Staff Training – BIGGA CPD Approved member Certificate

On 28/03/2021 Course Manager Richard Johnstone was awarded with a BIGGA CPD Approved member Certificate in recognition of his continued education and training in 2021.

The BIGGA CPD Scheme is made up of members who are looking to improve their professional knowledge and competence within the industry while developing skills and personal qualities necessary for the execution of technical duties throughout their working life.

CPD is about updating your skills and knowledge, boosting your confidence, strengthening your professional credibility and ensuring your employer has a competent and well-motivated employee.

“No professional should stand still – we’re all learning, all the time.

Reconstruction of 5th Hole Greenside Bunker

As part of our ongoing winter maintenance projects we took the decision to re-construct the front left greenside bunker on Hole 5. This bunker had become tired, worn and in need of renovation. During reconstruction the bunker has been shaped to fit the surrounding contours which will now stand out better from the fairway approach shot. By contouring the surrounding turf it will now allow the green staff to maintain the surrounding turf with ride on mowers without marking. 

The old bunker face was removed and a terram liner was installed before a new revetted face was built which will now gather errant shots played towards the par 4 fifth green. The revetted face has been built with turf from our turf nursery and the surrounding area has been turfed with fescue to match the surrounding area. Fresh sand will be added before the bunker is taken back into play ready for the upcoming season.

Reconstruction of 8th Hole Greenside Bunkers

As part of our ongoing winter maintenance projects we took the decision to re-construct the front two greenside bunkers on Hole 8. These bunkers are some of the most used bunkers on the course so the revetted face has become tired, worn and in need of renovation. The bunkers have been shaped to fit the surrounding contours which will now stand out better from the tee. this will also allow a clear view of the green and will allow the green staff to maintain the surrounding turf with ride on mowers without marking. 

The old bunker face was removed and a terram liner was installed before a new pot bunker was built which will now gather errant shots played towards the par 3 eighth green. The revetted face has been built with turf from our turf nursery and the surrounding area has been turfed with fescue to match the surrounding area. Fresh sand has been added before the bunker is taken back into play ready for the upcoming season.

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Staff Training – Health and Safety Induction

Congratulations to Apprentice greenkeeper Nathan Grant who recently passed his health and safety induction certificate. The purpose of the induction is to set standards, raise awareness of hazards, explain how health and safety is managed and outline all the necessary information needed for Nathan to carry out his role within the team safely while reducing the risk to himself and others.

Reconstruction of 7th Greenside Bunker

As part of our ongoing winter maintenance projects we took the decision to reconstruct the back right greenside bunker on hole seven. The previous bunkers revetted face had began to deteriorate, so it was essential that we reconstructed the bunker as part of our rotational bunker management plan. The bunker has been shaped to fit the surrounding contours and will now gather errant shots. We have also lowered rear of the bunker to provide a suitable entry/exit point.

The old bunker face was removed and a terram liner was installed before the new revetted face was built with turf from our turf nursery and the surrounding area has been turfed with fescue to match the surrounding area. Fresh sand has been added before the bunker is taken back into play.

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Staff Training – BIGGA CPD Approved member Certificate

On 08/03/2021 Course Manager Richard Johnstone was awarded with a BIGGA CPD Approved member Certificate in recognition of his continued education and training in 2021. The BIGGA CPD Scheme is made up of members who are looking to improve their professional knowledge and competence within the industry while developing skills and personal qualities necessary for the execution of technical duties throughout their working life.

“No professional should stand still – we’re all learning, all the time.

Appointment of Deputy Course Manager

Nairn Dunbar Golf Club is pleased to announce that Craig Mackay will be joining the course maintenance team as deputy course manager.

Craig is 29 years old and has accumulated over 13 years’ experience within the greenkeeping industry. Having started his career as an apprentice greenkeeper at Golspie Golf Club, he has also worked at Murcar Links in Aberdeen, the Wentworth Club in Surrey and completed a Turfgrass Internship through the Ohio State Program at Quail Hollow in North Carolina. Having returned from the USA in 2017, Craig spent the last three-and-a-half years at Queenwood Golf Club in Surrey working as a first assistant greenkeeper, building on his management, leadership and communication skills. From 2013 till 2019 he also worked as part of the tournament support for the BMW PGA Championship, Wells Fargo Championship, Tour Championship and the PGA Championship which involve extremely high standards of presentation and a keen eye for detail to prepare for the best golfers in the world and a worldwide TV audience.During his 13 years working in the industry, Craig has completed both SVQ 2 and SVQ 3in Sportsturf maintenance, Pa1, Pa2 and Pa6 Spraying Certificates, Health and Safety certification, NPORS training in the use of a 360 excavator and forward tipping dumper and continually engages in continuous professional development. He is also in the final stages of his HNC in Golf Course Management qualification which he will complete in May after studying online for three years through SRUC Elmwood College.

After receiving 17 applications from all over the world and conducting interviews with several of the stand-out candidates, club manager Kieran Maclean, course manager Richard Johnstone and greens convener Ian Duncan all felt that Craig’s qualifications, experience, personality and intrinsic motivation meant he is the ideal candidate to fill the vacant deputy course manager position and will play a key role in the progression of the golf course.

On behalf of the members and management, we would like to extend Craig a warm welcome and look forward to having him as part of our team.

Reconstruction of 5th & 7th Tee Banks

As part of our ongoing management plan to promote links golf we removed the dense grasses surrounding the 5th & 7th tees, remodelled the banking, turfed with fescue and introduced marram grasses. This will reduce the amount of man hours spent cutting the banks every week with a Flymo, reduce fuel costs, allow native grasses to flourish and improve aesthetics by giving a much more natural look

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Staff Training – 8th BIGGA CPD Milestone Certificate

On 02/02/2021 Course Manager Richard Johnstone was awarded his 8th BIGGA CPD Milestone Certificate in recognition of his continued education and training in 2021. The BIGGA CPD Scheme is made up of members who are looking to improve their professional knowledge and competence within the industry while developing skills and personal qualities necessary for the execution of technical duties throughout their working life.

“No professional should stand still – we’re all learning, all the time.

Staff Training – BIGGA CPD Approved Member Certificate

On 02/02/2021 Course Manager Richard Johnstone was awarded with a BIGGA CPD Approved member Certificate in recognition of his continued education and training in 2021.

The BIGGA CPD Scheme is made up of members who are looking to improve their professional knowledge and competence within the industry while developing skills and personal qualities necessary for the execution of technical duties throughout their working life.

“No professional should stand still – we’re all learning, all the time.