COURSE MANAGEMENT POLICY DOCUMENT AUGUST 2015

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Document Revision History Version 1.0

Revision Details First Issue

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Produced By Tom Frame

Reviewed By Head Greenkeeper & Greens Committee

Approved by Board of Directors

Date August 2015

1. INTRODUCTION This document sets out the Policy of Poulton Park Golf Club, as agreed by the Club Board of Directors, with regard to all matters impacting on course preparation. The aim of the document is to establish a clear and consistent approach to course management to fulfil the potential of the course for the benefit of members, their guests and visitors. This is a working document which will have to be reviewed and amended from time to time, in accordance with changing climate, usage, resources and course layout and changes in the game of golf itself.

2. THE COURSE PPGC is a nine hole (eighteen tees) golf course founded in 1978 in Fearnhead, Warrington, Cheshire and occupies approximately 35 acres of parkland terrain. Since its original construction, changes to the layout have increased its length to the current 5,650 yards from the men’s white tees. The course plays to a Standard Scratch Score of 67 from the yellow tees, 68 from the white tees and 70 from the red tees. Although the course has been built on large areas of clay soils, the drainage has been improved over the last ten years by the installation of a number of drainage systems. Over the years, seven of the nine greens have been re-constructed to USGA specification. The remaining two, holes 8th & 9th are still of the original push up construction. The greens are of a predominately poa annua (alurig), bent, fescue Yorkshire fog mixed species turf. Fairways comprise finer bents and fescues offering good turf conditions in most areas. Tees comprise Bent, rye grass, fescue and meadow grass. Rough is minimal due to the small acreage of the course but many copses of well-established trees, together with the more established trees, present a significant challenge when playing.

3. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES THE GREENS COMMITTEE The Committee comprises the Head Green Keeper and up to a maximum of 6 members, one of whom is elected as Chairman. The Chairman shall also attend The Golf Committee meetings. Version 0.3

The Committee is responsible for implementing the policies outlined in this document and for formulating management strategies, proposing amendments to the policy document and assessing progress in relation to the objectives of this policy document. The Greens Committee is responsible to Board of Directors & Golf Committee for the management of the golf course, course maintenance and improvements, and recommending any significant changes to the course. The Greens Committee Chairman, in conjunction with the Greens Committee and Head Green Keeper shall submit annual budgets, and any long term capital expenditure plans to the Board of Directors for approval. In addition to the above, the Chairman of Greens has a specific role profile

HEAD GREEN KEEPER The Head Green keeper is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of agreed management strategies and activities including, but not limited to those listed below.               

Planning both long and short term maintenance schedules in relation to demands on the course, Liaising with the Greens Committee on current and potential problem areas, In liaison with the Greens Committee, providing estimates to assist with the preparation of annual and long term budgets, Attending Greens Committee meetings as required, Machinery maintenance and repair, In liaison with the Greens Committee, preparing plans and budgets for machinery replacement, Purchase and storage of all fuels, chemicals, top dressings and other materials, Maintenance of schedules and records relating to machinery and staff, Storage and safety of all equipment and materials, Implementation of the Club’s Health and Safety Policy, Allocation of daily tasks to all greens staff and volunteers, In liaison with the Greens Committee identify staff training requirements, Producing and maintaining all necessary risk assessments, Informing members of impending work on the golf course which will disrupt play, Producing a quarterly written report on developments and proposals for course management to members.

The Head Green Keeper reports to the Chairman of Greens.

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4. COURSE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES GREENS The objective is to provide in the main golfing season, true, firm, fast surfaces that will hold a well-struck shot played from a closely mown area. This shall be achieved by;       

Aeration – verti-draining, scarifying, hollow tining etc, Fertilisers and top dressings, Regular mowing, Over-seeding to improve sward composition, Encouraging the growth of finer grasses (bents and fescues), Use of temporary greens during adverse weather conditions such as frost, Regular changing of hole positions.

Aeration is essential in the movement of surface water down into the rootzone and subsoil. It promotes root growth and is essential for gaseous exchange (air, carbon dioxide). Regular aeration ensures greens remain drier and assists in the breakdown of thatch. Verti cutting may also be undertaken as part of the aeration programme Any fertiliser program is carried out following results of soil testing. Soil testing would be carried out by a reputable fertiliser supplier (eg Sherriff Amenity) or agronomist. This will indicate any deficiencies that require correction. The main nutrients required for turf grasses are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sulphur & Iron. The fertiliser program will address nutrient deficiencies and will sustain adequate growth that will enable the turf to withstand wear & tear. Care will be taken to ensure over fertilising doesn’t lead to excess growth, thatch and diseased turf. Top dressing is carried out for several reasons; to restore/maintain surface levels associated with different growth habits of grass species present in sward, to dilute thatch levels in soil profile and to improve drainage characteristics of soil profile. Generally, top dressing will be done in conjunction with hollow coring/verti draining or simply as a surface dressing. Alongside aeration, top dressing is perhaps the most important procedure carried out on a golf green. As a general rule, golf courses aim to apply between 50-150 tonnes of top dressing per hectare per year depending upon growth rates, thatch levels and drainage characteristics of green profiles. PPGC has approximately 0.3-0.4 hectares of green surface area. Therefore, the aim is to apply 30-50 tonnes of top dressing sand per year. Major applications of top dressing will be carried out in May and September, and on other occasions as determined by the Head Green Keeper. Version 0.3

Top dressing is supplied by Whitemoss (contact Mike Crabtree) and the top dressing sand used must be consistent from year to year. If in doubt, the supplier will be contacted and arrangements made for core samples to be taken from various greens in order to find a suitable grade of top dressing sand. Under no circumstances is top dressing sand compromised due to price. Nor does the golf club allow members to dictate the frequency of applications. Cutting heights and frequency are:  Greens in spring/summer: 3-5mm; 5-7 times per week  Greens in autumn/winter: 6-8mm; as required Over seeding programme to improve sward composition may be carried out at the discretion of the Head Green Keeper. Ideally, fescue & bent grasses should dominate the sward. However, it is generally accepted that annual meadow grass (poa annua) and bent grass are often the predominant grass species on inland golf courses. Over-seeding will coincide with aeration and topdressing during months when soil temperatures are suitable for seed germination Temporary greens will be used in the event of disruptive maintenance (e.g. aeration, topdressing) or inclement weather (frost, severe rainfall). The aim is to ensure that members and visitors can play on regular greens whenever possible. Providing sound green keeping practices are adopted, there should be very little requirement for temporary greens other than during inclement weather conditions. It is important for members to realise that for a 9 hole golf course, the greens receive double the wear to those on an 18 hole golf course. Therefore, during frosty conditions temporary greens will be used until the frost has cleared. Golfers will be made aware that in the event of a ground frost, even though the surface has shed itself of frost, the frost may still be present in the soil. An over hasty return to the regular greens in this instance could cause root shearing. Holes are changed according to an adopted system put in place by the Head Green Keeper. This is based upon nine different hole locations: Front Left, Front Centre, Front Right, Middle Left, Middle Centre, Middle Right, Back Left, Back Centre & Back Right. This system ensures that any given hole location receives 8 weeks of recovery time before it is situated in this area again. Hole positions are also changed to provide varying levels of difficulty for golfers GREEN SURROUNDS The objective is to provide green surrounds with a well presented transition from fairway to putting green. This will include a close cut fringe, collar and apron. Banks and mounds within the green surround shall be mown at a height which retains an attractive presentation without promoting scalping, drought or wear stress. This will be achieved by:

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Twice weekly mowing to a height of 10 - 12mm in summer, The width of surrounds will generally be a single width of a triplex mower, but may vary slightly in some locations, The width of approaches will vary to suit each individual green, Regular micro-tining and dressing throughout the season, Encouraging the growth of finer grasses (bents and fescues).

TEES The objective is to provide a firm level surface from which to play during the main golfing season. During winter months the best combination of grass and artificial tee mats will be adopted to minimise unnecessary damage to summer tees. Tee markers will always allow a 3 club lengths distance for unrestricted swing when teeing up a ball. This will be achieved by:    

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Movement of tee markers two to four times per week, Repairing divot marks with a mixture of divot mix & seed once a week or more often if required on certain holes, Mowing tees twice a week to a height of 10 – 12mm in Summer, Encouraging the growth of finer grasses (bents and fescues), Cutting the sloping sides of tees once a week, Trimming grass around tee markers once a fortnight, Aeration and scarification as required.

FAIRWAYS The objective is to provide a good playing surface from which it is possible to hit well struck shots. The shape of fairways should reflect the contours and features of the course but generally should not be narrower than 40 yards wide (except at certain specific agreed points). This shall be achieved by:   

Weekly mowing with a mowing height of 13mm. Repairing and filling divots with a mixture of divot mix & seed as required. Repairing problem areas as and when required.

The carry from the back competition tee to the start of the fairway must not be more than 150yds Out of the summer season other work on the fairways will include:  

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Aeration by verti-draining, Repairs to areas that have become worn and damaged during the season.

ROUGH, PRACTICE AREAS & GARDENS The objective is to provide areas of longer grass in the area adjacent to the fairways, tree areas, and between adjacent holes. This will be achieved by: 

Weekly mowing to a height of 75mm.

Out of the summer season other work on the rough will include:   

Aeration by verti-draining, Repairs to areas that have become worn and damaged during the season, Mole plough drainage to promote improved drainage.

Generally, the width of the rough will be not be greater than three bouts wide when cut with the Toro Grounds Master. Grass around and in front of tee areas, all garden areas, and practice areas will be treated as rough and mown accordingly. . BUNKERS The objective is to keep the bunkers in play and to the required standard throughout the main golfing season and where practicable for competitions in winter. This will be achieved by: 

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At the beginning of the season and as required throughout the season topping up bunkers with “Whitemoss Bunker 1” sand. The depth and consistency of sand in the bunkers should be sufficient to allow a splash out shot to be played without inviting a ball pitching in the bunkers to finish in a “fried egg” lie. Generally when in a bunker the sand should come over the welts of the shoes but little more. Regular raking and weed removal will be undertaken as required There must be at least one bunker rake located at each bunker. Bunker margins will be retained and edges trimmed on a regular basis.

STRIMMING Bases of trees, around hazard and OOB markers, and areas where it is not possible to mow will be regularly strimmed to maintain a well presented golf course. BRIDGES & PATHS The objective is to keep paths and bridges free from weeds and in a well presented condition. Paths will be topped up with stone as required.

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CARPARK & APPROACH ROAD The object is to ensure that overhanging branches are cut back as necessary and grassed areas are maintained to ensure that the areas are well presented. WEED AND PEST CONTROL Dressings, Fertilizers and Other Chemical Treatments The objective is to use the minimum amount of fertilizers commensurate with promoting healthy growth of the various grasses on the course. Fungicides will only be used to treat specific conditions. Small amounts of dressing will be applied frequently to the greens and fringes and for tees once or twice a year or as determined by the Head Green Keeper. Measures will be taken as necessary in accordance with COSHH and the appropriate risk assessments. Given the impending EU Water Framework Directive (2009-15), it is important to understand, and take into account the implications of fertilisers and pesticides reaching water courses (along with machine lubricants) due to the contaminating effect this could have on water quality.

TREE AND WOODLAND MANAGEMENT The golf club has been granted a felling licence by the Forest Commission. The licence is valid until January 2025. A tree planting / removal programme will be maintained in accordance with the club’s Course Improvement Plan and Felling Licence. Particular attention will be given to optimizing morning sunlight penetration and air flow over putting surfaces and tees. The golf club has entered into a partnership with a LANTRA qualified chainsaw instructor. Chainsaw courses will be run in agreement with the Head Green Keeper, and tree felling will be undertaken based upon tree removal/thinning identified in the course master plan and the felling licence. IRRIGATION The objective is to use as little water as possible whilst recognizing that during periods of low or no rainfall it may be necessary to irrigate greens to sustain grass growth. The irrigation system provides water to all greens. The Head Green Keeper is responsible for deciding when to use the irrigation system. The system is drained down in late autumn, and recharged in the spring when all elements are fully tested and any faulty components repaired or replaced.

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DRAINS, DRAINAGE DITCHES AND PONDS The objective is to maintain these vital means of removing rainwater from the course in as effective a manner as possible. Routine maintenance during the playing season will be confined to strimming where practicable and safe to do so. Once a year, at the end of the growing season, an external contractor will be brought onto the course to undertake a more thorough cutting programme. All hazard/OOB markers will be maintained to ensure that they are visible to golfers.

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY The Head Green Keeper is responsible for ensuring management of the course is carried out with due regards to health & safety and in compliance with the club’s Health & Safety manual at all times. This effectively shall ensure that: 

The workplace is safe and without risk;

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Safe methods of working are set and followed by all staff, including volunteers,

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Machinery and equipment is properly maintained and safe to use,

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Equipment and harmful substances are used properly and stored safely,

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Employees and volunteers are provided with the appropriate clothing, training, information and supervision needed for them to work safely,

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Training records are maintained and reviewed as necessary.

Regulations that apply to the above are: The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992, The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR), The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1994 (COSHH) new 2002. It is very important that when all staff and or volunteers are working on the course or green keeping compound they are aware of their responsibilities for their own health and safety and that of their colleagues.

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6. USE OF TROLLIES, ELECTRIC TROLLIES AND MOTORISED BUGGIES The Head Green Keeper in conjunction with the Greens Committee will be responsible for prohibiting the use of trollies, electric trollies and buggies during periods of inclement weather. Any decision on prohibiting their use will be taken with due regard to the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act. Any bans relating to the above will be subject to regular reviews.

7. COURSE CLOSURE The course may be closed on the authority of the Head Green Keeper or any member of the Greens Committee, when weather conditions are such that damage to the course would result if play were permitted or if play itself could be dangerous. Such conditions would exist if the greens were waterlogged, if the course was flooded and during severe frost or snow or if there was fog. A decision to re-open the course may be taken at any time after an inspection by the Head Green Keeper, any of the green keeping staff or member of the Greens Committee, who will ensure that it is safe to resume play. The greens staff are responsible for updating the club’s telephone message system if the course is closed. Every effort will be made to keep course closure to an absolute minimum.

8. WINTER GOLF Whilst it is the aim of the Club to offer year round golf to its members there will be occasions when the course is deemed unfit for play. The Head Green Keeper or his designated representative will be the sole arbiter in this decision. Regular inspections will be made through the weekday. When possible a selection of main greens will be kept open, i.e. the naturally drier ones or those less susceptible to frost/flooding. Temporary greens will be prepared in advance of possible use to present a decent surface on occasions when the main greens are out of commission.

9. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE In no instance shall a member of the Greens staff or a volunteer be reprimanded directly by a Member. Any complaints relating to the condition of the course or behaviour of employees must be made, preferably in writing, to the Greens Chairman. The Greens staff, volunteers or members of the Green Committee must not be subjected to verbal complaints.

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COURSE DEVELOPMENT

In August 2014, the club engaged the services of a professional course architect (Edwards Design International) to undertake a review of the course and develop a ten year improvement plan. The improvement plan was agreed with the Head Green Keeper, Greens Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors in September 2014.The plan now forms the basis of all improvements to be undertaken by the club.

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