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It is often observed by the industry that some people think Golf Course Management is easy. Some people are simply happy to be on the golf course and enjoy their game, while others, unfortunately, prefer to be more critical and focus on perceived flaws in their golfing experience. Expectations regarding course quality have been steadily rising for years. Technological advances over previous decades and steady investment in all aspects of course maintenance created a greenkeeping ‘golden age’, particularly regarding insecticide and fungicide availability and use. There needs to be more in the press regarding the direct impact of pesticide restrictions on playing surfaces, manifested by uncontrollable worm casting, mud and crow pecking disturbance, in the rightful effort to protect water sources from chemical contamination. Disease management is becoming harder and scarred surfaces may become more common, it looks increasingly likely that there will be a complete fungicide ban at some stage. While some may think the products will still be available from alternative sources, this view is environmentally irresponsible and the directors of any organisation found infringing regulations are ultimately accountable by law. Machinery technology continues to advance at a phenomenal pace with GPS location, robotic control and AI, fully autonomous mowers and sprayers are no longer dreams of the future. Unlike the physical restrictions in chemical use, the limitation we will see in this aspect is affordability. Golf clubs need to review spending and optimise income now as much as they ever have. Everything is costing more and every aspect of a golf club's costs are worth reviewing, like it or not. The climate is changing! There is plenty of data to prove this (Mark Hunt 😊). Those who have worked outside have been feeling it for many seasons and as the winters become milder and wetter more golfers are feeling it too. I used to listen to the golfing generation of the 50s-60s that golf was not really a winter sport in that era. However, milder weather and better winter clothing has increased the enthusiasm for winter golf. Grass in the UK will not yet grow with vigor through the winter (new cultivars are coming) and the incredible amount of rainfall combined with reduced turf resistance is increasing the frustration of course closures and restrictions, particularly on poor draining clay-based courses. More drainage is often required at a considerable cost. As courses become wetter in the winter, we also face water use restrictions in the summer with the increased risk that water companies will stop water use on any area that is not essential for life. Water harvesting and storage is a hot topic and ensuring irrigation systems use water efficiently is as important as ever. Irritech Limited is a leading consultancy that supports clubs regarding future sustainable water use and irrigation technology. Being passionate about greenkeeping myself, loving it since my first day working on a golf course in 1993, it seems incredible that we find ourselves struggling as an industry to entice the next generation of greenkeepers into the industry. The reasons for this are subject matter for another article, maybe some are covered here? however, the implications are real for Course Managers who are finding it very difficult to recruit enough high-quality, dedicated and passionate staff. Some would agree that golf course management is becoming increasingly complex with a range of options, pressures and constraints many of which are beyond control. Modern life where everything is more accessible (amazon will offer pretty much any item you desire with next-day delivery) is a possible cause for the shift in mentality with some golfers demanding the highest quality product at all times. When dealing with the living nature of turf, patience, care and a nurturing understanding is often required. Golf Course Management Services was established 3 years ago and draws on decades of course management experience with the mantra “Empowering Golf Course Managers” supporting, brainstorming, reviewing, and easing workloads and some of the pressures on Course Managers. We are here to help, support and enhance golf courses. Contact for details #golf #greenkeeping #golfcoursemanagement #gcmsltd #empoweringgolfcoursemanager www.gcmsltd.com

Working with Course Managers and greenkeepers on planning, budgeting, scheduling projects and proving additional skilled manpower. We have enhanced course developments, construction, drainage projects, tees levelling, provide interim management between Course Managers, agronomy and spending reviews and assisted with training and Health & Safety. We provide professional, experienced and friendly support for any aspect of golf course maintenance and management at a price any club can afford. We really add value. How can we assist you? Contact James@gcmsltd.com for details or visit www.gcmsltd.com

We own a Redexim 1500 Laser Grading unit, ideal for levelling sports surfaces, not limited to golf tees. We can grade any area that needs to be flat including: Cricket Squares, Tennis Courts, Bowling greens and bigger areas such as football pitches and outfields. We produce accurate costings, schedules, bill of materials and work to produce the quality of surface your clients come to expect. Including a full Trimble guidance system we can install gradients with 100% accuracy. The picture above is our team working at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club.

James Camfield - Managing Director of GCMS www.gcmsltd.com Golf Course Management Services offers an interim management support role. If your greenkeeping team is going through transition, we offer the support required to get your golf course through a tricky period. Bringing fresh ideas and tactical decision making we can make the change smooth and enjoyable. We can also enrich your team. Situations can arise where a Course Manager resigns from a club and is contracted to work three months notice. #Golf Course #Management Services provides a very cost effective solution of interim management whereby the Course Manager may be released early to start their new role. We have a highly experienced team who provide management and #greenkeeping cover in that period enabling the golf club to take their time in recruiting the right person to fill the full time role, without feeling rushed. We can also assist in the recruitment process. We know that every situation is different and are here to assist and support. Get in touch to discuss your needs.

Culture - "the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of people in an organisation." Strategy- "a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim." There are many variances involved in running a successful business, golf clubs are no different: Having happy customers that return time after time Providing a high quality product Having exceptional staff who go above and beyond their basic remit Working with budgets Supply and demand - pricing point Traditionally golf clubs were non-profit organisations and their sole purpose was to provide people with a designated are to play golf. A mown area of suitable quality turf for a golf ball to be hit, generally found and for closer mown areas that allowed the ball to roll relatively smoothly. The strategy then was to work within the limits and budgets implemented on them. The culture would have been one of a fairly relaxed behaviour and everything was fine so long as the grass was cut. Expectations on the course would have been relatively low. What has changed over the years: Increased running cost Improved technology Restrictions in chemical usage on the course Diversification into other aspects such as dining experience More spare time when not working More options of what to do in spare time Higher expectations of the product Greater drive to be a successful business - make more money Golf club strategies have undoubtedly changed over the years and this change seems to be driven from the top of the organisation wanting or needing to change out of drive and desire to be better, provide more and have a successful business. Strategy can change very quickly, overnight at the whim of a few and maybe as relatively simple writing a paragraph to describe the 'new strategy'. Culture however is more ingrained from years of ' this is how we are, this is what we do' as the saying goes "Culture eats strategy for breakfast". So how do you change the culture? Have a lead from the front management structure Promote excellent communication managing expectations Pay staff more, bribe them to behave in the way you want them to (dangle a big carrot) Implement a stricter way of doing business (Have a big whip) Ultimately culture will come from the top, with a balance of leading in a way not to leave everyone else behind, and will take the staff forward in a way that they will carry the business forward in a far more dynamic way than a strategy alone can. Building: Atmosphere and behaviour in the workplace Punctuality and timekeeping Encouraging staff not to clock watch at the end of the day Willingness to share knowledge and skills Eagerness for training education and CPD Work/life balance Ultimately how do you encourage people to give their all, work hard and drive a business forward? The balance of culture and strategy will flow throughout the organisation and will be a key selling point when looking to recruit staff, the people who will become part of the culture. The first impressions are key and will resonate through the job advert giving future a staff a feel for what they are getting in to. No more so than when describing the package. People care and need to know about: Hours of work How much they are going to be paid Any bonuses and gratuities Use of the golf course Access to membership organisations That uniform will be provided What prior training is expected and what training will be provided What experience the new employee will gain through planned project work Certain statements can also stand out: "Free parking" is this a perk of the job or should it be expected working for a golf club with large car parks? Is the advert created using a template, do other jobs state that "free parking is not provided? "Due to the expected high level of applicants, only those successful for interview will be contacted." Presumptuous that there are going to get lots of applicants and although you are taking your time to apply our culture will not allow us the time to send a courtesy email which takes less than a minute using cut and paste. Ultimately the best organisations to work for have dedicated staff at all levels, with drive and ambition individually and as a team. Performance is monitored and reviewed to enable staff to fit in with the culture and strategy of the organisation which in turn drives success! Achieving the right culture is key to achieving the goals of the strategy.

Having set out in January 2021 (in a covid lockdown) I could not have imagined working with the number of golf courses and numerous greenkeepers in such a relatively short amount of time. From drainage projects, to fine tuning irrigation, assisting with golf course development to H&S audits policy implementation and mentoring greenkeepers at all levels. The key assets offered are consistent, knowledgeable and reliable friendly service and ultimately when required the ability to jump in and do some high quality greenkeeping. With many thanks to all those we are working with. Fully Insured with PI cover. Reach out for more details. www.gcmsltd.com #golf #greenkeeping #golfcoursemanagement #golfgreenkeepinghealthandsafety #golfapprenticeships #golfandsustainability

Fantastic work @tbgc1897 by the @theydonboisgreenkeepers. Wetting agent and feed applied early in the week followed by 25mm of rain and some intensive @thetorocompany 1000 handmowing. #happydays #playwell #golf #greenkeeping #gcmsltd

Pre-start meeting with @euroturfgrass and @gcmsltd working together again ☺️. Overseeing the design specification and installation process of a new high specification football pitch in Somerset. With @idverdeuk #football #pitchconstruction #ripta #agronomy

5 cool season grasses grown in the same conditions for 8 weeks. Which one makes up the 95% majority of UK golf greens? Traditionally golf was played on fine turf, un-irrigated mostly un-fertilised surfaces that had no access to Plant Protection Products - Fungicides. Mown at heights which would sustain the stronger grasses. The demand for better surfaces lead to the introduction of irrigation, pesticides, fertiliser and reduced heights of cut, in the mid last century. These factors favour the ingess of annual meadow grass which has poor resistance to heat, drought and turfgrass diseases. This leads to a cycle of more chemical and water inputs to sustain a weak species of turf on receptive surfaces. The development of fine grasses to provide better grass surfaces, largely at closely mown heights has been ongoing for decades by turfgrass development institutions. Pesticide use is being reduced, water use increasingly restricted, fertilisers becoming incredibly expensive and turf surfaces coming under greater stress. Will we go full cycle and revert mowing practices with modern developed grasses to sustain grass with no fungicides and little water and fertiliser? The dead grass 'Poa annua' makes up 90% of the grass species in UK golf greens. Consider this when reviewing the condition of your greens and the skills your greenkeepers employ to keep it alive. #golf #greenkeeping #golfcoursemanagement @the_gtc_ @bigga_hq @capelmanorcollege #apprenticeships #therealturfcrew #waterconservation #thefutureofgolf

Have you ever thought about choosing a career working on a golf course. Golf course maintenance is incredibly rewarding and diverse work. There are several ways of entering the industry. Apprenticeships are increasingly popular as they are work based. so you can earn money while you learn. If your considering a career change or are about to finish school and are not sure which direction you want to take why not consider golf greenkeeping. There are currently lots of opportunities at different golf courses and lots of colleges offering training. Interested? Why not get in touch. No previous experience required. #golf #golfer #apprenticeships #greenkeeping #careers #careersearch #schoolleavers www.capel.ac.uk

https://www.facebook.com/107545347878958/posts/pfbid02i4PX6PHMtRv2wbPvvYXSMMTLatTUYjYz6zhr9dNd6JUNrrQS97rz3UbY8gxQZMVGl/ Flat drainage now in at West London along with the gravel carpet. Best viewed on the 360 degree Facebook post. #golfcourseconstruction #golf #greenkeeping #whatanexperience