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Andre Eriah Easingwold Golf Club
Water is becoming an increasingly expensive commodity and in some parts of the world it’s considered inappropriate to use high volumes of water on a golf course. This growing trend for sustainability in Greenkeeping means that Velvet Bents are proving to be a viable alternative. They offer considerable benefits with the greatest tolerance to shade and the highest visual merit of any bent grass.
A very good example is Andre Erlah, Greenkeeper at Easingwold Golf Club since 2001. When Andre arrived at Easingwold, almost all of the organic matter on the greens was dead. The greens were thatch ridden (up to 2 inches in places), unplayable in winter and disease ridden.
It took 4 years hard work and intense aeration for Andre to get the greens in a fit state to overseed and he then bravely put it to his Committee that they use Velvet Top Bents on the greens (he put forward BSH Avalon) which they agreed to. Andre was pleased to see a very good take on the greens – between 10 and 25% initially.
He subsequently introduced Aberroyal, British Seed Houses’ Low input Brown Top Bent, a few years later to strengthen the advances made by the Velvet Bents as he wasn’t keen on having a monoculture on the greens.
Andre has had excellent feedback from the Committee and members – the greens are now playable in the winter. Andre comments: “we’re now able to open more, allowing more playing time for the
members. Also, the greens are ready for play sooner in the season because the Bents take off a lot quicker than Poa after being seeded.
seeds@bshlincoln.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1522 868714
www.britishseedhouses.com