Groundskeeping Journal Issue 4 2021 | Page 31

after a period as head greenkeeper at Ladybank Golf Club , also in Fife . David , who is a BIGGA Central Section Scotland committee member , believes there is a lot of potential to bring Leven Links back to a pre-eminent position by once more hosting big events and putting its name firmly back on the golfing map .
Two clubs share the course , Leven Golfing Society and Leven Thistle , and this comes with its own challenges , says David . The sheer volume of competitive golf generates a lot of work to meet the required standards and means the pressure on the small greenkeeping team is constant .
“ It ’ s great to have the opportunity to manage my own course in the way I ’ d like ,” says David . “ Expectations are high , and we ’ re trying to produce the best possible conditions on a day to day basis . This has meant the introduction of more modern techniques and cultural practices , as well as investment in up to date course machinery .
( Standing front left & right ) Leven Links course manager David Gray and dealer Double A golf specialist John Bateson with ( middle row left to right ) deputy course manager Gary McLaren , assistant greenkeeper
Scott Downie and first assistant Patrick Wood , and ( back row left & right ) apprentice Andrew Wood and assistant greenkeeper Andrew Mann .
Teamwork is hugely important in our industry and with staff working independently towards the same end goal , the collective results are so rewarding .
It also hosts the historic Lindsay Shield , an interclub match between Leven , St Andrews and Carnoustie which can be traced back over 150 years .
Establishing a new heritage is the aim of course manager David Gray , who took over here in September 2018
“ With the exception of my deputy Gary McLaren , who has spent an impressive 30 years at Leven Links , I have been able to build a fantastic new team who have adapted very well to my strategies and are loving the introduction of the new equipment . Teamwork is hugely important in our industry and with staff working independently towards the same end goal , the collective results are so rewarding .”
As part of this initial modernisation process , a ProGator utility vehicle equipped with an HD200 amenity turf sprayer was bought from local John Deere dealer Double A at Cupar . This provides more accuracy and precision plus a bigger tank capacity than the course ’ s previous mounted sprayer , and led to the clubs ’ first John Deere machinery deal being agreed with the dealership in late 2019 , as part of a new partnership approach .
GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | Spring 2021 31