An Air2G2 machine in operation at Woodhall Spa Golf Club.
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England: With aeration being one of the most important practices carried out by greenkeepers, Woodhall Spa Golf Club has acquired an Air2G2 from Campey Turf Care Systems, via the dealer Burdens.
The sprawling 36-hole complex on the Lincolnshire heathland includes the world renowned Hotchkin Course and is home to England’s National Golf Centre.
The vast site is managed by course manager
Sam Rhodes. He and his 17-strong staff work to keep the courses at a standard befitting of the numerous amateur championships it hosts, with the Air2G2 now an integral part of the maintenance operation.
The importance of the machine comes from the expectations of golfers. Gone are the days when winter golf is seen as a bonus. Now, perfect putting surfaces are demanded year-round.
“The reason the Air2G2 machine gets me excited is because aeration is one of the most important things you can do on a golf course,” said Rhodes. “A lot of the aeration machinery out there works very well but causes a lot of surface disturbance.
“In modern-day golf, the condition of the greens is important throughout the year. Years ago, winter golf was a bonus. Now there is a lot more pressure on turf professionals to maintain good quality playing surfaces 12 months a year.
“The beauty of the Air2G2 is I can go out there now, I can do the work on a green to break up any compacted layer underneath and help with the drainage, come off, cut the green and you wouldn’t know I’d been on it.
“Taking it a stage further, we are a championship golf course and we host several national amateur events every year. If I’ve got a tournament on and know there’s a massive amount of rain coming I can go out mid-tournament and aerate the greens.
“We’ve seen it this winter when there’s been heavy rain the day after we’ve done the work and the greens have been absolutely fine. So, it gives you that option. The lack of disturbance means you can aerate 12 months of the year and do it when you really need to.”
Rhodes first witnessed what the machine could do two years ago at a Campey demonstration, which prompted him to use a contractor to aerate his greens with the product. The more he saw the results, the more he realised the benefits of having one of his own.
Because of the size of the site it was only possible to have each green aerated once in a season, but having only had his machine since December it became apparent that other areas of the course can also benefit.
Campey Turf Care Systems is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
“We’ve seen it this winter when there’s been heavy rain the day after we’ve done the work and the greens have been absolutely fine. So, it gives you that option. The lack of disturbance means you can aerate 12 months of the year and do it when you really need to.”
