JOHN NEYLAN
s
JOHN NEYLAN
A large number of women from the local village carry out maintenance jobs including bunker raking and hand watering at Oxford. This is a significant part of a social inclusion initiative undertaken by the complex
probe and they have made significant strides in improving the depth and density of the root system. The importation of specialist wetting agents has also assisted in managing localised dry spot and the overall quality of the turf surfaces. In January 2016 the golf course took possession of a new fleet of Toro equipment and they now have all the gear for maintaining the very high level of presentation that is required. It is interesting to discuss various aspects of course maintenance and where I would often suggest the use of a machine there was frequently an alternative method put forward that utilised the large labour force. It is about there being a job for everyone and everyone having a job – social inclusion at work.
DELHI GOLF CLUB
Delhi Golf Club is routed through an ancient burial site where the tombs of forgotten Moguls provide a stunning backdrop From left to right: PCD’s Vincent Pinto tests bunker sand suitability the Indian way; John Neylan with the team at Oxford Golf Resort and John Neylan providing training to local greenkeepers at Oxford
38
The Delhi Golf Club dates back to at least 1930 and possibly earlier with the club having a trophy dating back to 1911. The course consists of the 18-hole championship Lodhi Course and the nine-hole Peacock Course. It was following WWII that the government of the day prevented the neglected course (due to the war) from being developed as housing and it now provides a green wedge in the middle of one of the most highly urbanised cities of the world. Delhi city has a population of about 11 million with the urban/ metropolitan population at about 16 million. At times you feel like everyone is on the road at once! The golf course undoubtedly provides an oasis in the middle of what appears to an Aussie agronomist as utter chaos. The Delhi Golf Club has hosted numerous tournaments including the Indian Open which it
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 18.2
will again host this year as a European/Asian Tour event. The Indian Open was fostered by renowned Australian golfer Peter Thomson who won the championship three times. Several Aussies have gone on to win the event including Graeme Marsh (twice), Ted Ball, Brian Jones and Stewart Ginn. The golf course was remodelled by Thomson in 1977-1978 and since that time there has been additional remodelling and reconstruction of greens take place. Phil Ryan has redesigned the picturesque Peacock nine which is due to open in late March. While the Delhi Golf Club is a private members course it has to cope with around 100,000 rounds a year. The golf course is routed through an ancient burial site where the tombs of forgotten Moguls provide a spectacular backdrop to the golf course. There are a number of significant monuments on the golf course dating back some 1200 years and the golf course has provided a means of preserving these significant artefacts. The Mogul Empire was an empire based in the Indian subcontinent, established and ruled by a Muslim Persianate (Persian speaking) dynasty that extended over large parts of the Indian subcontinent and Afghanistan. The golf course plays an important role in maintaining a significant, and for a time, a forgotten period of history. Delhi’s greens are Tifdwarf, which are very well presented and maintained at about 4mm. The fairways consist of a beautiful native Cynodon sp. called doob (also doub) grass and appears superior to the Tifway seen at other courses. The golf course is managed by course manager Yadvendra Shah, deputy course manager Bhupendra Singh and assistant course manager Virendra Kumar. The turf management team have to maintain the course around the golfing traffic and this is done through having Mondays as a golfer free day and by sending out large teams late in the day to undertake the necessary maintenance. The main golfing season is from October through to March at which time the warm-season grasses are dormant and there is minimal growth and recovery. Consequently over this period there is considerable effort put into repairing divots and pitch marks. As the golf course is carved through what was once jungle, an injudicious slice or hook takes you into dense vegetation and snake country. Trees surround several greens which impact on