The members at Harpenden Common Golf Club are looking forward to a summer of excellent playing conditions with the implementation of Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions’ unique management service, which includes weekly site visits, remote support and monthly Board reports.
Appointed in 2019, GEGCS was commissioned to work with HCGC’s Head Greenkeeper, Sean Brocklehurst, to co-ordinate daily activities for him and his team. Sean was newly-appointed and therefore engaged on a full management structure for guidance and coaching from the elite specialists in agronomy.
Fast forward to today and Olly Claridge now serves as the club’s head greenkeeper, taking over from Sean in February, with GEGCS and Olly now also working very closely to produce optimum playing conditions.
An important process for the Hertfordshire-based club was to change their management and maintenance practises and a key focus throughout 2023 has been the recovery of certain fairways that suffered during last summer’s burnout – primarily holes 8 and 17. This recovery plan was first implemented last autumn, and the intensity of that plan has been based around solid agronomics, hollow-coring, over-seeding and top-dressing using a compost-based material. Almost 12 months later and the club are pleased to report that these fairways are now close to full recovery.
Claridge said: “Having built a solid relationship with Greg over the past five years, it’s fair to say that he has been crucial to my developmental journey as a greenkeeper. When Harpenden Common first started working with GECCS, the course and team culture instantly changed. Greg’s involvement has seen improvements made across the board – a focus on Irrigation improvements led to the club beginning our first irrigation upgrades in 30 years.
“With a newly installed tee irrigation system to our jockey field tees, a new water storage tank and pump house installed and multiple sprinkler head and valve box upgrades, we are now paying dividends during these hot summer months when irrigation pressure is high.
Greg’s experience with project work has seen two tee reconstructions take place, projects that were a huge success and very well received by our membership, with more projects to be overseen by Greg on the way. I couldn’t recommend Greg’s services enough and it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with him.”
Other key areas that GEGCS have supported the club are continuing to upgrade an audit irrigation system, and also getting playing surfaces right after a tough winter. Numerous
practises have been put in place to achieve this, including a water balance sheet (with the greenkeeping team irrigating when required) and conducting daily performance tasks such as stimp meter readings to ensure conditions are consistent for players. As we move into the summer months course conditions have received huge praise by members and guests alike.
Barry Randall, General Manager at Harpenden Common Golf Club commented; “Having worked with Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions for several years, I have discovered the key to our on-going success is the relationship between Greg and my Head Greenkeeper, Olly
Claridge. Olly was promoted to the role earlier this year and between them, with Greg’s vast experience and Olly’s local knowledge, the Club has complete confidence in the advice wereceive.”
The politics that often come with working closely with golf clubs’ committees can often be delicate. That’s why GEGCS’ Management Service provides a level of support where clubs can see results first-hand, with regular on-site visits and reporting.
Evans commented: “A common theme with golf clubs is that they like transparency and a third-party that can link between the greenkeeping team and members/committee. Understandably, they want to see modern practises, using scientific tools to back up management decisions and getting the right balance between science and art.”