KAR UK provides the infantry to Links GC

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KAR UK provides the infantry to Links GC: Stuart Murtha, former military man and now Head Greenkeeper at the West Runton Links Golf Course in Norfolk, believes that the course has never been in such a good condition following the installation of a new Hunter irrigation system from KAR UK.

The Links Golf Course opened in 1903 and was designed by 5 times Open Champion J.H. Taylor. Located on the beautiful North Norfolk coast, the sea is visible from every hole and it is renowned for being one of the best 9-hole courses in the area. Next to the golf club is the Links Country Park Hotel which is a striking example of late Victorian architecture.

KAR UK provides the infantry to Links GC

KAR UK provides the infantry to Links GC

Stuart has been the Head Greenkeeper for three years after serving in the military for most of his life. Never one to shy away from a challenge, the former soldier immediately set himself a goal.

“I think it is fair to say that the golf course had become a little bit run down and it needed a lot of love and attention,” he said. “My goal was to significantly improve the course but first I had to prove myself and show that I was going to do the work before the owners invested.

“I remember a knowledgeable ex-greenkeeper telling me to start with the greens and then to work out from there. Therefore, my plan was to get them to a high standard and then carry on developing everything else.”

Stuart made an instant impact and it wasn’t long before the owners did indeed put their faith in him.

“In my second year here, it was one the driest periods we have ever had on record and I hand watered all the greens every single day for four months. At that point I said to the owners that this just wasn’t sustainable. I then got the green light to look into a new irrigation system.

“I did my research and came across KAR UK,” he continued. “I phoned them up; they were very helpful, and they sent Mike McDonnell (KAR UK Sales Manager) two days later to come and walk round the course with me. Mike gave me a lot of information and explained how I could make it all work.”

Stuart decided on the Hunter G-85B rotary sprinklers to provide irrigation to the greens. These rotary sprinklers boast one of the highest torque outputs on the market and its patented gear drive will push through anything that gets in its way. With such a powerful core, an array of efficient nozzles, and true full circle and part circle capabilities, the G-85B is relied on by turf managers throughout the globe.

Impressively, Stuart took it upon himself to install the new irrigation system. Stuart, his assistant Graham, and the hotel’s maintenance team worked around the clock to finish the project in just five days.

KAR UK provides the infantry to Links GC

KAR UK provides the infantry to Links GC

With the new Hunter irrigation system installed, Stuart believes that the course has reaped the benefits ever since.

“Without doubt, it has made a huge improvement to the greens,” he said. “We have been able to lower the height of cut because the sward is so much healthier and thicker. The other noticeable sign of improvement is the vertical growth. When I first started scarifying, I used to fill up a trailer full of lateral growth from each green but now I can scarify a green and end of with a lot less debris.

“It is so much more convenient because we can water them whenever it is needed. I can also control it from my mobile phone via the mobile-friendly Centralus irrigation management platform – if I’m at home, for example, and the weather forecast changes to show we are going to get 10mm of rain then I can simply just switch it off – or vice versa.”

Stuart is continuing to follow the sound advice he received, and after a notable improvement in the greens, he is starting to concentrate on other areas of the course.

“I’m now working on other areas of the course that I would never have had the time to do in the past. The irrigation system has made a massive difference.

“We’ve got members who have been part of the club for 30 years and they are saying that never in their time has the course been in such a good condition. That is what I am here for; I am here for a challenge and I will continue to give it my all.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com.

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Painswick targeted by vandals

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Painswick targeted by vandals: Painswick Golf Club has been inundated with offers of help after its third hole was targeted by vandals.

The hole was badly damaged by a vehicle being driven over the course and repairs are underway to enable this weekend’s annual club competition to go ahead.

Painswick targeted by vandals

Painswick targeted by vandals

Club professional Mark Cottrell said: “We got in on Monday morning and discovered the third green, third fairway and third tee had been driven over and damaged. It’s horrendous.

“Basically they have done doughnuts on the green around the flag and then out on the fairway. They stopped at the top of the hill around the tee so they’ve just targeted the one hole.”

A road runs behind the third green, but Mr Cottrell said access is far from easy.

“The access to the golf course has been blocked off with metal poles and we’ve got boulders from the quarry which runs alongside the third hole,” he said.

“There’s high banks which they have come over and a car wouldn’t be able to get in there so it is some form of off-road vehicle.”

Since word of the discovery spread, the club has received a succession of offers to help.

“I’ve never known a response like it,” said Mr Cottrell. “Local golf clubs have offered equipment, manpower and whatever help they could give.

“Greenkeepers from six or seven courses have been in touch with our head greenkeeper who has been out working with the club captain and members who volunteered to help out.

“It’s been lovely to see that support.”

The club is working to make the hole playable for the club championship but Mr Cottrell believes it will be a long job to repair fully.

“It will need attention for months,” he said. “It’s a case of letting nature take its course.

“Thankfully we have what we call the old 18th we can use to make the course up to 18 holes while the third is out of action.”

The par three sixth hole at Painswick was described by golf writer and commentator Henry Longhurst as one of the best 18 holes in the world.

And golfers old and new have been flocking to find out why since lockdown restrictions enabled them to return to action at the start of July.

“It’s been absolutely manic,” said Mr Cottrell. “We’ve been four or five times busier than this time last year – it’s such a shame that it has been abused like this.

“People seem to have realised the importance of getting out and about and being healthy.

“It’s sort of kickstarted golf. There are a lot of beginners and revenues from visitors and new members have been exceptionally good.”

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