4 minute read
All about greenkeeping - Q&A with Werner Ferreira, golf course superintendent at Parys Golf & Country Estate
All about greenkeeping - Q&A with Werner Ferreira, golf course superintendent at Parys Golf & Country Estate
You’ve been in the golf industry for a long time including being GM at Bredasdorp GC, when did you realise that turf management was the industry you wanted to take further?
I never thought the turf industry was where I would end up. Developing a passion for turf and knowing how to turn that passion into results. The satisfaction that comes from this is pleasing and the remarks and respect from members is very rewarding.
What is the best and worst part of being a golf course superintendent?
Best - As a superintendent, I feel lucky that I get to spend each day out in a beautiful, natural setting.
Worst - Long hours with changing elements.
What are your biggest challenges with a course that has 14 holes on the banks of the Vaal river?
We had to deal with two floods over the past two years. Erosion of the river banks is becoming a problem. As we are on an island this is a huge concern. It is a fine balance to clean the river banks for the scenery without damaging the natural vegetation that helps to protect and strengthen the river banks.
With current temperatures being very high, what are the measures being taken to prevent the course getting burnt without using too much water?
Being next to the Vaal we have more than enough water. Water quality is of concern. A dosing system was installed to improve the quality and reduce algae in the pipes and sprayers. The product that we use also acts as a surfactant and keeps the moisture in the soil.
How big a difference does climate and location play in golf course maintenance?
In the Cape we have a strong south Easter with warm temperatures in the summer and up north more rain with very cold winters. At Parys we have very cold winters (-10c) which effect the cutting and watering practices we apply in winter.
What are the differences in grasses (fairway, rough, greens) at Parys Golf Estate to other parts of the country?
The grasses throughout our course is the same as most courses on the Highveld. Kikuyu from tee to green with bentgrass greens. As we have very cold winters the warm season grasses go dormant from early May.
Does one need different machinery on course for different types of grasses around the country?
I don’t think the machinery changes very much depending on the type of grasses used on the course. The budget available and the staff compliment will determine the machines used.
Do you think it should be mandatory for each golf courses to close one day per week for maintenance?
It depends on the number of rounds per club. When a course is busy all the time it’s the only time for projects and to do necessary maintenance and cultural practices.
After Covid the staff compliment of most clubs were reduced, and this serves as a good time to catch up with work with not too much interference. These days can also be used for junior/ academy golf with the focus more on the driving range.
People always complain about inconsistent bunkers, how difficult is it to maintain consistent bunkers and do you implement general checks and how?
All the greenside bunkers were reconstructed by Bunker Shield. As we spend a lot of money we are under the microscope and regular checks/probes are being done to have consistent bunkers.
With the steep faces and washouts after heavy rains the sand gets distributed throughout the bunker and needs to be raked back. A measuring stick is used and this probing exercise is done every second week.
