9 Jan 2010 by pac58 Last edited 9 Jan 2010
For years the Groundsman wanted respect and the premier leaque has given us that now. But it seems we are not happy with that no more? We seem to want to be seen as scientist or doctors? We are groundsman we do the rite thing at the rite time and get paid well for it. We are just simply confusing people at the moment to in depth with worlds on on turf. In truth good turf management is 70% comon sense. At my green in wadebridge we have one of the finest greens in the country. We have brand new sharpend blades every month for cuttg 3 mowers. 7 days before county game or final we double cut every day and roll. We verti cut once month April/Sept Scarify 3 times in March then 2/3 over the summer. Slit weekly Nov to end March. Verti drain 2/3 days before xmas then keep off in jan. We have never top dressed for 10 years just seed I use 10kg weekly for the hole Oct and brush in. To keep a bowling green tip top is not about fancey words its about man hours on yr green 22/25 hrs week are needed to keep your green tip top in summer. Its no good looking down on your green thinking you will improve it on 6/10 hrs week maintenance? madness. You look after it it look after you.
how very true, new products and machines are always good to know about but methods vary from keeper to keeper its what works and suits each green and of course the work you put in. Good post pac58
4 wheels are better than none
hi pac58..
congrats on your green mate but remember its only 1.....
lads on this site maintain anything up to 50 greens on 1 site which brings more management and technical skills with regards to consistency are variant problems from green to green. It would be my opinion that we do educate ourselves more and more and bring a huge degree of professionalism to our industry..
Regards
Brian
everything happens for a reason
Great pac58, very well done. It shows what can be done. However, i look after a couple of bowling greens and there is no way that either club could afford to pay me for 22/25 hours work a week. I really wish they could. No, we have to prioritise and do the best we can in the 6 to 10 hours that the clubs can afford to pay for.
An issue that would be raised by the club members is this, when are they allowed to use the green ? We often get in the way of one another now. How would we manage if we wanted to work on the green all morning every morning ?
By the way, how many participating members do you have at your club ?
10 Jan 2010 by pacman75cricket
Think it about using advances in the industry in conjunction with the man hours think you need both.
If things can be done in different ways may even see improved results.
I am a greenkeeper in Birmingham for a crown green bowls club. Last year I spent most of every day down at the green doing some kind of work on it.Most mornings would drag brush the green then cut it. For our members to play on we have games on it everyday of the week so its hard sometimes to fit in work on the green. I was made redundant in march last year thats the only reason I have spent loads of time down there.
I know some clubs have more then one person to do the work At my club its just me and a friend that has retired. We have just bought new Protea Greensmower so cant wait to use it when the weather warms up in prob march at this rate.
Hi pac58,
A really interesting and thought provoking post. I agree with much of what you say and congratulate you on coming on here and displaying your drive and desire for the green you look after. It would be interesting to find out a little more about your background and employment terms. The club seems very supportive of you and backs you well with machinery etc. Would it be fair to ask your green maintenance budget, excluding labour?
My green is the area of my job that gives the most pleasure, however, we also have 2 cricket, tennis and rugby, therefore I struggle to give it the time it needs and deserves. Nevertheless, it plays to a decent standard but the grass makeup is not very good.
Enjoyed reading your plan of action but no mention of feed and irrigation also sprays, could you enlighten me more please?
Sure my bowls pal has2mow will also be interested.
Regards.
Vic.
11 Jan 2010 by Steve G Last edited 11 Jan 2010
As contractors we look after 8 crown greens. There is not the money in crown green bowls to pay for 25 hrs a week labour per green.
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