Managing expectations at Worksop Golf Club
James Kimmings met up with Head Greenkeeper Sam Wardill at Worksop Golf Club to discuss the difficulty of implementing sustainability projects while also managing members’ expectations.
Sam recently completed a gorse management project, which left some members asking why.
“We had gorse that was about 14 feet high, and it was encroaching on a large part of the 10th hole tee. Golfers were only using the right-hand side of the tee because it was impossible to see the green. We took it right down to the stump with the aim of maintaining it at a height and width that doesn’t interfere with play.”
“As with everything, some members loved it and some weren’t as keen. It’s a balancing act to keep the golfers happy whilst also promoting sustainability. Previously, we could only use one side of that area, and the tee shot was going straight into the gorse, but now, we can maintain the area as we want.”
“From an agronomic point of view, it has allowed us to use the whole tee, which spreads out the wear. It has also opened up the view down towards the green, so aesthetically, that hole looks a lot more inviting.”
“It can look brutal when you first take gorse down to the stump, but members need to understand that it regenerates - and in a year’s time, you won’t notice.”
Last year, Sam and his team completed a small heather scrape aimed at regeneration. He offered some advice on how to do it effectively: “Historically, the area was always heather, but over the years it was lost due to the planting of cherry trees and other species. We did a small trial site; the seed was already in the ground - we just needed to expose it and give it a chance. Seeing the results from that, we extended the scrape area and applied brash to speed up the growing process.”
“It’s a slow burner. I understand why golfers don’t like the sight of it - it’s exposed ground. But in the long term, we’re making the best of the natural plant.”
Communication has been key when it comes to managing member expectations: “You can use social media, reports and presentations. If members know what you’re doing and what the long-term plan is, they give you more leeway. If they turn up in the sunshine and three holes are shut, naturally they aren’t incredibly pleased. But if you sent out information about the work three weeks prior, you might get more freedom.”
Are golf courses bad for the environment?
Historically, golf courses have had a poor reputation in environmental circles due to the use of machinery and chemicals. Sam pointed to a shift in attitudes: “Years ago, golf courses used a lot more fungicides and pesticides, which obviously didn’t help environmentally. However, everything is strictly monitored now and greenkeepers are much more aware.”
“As an industry, we’re trying to support the environment. It’s our responsibility to promote sustainability projects. We have a lot of natural gorse on the course, and we want to promote its growth as a natural hazard. We also want to maintain wild areas to attract moths and bees. There used to be a lot more gorse and broom, and we’re trying to bring that back.”
Sam also looks beyond just golf when it comes to course management: “You want interest on every hole. Growing out the rough areas and the gorse allows for visual and strategic interest. If you go into it, you’re struggling - but it gives you another element and adds colour to the course.”
When starting sustainability projects, it’s always helpful to speak to organisations that can offer funding and advice. Sam explained: “We work closely with the Sherwood Trust. They’re local to us and focus heavily on heathland regeneration. Between the Sherwood Trust and The Fairways Foundation, we’ve received funding for a heather nursery at the top of our practice ground. The long-term plan is to grow on site and then use the plants throughout the course when needed. It isn’t an arduous process - just speak to the right people and fill in a few forms.”
Tree management
The course has seen several changes over the years, and trees have always been a hot topic. Sam outlined the pros and cons of tree planting.
“They give you definition between holes and an element of protection. Members seem to like fairways bordered by trees. From an environmental point of view, there are benefits - trees bring more wildlife to the course by providing places for birds to stop off. However, planting non-indigenous trees can negate some of those benefits. We have a lot of Silver Birch and various European pine species, which don’t belong in this environment.”
“You have issues with shading, which we all know can cause problems. From a budgeting perspective, it might be cheaper to remove a tree that’s blocking sunlight rather than overspend on products. I suppose it eliminates the cause rather than dealing with the effect.”
Sam summarised a brief history of tree planting at Worksop: “In the ’70s and ’80s, the club went through a phase of planting a lot of trees. They’ve never been thinned or maintained.”
“We’ve recently started to thin out many areas to promote sunlight onto greens. We also have roots growing underneath the greens, which causes moisture loss. We’re having to apply more product to counter that. If your greens sit in shade for most of the day, you’re fighting a losing battle when it comes to disease.”