Sky Sports visits Burnham & Berrow ahead of Open Qualifying
The team at Burnham & Berrow welcomed Sky Sports’ cameras to the links recently to preview Final Open Qualifying. Presenter Josh Antmann spoke to Course Manager Richard Whyman about what it takes to present an historic links venue in championship condition, with the video being published during Sky Sports' DP World Tour and PGA Tour coverage.
Richard was a member of the BIGGA board and BIGGA Guardian until 2024.
Well done to Richard for taking part in this brilliant video and thanks go to Sky Sports for their efforts to raise awareness of greenkeeping and what it takes to present a modern golf course.
Watch the video or read a transcript of their conversation below.
Josh Antmann: Welcome to Burnham & Berrow. I'm just southwest of Bristol on the coast of the Bristol Channel and it's renowned as one of the finest links layouts in the UK. For the very first time it’s hosting Final Open Qualifying this year for The 152nd Open. Links golf looks like perfection – naturally beautiful – but it takes so much hard work to get it looking like this, working with the land to get the best use out of it. I'm here today to find out exactly how that's done.
[Richard], I know it's an early start for you and your greenkeeping team. But on a day like today, it must be worth it?
Richard Whyman: It's absolutely fantastic and you have actually chosen one of the best days of the year. After all the rain we've had, it's absolutely fantastic today.
Josh: Give us a typical day in the life of you and your greenkeeping team here at Burnham & Berrow.
Richard: My day starts usually just before six. I speak to my deputy Liam and we kind of make a final decision on what's happening on the day. He will then organise the team to carry out the duties, this time of year finishing about half 2, keeping out the way of the members really.
Josh: So tell us, what kind of pressure is there on you and your team in getting a course like this in pristine condition ahead of the golfing season.
Richard: Well, our golfing season never really finishes because we’re a links golf course, so we've got to cut everything before the members get out. And probably cutting the fairways is one of the hardest jobs to keep in front of.
Josh: Water conservation and water usage is key now to modern day greenkeeping. What have you got here to help with that?
Richard: Eleven years ago we installed a brand new irrigation system. We control every head on the golf course and we put the water down in millimetres. We then use the Pogo to moisture test greens, fairways and be able to treat those areas. We've got our own reservoir, which came in the year before the irrigation went in. This winter, we could have put filled the probably another three reservoirs with water, which then secures you for the future.
Josh: How big is your team here at Burnham & Berrow?
Richard: Well, we’ve just gone up. For years we were a team of eight but we wanted to start getting these little jobs done. So, we're now on 10 and a half.
Josh: You mentioned little jobs there. How about bigger projects that have gone on over the last few years here on the course?
Richard: Yes, we've done quite a few. We reconstructed three greens and we've done the 12 fairway, which was a big project.
Josh: How long did it take for the course to get back to normal?
Richard: Greens wise? If we do them during kind of October, November, we look to get that green back in play in May. You're cutting it off and you're relaying it, so it's got to recover. With a fairway, you're looking probably 12 months before we come back into play.
Josh: How sympathetic are the members here at Burnham and Berrow to all the things that you've done? There'll be a lot of greenkeepers watching this Rich, can we call this a greenkeeper’s defence?
Richard: Most members will like to see the golf club going forward. Obviously there's always times when it doesn't suit everyone, so there always will be a little bit of unhappiness.
Josh: Would you recommend greenkeeping as a job for people out there?
Richard: On a day like today, there is no better place. For some of the staff you know, we've got staff members who enjoy working out here and so it's good for their mental health as well.
Josh: So, Rich, you've got the privilege here of hosting final open qualifying on 2 July.
Richard: I’m really excited and the whole team, we're very excited - the whole club is. It's the first time it's been played in the southwest of England, which is brilliant for Burnham to hold it. We got extra volunteers in for the event. We're looking where we can put a catering van on the course and a few bits and pieces. Our whole management team have worked tirelessly on this so far.
Josh: What about stuff like tee boxes, fairways, as well? How much have you got to protect those before that date as well?
Richard: Certainly tee boxes. We like to keep golf on them just to keep them firm during the year. But now we've come off until after FQs finished. Fairways, basically as they are, you know, it's a divoting programme. We use mats during the winter anyway as a norm and we'll see in the next few weeks where we are.
Josh: Richard, fascinating talk to you. This place is absolutely stunning and I want to say good luck with all the preparation ahead of Final Qualifying.
Richard: Thank you very much and it's good luck to the team as well.
Congratulations to all the greenkeeping teams who are hosting Open Qualifying and other championship events this summer.
The ☀️ is out for Regional Qualifying for The 152nd @TheOpen ⛳️
— British & International Golf Greenkeepers Assn. (@BIGGALtd) June 24, 2024
Well done to all the greenkeeping teams at @BLGCagronomy , @CaldyGolfClub , @LouthGolfClub1 , @FerndownGC , @FrilfordHeathGC ,@fulfordgolfclub @GoswickGolfClub , @HeskethGolfClub , @Kedleston_Park , @Barassie_KBGC… pic.twitter.com/mwDez5ozl5
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