What does essential maintenance look like? Pretty good, actually!
It was one of the burning questions on the lips of golfers when courses shut and the lockdown took hold – what would we come back to when the coronavirus pandemic eased?
Industry experts mused about the recovery time that might be needed if greenkeepers weren’t able to get out and work, before BIGGA and the R&A issued some guidance as to what essential maintenance meant during this period.
Many greenkeeping teams have been slimmed down as the furlough measures employed by many businesses up and down the country in the wake of Covid-19 were also used by clubs.
But, if social media is any guide, it looks like we’ll be returning to courses in sparkling condition whenever golf is deemed safe once more.
Course managers and staff from clubs all over the country have been giving us our daily golfing fix with images of their layouts looking in tip-top condition given the circumstances.
So we’ve highlighted some of the best we’ve come across…
Some pictures from this morning from @FormbyLadiesGC for members and anyone needing their golf fix! Just managing to stay on top of growth within our essential maintenance guidelines. Fescue and newer green run offs looking happy for having a rest! pic.twitter.com/i2YfmqDx3Z
— Rob Sandilands (@RobSandilands) April 16, 2020
A few pics from today. 😍
Huge thanks to head greenkeeper JD for his hard work in these tough times. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zjK5b4VXRq— Windermere Golf Club (@WindermereGolf) April 14, 2020
@mulliongolf Thank you Gordon & his team for all their hard work maintaining our course ( within government guide lines ) 👏 pic.twitter.com/7rZpLHon7k
— Mullion Golf Club (@mulliongolf) April 15, 2020
Gorgeous spring morning here @EGC during these worrying times. Our playing surfaces getting a nice drop of 💦 keeping them ready for when we can welcome back our members & guests soon ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/bwBwueuiBU
— Ealing Golf Club (@EalingGolfClub) April 15, 2020
Course looking stunning in the sunshine 🌞 @BoundaryLakes reduced hours but lots of essential work to be done! I wouldn’t haves believed I’d be praying for rain ☔️ 6 weeks ago! #golf #Greenkeepers #StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 #coronavirusuk pic.twitter.com/BHHyXntPw9
— Ian Reeves (@IanReevo) April 14, 2020
Head green keeper Ian Pemberton has sent us some photos of the course to show the members how the course is looking since the lockdown.
Tweet 1/2 pic.twitter.com/uhTiP9rrPR— Cleveland Golf Club (@ClevelandGolfCl) April 12, 2020
A few photos from yesterday (15/4/20), taken by the green-keeping staff. Looking very nice indeed! pic.twitter.com/Rin3bT5KH5
— Worksop Golf Club (@Worksopgolfclub) April 16, 2020
How is your course looking at the moment? Are you are a greenkeeper working hard to ensure our layouts are as good as they can be on our return? Send us your pictures, leave a message in the comments or tweet me.
- Related: What does greenkeeping look like during the pandemic?
- Related: R&A advise greenkeepers on coronavirus course maintenance
- Related: Why it may take longer than you think to get back on the course
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.