golf clubs, so providing a greater choice of options for those interested in selling tee times online was perfectly natural. We have taken a very flexible approach to tee time sales and distribution for golf clubs, with the ability to keep inventory and pricing fresh.

Our team, based in Lincolnshire and Wicklow, speak to many golf clubs on a

boom times online

in 2011 Online teetimes Limited sent more than

240,000 golfers to golf clubs. MD, Paul Heeney (pictured opposite) explains why the

online tee time market continues to boom.


daily basis and, after canvassing clubs, it became apparent that we needed to expand our business model to offer more ways for golf clubs to generate revenue from online golf bookings.

So, in 2011, we launched a new commission-based system to sit alongside our proven barter sales programme. In the new commission model, golfers reserve a tee time online by paying us 20 per cent of the published Internet green fee price. The remaining 80 per cent is collected directly by the golf club when the golfer turns up to play.

In the barter model, golf clubs collect 100 per cent of the published Internet green fee price from the golfer and reward us for generating the sale with tee times to sell via our own weekly email marketing. We keep this revenue.

The dual programme is working well and while the majority wanted to stick with the proven barter model, some clubs preferred the option of a commission-based system.

Mobile booking One of the biggest changes in the last

five years has been the staggering growth of mobile Internet access through smart-phones and tablet PCs.

More than 4.2m tablets have been bought in the UK since Apple launched the iPad in May 2010, while 53 per cent of the population owns a smartphone and 28.6 million Britons access online content via apps or mobile Internet each month.

Naturally, this means golfers want to find and book tee times while on the move and as a result we now have a mobile-specific website with golfers able to search for and book games of golf on their smartphone – such as an iPhone or Android device – or on a tablet.

We are also developing a range of ‘apps’ – special downloadable applications for smartphone and tablet users – which will make the process even quicker and simpler.

clubs are Testimony To successIn all of this, the biggest testimonial to

the success and growth of the online tee time booking market remains with golf clubs themselves.

Individual members only clubs are also now benefitting and at Whitefield Golf Club in Manchester, for example, the annual subscription for members has been reduced because of the additional revenue now coming in through online tee times.

At Prestwich Golf Club in Manchester we have doubled their entire green fee revenue in the last two years, with PGA professional Mark Pearson saying: “It’s been a great service and I would recom-mend it to any club looking for extra Green Fee income.”

So I think the argument for online tee time booking at your club is stronger than ever and with the growth of mobile Internet usage, it can only continue to go one way. GME

30 GME apriL 2012

northern ireland

It has been an amazing few years in Northern Ireland’s chequered history, and certainly ones that are unprecedented in golf history for a country of such a dimin-utive size.

Graeme McDowell started the ball roll-ing at Pebble Beach at the 2010 US Open and there’s been no stopping the small nation since, with further victories from Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke helping it account for three out of six Major championships up until last summer’s Open Championship.

Northern Ireland’s professional success story is unlikely to end there with McIlroy looking set to dominate the game in years to come after completing his climb to the summit of the world golf rankings at the age of just 22.

Only the great Tiger Woods achieved the feat of becoming world number one sooner, while the exploits of the celebrat-ed trio played a major role in bringing the Irish Open back to Northern Ireland when it will be staged at Royal Portrush later this summer.

With golf enjoying such a high profile in the country, it is little wonder that people have been flocking to reap the rewards available and the latest develop-ment has seen permission granted for the building of a £100m new golf resort on Northern Ireland’s north coast.

The Bushmills Dunes golf course and hotel complex, which is close to the Giant’s Causeway at Runkerry, is being developed by a consortium headed by Dr Alistair Hanna, a New York-based busi-nessman born in Northern Ireland, with the resort receiving the go-ahead in February.

With a 120-bedroom hotel and 75 villas included in the plans for the 360-acre site, the development seems certain to be a valuable provider of jobs to the region while the feats of McIlroy and co will continue to attract new visitors to one of the finest areas of golfing coastline in the world.

The Bushmills project has also won the backing of Peter Alliss, the BBC’s highly-respected ‘voice of golf ’ who, when told

of the new development, said: “I’m always excited when a new project, a new course of quality, is about to happen.

“Because of various regulations over the years, opportunities to make a golf course in that kind of spectacular area are very few and far between. You’ve got some beautiful golf courses in that area. Will it take another one? Probably, yes.”

With the likes of Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Castlerock and Portstewart, Northern Ireland is already home to some of the best courses and the hope is that, in time, Bushmills Dunes will join them.

But not everyone in is in favour of the new development and, in a country where there are already around 100 golf courses for a population of less than two million people, there is also a considerable school of thought that believes it will not be sustainable.

Opposition to the project has been led over the last ten years by the National Trust, owner of the Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland’s top tourist attraction with more than 700,000 visitors each year), while golf courses in the proximity also have their doubts about the proposed plans.

Jim Gillan, proprietor of Gracehill Golf Club, said: “There’s no doubt that it will be very good if it succeeds but my main concern is the economic climate that they are choosing to build the resort in.

“It’s not the right time to be doing a project of this magnitude. There’s no question that the area badly needs a four-star hotel while it will be a top-class course if it gets built as it’s a fabulous site with fantastic views, but I just cannot see the economics stacking up.

“No projects like this have been successful in Ireland in recent years and I can’t see this one being any different. They are planning to sell so many houses to help fund it and that is a big ask at the moment.

“I know if I was looking to buy a house I wouldn’t do it in Ireland but would look to do it somewhere like Portugal instead where the weather’s warmer.

a Giant step too far in northern ireland?

a controversial new golf course situated close to the Giant’s Causeway in northern ireland has sparked a debate as to how sustainable the project could be, as Peter Simm reports.


“Most of the golfers in the area already have memberships at Portrush and I can’t see them wanting to leave as they already have a world-class golf course.”

Golf tourism is a major contributor to the local economy, generating more than

£14 million each year in the Portrush area, and government ministers are hoping the new Bushmills resort will not only bring new jobs to the region but also promote Northern Ireland as a leading worldwide golfing destination.

But those involved in the project should heed the examples of what has happened at Loch Erne nearby and Killeen Castle, who have both fallen on tough times of late after multi-million pound investments and fanfare openings.

In the case of Loch Erne, the luxury resort still finds itself in administration and UK golf travel writer Steve Killick believes strongly that it is time the region was left to promote the outstanding golf-ing venues it already has at its disposal.

Killick argued: “Why should they build another golf course in an area so well blessed with them?

“Like Donald Trump’s obsession with Northern Aberdeenshire, this should be left to nature rather than have another mighty expensive golf course and the inevitable bolt-on five-star spa hotel in an area that needs neither.

“What is incredible given the financial travails at the likes of Loch Lomond and Old Head of Kinsale is the belief that there is demand for another five-star golf-ing destination in the UK.

“We are in the middle of the biggest economic downturn since the 1930s, golf participation is down across all of Europe but, to satisfy some gigantic ego, a wild and natural coastline with some of the country’s finest courses within an easy drive, is being sanitised as yet another course goes up when there is no demand for it and certainly no need.

“No one needs this course apart from Alistair Hanna.”

He could well be right but, after ten years of trying, it appears unlikely that, like Donald Trump before him, Hanna will stop now in his desire to make his golfing dream a reality. GME

“Like Donald Trump’s obsession with Northern Aberdeenshire, this should be left to nature rather than have another mighty expensive golf course and the inevitable bolt-on five-star spa hotel in

an area that needs neither.”


tax issues

Illegal Wash Area

Where now for golf ’s proprietary-owned clubs? A landmark VAT ruling in March, in favour of Didsbury Golf Club, in Manchester, has once again left Britain’s proprietary clubs – which number around 800 – scratching their heads in disbelief at what they consider a further example of inequality.

Didsbury, a private members’ club, was awarded £5,000 after it won a ruling after claiming it had overpaid VAT for more than three years on green fees purchased by associate members.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) was forced to reconsider following the introduction, in 2009, of an associate membership scheme in which golfers paid a small fixed fee to join and then paid discounted green fees whenever they wanted to play a round of golf.

Non-profit making private members’ clubs currently pay no VAT on members’ subscriptions, but do pay VAT on green fees, although this will once again come under close scrutiny at a legal hearing later this year.

Last year, Didsbury approached accountants and VAT consultants PKF to challenge the VAT it had charged on the green fees bought by its associate members. They stated that, according to the Value Added Tax Act 1994, VAT should only be levied to ‘an individual who is not a member’ of a sports’ club when they purchase green fees.

HMRC has now accepted the club’s challenge and a spokesman confirmed: “From March 2009 Didsbury introduced an annual associate membership classifi-cation in which members pay an annual

this year could turn out to be annus horribilis for many

proprietary-owned golf clubs in the UK when it

comes to the subject of Vat, as Ben Edwards

reports.

VaT windfall for ‘private’ clubs

WEBLINK; aGCO.OrG.UK

34 GME apriL 2012

membership fee and then additional fees each time they use the course. Both sets of fees incurred by the associate members qualify for exemption from VAT under the VAT Act 1994. The annual fee has been correctly treated as exempt but the course fee element has been incorrectly treated as VAT inclusive.”

This latest development in the ongoing ‘level playing field’ saga follows a case last year in which Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club won a case against HMRC to claim back the VAT it had spent on green fees for non-members of the golf club.

The decision outraged many proprie-tary club owners, whose chagrin was only slightly assuaged when HMRC appealed the decision – an appeal which will be heard in the summer. However, if the appeal is unsuccessful then private members’ clubs will be able to claim back four years of VAT paid on all green fees.

But whatever the ruling in that case, the latest decision means private clubs now know they can set up a flexible scheme similar to that of Didsbury’s – another, albeit less publicly reviled, tax avoidance scheme.

Following HMRC’s acceptance of the challenge in March, a spokesman for PKF said: “As a result of this finding, it is recommended that non-profit making clubs that don’t have these flexible or associate membership schemes should consider the implementation of such schemes as, in addition to the VAT bene-fit, there are clear commercial benefits in doing so.

“Clubs that have been operating these schemes and have paid VAT on the green fees can now make a claim for the VAT they have overpaid. Clubs are being advised to make a specific request to HMRC on an individual basis if they consider they would be eligible to make a claim.”

PKF’s delight is easy to understand – the company now finds itself at the vanguard of golf ’s equivalent to the mis-sold PPI stampede.

The chairman of the Association of Golf Course Owners (AGCO), Vivien Saunders, the owner of Abbotsley Golf Club, and herself a former solicitor, has been campaigning against what she considers VAT distortion in golf since 1993. And she was quick to pen a response to HMRC’s VAT Projects Team.

She believes there is a requirement within EU law that there should not be any distortion in charging VAT. She says there should be “fiscal neutrality where goods and services appear the same to the consumer” and that a legal precedent was set by a recent case involving Rank plc.

She also criticised Chancellor George Osborne for failing to deal adequately with the anomaly in his recent budget.

She said: “We are appalled that in this budget the Chancellor has failed to deal with the distortion in sport, and in partic-ular in golf. In the debate on the VAT Sports Order of 1999, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats positively ridiculed Labour for the increased distortion this order would cause. Now they are in office they have forgotten all those promises to address it.

“As it is, the UK goes into the Olympics breaking the law on the VAT treatment of sport. It is distorted and breaks the rules on fiscal neutrality. The anomaly arises because of the failure of politicians and those in HMRC to appre-ciate the term ‘non-profit making organi-sation’.

“It has nothing to do with charity or philanthropy. To allow Sunningdale Golf Club, with £1.3 million of annual visitors’ fees, to be termed “non-profit making” is quite absurd. Their trading gives each member a subsidy/distribution of £1,500 per member.

“To allow Walton Heath Golf Club to take £625,000 of visitors’ fees and be classed as “non-profit making” with VAT-exempt membership fees is a traves-ty.

“MPs are fully aware of this. John Cruddas, the MP for Dagenham, records


that MPs get a £700 subsidy in their subs to belong there. Doubtless many belong there and enjoy the VAT exemption.

“The Budget is supposed to be closing loopholes in VAT and you have a consul-tation period open to May for representa-tions. Please accept this as a representa-tion that the distortion in relation to serv-ices closely linked to sport must at last be stopped. And it should be stopped before the Olympics. It needs to be in the next round of consultation.”

In her letter she outlined the different types of sports clubs in the UK – the tax ‘loophole’ does not apply only to golf – and was scathing in her criticism of how “large, commercially driven businesses” such as “the MCC, Queen’s, (and) the All England Club”, were able to be classed as non-profit making by HMRC.

She added: “We estimate that in golf the “non-profit making” clubs have taken some £2.5 billion in green fees since 1990. HMRC gives them VAT exemption for membership fees. The Bridport case, if not appealed successfully, will allow them VAT exemption on visitors’ fees and an estimated £300m windfall in returned VAT from January 1, 1990.

“The recent Didsbury case has confirmed these clubs can operate a

scheme for charging a tiny membership fee to associate members – who have no right to a vote or interest in the assets of the club – with that fee also exempt and then a VAT exemption for green fees each time they play.

“We warned of just this scenario in 1993 and have warned of it ever since.

“These clubs may be considered to be non-profit making for VAT purposes. They are clearly “profit making” for [corporation] tax purposes…”

She concluded: “Most (proprietary owned clubs) are far smaller than the members’ clubs with which they compete and they can no longer compete. They have not been able to compete for 20 years because of the VAT distortion.

“In our view the VAT exemption for sport must now be removed and prefera-bly be replaced with the permitted reduced rate of five per cent across the board (as allowed by the EU) for all play-ing of sport.”

In the fight against “fiscal inequality”, Saunders is a convincing and energetic advocate. But, as is often said, the law and justice are not the same things. The search for the nirvana of a level playing field for golf clubs may not even be played out on a level playing field.

“To allow Sunningdale Golf Club, with £1.3 million of annual visitors’ fees, to be termed “non-profit

making” is quite absurd.”

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36 GME apriL 2012

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course rankings

Visit any golf club this weekend and someone, somewhere will be championing the cause of his or her favourite golf

course. It could be the one they have just played or the one

they are about to play, but you can guar-

antee the debate will be passionate

and lively.After all,

waxing lyrical about trophy courses or

hidden gems is par for the

course if you are a golfer, whatever your

handicap. Debates about ideal

links or the preferred inland-ers are the bedrock of the

après round chinwag.

They are fiery and involved, but they are also congenial and helpful but, sadly, rarely resolved.

And so it would remain if it wasn’t for a breed of periodicals that dutifully identify the best of the best. Indisputable and defining, golf course rankings are the holy grail of the armchair debater.

They showcase the relative merits of the Top 100 courses and, more impor-tantly, rank them in order. Who could possibly argue with that?

“There are people who question wheth-er you can compare Sunningdale Old with Turnberry, and the truth is you can’t,” admits Jock Howard, commission-ing editor at Golf World magazine.

“What it does do is promote discussion – there is no right or wrong. It’s about people’s opinions and that’s what maga-zines are all about.”

Howard edits the oldest GB & Ireland biennial list which has been meticulously produced 15 times over the years. Compiled using input from golf pros, golf

Fascinating and controversial, golf course rankings are a source of inspiration and debate. Mark Alexander takes a

closer look at these contentious rolls of honour.

rank insider

38 GME apriL 2012

course architects, golf administrators and a selected group of well-informed readers, it is one of the most respected and authoritative registers of its kind.

So successful is it that in recent years, this 30-year-old record has been joined by country specific rolls of honour and a broader European inventory.

“A successful ranking is an accurate ranking,” says Howard, “but you have to accept you are going to upset some people. You know when a list is successful when people who don’t have an axe to grind, agree with it.”

Despite the controversy, or perhaps because of it, rankings sell. Across the board, magazine issues containing Top 100 lists are perennial best sellers. What’s more, according to Rob Smith, who over-sees Golf Monthly’s biennial UK & Ireland listing, they create an important dialogue between the magazines and their readers.

“The Top 100, indeed the Top 200 that we now produce, takes golfers all over the UK and Ireland to places that perhaps they might not have otherwise visited,” he says. “The rankings generate a huge amount of interest in our letters pages, in our online forums and in all our dealings with our readers.”

Contentious and provocative, rankings provide magazines with not only a boost to their circulation but also a valuable communication tool with the people who matter most – their readers.

That aside, Smith believes rankings provide a stimulus for golf clubs to do better. “For the clubs themselves, the rankings keeps them on their toes and makes sure that they constantly strive to maintain and improve standards. This has to be a good thing for everyone.”

The idea of ranking golf courses isn’t new. It isn’t particularly hard to do either.

The difficulty arises when you attempt to do this on a national or even interna-tional scale based on a system that can withstand the most robust cross-examina-tion. In fact, the logistics of pulling together a detailed list can be enough to put you off the idea.

Perhaps not surprisingly, most rankings are produced on a two-year cycle with the goal of creating a comprehensive and respected order of merit. The upshot for clubs is the ever-increasing number of lists produced by magazines, newspapers and websites ensures a constant stream of promotional opportunities.

The challenge is getting on the lists in the first place and then making progress up them.

Asked to identify where clubs fall short, Smith highlights the chasm that exists between good and great courses. “There are very few common shortcomings because our task is not to sort the wheat from the chaff; it is to sort out the best of the best,” he explains.

“However, if there is one common shortcoming, it is a natural but unrealistic over-ambition. Yes, we are blessed with a terrific number of really good clubs with hugely enjoyable courses, but there is a big difference between really good and truly great.”

Interestingly, Howard says competition is at its fiercest at the lower levels where a couple of points could mean the differ-ence between being welcomed into the winners’ enclosure and finding yourself just outside it.

“Our judging panel is being continually improved and we are constantly refining the process, but what we notice most is that the competition is getting tougher and tougher and, interestingly, it is at its keenest just outside the Top 100.

“For the clubs them-selves, the rankings keeps them on their toes and makes sure that they constantly strive to maintain and improve standards. This has to be a good thing for everyone.”


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Between 75 and 150, there are 75 clubs vying for just 25 places.”

This is an important point. Golf course rankings are about recognising the best of the best with the top table often being reserved for stalwarts and the champion-ship contenders we all know and love.

Further down the rankings, where there is more room to manoeuvre, the stakes are arguably higher. After all, the potential benefits of being ranked in the top 100, rather than in the top 200, are marked.

As a result, any ounce of leverage should be exploited; any advantage ceased upon. Howard says this process should start even before the assimilation of data begins. “We pick up the phone to every club,” he says.

“We want to know what clubs have done since the last rankings were published. This is their opportunity to let us know of any big changes and, to be fair, most of them provide us with at least a paragraph of detail.”

For many clubs, this is a golden chance to showcase any improvements made either to the course, clubhouse or its facil-ities. It could be a renovation project, bar upgrade or new personnel; the important thing is to communicate these develop-ments so they are included in the review process.

Andy Newmarch, operations and marketing director of the Top 100 Golf Courses, is well aware of the value of self-promotion. “I travel a lot, and I am always looking out for newer courses that want to

push themselves. In the beginning we would call up courses to arrange to see them.

“Now it’s the other way round – clubs invite us to see the course and the chang-es that they’ve made. The forward-think-ing clubs that come up with a plan like that, then good luck to them. We’ll help them as much as we can.”

The Top 100 Golf Courses website was launched eight years ago. Based around the idea of creating a “list of lists” using published rankings from a variety of sources, it now includes 3,000 courses worldwide and attracts 100,000 unique visitors every month.

The intricate formula used by the Top 100 team to assimilate data was originally devised by a mathematician from Cambridge University, but thankfully it still requires some input from the website’s band of reviewers which includes Newmarch.

He believes a warm welcome can go a long way. “If money is no object, you start with the course to make sure everything is nice and tidy and the greens and tee boxes are as you would want them,” he says. “If money is a problem, and it will be for 90 per cent of the courses, a warm visitor welcome doesn’t cost anything, and it can make a huge difference.”

Rankings are here to stay. If nothing else, the golfing public love to debate them and that makes the magazine editors happy. Think proactively and your numbers might come up! GME

40 GME apriL 2012

my view WEBLINK; JOHnGrEaSLEYLtD.CO.UK

With more and more golf clubs choos-ing to line their bunkers in an attempt to prolong the life of the bunker, we were constantly being asked by clients if we, as a company, had a solution we could offer.

So, after a two-year period of design and development, we launched ‘HyLine’ at BTME Harrogate, which is a heavy weight semi-permeable liner consisting of an inert granular fill material sandwiched between two layers of geotextile.

The underlying layer is constructed out of woven polypropylene which acts as stone barrier, whilst the top layer is constructed out of a non-woven 200 gauge ‘open fibre’ geotextile.

The inert mineral fill is then secured between the two layers by needle punch-ing at 2-3mm centres.

When moist the material dramatically increases in weight and drains in a conventional manner to a centrally installed drainage system. With the sand neatly purchased into the ‘open fibre’ surface of the needle punched geotextile, it performs consistently and comparably with sand laid in a conventional non-lined bunker, and therefore retains a degree of moisture in the lower portion whilst still allowing it to drain freely.

The sand therefore consolidates with the playing characteristics of a conven-tional bunker.

Having been trialled with excellent results for two years, we have recently

completed the installation of ‘HyLine’ to over 100 bunkers at Farleigh Court Golf Club, six holes at Rushcliffe Golf Club with trials for future installations at five high profile courses ongoing.

The numerous advantages of using ‘HyLine’ – which follows the internal contours of the bunker base without creasing – include stopping contamina-tion of sand by stones and silt which in-turn, prolongs the life cycle of the sand, therefore reducing costs.

The ‘HyLine’ system also increases the consistency of playability through all lined bunkers whilst extending the life cycle of internal drainage by reducing contamina-tion of gravel backfill.

The playability therefore is more in line with traditional, non-lined bunkers.

Competitively priced whilst being installed during a contract, the costs are midway between the price for upturned turf and many proprietary bunker linings.

During 2011 several major bunker contracts were carried out including Farleigh Court – a 27-hole refurbishment commissioned by Marc Hayton of Foxhills Golf Club as part of a multi-million pound investment.

An intensive programme successfully achieved with only eight-ten weeks sepa-rating each of the three phases.

Renovation took place nine holes at a time to allow 18 holes to be played throughout.

John Greasley Ltd has recently launched a new bunker lining product called ‘HyLine’ which is aimed specifically at clubs who are considering using the company for the reconstruction of bunkers. article by Charlie Greasley.

Greasley takes the hyline in bunker refurbishment


‘Specialist in Golf Course Construction and installer of the HyLine Bunker System’

BAGCC

John greasley limitedAshfield House, 1154 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 2HB

Telephone: 0116 269 6766 Fax: 0116 269 6866

Email: [email protected]

struttandparker.com

Leisure and [email protected]

01722 344057

Ingol Golf CoursePreston, Lancashire• Well located – Preston City Centre 3 miles

• 18 hole course (6,254 yards) and practice ground

• Purpose built clubhouse with 2 squash courts

• Manager’s 2 bedroom bungalow

• 69 hectares (172 acres)

• Business closed 2010

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Long or short lease available

Situated within the Surrey Downs meant the underlying subsoil was predominantly heavy clay, chalk and flint. A heavy duty lining solution was therefore required to prevent contamination of the bunker sand, and ‘HyLine’ was chosen and successfully installed.

The main reasons why HyLine was selected came down to a combination of the strength and weight of the twin layer interwoven geotextile system with inert mineral filler.

Secondly the cost was competitive being placed midway between the price of up-turned turf and the latest branded bunker liners. In total over 100 bunkers were constructed with significant amounts of fill material used to create the surrounds moundwork which was sourced on site from the excavation of new lakes and ditches.

Our works also involved the installation of land drainage and the construction of new tees and buggy paths inconjunction with David Pottage of John Jacobs Associates Golf Design.

Tandridge Golf Club has undertaken an exciting commitment to restore the course to the original Harry Colt style.

The Bunkers, under the careful direc-tion of Frank Pont, along with green surrounds and new mounding are being restored to their original style. The new bunkers, many of which had been grassed over in previous times, have been opened up with new strategically placed fairway bunkers and the relocation of tees.

This has sympathetically brought the course up to date with today’s modern equipment.

The bunkers in the original Colt style are having heather incorporated around the edges, much of which is being regen-erated on the course.

Following the successful completion of three holes for phase one, to the delight of the members and committee, we were engaged to complete phase two of the front nine during the autumn of 2011.

The course transformation created quite a buzz, with all involved keen to keep the momentum going. Subsequently work on the back nine was brought forward from August to January 2012 which we are currently completing, with the remainder of the back nine holes programmed for completion this October.

At East Berks Golf Club we completed an18 hole bunker reconstruction includ-ing course alterations phased over three consecutive autumns on this tree-lined heathland course.

The restoration – which was completed in collaboration with Howard Swan of Swan Golf Designs – involved the translo-cation of heather to the bunker surrounds in conjunction with the club’s heather rejuvenation programme, together with recontouring the green approaches and surrounds, rebuilding of greens eight, nine and ten along with a host of intricate greenside retaining features to a number of streams and ditches that weave their way through the course. GME

42 GME apriL 2012

Everybody likes a list. i can remem-ber as a teenager poring over the inside back cover of Record Mirror to see what had made it into the charts at no 75 because it was so much cool-er to be a fan of less commercial stuff than whatever was sitting at number one.

nowadays i enjoy looking in the weekend supplements at the bestsell-ers’ lists to see which books i’ve read and which i’d like to get with the numerous book tokens i receive – with-out fail – for birthdays and Christmas.

and that’s not a complaint, that’s what i actually ask for.

a lot of emphasis is put on ranking lists – you only have to see the plethora of press releases sent out whenever a major golf magazine compiles a top 100 courses supplement to see that.

though why you would boast there are ‘only’ 74 better courses than yours in the UK is beyond me.

But i’m writing this the day after Luke Donald returned to the top of the men’s golf rankings following a two-week stint at number one for rory Mcilroy. and the question has to be asked: is the current system damaging the credibility of the rankings?

in my view the answer is an unequiv-ocal ‘yes’.

i have no issue with either of the guys being at the top – both are worthy of the crown – but for the young irishman to be usurped at number one after just a fortnight seems bizarre at best and, at worst, daft.

the current situation may be a one-off; we may not have two or three players vying so closely for the top spot again. Yet, having arisen once, who’s to say it won’t happen again?

You need to hold a degree in advanced mathematics to understand the mechanics of the rankings, but in my view – and it’s not one i expect to

be supported – however it’s worked out needs to be looked at carefully.

i don’t believe the credibility of the system stands up to close examination when somebody can rise to the top of the ladder and then drop off the perch after just two weeks. Donald’s consist-ency is what has seen him regain the crown but, surely, on that basis, he should not have lost it?

i’m not offering my services to the golf authorities to devise a new system, by the way, my job is merely to grum-ble about the status quo... and, for that matter, about Status Quo.

i simply believe that, maybe, a more transparent – in other words, easier to understand – system would better serve we golf fans.

You may not agree. You may feel that a constantly changing world number one is a good thing for golf. we all have different reasons for hold-ing such opinions.

i’m just wary of rankings systems that elevate teams or individuals artificially – and i say this after discovering that England were once ranked number four in the FiFa world football rankings.

now do you see my point? GME

the last word

and this week’s world number one is...

“I’m not offering my services to the golf authorities to devise a new system, by the way, my job is merely to grumble about the status quo... and, for that matter, about Status Quo.”

David [email protected]

Call: +44 (0)1260 224568email: [email protected]: www.campeyturfcare.com

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GME/AP/04/2012

GBD Arnold Palmer v2.indd 1 07/03/2012 13:53

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