30 Sep Greenkeepers now widely treasured

There’s a special grounds crew looking after Le Golf National which totals 175 greenkeepers/ superintendents from all over the world. Each of those wonderful holes that we have witnessed on TV during this Ryder Cup has been lovingly taken care of, and all 18 greens have been measured for consistency three or four times a day. The team then uses that data to adjust maintenance practices to keep all the greens as close to the same level of performance as possible.

Obviously, work started on preparing the course as soon as it was named to host golf’s ‘jewel of the crown’ and a magnifying glass was used to inspect every blade of grass. Of course, it’s a marketing dream for any golf club to hold a big event and I’m sure the green fees from next week onwards will reflect the new fame and prestige that Le Golf National now has.

I well remember as a young boy working on my local nine-hole course assisting the only greenkeeper. You would be surprised at just how few are looking after some of the world’s best courses, with the average team probably totalling no more than five, six or seven. Over the years the status of the ‘head greenkeeper’ has improved greatly, as their expertise is now widely treasured and acknowledged. It has been my pleasure throughout my career to meet some great guys looking after our golf courses.

Out of Bounds: “Ignore those golfers who talk about your game behind your back, that’s where they belong” — this is something I always remember being told when I started out. Another was from my dear old grandma, who was someone not to mess with — “If you don’t like me, remember it’s mind over matter. I don’t mind and you don’t matter.”