GreenCast in UK and Ireland - BIG GAME CHALLENGE WINNERS ON COURSE
Last year the Syngenta Big Game Challenge set a series of questions around turf health enhancement and techniques for stress relief management on quality turf. The four lucky winners won an overnight stay at the prestigious Wentworth Golf Clubhouse and a round of the fabulous West Course. Hugo Gallagher, Manager of the Muskerry Golf Club, reports on their day:
It had been some time since the winners of the "Big Game Challenge" had been announced, but on Wednesday 27th May 2015 at the appointed time 2:06 to be precise Brett (from Kirtlington Golf Club) Sandy (Carnoustie ), Scott (Royal Dornoch) and Hugo (from Muskerry Golf Club in Ireland) duly arrived on the 1st tee of the West Course in Wentworth and introduced themselves . The Handicaps were 6 , Scr, 12 and 18 respectively. The highest and lowest paired off against the two middle men. The stakes were high £1 , £1 and £1.
Just then, four caddies adorned in white boiler suits arrived to make our journey around the West Course all the more enjoyable.
It was easy to see why Sandy was off scratch, a drive and a precise iron set up a lovely birdie on the first and the match was duly on. Wentworth had just hosted the BMW sponsored PGA Championship the previous weekend. It was surreal to be on the same tee where Miguel Jimenez had a hole in one, the same par 5 where Tommy Fleetwood holed out for an Albatross, and on the 14th where Chris Wood holed his tee shot to win a BMW i8.
Back to the match, birdies on the 8th and 9th for Sandy (who else) secured the first nine (2 up). The stop at the half way house would see a change in fortunes; Brett and Scott came roaring back. In the blink of an eye we all stood on the famous 18th tee.
Calculations completed the Brett/Scott partnership were 2 up on the back nine. All to play for. This time it was Brett who came up trumps, a magnificent drive meant that he could go for it in two, and he duly obliged with a winning two putt birdie.
The round was over, lasting friendships formed and memories etched that will live long in the memory.
Our thanks must go to Syngenta , to Greencast and Caroline for making one of the most memorable golfing days in the lives of four very lucky and very appreciative greenkeepers and sec/manager.
The Big Gamne Challenge winners were:
Scott Aitchison, Deputy Course Manager, Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Hugo Gallagher, Manager, Muskerry Golf Club
Brett Moggridge, Course Manager, Kirtlington Golf Club
Sandy Reid, Links Superintendent, Carnoustie Golf Links
The four Big Game Challenge rounds were:
Round 1 - New Agronomics to Enhance Turf Health
Round 2 - The Science of Stress Busting
Round 3 - Soil Water Management to Stop Stress Effects
Round 4 - Enhance turf health to Unlock Golf's True Potential
Please note you can still review the information content, but the competition is no longer open.
