Make the Most of Harrogate Week
January can be viewed in two ways. A depressing month - the festive
season is over, the Christmas decorations have been taken down and
packed away back up into the loft, you're more than likely on a diet
after overindulging in December and all you have to look forward to in
the immediate future is cold, wet, dreary weather. Or, a brand spanking
New Year! - a time for new beginnings, time to make New Year's
Resolutions, take up a new hobby, get fit - join the gym, enrol on a
part time course, and most importantly, attend the event of the year -
Harrogate Week!
GI provides a glimpse of what the most important week in January has to offer.
EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION...
The most comprehensive education programme that BIGGA has ever put
together will get the brain going into overdrive this year, and it's
not just of benefit to turf professionals and BIGGA members. Many other
golfing and sporting bodies are involved in the week with seminars by
the R&A, EGU and GCMA and many other workshops that are
particularly pertinent for turf professionals from other sporting
arenas.
A GLIMPSE AT THE SEMINARS ON OFFER
ARE YOU UP TO DATE? CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
Environmental legislation is becoming more and more important in golf
course maintenance and is forcing changes in chemical use and the
treatment of wastewater. It is important for the golf course manager to
be aware of this legislation as liability can lie with the individual
as well as the club.
An unplanned ad hoc response to legislation can be expensive for the
golf club, whereas knowledge of upcoming legislation allows the club to
plan for future legislative changes and to implement change over a
longer time period. Legislative change can also be predicted before
it reaches parliament. Developing best practice ahead of legislation
means that golf clubs can be prepared for legislative changes that
would fundamentally affect their operations and allow them to establish
long-term change.
This talk gives an overview of current and upcoming legislation
affecting golf course management and discusses areas that are likely to
be targeted by future legislation.
BIGGA/GCMA SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
This seminar will give an overview of the SMS and show delegates how
easy the system is to use. At the core of the SMS are Risk Assessments,
Risk Profiles and a Hazard File. Using a mixture of text, video,
documents and hyperlinks to illustrate its message the SMS is a
powerful resource that both BIGGA and the GCMA hope will be adopted by
clubs to standardise Health and Safety throughout golf.
COMPOST TEAS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP GREENS - IMPROVE PLAYING SURFACES AND CUT CHEMICAL INPUTS
Many top championship courses use compost teas as part of their
management plan to reduce disease and poa annua and increase fine
grasses while substantially cutting back on chemical and fertiliser
inputs. Understand how this new technology can help you meet your
improvement targets for greens, tees and fairways.
DROUGHT, DRAINAGE AND CONSERVATION
Contrasting the summer drought of 2006 and the flooding of 2007, David
Green will examine the role of aeration and how it can help the Turf
Manager cope with these two opposites. He will then look at
conservation of water in the soil, methods to improve water retention
without waterlogging, rainfall replacement and just how much water is
needed to maintain healthy turf and trees.
ENGLISH GOLF UNION/GCMA
The Continuing Development Seminars are presented in association with
the English Golf Union and the Golf Club Managers' Association.
This day long conference provides an opportunity for delegates to bring
themselves up to date with the calculations which apply to providing
club members with probably their most important golfing yardstick,
their Handicap, how the EGU Course Policy Document can be adapted to
suit your situation. The life expectancy of golf course components
explains that all things have a lifespan and it is important to
recognise this. Footpaths, Teeing Grounds and even Greens have to be
refurbished or renewed at some stage.
The development of training and education particularly since the launch
of the new membership structure in March 2007 will be looked at,
focusing on the benefits to the Employer and the Golf Club as well as
for the GCMA member. The GCMA initiative will also be showcasing Golf
Club Managers' Employment Handbook. Continuing the theme of the
National Conference, held at The Belfry from 5 to 7 November 2007,
Keith Lloyd's guests will expand on a number of topics previously
raised. Marketing the Golf Club in this increasingly competitive
leisure arena will undoubtedly be a main focus.
GOLF AND TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT IN THE FUTURE. WHAT'S NEXT?
In most parts of the world, the game of golf is changing. Areas where
this is seen include: Practice range tees; short game areas; structures
for computer swing analysis; new tees to add length; tree removal work
for better grass growing environments (trees are bad for grass);
retrofitting internal drainage into old greens; topdressing programs
for greens, tees and fairways; improved and more accurate golf course
irrigation; introduction of new grasses and dealing with the affects of
the weather extremes most parts of the world are now experiencing.
GOLF GREEN FERTILISATION IN OUR CHANGING CLIMATE - THE IMPLICATIONS ON LEACHING, PLANT HEALTH AND PATHOGEN ACTIVITY
Mark Hunt examines the relationship between fertilisation and the
changing climatic conditions over the past 5-10 years. In particular
the talk will cover two areas. The first section looks at the
consequences of different types of fertilisation during mild, wet
winter conditions in terms of plant health, disease encouragement and
leaching of nutrients. The second section looks at fertilisation during
hot periods of weather, plant stress and pathogen activity, in
particular nematodes.
MASTER GREENKEEPER CERTIFICATE WORKSHOP
Discover how you can become one of tomorrow's Master Greenkeepers at
this half-day workshop. The workshop will provide delegates with an
in-depth understanding of the standards and expectations of both the
golf course inspection and the examination stages of the Master
Greenkeeper Certificate. It will offer helpful tips and hints and will
give delegates the opportunity to ask questions and discuss each of the
stages in detail. This workshop is a must for all future Master
Greenkeepers.
NOISE AND VIBRATION MANAGEMENT - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LEGISLATION, RESPONSIBILITIES AND MANAGING EXPOSURE
This seminar will give practical guidance on the issue of vibration and
noise management with reference to the BIGGA Midlands Section
'Vibration and Noise Workshop' where industry experts gathered to
discuss how to use information and structure risk assessments and
monitoring and control methods. Noise and vibration tests were carried
out on hand operated and ride-on equipment in the working environment
of a golf course. Data was then compared to manufacturer's values and
advice offered on control measures, exposure limits and compiling
records.
PREPARING FOR THE BARCLAYS SCOTTISH OPEN
This seminar will examine the planning that goes into presenting the
Barclays Scottish Open that is held at Loch Lomond Golf Club. Looking
at the history of the tournament, the preparations, course set up,
infrastructure, contractor management and post tournament care.
THE R&A CONFERENCE, MOVING TOWARD GREATER SUSTAINABILITY - A PROGRESS REPORT
The R&A Golf Course Committee held its first meeting in St Andrews
in May 2002. Its main objective is to promote sustainable course
development and management through the implementation of best practice.
The launch of the bestcourseforgolf.org website in February 2004 has
provided a focus for The R&A and a number of projects have been
established to support the site.
This day long conference provides an opportunity for The R&A to
outline the progress made toward its goal and provide an update on
priority projects, with well qualified speakers introducing a wide
range of associated issues for discussion.
THE WAY GOLF BEGAN
Is it possible to create a modern day golf course working entirely with the existing vegetation and landforms?
This seminar will deal with the issue from concept to reality and the
processes of golf course construction within the constraints of SSSI
legislation.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR TOURNAMENT PREPARATION
Starting to feel like you are in the hot seat? It must be tournament
time...time to deliver extraordinary (and stressful) turf conditions.
This seminar will focus on mower preparation and its relevance to
tournament play. There are several areas that will surprise and delight
turf managers who are faced with the daunting task of keeping up with
the ever increasing demands for tournament play. Discover the
relationship between mower preparation and superb playing conditions.
Specifically, increased green speed, maintained quality and
consistency, resilience and resistance to accumulated stress and
overall turf appearance. Share in the lesser known tips and tricks used
by leading golf courses around the world during preparation for their
own major tournaments.
HARROGATE WEEK ONLINE
Five halls packed with exhibitors representing every element of the
fine turf industry should ensure plenty of assistance with those
difficult purchasing decisions during the week, however, should you
wish to do some swatting before the event, the Harrogate Week website
is a valuable source of information. It is divided into easily
accessible parts designed to enable every user to get the most from the
site.
Enter www.harrogateweek.org.uk into your browser to be greeted with our
home page. Click on the large arrow on the home page to enter the
virtual exhibition halls. Here you will find the layout of the stands,
information on who is exhibiting in each stand space, their stand
number and a link onto the exhibitor's website.
The Visitor page is full of practical information to help make your
journey to Harrogate, along with your stay during Harrogate Week, a
pleasurable experience.
The Exhibitors page offers a Really Useful Product Guide that allows
you to locate the suppliers of the many products and services on
display during Harrogate Week. Search for the product or service online
and visit the exhibitor's stand to see the item and talk to the
supplier.
There's a lot more to the website. Have a good look around and if you
like what you see, help your friends and colleagues to get a slice of
the action too by encouraging them to visit the Harrogate Week website
which is available for all to view.
