AQUA-AID & ProGrass Host Successful Industry Information Days

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Aqua-Aid’s Europe’s Irish distributor, Prograss, held two successful industry information days at Nass Golf Club, Kildare House and Castletroy Golf Club, Limerick Clubhouse at the beginning of March.

The days were organised by Prograss’ Managing Director Gerard McEvoy, and hosted by David Behan, course manager at Nass Golf Club and Aiden Hiney golf course superintendent at Castletroy Golf Club.

The aim of the days was to showcase the Aqua-Aid range of products alongside talks from Duco Van Der Veen from Mivena, and an explanation of organic matter control in greens from Harris Turf Improvements ltd. Brian O’Shaughnessy from Campey Turf Care Systems was also there to support with machinery demonstrations of the award winning Air2G2 and Imants shockwave.

The uptake of the Aqua-Aid range has been very positive across Europe and In Ireland with programmes in place at the Aviva Stadium, Croke Park and Dunmurray Springs Golf Club. It was this interest which prompted Aqua-Aid Chief Operating Officer, Sam Green, to travel across from America to elaborate on the knowledge the Irish greenkeepers have already accumulated.

He said: “Prograss is our distributor in Ireland through Hans De Kort at Aqua-aid EU, and has done very well for us in getting the product in the market and carrying out some initial trials.”

“This is the reason I’m here now to further explain the scientific basis behind the positioning of our product lines in the market, and to support Gerard for all the effort he is making in order to help him expand his and our market share throughout Ireland.”

Reaction to the events from attendees was enthusiastic across the board and as Tommy Manogue representing Callan Golf Club at Naas GC said “It has been a very informative day. The science was extremely interesting particularly in relation to the difference between wetting agents and surfactants.”

Jonathon O’Toole from Dunmurray Springs Golf Club agreed “We have been using some of the products discussed today, but it was really interesting to see the video on how the ‘Worm Power’ is processed. It makes it real and when backed up with actual data and statistics, it gives a greater understanding of why these things work and how nature and technology work together.”

“It has been a very worthwhile exercise” concluded Gerard McEvoy “I would like to thank all those who attended and Sam Green and Hans De Kort for taking time out to deliver an excellent seminar.”

Greenkeeper Diaries: Broadway

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NCG chats to trainee Nick Gardener about the life of a greenkeeper…

Course: Broadway Golf Club
Name: Nick Gardener
Position: Trainee greenkeeper

You were a professional golfer. What brought you into greenkeeping?

I was looking for a job and I was considering going back to university to train as a teacher. I went to my club at the time and the professional said they were looking for an apprentice greenkeeper.

At first, I thought it would tide me over but I loved it. I loved the science behind it. You are not bound to a desk, or stuck in a building. I took up the apprenticeship and I have never looked back.

What’s the best part of the job?

It ties in with my lifestyle. I can get up in the morning and be done by 2 or 3pm. Then I can go and train for my race days. I race for an amateur cycling team, Cycle Studio Core Telecom RPC Team.

What don’t golfers understand about your role?

They don’t understand what we have to take into account [in preparing a course]. They don’t understand the science behind it or the processes we go through to design, build or maintain a course.

They think it all happens by magic. A lot of things have to be thought through. For example, how you care for your machinery can affect the grass. It is all hard work and takes a lot of skill.

What is involved in becoming a qualified greenkeeper?

I study at Myerscough College. It’s a further education course. A lot of the work is done practically and through video analysis. We actually use our phones now. It could just be a two minute video to upload.

We might be changing a hole, having a chat about it and talking about health and safety. There is theory behind it as well, disease for example, and you can carry through for a maximum of two years. I will finish by the end of this year.

If you could ask golfers to do one thing, what would it be?

It would probably be to respect greenkeepers and acknowledge their hard work. I could say repair pitchmarks but golfers don’t know the work that goes into the job and I’d like acknowledgement for staff and the work they do to get a course into great condition.

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Cricket: Free Trip On Offer For Groundsmen

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A free trip to Headingley beckons for members of the Lincolnshire Cricket Groundsmen’s Association. The association is providing free transport from Lincoln to the Yorkshire stadium on Monday (March 27) to meet award-winning head groundsman Andy Foggerty and to learn about his pre-season preparations. Members will then visit the rugby ground next door to speak to Ryan Golding.

Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival and, after a free buffet lunch, the will be the opportunity to ask Andy questions before departure at around 3pm. The transport leaves Lincoln Lindum at approximately 9.15am. Alternatively, members can use their own transport and meet at Headingley.

The trip is free to fully paid up members of the CGA but is also a good opportunity for those not directly involved in ground preparation – such as club coached, chairmen and players – to view what is required at the highest level.

Anyone interested in the visit should contact Martin Deans at martindeans@btinternet.com or call 07971087891.

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