Golfers told not to panic as water shortages hit UK
UK golf clubs are being advised to stay calm as Britain’s first drought order in a decade comes into force and forecasters predict a summer of water shortages.
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Michael Shaw from the National Golf Clubs’ Advisory Association says that golf clubs can minimise the disruption to their courses with a little careful planning.
“Whenever the threat of a hosepipe ban rears its head, golf club managers and green keepers tend to panic. Everyone, including members, has to be sensible and bear in mind that with the British weather it is simply not possible to have Augusta style courses throughout the year.”
Shaw says clubs should follow these simple steps:
1) Check the exact details of the drought order. It might just ban hoses but not sprinklers, and an order wouldn’t normally apply to bore holes or water saved and recycled by the club. Once a drought order has been granted then the relevant water authority must inform its consumers either by post or through the local press as to the extent of the restrictions being placed upon them.
2) Meet your green keeper and agronomist. Make sure you discuss the situation, including the worst case scenario, and work out an plan action. This might include reducing the size of the greens or not dewing the course each morning.
3) Brown isn’t a problem. Accept that keeping the grass alive is the one overriding issue. This doesn’t necessarily mean having it a beautiful green colour the whole time!
4) Contact your neighbouring water authority. It might well be that your neighbouring water authority doesn’t have a ban in place. Most are happy to sell their waste water but bear in mind the storage issues.
Regarding the vexed question of whether or not members can claim a refund for the days on which they are unable to play because the course is out of commission, Shaw is adamant:
“Clubs can rest assured that members don’t have a leg to stand on – although clubs try their utmost, no club will ever guarantee that a course will be fit for play 365 days a year. Given the British weather, this would be madness!”
For further advice about minimising the disruption, contact Michael Shaw at the NGCAA on 01684 311353.
