Thanks to Chris Lomas and Rob Sandilands, Head Greenkeeper, Grange over Sands Golf Club for this infomation
Here are some great behind the scenes photographs showing not only what goes into making Augusta and The Masters such a spectacle, but also how far apart it is in so many ways from member's clubs like ours where most of us play our golf.
For the time outside of the tournament, the course is closed from May-October. During normal times of opening each hole has 2 full-time greenkeepers, this swells by over 100 for the tournament. The course even has its own Creek Manager for it's famed water features!
The picture below shows the greenkeeping facility; a building that has 2 full time receptionists as well as a trial green and bunker for products and testing
Below is the chemical store, putting into perspective just what it takes to achieve what is presented out on the course.
Many of you may think the pine straw beneath the trees is all naturally occurring on the site, but in fact hundreds of bales of it are imported and spread out on the course. Below is there dedicated storage area.
Many parts of the course are given a helping hand with systems such as the 'sub-air' which is capable not only of drawing water down through the surfaces but also blowing air back into them. Not only is this system installed on the greens, but also on the grass walkways so as to keep the patrons feet dry! This system costs over £1 million. Below is another tool used to help growth and condition; these lighting rigs give grass an added boost when sunlight is at a premium. You may have seen them in action at football grounds in the English Premier League over the last couple of years.
Nurseries serving the site have a replica tree and shrub for each one out on the course that is covered on TV and feasible to replace; monitoring their health as well as that of the hallowed turf requires a dedicated on site turf laboratory, pictured below.
Out on the course, you may well have seen the famous shots of the 15 or so fairway mowers all cutting in formation going from green to tee to make the ball roll 'into the grain' and slow it down, although each on of these machines cost £45,000 breakdowns do happen and the picture below shows how a tennis ball is carried by each operator to throw into the path of the operator in front of them in the line if they develop an oil leak. A great idea!
I'm sure you'll agree that it is an impressive amount of resources and a real eye-opener. The most important thing for us all to remember is that these things are all relative and each club has their own individual level of resources which they must use in a sustainable way that ensure they live within their means, whilst also being mindful of their role in the landscape and their responsibilities to the environment.
For the time outside of the tournament, the course is closed from May-October. During normal times of opening each hole has 2 full-time greenkeepers, this swells by over 100 for the tournament. The course even has its own Creek Manager for it's famed water features!
The picture below shows the greenkeeping facility; a building that has 2 full time receptionists as well as a trial green and bunker for products and testing
Those 100 greenkeepers need a big room for team briefings as well as lots of tea and coffee!
Below is the chemical store, putting into perspective just what it takes to achieve what is presented out on the course.
Nurseries serving the site have a replica tree and shrub for each one out on the course that is covered on TV and feasible to replace; monitoring their health as well as that of the hallowed turf requires a dedicated on site turf laboratory, pictured below.
Out on the course, you may well have seen the famous shots of the 15 or so fairway mowers all cutting in formation going from green to tee to make the ball roll 'into the grain' and slow it down, although each on of these machines cost £45,000 breakdowns do happen and the picture below shows how a tennis ball is carried by each operator to throw into the path of the operator in front of them in the line if they develop an oil leak. A great idea!
I'm sure you'll agree that it is an impressive amount of resources and a real eye-opener. The most important thing for us all to remember is that these things are all relative and each club has their own individual level of resources which they must use in a sustainable way that ensure they live within their means, whilst also being mindful of their role in the landscape and their responsibilities to the environment.
