Tag Archive for: Course

Course quality the most important factor influencing decisions

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Course quality the most important factor influencing decisions: According to a new survey from Carr Golf, 90% of UK golf club members say that year-round course quality will impact their membership decision.

When asked to rank membership factors, course conditioning dominates at 55%, significantly ahead of value for money (39%), tee time availability (39%), and price (22%).

Course quality the most important factor influencing decisions

Course quality the most important factor influencing decisions

The Challenge: High Expectations, Changing Climate

While current satisfaction among club members is high, with 78% of members satisfied or very satisfied with their membership, expectations are even higher. 88% expect good to excellent course conditioning year-round, a standard that’s becoming increasingly difficult to meet for course managers.

The UK experienced its hottest summer on record in 2025, 1.5°C above the long-term average. These volatile conditions, dry summers paired with mild, wet winters, are stretching maintenance operations to their limits.

Ed Pettit, Managing Director of Carr Golf Maintenance, explains: “Many clubs are still grappling with inadequate equipment, resources and practices to deal with the challenges they now face. Clubs must invest in irrigation optimisation and water storage to manage summer stress, while mild and wet winters are increasing pressures on drainage and year-round playability.

“On top of this, the chemistries at the disposal of course managers are limited and less curative, making it extremely difficult to overcome disease outbreaks.”

The Solution: Data-Driven Course Management

With year-round course conditions directly linked to membership growth and retention, golf clubs require a more strategic approach to meet the standards customers expect.

Carr Golf Maintenance uses a data-driven programme based on 13 key performance indicators (KPIs) to track, measure, and optimize course performance, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Recently, in the UK, the company partnered with Burhill Group Limited (BGL) to enhance agronomic standards, elevate playing conditions and maintain sustainability certification at five of its venues across England.

“We consistently see a strong correlation between improved KPI scores and increased golfer satisfaction, membership retention and growth,” says Pettit.

“For clubs to meet member expectations, manage evolving weather, and stay compliant with environmental regulations, a comprehensive agronomic programme isn’t optional, it’s essential.”

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Course Manager

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Job Title: Course Manager
Location: Ingestre Park Golf Club
Salary: Circa £50k depending on experience
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Reports to: Board of Directors
Course Manager

Course Manager

About Us
Ingestre Park Golf Club is a private members’ club with a proud heritage dating back to our relocation to Ingestre in 1977.
Following a major redevelopment, we unveiled our brand-new USGA-spec course in May 2024 — 13 new holes and 5 reconstructed ones. It’s a stunning setting where modern course design meets natural beauty, and we’re seeking an experienced, passionate, and forward-thinking Course Manager to lead our greenkeeping team through this next chapter.
The Role 
The successful candidate will be responsible for the golf course operation, presentation, maintenance, and continuous development of the golf course and practice facilities, while managing and motivating a skilled team of greenkeepers.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a blend of technical knowledge, practical ability, and strong people management skills. The Course Manager will work closely with the Board of Directors, Club Manager and Head Professional to deliver the Club’s long-term vision for excellence in course conditioning and sustainability.
 Key Responsibilities:
  • Produce a maintenance and development plan for the golf course and organising, implementing and participating in the planned programme of maintenance work including greens, tees, fairways, bunkers, rough and all other areas of the course.
  • Lead, train, and develop the greenkeeping team to the highest professional standards
  • Manage course presentation, ensuring consistently high-quality playing surfaces throughout the year
  • Prepare and manage annual budgets for staffing, materials, and machinery
  • Develop and implement sustainable turf management and environmental practices
  • Liaise regularly with the Board of Directors and report on course performance and development
  • Maintain compliance with all Health & Safety, COSHH, and machinery regulations
  • Oversee procurement and maintenance of greenkeeping equipment
  • Plan for adverse weather conditions, tournaments, and special events
Qualifications & Experience
Essential:
  • Minimum Level 3 NVQ / Diploma in Sports Turf Management (or equivalent)
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Course Manager, Head Greenkeeper, or Deputy Course Manager.
  • Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills
  • Demonstrable knowledge of modern turf management practices, irrigation systems, and machinery operation
  • Competence in budgeting, planning, and staff supervision
  • Full UK driving licence and PA1, PA2, and PA6 spraying certificates

Desirable:

  • Experience managing capital projects (e.g. bunker renovation, drainage, irrigation upgrades)
  • IT literacy, including course management software and budgeting tools
  • Understanding of biodiversity, ecology, and sustainable maintenance techniques
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development
Personal Attributes:
  • Passionate about delivering excellence in course presentation
  • Approachable, motivational, and team focused
  • Organised, methodical, and forward-thinking
  • Competent decision making and problem solving skills that are adaptable in changing conditions with pressured time frames
  • Professional communicator with members and committees
What We Offer:
  • Competitive salary
  • Support for ongoing training and professional development
How to Apply: Please send a covering letter and CV outlining your experience and achievements to: Sarah Sharp, Club Manager
Closing Date: Thursday 4th December 2025

Vietnam Golf Coast Doubles Down on Course Improvements

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Vietnam Golf Coast Doubles Down on Course Improvements: Golfers and iconic water buffalo bio mowers alike are about to reap the benefits as Vietnam Golf Coast clubs unveil a wave of upgrades aimed at keeping Central Vietnam at the top of Asia’s golfing leaderboard.

Long recognised for exceptional design and stunning scenery, Ba Na Hills Golf Club and Laguna Golf Lang Co are embracing a philosophy of continual improvement to elevate course conditioning, aesthetics, and the overall player experience. From revamping turf and native landscaping to enhancing visual appeal and drainage, both clubs are investing in upgrades that reflect a deep commitment to excellence.

Vietnam Golf Coast Doubles Down on Course Improvements

Vietnam Golf Coast Doubles Down on Course Improvements

At Laguna Golf Lang Co, where a Sir Nick Faldo Signature layout weaves between jungle-clad mountains and the East Sea, work is underway on several key improvements to help the course thrive through the year, particularly during Vietnam’s more stressful winter months.

A second shelter for the club’s beloved water buffalo, who act as “bio-mowers” tending to the rice paddies integrated into the course, is currently being constructed, providing protection from storms and reinforcing Laguna’s reputation for sustainability and innovation.

“Alongside the new shelter, we’re re-establishing putting surfaces and expanding our turf nurseries as we transition back to Zoysia matrella,” said Jason Blacka, newly appointed Chief Superintendent at Laguna Golf Lang Co. “We’re also adopting enhanced staff training and implementing customised agronomic practices to maintain optimal turf health and playability year-round.”

Other initiatives include revamping native landscape zones to expose more sand and promote resilient indigenous plants. These changes not only support the ecosystem but also add to the visual drama of the layout.

Meanwhile, over in the hills above Da Nang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is refining both the course and the brand that defines it. In 2025, the club unveiled a sharpened brand philosophy — Crafted by Nature, Perfected by Passion — that reflects a deeper focus on both authenticity and precision.

“This is more than just a slogan, it’s a guiding ethos that informs how we present and care for our course,” said Simon Mees, General Manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “We’ve implemented a more rigorous maintenance regime focused on turf quality and year-round playability, while enhancing facilities to ensure comfort without compromising the tranquillity we’re known for.”

Recent improvements include raising the water level between holes 9 and 18 for better aesthetics and reducing the height of the fairway on hole 11 to reveal water views and boost drainage. At the same time, annual renovation work is being carried out across all playing surfaces to encourage root health and promote long-term grass density.

While technological innovations like SmartScore are helping modernise operations, the emphasis remains firmly on elevating the pure golf experience and letting the landscape take centre stage.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but the real key is never standing still,” said Simon Mees. “At Ba Na Hills and across the Vietnam Golf Coast, we’re committed to refining every detail so that every visit feels better than the last.”

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Camiral features in new YouTube course walk series

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Camiral features in new YouTube course walk series: Camiral in Spain, venue of The 2031 Ryder Cup, features in a new YouTube course walk series about sustainable golf broadcast today by Syngenta.

The 36-hole resort near Barcelona, which uses 100% recycled water for irrigation, was named International Environmental Golf Club of the Year at the 2025 Golf Environment Awards.

Camiral features in new YouTube course walk series

Camiral features in new YouTube course walk series

Now, in a new episode of The Green Report, Spain’s Number One Golf Resort is showing how its long-term strategic plan for sustainability is paying dividends, including:

  • Using 100% treated wastewater and captured rainwater for irrigation
  • Switching to drought-resistant turf to reduce water consumption by 30%
  • Introducing biodiversity projects to protect 120 bird species, many protected

Among the interviewees are Golf Course Superintendent Alfredo Álvarez and ecologist Dr Jesús Ortiz.

On a course walk of The 2031 Ryder Cup venue, Álvarez reveals how Camiral balances world-class playing conditions with sustainability.

Meanwhile, ecologist Dr Jesús Ortiz describes how he was initially sceptical about working with a golf course, but soon realised Camiral’s strategic approach to sustainability meant business and biodiversity could work together successfully.

Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape for Syngenta, said: “As a future Ryder Cup venue, Camiral is an outstanding example of sustainable golf. Its Green Route strategic plan demonstrates a detailed long-term vision and measurable commitment to sustainability in its full sense: people, planet and profit.

“We hope by telling Camiral’s story, as well as Bethpage State Park, venue of this year’s Ryder Cup, we can inform and inspire all golf courses to put sustainability at the heart of their business planning.”

The new episode of The Green Report follows the launch of Syngenta’s latest feature How Golf Can Become Water Sustainable, including seven solutions and case studies.

To watch all episodes of The Green Report and for more news, features, videos and case studies on sustainable golf, as well as links to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast, visit Syngenta Golf.

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Toro maintains championship course for The Open

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Toro maintains championship course for The Open: Once again Toro machinery and irrigation is being used to present the iconic Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club to the world for The Open.

The UK’s Toro distributor, Reesink Turfcare, will provide additional backup Toro machinery and support throughout the week-long tournament in July and can confirm a new long-term agreement to continue working with Royal Portrush has recently been completed.

Toro maintains championship course for The Open

Toro maintains championship course for The Open

With over a million fans applying for tickets and an anticipated 278,000 spectators expected to attend according to The R&A, it’s shaping up to be the biggest Open in history (outside of St Andrews), and maintaining a cool, calm head throughout years of preparations is Course Manager Graeme Beatt.

“It felt like there was no time at all between the 2019 Open finishing and preparations for the 2025 tournament starting,” Graeme says. “With 40,000 more people coming and a significant increase in corporate hospitality, we, along with The R&A, have been focused on improving the spectator experience and it was agreed we’d enlarge all of our spectator areas, rebuild the range and reconstruct the front nine of the Valley course.

“The rest of the changes are subtle. We’ve adjusted the first and seventh greens and have two new Championship tees on the fourth and seventh – the fourth is now 25 yards longer and the seventh about 15 yards longer than in 2019.”

Preparations are now focused on maintaining the courses at their general tournament standard: “From season to season we’re busy with members and events so we maintain the courses at a tournament standard year-round with Toro,” Graeme explains.

A Toro customer for over 30 years, Royal Portrush, its team of 30 staff and an international support team of 18, will use the club’s complete fleet of Toro equipment including battery-powered ride-on greens mowers, fairway mowers and utility vehicles, plus a new state-of-the-art Toro Lynx Central Control System to achieve the ideal playing conditions.

In addition, the club welcomes for the first time four Toro Vista shuttles configured for four, six and eight passengers to aid personnel transportation around the site.

There are changes to the way the Toro machinery is being used for the Championship, the biggest, Graeme tells us, is that the electric ride-on mowers are being used for the greens instead of hand cutting as was the case in 2019.

“The precision and technology of the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 ride-on mower is such that the results are equal to a hand mower,” Graeme tell us. “This was an approach favoured by St Andrews and Royal Troon when they hosted The Open and eliminating the chance of an oil leak brings peace of mind.”

The irrigation system upgrade, which included replacing all sprinkler heads with Infinity and B Series across both courses, is currently accommodating an unseasonably dry spring says Graeme: “We’re having a really dry spell which would be absolutely perfect if it was the end of June, but as it’s springtime we’re having to employ the technology of the system.

“The individually controlled irrigation heads are perfect for giving precise control over watering ensuring only the exact amount needed is used and we can achieve our goals without wastage.”

Danny Campbell, General Manager at Royal Portrush, commented on the new agreement with Toro: “The Club has had a wonderful relationship with Toro for more than three decades and we’re delighted to extend it even further. Graeme’s team produce the best surfaces all year round and their dedication, along with the support of Toro, enable us to continually deliver our courses to the highest standard.”

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare, concludes: “Our relationship with Royal Portrush is 35 years strong and to be providing Graeme and the team with all the equipment and backup and support they need to make hosting their third Open a success is an honour.”

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