STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) Bulletin July 2014 | Page 7

the membership and installed shortly
afterwards. The opportunity was also
taken to extend the infrastructure
of the new system as part of the
development of a large new turf nursery,
plus a fundamental change to traffic
route and pathway management. In
terms of the turf nursery there is now
a mature indigenous turf available for
refurbishment and projects as required,
and for pathways and traffic routes
the aim has been to move away from
artificial surfaces back to natural turf.
This involved widening to spread wear
more effectively, restoring surface
levels where there has been erosion,
developing the rootzone depth and
quality, returfing with indigenous
material and increasing the aftercare
maintenance to support recovery. The
end result has been excellent with
autumn renovation reduced year-onyear as a consequence.

Major architectural changes were
implemented prior to 2006 bearing
in mind the gap since the last Open in
1967. However for 2014, a few minor
adjustments have been made to the
Championship Tee length, bunker
shaping, plus contour mowing of
surrounds. Tightening up of the strategy
of certain holes was also gained through
the creation of “broken ground”, ie
gentle mounding and hollows on the 1st
and 2nd C.
It is often forgotten that an Open
is not just about the golf course but
also the essential infrastructure that
supports it. As an example, the field
incorporating the new turf nursery
development was also cleared and
levelled to provide an additional area
for contractors with improved access/
security and ancillary areas around the
maintenance complex were graded

and improved. Sites for the tented
village and associated facilities have
been levelled and the turf strengthened
through additional maintenance for
stabilisation purposes. In addition,
protocols are developed each year to
ensure the efficient erection of stands
and other infrastructure with minimal
impact to the course. The same ongoing
improvements apply at the end of The
Open. Practice facilities have been
upgraded on the Municipal Course along
with the two practice chipping greens
adjacent to the 2nd C green. In the
case of the latter, pin cushion moss has
been a real problem and a combination
of chemical input and a major
renovation programme has seen a rapid
improvement to the standard desired.
On the agronomic front, adjustment
continues to be made in respect of
enhancing playing quality on greens,

Bulletin July Issue 266

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