GMé | issuu 24

algarve’s newest additionOverlooking the Atlantic Ocean, January saw

the official opening of Quinta da Boavista.GME investigates the background to the club

which is owned by the Emerson Group.

The leading business magazine for the pan-European golf industry

GolfGolfManagementE u ro p e page 23

April 2002www.portman.uk.com

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They changed the course, but they couldn’t tame the Tiger.

Tiger Woods’ third Masters triumph officially sets him apart from the rest in adrawer clearly labelled ‘legends’ - and that’s if he wasn’t there already.

His mastery of greens and fairways, allied to a phenomenal physicalstrength and technical advances in club manufacture caused the powers

that be at Augusta to alter some of the most instantly recognisable golfholes on the planet.

That such cosmetic changes failed to halt Woods’ seemingly inces-sant charge to the top of golf’s ultimate leaderboard should not beregarded as a failure.

On the contrary, the changes merely added to the excitementand tension of an event which always holds millions of tv view-ers spellbound across the myriad countries taking live cover-age.Few clubs retain such a ‘traditional’ approach to the sport asthe Augusta National - indeed some of its policies arearchaic and possibly offensive to many right-thinking indi-viduals - but the fact the club’s officers were prepared toembrace change to move forward with other advances inthe sport should act as a beacon to the sport.

Traditionalists would scoff at any possible changes tothe numerous magnificent and historic championshipcourses across this continent, but if Europe is toattract the world’s best golfers it must be prepared toconsider similar changes at many of our own jewels.

Length off the tee is now greatly increased as theyoung bucks use advances in club technology andincreased physical prowess to shorten many of ourbest holes.

If par fives were meant to be reached in an easytwo shots by even an average club player, then,quite simply, they would not be par fives. There is a strong argument that further designamendments to our courses can only improve thegolf on show, the lure for the world’s best playersand - possibly more importantly - corporate spon-sors.

We have some excellent course designers on thiscontinent and the next few years should be a busytime for them as they respond to a fast-changing

environment.Or will European golf merely rest on its laurels and

lose out to the USA and other emerging nations?

Page 3

Contents

Golf Management Europe April 2002

Augustaapproach theright option

issue 24credits;editorJohn Vinicombe

contributorsDavid BowersAlister MarshallRob Wright

publisherMichael Lenihan

administrationSharon O’Connell

printColourspeed

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No part of this publication may bereproduced or transmitted in anyform without written permissionfrom the publisher.

Whist due care to detail is takento ensure that the content of Golf Management Europe isaccurate, the publisher cannotaccept liability for errors.

© Portman Publishing andCommunications Ltd 2002

cover story 7

car wars 15

the lensbury 8

lee relf 32

Following the successful developmentand opening of Tobago Plantations Golfand Country Club, PGA DesignConsulting’s latest course design anddevelopment assignment is for a newgolf course at Trincity in Trinidad forthe HCL Group of Companies.

The development site is convenientlynear to the new international airport atPiarco and some eight miles out of Portof Spain, the island’s capital.

The course will be the centrepiece of aluxury community called‘Millennium Park’ which is toinclude a wide range ofshopping malls, a businessdistrict, hotels and a rangeof residential communities withattractive villas and garden apartmentssurrounded by the 18 hole golf course.

The James Bond Celebrity Golf Classicand Gala Dinner will take place

on Friday, June 28, atStoke Park Golf Club. 2002 is an extra special

year for this official andnow famous annual James

Bond golfing event, as it marks the 40thanniversary of the first James Bond film

and is also the year of the 20th Bondfilm Die Another Day.

The 2002 James Bond Celebrity GolfClassic is supporting the Variety Club ofGreat Britain’s Sunshine Coachprogramme, and two coaches will beawarded in the tournament’s name at theevent.

Created by The Ian Fleming Foundationas a tribute to Bond’s creator’s passionfor the game, this is the only officialgolf event in the world which is officiallyrecognised by Eon Productions, themakers of the Bond films.

Stoke Park is located just ten minutesfrom Pinewood Studios, where BarbaraBrocoli, Michael Wilson and the produc-tion team are currently filming DieAnother Day which will star PierceBrosnan, Judy Dench, Halle Berry andJohn Cleese.

The club has a unique history with theBond movies and the famous golfsequence in Goldfinger was filmed atStoke Park.

News

Page 4 April 2002 Golf Management Europe

Lead StoryFollowing a successful reassessment,Mere Golf and Country Club has achievedInvestor in People status.

Mere’s managing director, BarrieStanley, received the award in recogni-tion of the club’s excellent reputation forstaff development and training.

Mere Golf and Country Club has longbeen renowned as one of the northwest’s most prestigious golf clubs, a styl-ish back drop for Cheshire’s most exclu-sive events and for its excellent confer-encing and corporate hospitality facili-ties.

Stanley received the reassessmentplaque from Jeannie Gardner, operationsmanager of Business Link Cheshire andWarrington. Many of the staff turned outto watch the event and hear Stanleythank everyone for the club’s success inmaintaining the standards that firstearned the award in 1999.

“Everyone has put in a lot of effort tohelp us achieve the Investor in Peopleawards,” said Stanley. “I would particu-larly like to thank all our personnel whohave worked hard to achieve thisproject.”

Encore forGleneaglesConference

Jimmy Kidd, golf courses and estatedirector at The Gleneagles Hotel hasannounced that the second GleneaglesTurf Care Conference - sponsored byTextron - will take place betweenNovember 24 and 26, 2002.

This year’s conference has the supportof the Federation of Golf GreenkeepersAssociation and will focus on a range ofoperational issues surrounding the man-agement of a successful golf course.

It is aimed at attracting an audiencethat includes directors of golf, coursemanagers, superintendents, professionals,general managers and secretaries.

Speaking recently Kidd said: “Theinaugural conference last Novembersurpassed all my expectations. Our aimwas to enlighten, entertain and educateand, without fear of contradiction, I cansay that we achieved this and more.

“We had a diverse range of delegatesfrom all parts of the globe and it provid-ed the ideal forum for them to expandtheir knowledge and understanding ofthe golf industry.

“The speakers, many of whom hadtravelled from across the world, werefirst rate and question time at the endof each session provided the opportunityfor a lively debate on the various issuesraised.”

Mere sink business award

It’s an Odd Jobfor Stoke Park

Trinidad latestdevelopmenthot-bed

Page 5Golf Management Europe April 2002

Textron Golf, Turf and Specialty Products has completed a major upgrading of itswebsite, www.textronsolutions.com, with the introduction of a new online parts

ordering facility. The new Parts Xpress section of the website contains all the infor-mation that a dealer needs to order parts online. Textron manufacture and distrib-ute a range of turf maintenance equipment for golf course operators together with

golf cars and light utility vehicles from their head office in Ipswich, Suffolk.

Major upgrade for Textron

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Golf course construction and renovation

Supply and installation of irrigation systems

Design and installation of land drainage schemes

Sports ground construction and maintenance

Design and installation of water supply and

distribution systems

Rolawn has recently supplied 17,100sq m of Minster Greens turf to RoyalLytham and St Anne’s.

The turf was laid by W J Wilkinson andSons Landscaping to reinstate largeareas of the course which sustaineddamage by the large crowds who attend-ed the Open Championship.

Terry Ryan, Rolawn’s sales and market-ing director, commented: “We regularlysupply turf to many famous golf courses,and it’s good to know that our turf hasonce again been chosen for use on thisoutstanding course.”

Lytham goesGreen

Peter Cowen has announced plans for anew Peter Cowen Golf Academy at theprestigious Emirates Golf Club in Dubai,which he will use as his winter teachingacademy.

In Dubai for the Dubai Desert Classic,Cowen said: “Dubai is my all-timefavourite golf destination and I amdelighted to announce my associationwith the Emirates Golf Club which isundoubtedly one of the finest golf facili-ties in the world.

“Given the poor weather conditions inthe UK throughout the winter months itwas important for me to identify a winterbase where I could spend quality timewith the players before the start of thenew season.

“The facilities at the Emirates Golf Cluband the climate in Dubai betweenNovember and March are the perfectcombination for my winter teachingacademy.

“All my players are certainly delightedthat I will have a winter base in Dubaiand have assured me that they will befrequent visitors to the club over thewinter months.”

However, Cowen does not intend todedicate all of his time in Dubai workingwith his Tour players.

“I want to build a relationship with themembers of Emirates Golf Club and withthe local businesses who use golf as ameans of corporate entertainment.

“It is my intention to act as a world-wide ambassador for golf in Dubai andsince I spend about 35 weeks a year trav-elling to all of the major golf tourna-ments I will be constantly promotingDubai as a must-visit golf destination.”

Throughout the winter months, Cowen’smanagement company will also be organ-ising dedicated golf holidays to Dubaithat will include intensive tuition withCowen and his team of professionals.

Peter Cowen looks east toDubai winter base

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News


PGA has designs on newmanagement role

The Professional Golfers’ Association has restructured its development of interna-tional activities. PGA Golf Management, the design development and managementsubsidiary of the PGA will now be based at its national headquarters at the De VereBelfry.

It will just focus on operational and management issues and, in a separate move,the creative elements which relate to course planning, design and architecture willbe dealt with by a new company to be called PGA Design Consulting Ltd.

PGADC specialists will also deal with technical publications and audits, act as expertwitnesses, and offer pre-opening management consultancy services. The former tech-nical director of PGA Golf Management, Bob Hunt, has been appointed as managingdirector of PGA Design Consulting, which will continue to be based in Bristol.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones believes the new structure will enable the mostefficient use of resources and provide improved levels of service to their clientsaround the world.

Nick Faldo, MBE is returning to hisroots by becoming the new president ofBrocket Hall Golf Club in Hertfordshire.

Born in Welwyn Garden City, close toBrocket Hall, Faldo was pleased to acceptthe new presidency of the prestigiousgolf club, a former stately home that issteeped in history and home to twoformer Prime Ministers.

Faldo is one of the UK’s greatestsportsmen. The youngest-ever Ryder Cupteam member, he still holds the recordfor the number of points and matcheswon in the competition.

Although still a competitive golfer,Faldo is devoting more time to designinggolf courses and has already achievednumerous accolades around the worldincluding the award winning Faldo Platzat the Palmerston Golf Resort in Berlin.

Faldo has also launched the FaldoJunior Series, educating young golfersabout all aspects of the game from dietand fitness through to etiquette andsports psychology.

Faldo’s new found contentment anddesire to give something back to thesport that has served him so well makesthe appointment all the more fittingbecause of his personal ties to the area.

When asked to take over from outgo-ing president Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Faldocommented: “I really enjoy puttingsomething back into the sport, and it isextra special being able to do so atBrocket Hall.

“To be able to ‘come home’ so tospeak, to such a spectacular setting andwith its superb facilities is an immensehonour and pleasure.”

Faldo’s the new Brocket Man

ESN expandJohn Deererange

Regarded as one of the best golfcomplexes in Europe, East SussexNational has taken delivery of a further17 machines from John Deere’s turf carerange, adding significantly to the exten-sive line-up of Deere equipment alreadyin use.

Set in rolling Sussex countryside, theclub features two 18-hole courses.Course manager, Mike Wattam, whomanages up to 30 staff, has recentlyadded to the club’s existing fleet ofequipment which already included ten220A walk behind mowers.

“Last year we decided to replace ourexisiting fleet of petrol-engined utilityvehicles because they were becomingunreliable and costly to maintain,” saidWattam.

New face forFairway?

Fairway 2002 closed with extremelygood results according to show organis-ers Messe München.

The 8th Golf Course Congress, whichwas held at the MOC in Munich wasattended by 1,957 visitors (1,809 in2001), with people coming from 27countries around the world.

It is still unclear where and whenFairway 2003 will be held, and accordingto spokeswoman Carol Henry: “There is achance Fairway could be merged withGolf Europe this September, but we arestill awaiting official confirmation.”


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COVER STORY

Cover StoryGloster is the most respected name inoutdoor furniture and whether your golfclub is seeking furniture for the club-house or the course, you’ll find endlessoutlets for self-expression in the new2002 Gloster collection.

Gloster’s attention to detail is secondto none. For example, while most othermanufacturers pin their badges onto thefurniture, Gloster recesses their badgesinto the wood so they are flush with thesurface.

All Gloster furniture is sanded withextra fine grades of sandpaper toachieve a silky-smooth finish and eventhe underside of their furniture is thevery same high standard as the top.

Also, the majority of corners andedges on Gloster Furniture are cham-fered, even including the joints in thetabletops.

Gloster’s market leading reputation hasbeen based, first and foremost, on thecompany’s expertise in the selection anduse of teak, which is a close grainedhardwood with a high natural oilcontent.

This makes it hard wearing, highlyresistant to rotting and almost impervi-ous to the effects of sun, rain, frost orsnow - ideal for all-year round use.

Gloster handle the manufacturingprocess at every level - from the handselection of the finest grade of teak,through kiln drying to processing.

Kiln drying teak not only enablesGloster to craft accurate, close fittingjoints, but also ensures the stability ofthe finished furniture in all the climaticconditions that it is likely to endure.

Gloster have been manufacturing qual-ity outdoor furniture for over 30 years,and naturally, all teak used in the manu-facture of Gloster furniture is strictlysourced from sustainable plantations.

A reputation built on qualityand attention to detail

A Mini Adventure


CASE STUDY

Hard to imagine now, but theSinclair C5 was once hailedas the answer to inner-citytransport problems.

Many �great� modern ideas and newconcepts disappear almost as soon asthey have popped their proverbial headabove the parapet.

But there are exceptions - the Dysonvacuum cleaner; the wind-up radio; theworld-wide web - and in sport they aregenerally designed to take the gamethat little bit further or make it moreaccessible.

In football, the indoor six-a-sidegame has achieved phenomenal growth,allowing people to enjoy a scaled downversion with different rules.

Likewise indoor cricket, but bothare merely watered-down versions ofthe real thing.

The PGA-approved Compac GolfCourt concept - as first reported in thismagazine in November 1997 - is morecomparable, therefore, with the introduc-tion of one-day cricket, possessing as itdoes, all the ingredients of the full game.

The major difference with a golfcourt is size.

The only example up and running inthe UK is at the Lensbury Club, adja-cent to the River Thames at TeddingtonLock, London.

A very picturesque spot for a golfcourse, but with land in the capitalscarcer than an honest statement from aGovernment minister, the managementat Lensbury - the largest conferencecentre inside the M25 corridor - decid-ed to invest in a golf court.

With four greens and eight tees, itprovides an 18-hole, par-54 golf courseon a piece of land a fraction of thenormal size - six acres in this case -with each hole possessing individuallength and perspective. As the club�sliterature proudly states, it is �a full golfcourse in microcosm�.

It is not gimmicky golf; nor is itpitch and putt - this is proper golf.Members at the club must wear appro-priate clothing, and must have qualifiedvia the club�s �green card induction(GCI)� programme.

The court is beautifully designed byHoward Swan; it contains waterhazards and looks like a golf course,not a pitch and putt; and it certainlyplays like a golf course.

The court is specifically designed toenable three groups of players to playsimultaneously - any more wouldcontravene the strict safety guidelinesto which the court is designed.

There are three tee times per hourand participants play six holes in anhour - ideal for a relaxing lunchtime.

Members who undertake the green cardprogramme learn how to pace them-selves to a respectable ten minutes perhole, ensuring no cross driving.LensburyThe Lensbury court was opened in Maylast year by former World number onelady Laura Davies who has utilised thesame technology on land of her own.

In just eight months, the court hasseen 500 adult members take the GCI toentitle them to play and 500 juniorshave been taught by the pro, RichardIvens - it is seldom empty.

Surrounded by unobtrusive netting,it is arguably safer than a normal golfcourse, providing golfers are responsi-ble and follow the guidelines for golfcourt etiquette.

The Lensbury court is of such a sizethat all three playing parties are visibleat all times - unless you�re in a bunker.And that sort of safety aspect is obvi-ously not possible on a normal 18-holecourse.

Nor could a normal course be builtfor approaching somewhere in theregion of €490,500 (£300,000).

And even if you had more acreageavailable than Lensbury, as CompacGolf�s Peter Bailey (pictured above)explained, your costs would notincrease too substantially.

Last month, David Bowers paid a visit to the world�s first Compac Golf Court located atthe Lensbury on the banks of the River Thames at Teddington Lock. Incorporating 18-holesof golf on a six-acre plot of land, could this be the future for golf in the inner cities?


He said: �It�s not hugely expensiveto build a bigger golf court, with parfours and par fives.

�You would not need any moregreens or tees on an area double thissize - it would merely be trees, bunkersand lakes. The remainder is merely fair-ways.�ExceptionalHe added: �We worked very closelywith Howard (Swan) from the begin-ning and Land Unit Construction wasthe contractor who won the tender. Andthey did an exceptional job under verydifficult conditions - they didn�t have adry day for three months!�

For the owner, the cost effectivenessof construction and the amount of landinvolved are major selling points; butfor the golfer the major boon is the abil-ity to book an hour�s golf.

Even if you could find a course whowere prepared to allow you to just playsix holes in a lunch hour, by the timeyou had completed them it would prob-ably involve a half-hour hike back tothe clubhouse, rendering the exerciseredundant.

But that is the premiss with a golfcourt. People play in their lunch hour;after they�ve left work and before thesun goes down; parents pick up theirchildren from school and pop in for anhour�s R&R together before goinghome to cook tea - its availability is thesecret of its success.

And for golfers it still retains thechallenge one looks for when settingfoot on the first tee on any course inany part of the world.MomentumInterest in the golf court concept is, notsurprisingly, gathering momentum bythe day.

Licensing agreements have alreadybeen reached with individuals in Korea,the Benelux countries and Australia,and Compac Golf�s John Sale and PeterBailey are only too happy to enter intodiscussions with people in other coun-tries interested in utilising the technolo-gy elsewhere.

Me? I�ve got just over an hour tospare so I�m popping back outside withmy clubs - for research purposes youunderstand.

Lesley White BA, MBA, the chiefexecutive of Lensbury Club, Teddington,is a keen golfer - but an astute business-woman first and foremost.

Both her sons have learned to playat Lensbury�s golf court facility and sherecommends it - as a parent and as acash-conscious proprietor.

She said: �We became interested inthe golf court because we see ourselvesas predominantly a club for all ages, sowe are very keen on sports that meet theneeds of children and old people as wellas the active 20s, 30s and 40s. Golfimmediately sprung to mind, but wedidn�t have the space here for a fullcourse. So it�s fitted our needs very well.

�It was ideal for the space and forthe time aspect - we are in an areawhere people may have long traveltimes to work so their time is restrictedand to play golf in an hour is ideal. It�sphenomenally popular in terms oflearning, particularly with children.

�There were an awful lot of memberswho initially thought the concept wasstrange, but having used it they realisedit was a real sport. Many thought itwould be pitch and putt, and slightlygimmicky - but that�s not what it is. It isreal golf so it has persuaded people.

�I would recommend the concept asit fits with the quality all-round leisurefacility. At this stage it is quite difficultto get the concept across to people whoare here for a conference. They all wantto play but they think they can just goout there and do it.

�What we had last year was a learn-ing curve - which we are quite happy topass on to any other interested parties -in how to manage, educate and packagethe first round.

�People really do need to under-stand the timings, the sequences and theconcept. You have to play at the rightpace. The juniors, in particular, love it.Very few young children get the chanceto play golf but when you give themthat chance they love it.

�Most courses don�t allow childrenout on the course under the age of 12, buthere they can go out and have the delightof playing over and around water.

�It�s a great concept. It�s a fantasticfacility to be able to offer.�

�THERE WERE AN AWFUL LOT OF MEMBERS WHO INITIALLY

THOUGHT THE CONCEPT WAS STRANGE, BUT HAVING USED IT THEY

REALISED IT WAS A REAL SPORT. MANY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE

PITCH AND PUTT, AND SLIGHTLY GIMMICKY - BUT THAT�S NOT

WHAT IT IS. IT IS REAL GOLF SO IT HAS PERSUADED PEOPLE.�

News


Fareham Woods, one of Hampshire’snewest golf clubs, is up for sale foraround £1.35m. The present owners, GolfCentre Group Ltd, have approachedHumberts Leisure to find a buyer.

Ben Allen of Humberts Leisure, who isworking on the sale on behalf of ownersGolf Centres Group, stressed there shouldbe nothing for the club’s 600 members toworry about.

“Very little should change with themembership - it is the core of the busi-ness, and doing anything to undermineit would be madness,” he said.

“On the contrary, in our experience wehave found that new owners are usuallyvery keen to make their mark, and majorimprovements are usually carried outvery quickly.

“I would have thought the memberswould be embracing new owners, and notfeeling apprehensive about it.”

Allen has been surprised at the level ofinterest shown in the club at Whiteley,which has suffered bad drainage prob-lems in the past.

“I can say quite honestly that we havehad more interest in this course than anyother - I've been amazed,” he said.

“A wide cross-section of people areinterested, from established golf compa-nies to wealthy individuals and otherfirms who are considering diversifying.

“It does need some capital spendingon it, but it is in a prime location, justoff the motorway, close to a businesspark and with 550,000 people living in a20-minute drive time.”

The owners opened the members-onlyclub in 1997, and have now decided tosell.

The course has been dogged withdrainage problems, with several holesoften closed during spells of heavy rain,although work has continued to try torectify the problems.

A new clubhouse was built in August2000 and Allen said: “The company has apolicy of building a golf course, runningit until it is fully operational, and thenselling it. It’s what they do.

“I don't think it will be available forvery long - only a matter of weeks, I amsure.”

Humberts has also been instructed tosell Ballards Gore Golf and Country Clubnear Southend, and are seeking offers inthe region of £1.75m.

The club, which is located atCanewdon, was developed by the currentproprietors in 1978 and is being offeredto the market as a retirement sale.

Although the club is a proprietary golfbusiness, it is effectively operated as aprivate members’ golf club with 488members at present.

Property market bouyant asmore clubs come to the fore

Kevin Shaw (pictured right), European sales manager for irrigation pump systemmanufacturer Flowtronex Europe, meets up with Simao da Cunha, president of thenewly formed Association of Portuguese Greenkeepers, pictured at the Old Course atVilamoura, Algarve.

“Many people have welcomed the idea. Its backbone is a website through whichmembers can communicate and pick up information - most greenkeepers now haveaccess to a PC and this avenue seemed an obvious choice,” said da Cunha.

A Portuguese welcome

The Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauldhas introduced a new Active Tigermembership for junior golf members tobecome actively involved in the world ofgolf at Westerwood Golf Club.

The new membership has a wide vari-ety of benefits to juniors includingcomplimentary lessons with the pro anda trip to the Scottish Open at LochLomond.

To qualify for membership, juniormembers are asked to become moreinvolved in maintaining the 18-holecourse, by assisting the greenkeepers onthree separate occasions during thesummer months.

Club manager Alan Tait said: “Thethinking behind the new membershipwas to create a golfing environment andmembership which junior members canbe proud of.”

Westerwood’sActive Tiger

Almost readyfor the Open

The Royal Liverpool Golf Club is wellprepared for its scheduled re-instate-ment on the Open roster.

The club is one of the oldest in the UKand last held the Open in 1967.

Derek Green, links manager, feels thecourse’s re-instatement is long overdueand is currently preparing both RoyalLiverpool and the adjacent Hoylakemunicipal course alterations in anticipa-tion of the event.

A joint funding operation betweenWirral Borough Council and RoyalLiverpool has allowed the necessarycontract work at Hoylake where the 14thgreen and tee are currently being rebuilt.


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News


De Vere Slaley Hall, the north ofEngland’s championship golf venue, hasmade two new appointments to its golfoperations team.

Matthew Hacking and JonathanGreenwood (pictured) both join De VereSlaley Hall in the role of PGA trainee golfprofessionals.

Hacking, 22, arrives from St Mary HillGolf Club in his native Wales, where he

has been playing golf since the age of17. He has an accomplished playingrecord with a handicap of 2.

Greenwood, 21, from Middlesbrough,also has a handicap of 2 and has beenplaying golf since he was 15.

De Vere Slaley Hall is renowned for itsextensive teaching facilities, whichinclude a floodlit driving range witheight all-weather bays, a short gamearea and putting greens, and the courseswhich are arguably unrivalled in theNorth East of England.

Commenting on the appointments,golf operations manager, Mark Stancersaid: “De Vere Slaley Hall is well placedto help develop up-and-coming talent.

“Our championship golf courses have,over the years, hosted some of the world’sbest known golfing tournaments, attractingprofessional golfers such as Ballesteros,Langer and Lyle to name but a few.”

“Matthew and Jonathan will gainexpert on site tuition and advice and I’msure they’ll have no problems in further-ing their professional careers with DeVere Slaley Hall.”

Wiltshire-based MJ Abbott will becontinuing drainage and irrigation worksat Celtic Manor in preparation for thehosting of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Commenting on the work, managingdirector Nigel Wyatt said: “Systems wereput in prior to the Welsh Open lastAugust, and initial works were carriedout in two phases.

“During construction of the course, allthe main drains were installed to thefairways. Once the course was estab-lished, cost-effective lateral drainagewas then carried out as the worst areascould be assessed.”

Last year’s Welsh Open was hit byheavy storms, as course manager JimMcKenzie recalls: “We were cutting thesward four times a day during the cham-pionship and rollering twice a day.

“We had torrential rain during thechampionships but were able to go outand mow the fairways because of thedrainage system installed by MJ Abbott.

“It was a crucial time for us, as wewere being assessed for the Ryder Cup.”

Slaley Hall welcomes twonew recruits

Scotts Organic by demandThe Scotts Company has introduced an extra formulation of its newly-launched

Greenmaster Organic range of organic-based turf fertilisers at the request of usersand distributors.

The new product is a 5-3-8 year-round turf treatment and is 100 per cent organic,offering turf managers accurate, reliable provision of essential nutrients with theadded benefit of natural bio-stimulants to enhance the soil micro-flora.

Greenmaster Organics are designed for ease of application, compromising a dust-free, homogeneous granule, giving a fast, accurate spread and a uniform turf growthand colour response. The product is low in odour and guaranteed free of weeds andother contaminants.

To the ManorBorn for MJ Abbott

Woodclass Signs are celebratinganother major contract with theannouncement that Boavista Golf Club inPortugal has commissioned a series ofcedarwood course signs.

Initially contacted by Tony Jones fromowners The Emerson Group, Ian Watsonsaid: “Although I haven’t been out toPortugal to see the course, I understandthat it is simply spectacular.

“As our signs are used in a wide vari-ety of locations from southern Spain toSaudi Arabia, we had no problem fulfil-ing such a prestigious order.”

Woodclass has just published a newbrochure for 2002 which is availablefrom the Lancashire-based company.

Boavista signWoodclass

GOLF COURSE FOR SALE CAMBRIDGESHIRE

9 Holes, 18 Tees, Par-68 (84 Acres) � USGA GreensFull Irrigation � Floodlit Driving Range (24 bays)Four Bedroomed Bungalow � Owners Retiring

£590,000 - AS A GOING CONCERNIdeal opportunity to own and manage your own golf course

Page 13

Want to discover the latest in turf maintenance equipment this summer? Then justgo along to one of the Campey Turf Care Systems ‘Working Demonstration Days beingheld on June 26 and 27 at the company’s headquarters in Marton, near Macclesfield.

Visitors will be able to inspect the latest machines from manufacturers such asDennis, Charterhouse Turf Machinery, Nunes and Koro, and in addition, working

demonstrations will also be on offer.

A Grand Day out with Campey


THE PROVENPERFORMERThe sturdy walk-behind 60 trencher from Case

Easily manoeuvred in confined areas, yet offering big trencher features like hydrostatic

ground drive and hydraulic boom raise and lower

Just walk the unit up the trailer ramp and chainto the trailer for ease of transport

Also fitted with a neutral safety start system, engine

“oil-alert” system and low-effort

colour-codedcontrols

L.D. BOURGEIN OXFORD LIMITEDSouth Hinksey, Oxford OX1 5AZ

Telephone: 01865 735420Fax: 01865 326155

Website: www.bourgein.com Email: [email protected]

To hire or buy... For further information contact:

Northern office:Howford Lane, Acomb NE46 4FA

Telephone: 01434 608898Fax: 01434 608898

Muchwood LaneBodsey, Ramsey

CambsPE26 2XQ

Tel: 01487 813519

�Open trench and trenchless land drainage forall situations where the highest standards of

workmanship are imperative�

SKILLED OPERATORS ANDMODERN EQUIPMENT

COMBINED WITH EXPERIENCEENSURE A QUALITY SERVICE

DRAINAGE LIMITED, GT ASHFIELD, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK IP31 3HBTELEPHONE - 01359 259424 FAX - 01359 258073

Steve Chicken has been appointed tothe position of managing director ofTextron Golf, Turf and Specialty ProductsInternational, with immediate effect.

Announcing the appointment, DennisSchwieger, executive vice president said:“I am delighted that Steve will be lead-ing the excellent team based in Ipswich.

“Together they are charged with devel-oping our international business to be asignificant player in the global golf andturf markets.

“In February 2001 Steve accepted anassignment, based in Charlotte, NorthCarolina, with a promotion to vice presi-dent of engineering for the turf busi-ness.

“During his time in the USA he hasgained a broad understanding of the golfand turf business, and has also earnedthe enormous respect of the seniormanagement team.

“He is, in our view, the obvious candi-date to lead the International businessduring a very challenging period.”

Following a successful career as aprofessional engineering officer with theRAF, Chicken joined the Ransomes organ-isation to head up the engineering func-tion in November 1997.

Chicken comes home to roost Gear expandsinto Costa delSol

Upmarket customised leisure clothingspecialist Gear, whose European head-quarters is in the UK, has opened ashowroom and office on the Costa delSol to meet the increasing demand forits products in Spain.

Gear already has a number of majorSpanish accounts, include Valderrama,the Marriott Resort in Marbella and theAlmenara Group, for which it is a keysupplier.

European managing director NigelSteele said that Gear is a major golfbrand in Spain.

“We have opened our office inSotogrande in response to the strongdemand for our label,” he said.

“Having a presence in Spain willenable us to service and support theSpanish market with the same focus aswe have for our UK and Irishcustomers.”

Profit From Our Relationship Golf cars will bring substantial revenue to your course. They will speed up play. Golf carslet golfers concentrate on the game. They let older players play more and longer rounds. Golf cars do all this with the minimum impacton the course.

Customers Say Our Cars Are The Best We would agree. Independent customer surveys have shown time andagain that Club Car vehicles are rated first in performance and reliability. Our revolutionary new IQ system provides you with a safer, morereliable car that is fun for golfers to use. Our Cars also run on a unique light weight aluminium chassis that doesn't rust and produces thelightest car on the market.

The Best Service - Wherever You Are Golf car operators continually rate our service number 1 as well as our products.We have selected the industry's most experienced golf car professionals and backed them up with our outstanding sales, service and parts support.

An Enviable Track Record The acid test of a player is the league they play in. Club Car golf cars are used by many of theworld's premier courses. We are the exclusive official golf car supplier to the European & US Ryder Cup Teams, as well as the European Tour.We want you to join this illustrious company.

If you would like to know more about our golf car solutions please contact your nearest Club Car representative.

Golf’s Driving Force.

UKMartin Lucas

+44 (0)7880 [email protected]

FRANCEBenoit Robert


NORTHERN EUROPESteen Scherf


SOUTHERN EUROPEAlvaro Trueba


IRELAND/MIDDLEEAST/AFRICA

Kevin Hart+44 (0)7769 [email protected]

Club Car, Inc. Paragon Business Park, Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6JN


Car Wars

Along time ago, in a galaxyfar, far away, it was quite asimple task to purchasegolf cars for your course.

You weighed up the benefits of theindividual brands and models, deter-mined whether it was more practicableto have petrol or electric models andthen worked out a finance deal with thedistributor.

You still can - if you can determinewho does what.Clear-cutFor the make up of the golf car/buggymarket is no longer as clear-cut as itused to be. Car Wars has begun - and

it�s not obvious toeverybody who is the

outsider on theDark Side and whohas the force withthem.

A couple of yearsago it was muchsimpler. Therewere three main

routes - GolfCar UK held

the Club Carfranchise in the

UK; EZGO cars were purchasedthrough Textron dealers; and Yamahawere purchased direct from Yamaha.

It all started getting complicated,however, when Golf Car UK waspurchased by the French companyMox. Mox were a multi-brand compa-ny and could offer more than just ClubCar vehicles.

This did not fit in with the Club Carethos so the US-based outfit beefed uptheir own UK operation and stoppedsupplying Golf Car UK.

Meanwhile, Oxfordshire-based GolfCar UK - and Redditch-based ModernCross - became Mox UK Ltd, part ofthe Mox Leaseplan Group, which inturn is a wholly-owned subsidiary ofABN-Amro Bank, the seventh-largestin the world.

That metamorphosis meant Moxwas the largest supplier of rented golfcars in Europe, with in excess of10,000 across Spain, France, Portugaland the UK. And as a spokesman forthe UK arm of the company explained,the company is now a one-stop golf carshop.

�We are now a multi-brand golf carrental company offering all majorbrands - Club Car, EZGO, Yamaha andMelex,� he said.

�We are the largest supplier of golfcars in the UK, with more than 2,250golf cars and utility vehicles in therental market. !

Some would argue that the golf buggy market has become rather defragmented during thepast year or so. David Bowers talks to the major players involved, and asks where EZGO,Club Car, Yamaha and Golf Car UK all go from here.


�And we have also set up a turf divi-sion for the rental of turf equipment andall brands of mowers - primarily to thegolf market, but to anybody whorequires it, such as local authorities orany large user of mowing equipment.

�We are not a distributor foranybody - nor do we want to be; but weare a customer of all major manufactur-ers and will supply our customerswhichever brand they wish us to.�

He added: �We specialise in fleetmanagement and see ourselves as theHertz or Avis of the golf car market.They do not distribute one particularmanufacturer but manage fleets in thesame way we do.�

Golf Car UK insists the companyoffers an extraordinary high level ofservice on their contracts with mainte-nance and insurance - and that coupledwith the company�s �competitive pric-ing� keeps them at the head of themarketplace.UnusualWhich is all well and good until youremember that Textron - which manu-factures EZGO - already has distribu-tors in place covering all areas of thecountry, providing the unusual scenariowhere a national account - Mox UK Ltd- could be competing for business witha local distributor, while both sell theidentical product.

Meanwhile Club Car had enteredthe market selling direct from itsLancashire base to further increase thecompetition.

And Yamaha? Well Yamaha carscould still be purchased direct fromYamaha.ConcernNot surprisingly customers becameconfused; and confusion turned toconcern when the subject of warrantiesand servicing came up. But Golf CarUK insists such fears are groundless.

�The warranties are for the vehiclesand if a warranty is on a Club Car vehi-cle we will honour that warranty. Wehave an extensive service division andwe carry a large inventory of genuinebrand spare parts,� he explained.

However, the cloud of doubtresumes its course across the sky at thismoment, as Ian Burnett, Club Car�ssales director for Europe, the MiddleEast and Africa, says Club Carcustomers with warranty claims shoulddeal with Club Car�s newly-establisheddistribution network, rather than dealwith Mox.DistributorsHe explained: �We completely movedaway from Golf Car UK last year andnow sell to the UK market through tenregional distributors.

�So Club Car customers who havewarranty issues on our products shoulddeal with the Club Car appointed distri-bution network.

�Mox is not an appointed distributor,and if they choose to cover the warrantyon our products then customers shouldbe aware that Mox is not being support-ed by Club Car.�

So, Mox will sell Club Car andEZGO products - but not as an officialdistributor.

Richard Tyrrell, international salesmanager for EZGO, feels talk of confu-sion is unwarranted. He said: �Mox are,in effect, part of our national network,working wherever possible hand inhand with our local dealers.

�We haven�t experienced a great dealof confusion. Mox are a multi-brandcompany and we have worked with themin the European market, in France andSpain, and we welcome the opportunityto work with them in the UK.�ConfusedSmall wonder therefore, that the marketapparently remains confused. And aswe enter golf�s busy season, more andmore clubs are likely to be left scratch-ing collective heads at committee meet-ings while more and more buggies sitidly by waiting for their future to bedetermined - albeit unecessarily.

While two of the major manufacturersand a �purveyor of golf cars� appear to beslugging it out, tag-team style, one couldexpect Yamaha�s national sales managerBrian Swinden to be sitting back with hisfeet up stifling a wry grin. !

�WE COMPLETELY MOVED AWAY FROM GOLF CAR UK LAST YEAR

AND NOW SELL TO THE UK MARKET THROUGH TEN REGIONAL

DISTRIBUTORS. SO CLUBCAR CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE WARRANTY

ISSUES ON OUR PRODUCTS SHOULD DEAL WITH THE CLUBCAR

APPOINTED DISTRIBUTION NETWORK.�

Central Avenue, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich IP3 9QG England. Tel: +44 (0)1473 270000 Fax: +44 (0)1473 276300www.textronsolutions.com

Manage and track your golf car fleet while your customers enjoy an enhanced golfingexperience. In-car screens that provide hole-by-hole information � and give youcontinuous sales opportunities using state of the art GPS satellite technology.

This is the E-Z-GO with ProLink Course Manager.

For a demonstration call: +44 (0)1473 270000

Our system tracks your golfers.You generate more income.


�I wouldn't say that,� laughed Swindenwhen the scenario was put to him. Renewal�It�s simply there is a lot of confusionin the market at the moment. And ittends to surface when contracts comeup for renewal. Customers of ourcompetitors simply aren�t sure wherethey should be going.

�And we have had a lot of calls onthe back of that confusion. I wouldn�tsay we�ve benefited greatly from thesituation, however.

�Our message is clear in the UK; ifyou want a Yamaha Golf Car they areonly available from us direct.�

As the only direct importer andvendor of golf cars, Swinden obviouslyfeels Yamaha offers certain benefits hiscompetitors can�t.

�Their advantage is the price oftheir golf cars, but if I was a fleet oper-ator looking to buy or lease and wanti-ng close contact with the supplier,there�s no contest.

�We have been doing what we dovery successfully for many years -importing and selling to customersdirect. The golf car business is all aboutservice and Yamaha is the only manu-facturer dealing direct with its customersfor sales, leasing and service in the UK.�

Club Car�s Ian Burnett also believescurrent market mystification will soonpass. He said: �There is obviously someconfusion but it is slowly becomingclearer and will pass in time.

�The last 12 months have been ayear of change for us, with our settingup of a new network.

�But we are confident of a goodfuture for Club Car and we are support-ing our network every way we can. Andwe still regard our product as themarket leader.�

The manufacturers therefore, insistthe current lack of clarity in the market-place is temporary - or even a figmentof the end user�s imagination - and aclearer view will arrive soon.ShortSo, just to recap, EZGO sell throughregional distributors as do Club Car;Yamaha sell direct and Mox UK willsupply and manage a fleet of yourchoice.

And to paraphrase Esther Rantzenin her That�s Life post-modernist era,that�s the end of it - unless of courseyou know differently.

HAWTREEGOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS

Since 1912

5 OXFORD STREET, WOODSTOCK,OXFORD OX20 1TQ

TEL: (01993) 811976 FAX: (01993) 812448E-Mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.hawtree.co.uk

Martin HawtreeFellow of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects

Manufacturer of Fine English Golf Course FurnitureIf you want golf course furniture of the highest quality... thenlook no further than Britannic Teak Furniture.

We can supply you with British-made outdoor teak furniture in awide range of both traditional and classic designs that are bothcomfortable - yet of rugged construction.

Britannic’s seats, tables, benches and planters can be found atgolf clubs internationally, and are perfect for members wanting torelax around the 19th hole. Should you want to add an individualinscription in memory of a special event or person your specificrequirements can be met.

Our wood is impervious to the climate and requires no preservatives or paint.

For a brochure contact Gill Potter,Britannic Garden FurnitureCosters Close, Quarry RoadAlveston BS35 3HZ

Telephone 01454 411601Facsimile 01454 417941Email [email protected]

Page 19

First Impressions


Pontnewydd and GreatHadham golf clubswould not normallyexpect to see themselves

mentioned in the same sentence asVersace, Liverpool Football Club,Forte Hotels and Buckingham

Palace - so this can claim to be a first.What brings the half-a-dozen afore-mentioned companies together in thisway is that they all enhanced their

corporate image by purchasing cast

signs from the same company - in thisinstance, Bedfordshire-based Signs of theTimes.

With the ravages of another winterbehind us it is now an ideal time tospruce up our courses and ensure every-thing is in tip-top condition.

Naturally, groundstaff will havebeen preparing for this period monthsago and undoubtedly have everything inhand with regards to drainage improve-ments, teeing areas and greens. !

Effective marketing may well bring increased green fee revenue to your club, but if yourcourse furniture lets you down, will those new found customers return? David Bowersexamines this seasons newest offerings.


However, there is nothing worsethan arriving at the eighth tee of a beau-tiful course, with the clubhouse a merespeck in the distance, to be confrontedby the remains of a once-proud tee sign;its remaining shards protruding fromthe ground as if in homage to TheNeedles off the Isle of Wight coast.ImageAnd it�s not just on the tees whereimage should be guaranteed - it startswith the approach to the course itselfand even stretches as far as the prover-bial 19th hole. Everywhere within yourclub�s boundaries should project a posi-tive and healthy image.

Course sundries are an often-over-looked facet of a golf club. Signage,furniture and accessories smetimes getforgotten when it comes to budgetingfor the year ahead - but such commodi-ties are crucial to the image a club givesto the first-time visitor. Perception iseverything!

Members probably wouldn�t noticea cracked or missing sign or a defectiveballwasher - they take such things intheir stride.

But potential members, and particu-larly corporate clients certainly would -and if it doesn�t impress them theywon�t attempt to impress theircustomers with your club.

Like Buckingham Palace, Versaceand Great Hadham, you could turn toSigns of the Times which has beendesigning and manufacturing signs anddecorative panels for nearly 20 years.

Golf clubs weren�t slow to pick upon the merits of this company, as itsproducts have been used in many areasand for many things. Indeed the compa-ny has specialised in coats of arms andcommemorative signs.

From an original range of castpolyurethane signs, the company hasexpanded into cast bronze, aluminimand grp; as well as engraved brass,bronze, slate, granite and perspex.

They are available in a variety ofmountings and are all hand-made.

Down in the beautiful west countryof England, Ken White Signs has justentered its fifth decade of producingbeautiful traditional hardwood signs.

Back in 1967, Ken White used hisskills as a signwriter to produce qualityhand-crafted signs and word soonspread - but it took another 32 years forKWS to produce a golf-specificbrochure.

Now, however, the company is wellestablished in the industry and appreci-ates budgetary concerns, as aspokesman confirmed.Priority�In many cases the re-signing of a golfcourse, although urgently needed, mayhave to compete for financial prioritywith other items on the club�s agenda.KWS can help by a phased-in completeprogramme of new signage over a peri-od of time,� he said.

�The overall package can bedesigned and planned at the outset butmanufactured, installed and invoiced toan agreed timetable.�

The company uses only top-qualityhardwoods - iroko, balau, oak andmahogany - to produce its traditionalsigns, and can also produce aesthetical-ly-pleasing stone signage, aluminium,stainless steel or cast bronze.TraditionalShropshire-based Links Leisure alsooffers traditional cast course signs andtee markers in durable and weather-proof, reinforced resin or stones mould-ed from hardwearing and shatter-proofglass reinforced concrete.

They are remarkably realistic andavailable resembling several differenttypes of rock - cotswold, granite grey,dark slate and light sandstone - whilenatural wood signs, requiring little orno maintenance, are available in Britishoak or Douglas fir.

Links� John Briggs advocates asimple wash and brush-up to help main-tain the lifespan of course signage.

He said: �Most signs in whatevermaterial will always benefit from apolish now and again. Our resin-basedproducts do not succumb to moss orfunghi but some materials do and ifthey are kept clean they will not need tobe replaced so often.�

But wear and tear is not always thereason for replacement as Briggsconfirmed. �The main reason forreplacing signage on course is wherethe course is altered; holes lengthenedor shortened or even changing thestroke index,� he explained.

�This year in particular we are find-ing a lot of courses are having theiryardages reconfirmed and they do nottally with the signs.

�Also many are keen to promote acorporate image and we are brandingeverything from bins to car park signs.�

So if you are altering or re-measur-ing your course over the next 12months, bear in mind the changes thatwill be required to your course signage- and include it in the budget!

Ancillary items are of course just asimportant for customer comfort - coursefurniture should be clean and solid, so itpays to look for a well-respected manu-facturer, such as Gloster LeisureFurniture or Britannic Garden Furniture,both companies based in Bristol.

Britannic aren�t necessarily a nameyou would associate with golf courses,but its teak outdoor furniture - teak beinga timber unmatched for its combinationof rich colour, exceptional strength,durability, working properties and lowmaintenance requirements - is already inuse at some prestigious venues, such asKew Gardens, Hyde Park in London andCheltenham racecourse.

Britannic�s managing director, GillPotter, believes teak furniture is idealfor golf courses.

�IN MANY CASES THE RE-SIGNING OF A GOLF COURSE, ALTHOUGH URGENTLY NEEDED, MAY HAVE TO

COMPETE FOR FINANCIAL PRIORITY WITH OTHER ITEMS ON THE CLUB�S AGENDA.�


Fine Teak Course FurnitureGloster Furniture Limited

Concorde Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5TBTel. 0117 931 5335 Fax. 0117 931 5334 E-mail. [email protected]

She said: �We don�t work inanything else because it is the idealmaterial. It�s very durable and willlast around 50 years.�

While golf is currently a small partof the company�s business, it is grow-ing as the heavy and medium weightteak is used on course while thelightweight benches and chairs areideal for patio use. And if lookedafter they too will enjoy a consid-erable lifespan. Britannic is alsonow offering its craftsmanship on

indoor, locker-room furniture.Of course, there would be little

point in having an aesthetically delight-ful course if the basics aren�t in place -so don�t forget your essential acces-sories: flags, cups, and the often forgot-ten waste bins!

Several of the companies mentionedabove can supply �branded� bins andflags or you could turn to a specialistdealer such as Woodclass Signs, EaglePromotions, Par Aide or Tacit.

One old favourite returning to thecourse this season, like Jack Nicklausfollowing a period of rest and relax-ation, is the Pattisson aluminium crank-handle ballwasher, which has beenreintroduced into the company�s portfo-lio.SimpleThe cast aluminium body is freezeresistant and its simple constructionmeans low maintenance requirements -and that alone makes its re-appearancehardly a surprise.

Like any sector of the leisure indus-try, the products available to golfbecome more diverse in relation to thegrowing popularity - some produceobvious benefits, others are less defin-able.

The best advice is to determine yourmarket and concentrate on productswhich benefit your clientele - don�t getdrawn into improving your �corporate�image if you have no intention ofattracting the �corporate dollar�.

‘A Unique Sign System’Natural MaterialsHigh Definition 3D GraphicsResistant to fading and weatheringFree Design and Layout Service

Contact us for your Free Brochure

Woodclass Sign SystemsUnit 10, Chandler Business Park,Talbot Road, Leyland PR25 2ZG

Sales 01772 435341www.woodclass.co.uk

�THE MAIN REASON FOR REPLACING SIGNAGE ON COURSE IS WHERE

THE COURSE IS ALTERED; HOLES LENGTHENED OR SHORTENED OR

EVEN CHANGING THE STROKE INDEX.�

Page 23

Flying the Flag

CLUB INSIGHT


The Emerson Group�s flagshipcourse, at the Boavista resortnear Lagos in Portugal�sWestern Algarve, marks a

new venture by the Manchester-baseddevelopment giant.

This is the first move by Emersoninto the golf market and a second is inthe pipeline at Eagle Creek, Orlando,Florida where land has been purchasedto build a course.

For 40 years the Emerson name hasbeen better known in office and housebuilding while more recently thecompany was responsible for the devel-opment of the Middlebrook retail parknext to the Reebok Stadium and homeof the famous Premiership footballclub, Bolton Wanderers.

Emerson also built the LowryCentre in Salford in addition to anumber of other major industrial andcommercial projects. FrugalWith an annual turnover of £100m,Emerson pack a lot of clout, but, asTony Jones, who is in charge of theBoavista expansion said, �we are frugalin the way we operate.�

That is probably why Emerson issuch a successful company and one thathas a long standing trading record inPortugal going back nearly 20 years.

The development at Boavista hasbeen unaffected by a downturn in thenational economy. These days,Britain�s oldest ally can�t even affordto let its navy go to sea. !

Quinta da Boavista has received much acclaim since it opened for play back in January.The stunning Portuguese course, which is located on the Algarve, is the first golf venturefor The Emerson Group. John Vinicombe delves deeper.


Portugal joined the euro at an heroicrate and is now paying the price. Whenmoney from Brussels first came pour-ing in, it was spent recklessly.

Unemployment fell, but the boom isover, and it is rising again, along withthe public sector deficit.

All the more reason for Emerson totread warily but Tony Jones says thetourist trade has not suffered andPortugal is still very much a primetarget for golf development. JobsAt Boavista, Emerson are also building750 apartments and town houses with acompletion date aimed at this Autumn.So far as the conurbation in and aroundLagos is concerned, golf and building isgood news as it brings jobs to theAlgarve.

Boavista, designed by Swan GolfDesigns, is the first attempt in Portugalto produce an environmentally sensitivecourse. Explained Howard Swan: �Thedrainage system is created to bringwater back on the course.

�Rainwater is farmed for maximumretention and recycling and significantareas of rough will not be irrigated soas to promote local natural vegetation

and irrigation to greens, tees and fair-ways is by the use of treated effluentfrom the local municipality.�

The 6,070 metre par-71 course wasbuilt and established in under two yearsand opened for play in January and hasa membership of over 300.

A 250 room hotel is to be built nextyear by Emerson and firms involved inthe water recycling are Philip York andMartin from England and RainbirdInternational, an American companywith a European base in Marseilles.

Some idea of the project may begathered from four kilometres of pipesbeing laid from Lagos and another kilo-metre for the spectacular cascades.Views�I think Boavista is destined to becomeone of Europe�s best new courses. It ischallenging for all levels of playersfrom any of the four sets of tees.

�There are wonderful views fromthe rolling terrain and every attentionhas been paid to conserving the site�snatural features,� said Swan.

�The wild flowers in Spring arelovely and the old farm buildings arepreserved. There are eight lakes and

cascades and streams and the sixth hole,a par three over a chasm of a naturereserve, is likely to become the signa-ture hole. Delight�I�m sure it is right to say that there areso many memorable holes to make theexperience unforgettable and thescenery a delight to the eye,� concludedSwan.

The setting overlooks the Atlanticand the historic town of Lagos andinland to the Monchique hills. A gentlestart sees the opening hole slope awaydownhill via a generous fairway.

The par 3 second is protected by aclutch of bunkers and indigenous olivetrees and by the next hole Boavistastarts to display its teeth.

Uphill par fives are always unset-tling for the double figure handicapgolfer and there are plenty of trees toadmire, but stay out of as the fairwaynarrows.

Ravines, chasms, valleys; call themwhat you will, but par 3s when it isimperative to keep the ball in the air,tend to chill the blood. The 190-metresixth is such a hole and a stepped greenadds to the difficulty.

�I THINK BOAVISTA IS DESTINED TO BECOME ONE OF EUROPE�S BEST NEW COURSES.

IT IS CHALLENGING FOR ALL LEVELS OF PLAYERS FROM ANY OF THE FOUR SETS OF TEES.

THERE ARE WONDERFUL VIEWS FROM THE ROLLING TERRAIN AND EVERY ATTENTION HAS

BEEN PAID TO CONSERVING THE SITE�S NATURAL FEATURES.�


Fact FileClub: Quinta da Boavista

Apartado 62 8601-901 LagosAlgarvePortugal

Telephone: 00 351 282 782151Facsimile: 00 351 282 782150Email: [email protected]: www.boavistagolf.com

Manager: Tony WaltonDirector: Antonio Castelo

Course Info: 18-holesPar: Par 71, 6622 yards (Opened 2002)

Members: 300Green Fee: €45

The next two holes have distractingviews of the coastline and at the eighth,a par five, the way is divided by a deepgulch.

Not a hole to visit if the woodsaren�t in top working order. And so toanother long �un, the 13th where astream must be crossed in front of thegreen.

Highest point on the course is the16th and, naturally, the panorama isstunning and gives every excuse todawdle the 505 metres. The target, bythe way, is a narrow strip of greenbetween two gaping bunkers.

Boavista�s 18th requires a gooddrive for it is uphill and a dog-leg right.A mix of strategic bunkers andcontours call for a canny eye and judge-ment.

Tony Jones, in his Emerson officein Manchester, ought to get out more.He plays off 17 and says he hasn�tenough time.MasterpieceBoavista is his pigeon and he reallyought to put aside the calls of duty andacquaint himself better with HowardSwan�s masterpiece. If he doesn�t, I�msure there are many who will.

�THE WILD FLOWERS IN SPRING ARE LOVELY AND THE OLD FARM

BUILDINGS ARE PRESERVED. THERE ARE EIGHT LAKES AND

CASCADES AND STREAMS AND THE SIXTH HOLE, A PAR THREE

OVER A CHASM OF A NATURE RESERVE, IS LIKELY TO BECOME

THE SIGNATURE HOLE. �

Green Fingers


Greenkeepers have theirwork cut out, don�t they?Not only do they have todo battle against the

suspect temperament of Mother Nature,they�ve also got to contend with maver-ick owners who insist on suffocatingtheir craft with hackneyed edicts thatmust be obeyed.

On top of that, they have to put upwith the jaundiced jibes from the oddclub member who�s convinced that�anyone can cut grass.�

Life in the great outdoors, then, is notalways quite so appealing. But for thosewedded to their craft and determined notto give up, there are aspects to the jobthat continue to develop positively.

Speaking to Steve Williams, salesand marketing manager of SovereignTurf, one of Europe�s largest qualityturf producers, revealed that his job inparticular continues to show signs ofimprovement.Pasture-laid�One thing turf producers have been upagainst here in the UK,� recalledWilliams, �is that traditionally, harvest-ed turf was mostly pasture-laid (as wellas Cumberland sea-washed turf).

�These naturally occurring turfswere extensively harvested but werelargely cheap and cheerful. So, as youcan imagine, when quality turf wasintroduced, there was a considerableprice difference.

Educate�So it�s taken a long time to educatebuyers with reasons why they shouldpay a premium to buy a quality product.Thankfully, all that hard work is finallybeginning to pay off.

�Thanks to efforts such as those ofthe Turfgrass Grower�s Association(TGA), which have been instrumentalin raising awareness and the qualitystandards for both domestic and profes-sional user, business is now expandingat a considerable rate,� concludedWilliams.

This of course means that for themost part, the argument is being wonfor specifying the best possible prod-ucts. !

Following on from this year�s groundbreaking BTME show, the turf industry�s moreupbeat than it�s been for a while. Seduced by the heady smell of freshly mown optimism,Rob Wright takes a brief look at how the land lies.

ERIC HEPWORTHgolf course pphhoottooggrraapphheerr

72 Apley Road, Hyde Park, Doncaster DN1 2AY United KingdomTelephone: +44 1302 322 674 Facsimile: +44 1302 343 610

[email protected]


Almost 100 years of experience ingrass. Annual production of over80,000 tons of seed, grown in 25carefully chosen countries. Sold throughan efficient marketing organization,spread across the world. Our ownbreeding stations in various climatezones on 5 continents. A staff of 550dedicated people, satisfying demandingclients in almost 100 countries all overthe world. Proud of these figures? Of course we are. But far moreimportant we believe, is how webecame so successful.The answer to that is Quality. The Quality of our bredvarieties, our seeds, our packaging, our service, our people.

So, if you want the best seed under thesun, call 01359 272000 and we willbe pleased to advise you.

THE BEST SEED UNDER THE SUNTHE BEST SEED UNDER THE SUNBarenbrug UK Ltd., 33 Perkins Road,Rougham Industrial Estate, Bury St.Edmunds, Suffolk IP30 9NDTel:01359 272000 Fax:01359 272001E-mail:[email protected] www.barenbrug.co.uk

ALS is the one stop shop for all turf products and

services. Our completerange of soil and fine

turf care materials iscoupled with our free advice serviceand agronomicexpertise.Specialist

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managers!

Tel : 01952 641949or email: [email protected]

for our latest brochure.

SEASON 2001-2002

ALS is the one stop shop for all turf products and

services. Our completerange of soil and fine

turf care materials iscoupled with our free advice serviceand agronomicexpertise.Specialist

products for modern turf

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Tel : 01952 641949or email: [email protected]

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SEASON 2001-2002

Amenity Land Services Limited


Turfgrass helps secure the optimumplaying experience (no other surfaceplays as well or feels as good underfoot), it effectively reduces mainte-nance costs, minimises erosion fromwind and water, helps keep coursesplaying for longer by improving resis-tance to disease and wear-and-tear, aswell as maximises the general appear-ance of courses for longer.

Which in the long run, can onlymake a greenkeeper�s life a lot easier.But, according to Williams, there is stillroom for improvement.

�Historically, golf greenkeepershave a winter refurbishmentprogramme which starts once clubmatches finish. So a lot of turf buyinggets done in late autumn.

�However, a lot of customers arecaught out because the winter weatheroften closes in so that turf can�t be laiduntil the next year.

�This creates seasonal highs andlows in demand which leads to prob-lems with supply. So what turf buyersshould consider doing is plan theirmajor renovations at other timesthroughout the year - particularly takingadvantage of times when demand islower and the price subsequently repre-sents greater value for money.

�They should also bear in mind thateven though you can harvest and lay qual-ity turf all year round so long as the irriga-tion is right, you get better growth inspring. So greenkeepers should alsoconsider doing their renovation work then.

�This means that the turf laid willcome into play much quicker. Somework we�ve done in spring has been inplay within a matter of weeks.�

Speed, of course, will be an issue ifthe season is just about to get underway. But there are other considerationsthat can help things along.

For example, Rolawn, Europe�slargest producer of cultivated turf haverecently supplied over 17,000 sq.metres of Minister Green�s turf inBudget rolls for Royal Lytham and StAnne�s.

What�s so special about this turf isthat it was supplied in Rolawn�s large13 metre square Budget roll format,which is ideal for laying grass overhuge areas.

Larger rolls obviously yield fewerjoins, which means that the sward re-establishes quicker and covers theground more rapidly.

Nevertheless, perhaps more thanany other factor which affects just howfast mature turf settles on site, is the

quality of the seed. Choosing the rightmixture of varieties - or �cultivars� - foryour course conditions is critical to helpensure that you get the best results.

Some turf producers have their ownresearch and development teams whoconcentrate on plant breeding, selectingand developing the right plants for vari-ous applications. Farming Others rely on farming the products ofspecialist seed producers such as theBarenbrug group, one of the largestsuppliers of grass seed in the world.

At the same time, the leading turfproducers grow their special varietieson different soil types, each of whichare more suited to different climates,uses and various substrates.

With so many variables, making theright buying decision becomes critical.Asking for a TGA quality turf assess-ment of your turf choices can help.With samples and an assessment tohand, you can practically make a deci-sion from the confines of your office.

Then, if you can, a visit to the turffarm no more than a couple of weeksbefore the grass is harvested for layingwill also stand you in good stead so thatyou know you�re getting what youneed.

�HISTORICALLY, GOLF GREENKEEPERS HAVE A WINTER REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME WHICH STARTS

ONCE CLUB MATCHES FINISH. SO A LOT OF TURF BUYING GETS DONE IN LATE AUTUMN.�


TURF GROWERS AND INNOVATORS OF TURFGRASS SYSTEMS

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Any longer than that and you�rerunning the risk of making a misjudge-ment because grass is a living, changingcommodity.

Then, once it�s down, you�ve got toworry about keeping it looking at itsbest. One innovation that might help isToro�s Greensmaster Flex 21. Thisparticular pedestrian greens mower issaid to shave greens closer thananything before.

The 21-inch cutting unit not onlyflexes from side to side, but also back-wards and forwards, too. This meansthat the unit can hug the contours ofundulating greens, shaving the turf to aslow as one-sixteenth of an inch withminimal scalping, giving a faster, truerplaying surface.

Only because of new plant cultivarsthat can be clipped very low has such amachine been possible.

Meanwhile, Textron have re-organ-ised their operations and are now sell-ing their professional mowing equip-ment to golf course operators exclusive-ly from under their Jacobsen brand.

With a number of restyled, upgrad-ed and existing models, Textron claimto have the largest selection of greens,tees, trim, fairway and rough mowersavailable from one manufacturer.

Alongside their comprehensive trac-tor range under their Iseki and Ransomesbrands, Textron seem ready to make aplay for pole position as the one-stopshop for turf professionals looking forturf care machinery.

�BEAR IN MIND THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN HARVEST AND LAY

QUALITY TURF ALL YEAR ROUND SO LONG AS THE IRRIGATION IS

RIGHT, YOU GET BETTER GROWTH IN SPRING. SO GREENKEEPERS

SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER DOING THEIR RENOVATION WORK THEN.�

40 years of constant investment in the latest machinery for earth moving, shaping and finishing including our own engineered equipment for bunker construction, cultivation and seeding techniques have enhanced our reputation for reliability and efficiency in golf course and sportsfield construction. Modifications including

storage lakes, land drainage and water features, budget feasibility studies and project management are all reasons why we are celebrating forty years of excellence.

49 Woodlands Road, Sonning Common, Reading UK RG4 9TDTel /Fax: +44 (0)118 972 2257 • E-mail: [email protected]

www.elygolfconstruction.com

International Golf Course Construction

Our projects include:

• Brocket Hall Golf Club, England

• Aroeira Golf Club, Portugal

• Stoke Poges Golf Club, England

• Cotterell Park, Wales

• Victoria Golf and Country Club, Sri Lanka

• The Kintyre Course at Turnberry Golf Club, Scotland

• Royal Liverpool Golf Club, England

• *Bridgedown Golf Club, England

*Designed by Seve Ballesteros

88tthh ggrreeeenn,, KKiinnttyyrree CCoouurrssee aatt TTuurrnnbbeerrrryy,, SSccoottllaanndd(Photograph by Eric Hepworth Golf Course Photography 01302 322674)

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Est 1961Celebrating40 Years ofExcellence

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Firm Focus


COMPANY PROFILE

Tthe February 2002 edition ofGolf Management Europehighlighted some of theproblems facing golf course

managers. Fundamental to resolvingthese problems, is to understand whatthey are - and what the causes are!

Is demand down? How are yourcompetitors doing? What share of yourcustomers� play and spend on golf areyou getting? What can you reasonablylook forward to from the local golfmarketplace?

To address these issues you needinformation, and to get information youneed to ask the right questions, and toask the right questions you needresearch.

This is part of paying attention toyour customer needs, and attention tothis detail is necessary when managinga commercial golf operation, unless ofcourse your company doesn�t mindwatching money go down the drain.

Sports Marketing Surveys Limitedtakes all the worry out of getting thisinformation, through market research.It can provide you with all the market-ing information you need to make aninformed business decision about yourcompany�s future.

Sports Marketing Surveys specialisesin providing a full range of traditionaland innovative market research tech-niques on a local, national and interna-tional level, tailored to individualrequirements.UnrivalledEstablished in 1984, Sports MarketingSurveys is the largest specialist sportsand sponsorship research group in theworld, with offices in the UK, USA,Belgium, France, Greece, Korea andAustralia, and provides an unrivalledservice to golf and sports facility clientsacross the globe.

For 17 years, they have run continu-ous golfer surveys in the UK, France,Germany and Sweden, and provides theequipment census at PGA EuropeanTour events around the world.

Sports Marketing Surveys are theindustry source on participation, playdynamics and equipment purchasehabits.

With this background they areideally placed to benefit golf facilitiesby helping them to determine customerprofile and satisfaction levels; compar-ing the facility with rival clubs; andidentifying how more custom can beattracted and where improvements canbe made.

Although it sounds relativelysimple, Sports Marketing Surveys, whoare based in Wisley, Surrey, utilises thelatest marketing and interpretative tech-niques, alongside some of the mostexperienced sports professionals in themarket research industry, to provide anall-encompassing overview of where thefacility is - and where it should aim tobe in the future.CLASPThe Customer Loyalty and SatisfactionProgramme is a new product develop-ment in conjunction with the presti-gious National Golf Foundation - theirgolf research partner in the USA.

Over two years of work has goneinto designing a questionnaire anddeveloping an analysis package to givecourse operators the answers to keyissues.

CLASP allows facilities to identifywho their customers and competitorsreally are, how their customers behave,how their facility performancecompares to other courses, and to dothis at an affordable price for all golffacilities and operators.

For as little as €800, CLASP willensure you get answers to all thesequestions, plus indications on where todirect your sales effort, details on whatshare of spend you are getting, howyour golf course and services are rated,what key changes may be needed,where your users come from and quite alot more!SoftwareBased on a sophisticated and customdesigned software package, the entireoperation can be done �on-line� thoughmost courses will probably prefer�paper and pencil� methods.

Either way, Sports MarketingSurveys� CLASP can deliver customerspecific reports for you to access online or in hard copy.

Research the onlyway forward

Sports Marketing Surveys LtdThe Courtyard, WisleySurrey GU23 6QL

Tel: 01932 350600Fax: 01932 350375www.sportsmarketingsurveys.cominfo@sportsmarketingsurveys.com

What will CLASPdo for you?" Enable you to under-

stand who your best customers are.

" Enable you to discover what they think of your facility, the course and the customer service.

" Enable you to target your promotional spendeffectively.

" Enable you to identify your nearest competitorsand how you perform against them.

" Enable you to know what changes are required to increase play frequency and rounds played.

" Increase revenue through your facility.

The Lost Course

Page 32

RETROSPECTIVE

April 2002 Golf Management Europe

Mersea Island Golf Clubwas a luxury club builton the east Essex coastalisland of Mersea, which

lies at the estuary formed by the RiverColne and River Blackwater.

It was a links course and was apopular stopping off point for richyachtsmen who came from all over theeast coast.

The course could be within a cablelength of their comfortable cabins andthere was a good �hard� available tothem at all stages of the tide with anample supply of fresh water availablefrom the water mains at the clubhouse.

Good holding ground was availablein deep water for small yachts of 10-15tons, right along the edge of a bank ofthe links, and the Pyefleet andBrightlingsea creeks offered shelterfrom a southerly blow.

In 1910 a nine-hole course was laidout and a clubhouse constructed. It wasa venture that steadily grew in strengthuntil the First World War, which took aheavy toll of its members.

During the early 1920�s the linksand surrounding estate were taken overby new owners who commissionedJames Braid to design and supervise theconstruction of an 18-hole course.

James Braid suffered from motionsickness, so the alternative to the 20-mile drive from the main train station atColchester was to change trains andcarry on to the yachting and fishing portof Brightlingsea.

From here he would catch a smallferry across the River Colne estuary tothe course and be in the clubhouse liter-ally within a few minutes. Today theferry has long gone and the railway lineto Brightlingsea fell victim to DrBeeching�s axe and was closed in theearly 1960�s.

The new Braid-designed course wasinformally opened on Bank HolidayMonday, May 28, 1928, when 14 holeswere ready for play. OpeningThe opening of the full 18 holes took placeon April 5, 1929, by Brigadier-General R.Beale Colvin, the Lord-Lieutenant ofEssex, with James Braid, George Duncan,Abe Mitchell and Charles Whitcombeplaying exhibition rounds. The originalclubhouse was enlarged, refurbished andmodernised to coincide with the openingof the new course.

The club also owned seven detacheddormy houses, next to the clubhouse,with views overlooking the Links andthe North Sea and owned the foreshorerights for members to bathe and fish.

The course was laid out in twoloops of nine holes, the first nine on theside of the Club House overlooking theColne estuary, the second nine on theRiver Blackwater side. SpringyAt 6,258 yards in length its mostnotable feature was the springy qualityof the peaty turf, which produced thefinest and most indestructible of fair-ways and it benefited from the naturalbeauty of the location, right in the heartof yachting country.

Bordered by the waters of the NorthSea, it had a feeling of freedom andspace in the bracing air of the EastCoast, tempered by the sheltered posi-tion of island of Mersea.

The place names given to the holeswere chiefly of local origin or dialect.The first hole Brickelsey was namedafter the local pronunciation of thetown of Brightlingsea, which faces theclubhouse across the Colne estuary.

The Strood was named after thecauseway linking the island to themainland, which today still remains theonly route onto the island.

The third hole Pyefleet is the nameof the marshland waterway adjacent tothe hole and an old smuggling inn thatonce stood nearby to the course, dating

As part of his dissertation, Gleneagles Excellence in Golf Award Scheme winner Lee Relf,documented the history surrounding Mersea Island Golf Club � a club which is no longerin existence. This is an abridged version of his findings.


Golf Management Europe is the leading business magazine forthe pan-European golf industry � the undisputed market leader!

For subscriptions and back issues call 0870 241 4678or visit our website at www.portman.uk.com

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from Queen Anne�s days, gives itsname to the fourth, The Ship.

Grey Goose, Gander, Bondage,Merrididdles, Gyants were all ancientfarm names given to the neighbouringfields while The Fort was named after ablock-house or fort that stood at or nearthe 10th green in the mid-16th century.SmugglersThe 11th was called Smugglers aftertwo 19th century smugglers, one oneither side of the sea wall, shot at eachother, each believing the other to be anexcise officer - one died!

Haggy Daggy was the name usedfor mists rolling in from the North Seawhile Othana takes its name from theancient Roman outpost situated nearby.

Bowling Green was the longest holeon the course, and named after a naturallawn that extended alongside the RiverBlackwater, parallel to the 14th hole.

The Coppice was named after thewood running alongside the green andBalaclava, the 16th, was a long hole of470 yards or so, with a lake to the leftstocked with trout.BreakThe 17th, Homeward Bound was ashorter hole of around 370 yards, whilethe 18th, Levener was named after it�slink with the clubhouse refreshments,due to the corruption of the word�elevenses� used by the local farmworkers meaning a mid-morningrefreshment break.

During the Second World War, thetown and port of Brightlingsea, situatedon the north side of the Colne estuary,was a large naval base and was anattractive target for enemy bombers.

The Ministry of War commandeeredthe land at East Mersea, including thegolf course and the dormy houses, whichwere used to accommodate militarypersonnel. Pillboxes were constructedand large anti-aircraft guns were posi-tioned on the course together with amassive ammunition store.

After the war it was deemed tooexpensive to rebuild the course to itsformer glory, so the land was sold offfor agriculture and the clubhouse anddormy houses (pictured right) sold tobecome private housing.

Today, the only signs that a courseever existed are the dormy houses, theclubhouse and also the remains of theconcrete jetty with its rusty old mooringeyes that used to accommodate luxuryyachts.

The Gleneagles Excellence in GolfAward Scheme is sponsored by TextronGolf and Turf and is a twelve-montheducational and practical trainingprogramme for aspiring greenkeepersfrom around the world.

It can accommodate a maximum ofeight students, who are selected fromcolleges and educational facilities inthe UK, USA and now, with FEGGA asa partner, from across Europe.

Portfolio


01373 454577

Support for new PartitionsFolding partition specialist Building

Additions has just launched a newfloor supported folding partition

system designed to be used whenthere is difficulty in obtaining asuitable fixing from the ceiling.Now, for the first time, Building

Additions’ new bottom supportedfabric folding partition offers golfclubs a cost effective alternative.

01254 262431

Neton paves the WayNetpave 25 was demonstrated at

BTME to be the perfect solution tothe common problem of turf erosion

and surface damage to grassedareas used as pathways, accessroutes and overspill car parks.

Netpave 25 is designed to withstandwear caused by light vehicles, sogolf buggies can access all areas

without causing damage.

01473 830492

Scotts launch PremiereScotts has recently taken on the

distribution of the Dow AgroSciencesproduct Premiere - a ready to use pre-

emergence herbicide for use aroundamenity tree and shrub plantings.

The active ingredients, isoxaben andtrifluralin, combine to provide excel-

lent long-term control of a widerange of germinating broad-leaved

and grass weed seedlings.

01473 270000

Bell calls time at TextronTextron have announced that Peter

Bell has left the Ipswich-basedcompany. The former sales directorwill take up the position of generalmanager at a Suffolk-based manu-facturing company with immediate

effect. Textrons new managingdirector Steve Chicken said: “The

business will miss Peter’s leadershipqualities and his drive.”

01530 510333

Validator keeps it simpleNew from Flint Smart is a compact

note handling mechanism program-mable to accept a range of alterna-

tive currencies including sterlingand euros. The system is suitablefor a range of machines such as

kiosk’s, vending machines, currencychangers and smart card dispenser

units, and will accept up to 32different denominations of note.

01480 226800

Flex-iest Greens mower everToro has unveilied its revolutionary

Greensmaster Flex 21 - which shavesgreens closer than anything before.

‘Flexible’ is certainly the word todescribe the Flex 21, which has a

21in cutting unit that not only flex-es from side to side, but backwardsand forwards too. It means the unit

can hug the contours of the mostundulating greens.

01473 270000

EZGO arrive at LegolandLegoland Windsor has taken delivery

of five new EZGO utility vehiclesfrom local Textron dealer, TH White.

Paul Richards, landscape managersaid: “The EZGO Workhorse was theobvious choice for us as our sisterpark in California uses them and is

delighted with their performance. Ialso saw them on display at SALTEX

last September.”

01332 824777

Dennis Look NorthDennis, the Derby-based designers

and manufacturer’s of specialistgrounds maintenance equipment,

have appointed Alan Ronaldson totheir sales and marketing team. As

northern area sales manager,Ronaldson will offer advice and

service back-up to Dennis’customers throughout the north of

England, Scotland and Ireland.

the power of to oneDealing with the UK’s Number 1 golf car andutility vehicle distributor combines all the benefits ofmedium and long-term operational leases with free-dom of choice on market leading brand names.

Competitive TermsSupplying and maintaining a rental fleet in excessof 2000 golf cars confirms our ability to offer themost comprehensive and flexible finance packages.

Immediate DeliveryCurrently holding the largest stock of both new andrefurbished petrol and electric golf cars - includingutility vehicles, anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Freedom of ChoiceMarket leading brand names including CClluubb CCaarrand EZGO. The choice is yours!

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Immediate DecisionNo delay credit facilities and assessment for rentalcontracts, hire-purchase and lease buy back.

Our dedicated sales team ensure that they offer apersonalised service with the impartial advicenecessary to maintain a smooth and functionaloperation.

The newly established Technical Service Platformadministers all aspects of sales, service, parts,aftercare and support programmes through ONEcentral telephone number 01235 867550.

A International Company

Mox Golf Car UKCobweb Farm Building, Manor Farm, Lyford, WantageOxfordshire OX12 0EE

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