March 2008

Caddie
The
Also in this issue
• GPS Systems • Soil samples
• White River Country Club predicament
• Corporate identity • Salinity & sodicity
• Tips on moving clubs • Fear of public speaking
Volume 4 Issue 3
A monthly business-to-business Visit www.compleatgolfer.co.za
magazine for golf clubs, brought to you by for back issues of GCM
CONTENTS CADDIES

The caddie
LEAD STORY
The caddie predicament  3

GPS

predicament
Are GPS systems a gimmick
or are they here to stay? 7

CLUB PROFILE
White River Country Club 8

HR LETTERS
Identifying the difference
between willingness and ability 9

COURSE MANAGEMENT
Get the best results from your soil samples 11
In part one of a series of articles on caddies, Ian Leach
COMMUNICATIONS
of Euphoria Golf Estate and Hydro identifies the causes
The importance of corporate
identity on digital publications 13
behind the current decline in the usage of caddies.
course management
We have produced a number of articles on what can be done about them? These can be
An answer to salinity and sodicity the status of caddies in GCM over the past broken down into categories such as avail-
problems in sand-based turf sites 14 eighteen months. The situation is complex ability, reliability, attitudes, player support,
PRO-FILE
and is constantly changing. Golf is still club support, affordability and many more.
Tips on moving to a new club 18 regarded as the fastest growing sport in The underlying system of employing cad-
South Africa yet the use of caddies does not dies is also a contributing factor that will be
BIRDIES AND BOGEYS
Snippets 21
follow the same trend. There are no accurate explored.
statistics available on the number of caddie Some of the current shortcomings are:
HR DEVELOPMENT rounds per annum but it is safe to predict
Overcoming the fear of public speaking 22
that these have declined over the past couple • Informal employment
of years and will almost certainly continue With very few exceptions, caddies are not
to do so into the future. That is unless some- employed by a club and offer their services
Cover picture by Andre Wilson: thing dramatic happens to turn the situation to a player on a daily contract basis. They
Golfer and caddie lining up a putt on the 14th around. Co-incidental with the decline in travel to their place of employment at their
green at Royal Cape. caddie rounds is the growth in the use of golf own cost often not knowing whether or
carts at both traditional member clubs and not they will go home empty handed and
residential estates. hungry. They have little or no protection
There are 431 golf clubs listed in the SAA against player abuse, short payment or any-
■ Editorial 
ANDREW WILSON Golf Directory for 2008. Of these 62 are thing else. Yet we expect them to be smartly
email: consultaew@iafrica.com golf estates. All of these have been built in presented, well trained, honest, reliable and
cell: 082 575 3861
the last 20 years since Dennis Barker initi- respectful at all times.
■ AdvertisinG ated the trend with Selborne during the late
Simon Turck
(PUBLISHER) 1980`s. No new traditional member clubs • Club accountability
email: simon@rsp.co.za have been established during this period It is a fact that most golf clubs accept no
cell: 083 252 8387
nor are any likely to be opened in the near accountability for their caddies. Certainly
■ AdvertisinG future. The reason for raising this is simply some clubs do, but they are in the minority.
TYRON MARTIN
(ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE) because at least 40% of these do not make Caddie quarters at most clubs are appalling.
email: tyronm@rsp.co.za caddies available for regular daily play. This is often due to the lack of facilities pro-
cell: 083 235 7509
There are few countries in the world where vided in the first place, but sometimes due
■ Advertising golfers are fortunate enough to have the to abuse and lack of respect by the caddies
James Ferrans
(National Sales Manager) availability of caddies in such numbers and themselves. Caddies generate no income
email: jamesf@rsp.co.za at such prices as we have in South Africa. In for a club under the current structure and
cell: 084 252 6373
spite of this, the presence and availability of clubs are reluctant to incur expense with
■ SUBSCRIBE to GCM for R240 a year. caddies is often not appreciated. Availability no direct return. Very few clubs have any
Contact Natalie Shekleton
tel: 011 301 4448 of caddies at so many of our great golf clubs sort of a training program in place and some
email: natalies@rsp.co.za should be used as one of the value-added don’t even have all their caddies on a reg-
Visit our website www.compleatgolfer.co.za benefits for international tourists coming ister. Very few clubs screen their caddies
to South Africa. This is not the case and is or look into possible past criminal records.
A monthly
business-to- perhaps indicative of the numerous short- One hears club management, committee
business magazine
brought to you by
comings in the caddie-system that prevail members and individual members criticize
today. What are some of the deficiencies and caddies far more often than they compliment

Golf Club Management March 2008 3


them, but are they doing anything construc-
tive to change the situation?
• Caddie conduct
Too many caddies are their own worst enemy
and sadly, through poor behavior, give the
industry a bad name. Under the present
system, with little selection screening, it is
very apparent that large numbers of unem-
ployed and undesirable characters are likely
to end up as caddies. Some caddies fight on
the premises, use banned substances, con-
sume alcohol, steal and generally conduct
themselves badly. It is difficult to eradicate
this and therefore equally difficult to build
a positive reputation for the caddie “profes-
sion” in the country as a whole. Fortunately
these characters are in the minority and the
majority of regular caddies are individuals
with good experience and reliability.
• Caddie vs. cart
Almost all of the recently built golf estates
have provided players with a full fleet of
golf carts for hire. Many of these are now
fitted with G.P.S. systems which assist the
player with distance measurements and allow
the Pro shop to monitor speed of play and
communicate with the player on the course.
Many players consider this to be a significant
advantage over taking a caddie. A golf cart
costs approximately R90 per player sharing
compared with a caddie fee and lunch some-
where between R100 and R150 per round.
Most important of all is that the owner makes
great returns on a fleet of carts. A full main-
tenance lease on a cart costs approximately
R1200 per cart per month. Assuming the
cart fleet is rented out at an average per cart
of 20 times per month at an average rate of
R180, the club would gross R3600 per cart
per month giving a net profit of R2400 per
cart per month. Clearly there is incentive for
clubs to promote the cart sales as opposed
to caddies. The traditional golfing trend in
the country is moving from walking to riding
and as a result most of the traditional member
clubs are constantly increasing their fleet
of rental carts. Clearly this reduces caddie
rounds in direct proportion.
CADDIES
• The golf experience
In reaction to player demand, golf clubs are
concentrating more and more on creating
and delivering a world class golf experi-
ence. This too seems to count against the
use of caddies under the current structure.
Because the golf experience with a caddie
can be so inconsistent, ranging from poor
to exceptionally good, both golf clubs and
discerning golfers tend to opt for the use of
golf carts.
These five suggested short comings
represent the majority of what needs to be
addressed to avoid the predicament of cad-
dies deteriorating further in the future.
In part two of this series we will look at
what can be done to improve the position of
caddies, while at the same time enhancing
the golf experience.
Ian Leach – Euphoria Golf Estate
& Hydro
Phone: (014) 743-2242; 082-892-8693
or e -mail ianleach@euphoriaestate.co.za
Over 150 Courses Can’t Be Wrong

For a live demo visiti www.eluminaiberica.com

or contact carrie@elumina.co.za
or telephone Carrie Teale 0829093118

Are GPS systems a gimmick
or are they here to stay?
The technology available to golfers is developing fast. On-course GPS is one of the
latest innovations to create debate amongst club management and golfers alike.
Peter van Onselen of GCM looks at some of the advantages to both clubs and golfers.
You arrive at a golf club, hop into a golf
cart and wham, there’s a screen right in front
of your eyes with a picture of the first hole,
a score card and all the necessary yardages
with the option to call the pro shop in an
emergency or to order a beverage. Ah, that’s
the life. That’s how golf should be played.
GPS systems have already been installed
at golf estates around the country including
Fancourt, Leopard Creek. Is this the way of
the future? Golf is becoming a game of dis-
tinctive specifics, where players are insisting
on an enhanced golfing experience; an expe-
rience that allows them to enjoy the game,
even when playing shoddy golf.
What’s important from a club perspec-
tive is that the GPS systems need to be seen,
not only as an additional benefit to the con-
sumers, but also as a huge bonus for golf
club management. GPS units should not just
be for the ‘upmarket’ golf clubs. Smaller,
less extravagant clubs should be able to
offer their patrons the GPS experience with
affordable finance structures. One thing is
for sure, GPS systems raise the excitement
levels for the players. All golfers chase a
lower score, which in turn makes them hap-
pier, which in turn encourages them to play
more and hence spend more money at your
club (you hope). An additional added advan-
tage is the speed of play. The GPS system
speeds up play by approximately 20 min-
utes per round. This allows cart compulsory
courses to budget on two more four-balls per
field (morning and afternoon); effectively 16
more golfers per day.
Assuming the course charges R500 per
player and they can accommodate the extra
16 players per day, this equates to an addi-
tional R8000 per day in turnover. If these
courses have at least 100 golf days per
annum with a full field, this can add over
three quarters of a million rand per annum
to their turnover. Something to think about!
Apart from well manicured golf courses,
technology is a brilliant way to attract
golfers who are looking for the ultimate
golfing experience together with value for
money. The reality is that GPS systems are
no longer ‘luxury items’ but rather a ‘must
have’ in today’s golfing environment. Some
system also have the facility to automati-
cally calculate leaders and winners scores
during and after weekly competitions. The
excitement level for a player seeing his or
her name at the top of the leader-board and
trying to stay up there, adds a new dimen-
sion to what amateur golf is all about.
No course is too small to have GPS sys-
tems fitted onto their carts. Even if your
club only has a fleet of 10 carts, modern
systems can be installed with the specific
course mapped accordingly.
But how accurate are these systems,
really? Yardages are marked to within two
feet of the desired target. In some cases as
many as 12 different satellites are used to
ensure accurate, precise readings.
GPS
GPS systems on
golf carts can
bring a whole new
golfing dimension
to your members
and visitors, while
at the same time
bringing in added
revenue for the
club through
hiring fees and
advertising.
Another question which is often asked is
whether the GPS system is not taking away
the challenge involved in the game? My
response to that would be, absolutely not.
The game is hard enough as it is. Consider
the third umpire in cricket and the televi-
sion match official (TMO) in rugby. Sport is
heading into the technological era and golf
needs to be a part of that.
The bottom line is that GPS screens are
fun to play with and informative, especially
when waiting for a slow four-ball in front of
you. In addition to the quick, accurate yard-
ages, one doesn’t have to walk to the nearest
sprinkler head or shout to your partner for a
distance measurement. It certainly adds a
colourful dimension to the service your club
offers, sceptic or not.
For more information on GPS systems,
contact Andrew Nelson of Elumina on
082 901 6184 or go to their website on
www.eluminaiberica.com. Elumina are
the fastest growing GPS distributer in the
world and have installed screens at 150
courses over the past two years in the
United Kingdom, Europe and South Africa.
Golf Club Management March 2008 7
CLUB PROFILE

White River Country Club

gears up for a Lowveld boom
The Lowveld is becoming more than just
“Big Five Country”, and while the Kruger
National Park remains the major attraction,
the Lowveld is fast becoming a serious golfing
destination. With new 18-hole courses being
developed in Dullstroom, Hoedspruit and
Machadodorp, golfers will soon be offered
an exciting variety of new courses to play
on in the region. The management of White
River Country Club recognizes this fact, and
in welcoming these developments, is deter-
mined to retain the club’s status of being the
“must play” course in the region. With an
outstanding layout, and fairways the envy of
other courses, the club has now undertaken
the task of replanting all 18 greens. While this
work is being undertaken, all the bunkers will
be upgraded, a short-game practice area will
be constructed and work will commence on
upgrading the car park. As a large percentage
of players are visitors to White River and The popularity of the Lowveld as a tourist
therefore are not accustomed to the summer
heat, the club has installed air-conditioning in
destination is on a roll. GCM investigates what White
the bar and function room to ensure comfort River Country Club is doing to make sure that they
for them while they enjoy these facilities.
Environmental awareness remains a pri-
remain the “must play” golf course in the region.
ority at the club and suitably qualified experts
have been engaged to train the ground’s staff two major events in March. The White River of equal concern was the loss of playing rev-
on the control and eradication of undesirable Ladies Classic from 3rd to 5th March is already enue. In order to continue to attract players,
and invader plants throughout the course, oversubscribed, with an increased field from the club reduced playing fees by approx 30%
particularly in the waterways. As part of this last year, and the annual Easter Tournament during this time. This is not a cost they expect
program, some 400 indigenous trees have from Wednesday 19th to Monday 24th March to recover overnight and they will revert to
been planted this season. is also attracting a full field. their normal competitive green fees once the
The greenkeeper Gerhard “Smittie” The general manager, Keith Kruger, is greens re-open. The investment in the greens
Smit and his staff have been working hand-in- adamant that with the anticipated increase in will be recovered through increased rounds
hand with Robert Richardson and John Peach the number of rounds on the “new course”, in the long term. While fixed costs remained,
of Tee to Green Projects who were contracted volume is no excuse for any lowering of the it was essential to minimize and effectively
to replant the greens. The new greens will be service levels offered at the club, but is in fact manage all other expenditure, as a fifty per-
open for play by 1st March 2008 by which quite the opposite. “We will retain our warm cent drop in the number of rounds played,
time other projects being undertaken will have friendly ‘Country Club’ atmosphere, and had a serious impact on the club’s budget.
been completed. Subtle undulations have through the necessary training of our staff, Keith’s principals of managing White River
been added to the previously predominantly are determined to improve on the service Country Club are simple. He focuses on:
flat greens. The passion and pride Smittie has standards offered” says Keith, a qualified i. Identifying the geographical location
for the course leaves no doubt that the greens, accountant. His qualification has also enabled of our club which will determine our
as well as the rest of the course, will be out- him to very effectively manage the club’s market sector.
standing. Every effort is being made to present finances during the time temporary greens ii. Setting a clear mission statement.
a course in pristine condition for the opening were in play. The cost of replacing the greens iii. Designing a management structure to
of the new greens which will be followed by was not restricted to the contractor’s costs, but achieve our mission.

8 March 2008 Golf Club Management


iv. Employing qualified personnel.
v. Considering our golf course and
facilities as our product.
vi. Continually upgrading systems
and standards.
vii. Managing our club on sound
business principles.
White River Country Club’s golf
course is in the heart of Mpumalanga’s
tourist route and in close proximity to
some of the leading hotels, restaurants
and shopping centers where visitors are
well catered for. The club also offers
swimming, tennis, squash, cricket &
hockey. The large number of housing
developments planned for the White
River area would further indicate that
the club is poised for a bright future.
Trevor John, the director of golf at
White River Country Club, is working
closely with national golf event organizers
and businesses countrywide in arranging golf
days and group tours to the Lowveld. These
will also include other courses in the region.
“We do not view other golf courses in the
Identifying the difference
between willingness and ability
If you have a question, contact Andrew
Wilson at consultaew@iafrica.com
A question from Harry in KZN.
I have a performance problem with a
member of the team. I’ve spoken to the
person on a number of occasions and
immediately after the talk their performance
improves for a few weeks and then reverts
to unacceptable levels. I’ve committed our
discussions to writing and warned her that
she is putting her job at risk. How long
should the performance counseling process
go on before I can terminate her services?
GCM – As with most labour related matters,
that depends on a number of factors. How
serious are the consequences of the lack of
performance; are the levels and standards of
White River Country Club Stats
Handicapped member Men 407
Ladies 96
Annual Fees Men R2 750
Ladies R1 870
Rounds played 2007 28 021
Playing fees Members R80
Veterans R45
Juniors R35
Affiliated Visitors R180
Non Affiliated Visitors R200
Veteran Visitors R95
Length of course Men 6036 metres
Ladies 5056 metres
The club is currently accepting new members
area as competition per se, but rather look
at developing the awareness of the Lowveld
as a golfing destination, while White River
Country Club retains its status as a ‘must
play’ course. The increasing demands on
ones time results in golf courses competing
against numerous other leisure activities. We
have improved our facilities, service and atti-
performance clearly spelt out; has adequate
support in terms of training been offered; has
adequate time been given for the person to
overcome their inadequacies etc? The person
has obviously proved to you that they are able
to work at the required standard so it doesn’t
look as if there is a training need or that the
levels or standards of performance need to be
clarified. It looks more like you are dealing
with a willingness problem. Providing the
standards you are setting are fair, you need
to hold a performance management hearing
to let the person know that their pattern of
reverting to poor standards is unacceptable
and that if it occurs again there is the
possibility that their employment contract
could be terminated. In a way it is a bit
like a “final written warning”, but you are
in a counseling mode so do not have to go
CLUB PROFILE
tude to ensure the club is considered
favourably when this leisure time is
being allocated”, says Trevor.
Trevor has a strong background in
business administration and sales and
together with Keith and Smittie they
are a formidable team, well capable of
achieving the long term goals of this
progressive club. The recent adoption
of a more businesslike approach to man-
aging the club, with less dependency on
committees, has empowered this team,
making them more responsible for mar-
keting and managing the club.
For further information on White
River Country Club contact the club
on (013) 751 3781 or their general
manager, Keith Kruger at
manager@whiterivercountryclub.co.za or
their director of golf, Trevor John at
dog@whiterivercountryclub.co.za
To see the top team at White River
Country Club go to Birdies and Bogeys
on page 21.
HR LETTERS
through a disciplinary hearing. If the person
performs well for a while and then reverts
to unacceptable levels once again, I would
recommend that you give them one further
final warning and change the wording to
“will instead of could be terminated”. If there
is then a further drop off in standards, and if
there is no suitable alternative to termination
of services, you should terminate the person’s
employment contract.
Remember, your aim throughout all the
discussions should be to get the person
to perform consistently at the required
standards. If on the other hand the person
doesn’t have the will to operate consistently
and effectively, then the sooner you start
the process the better. Finally, don’t forget
to confirm everything in writing from the
outset of the process. n
Golf Club Management March 2008 9
"Your complete media partner in golf"

PUTTING YOU ON COURSE


Get the best results
from your soil samples
Darren Berry, of Golf Data, highlights the importance of soil sampling and analysis
when planning your fertilizer programme for the year ahead.
At this time of the year many superintendents
will be contemplating an annual soil analysis
and fertilizer programme review. Even the
smallest of golf clubs should make sure that
they are spending their money wisely when it
comes to planning their fertilizer programme
for the year ahead. Here’s how to get the best
results out of the process.
Soil testing
Before any nutritional programme can be
reviewed, one must first gather all of the
required information on which to base your
decisions.
Soil testing remains the most common
and best method of determining the plant
available nutrient content and it also allows
the superintendent to address any problems
before they occur.
The three primary components of soil
testing are,
1) Sampling:
The soil test is only ever as good as the
sample allows it to be. The sampling phase
must be carefully managed as this is the area
where most errors occur.
For effective sampling, follow these steps,
- Ensure sampling equipment is uncon-
taminated to start with and kept clean
throughout the sampling process.
- Take numerous samples from each
required area and blend them together
to produce a representative sample of
the area.
- Use soil from a uniform depth and sepa-
rate sand from clay or topsoil.
- Separate organic material, such as
thatch, from the sample submission.
- Sample at consistent times of the year
and take granular fertilizer applications
into account, which may influence the
results.
2) Laboratory Analysis:
There are many laboratories available for
soil sample analysis. Always select an
accredited laboratory rather than utilizing
the free services offered by fertilizer manu-
facturers or distributors.
The different laboratories will have many
testing methods which will all produce
varied results.
Once you have selected a laboratory be
sure to use the same one year in and year out
to provide consistency and to allow for proper
comparison so that trends can be analyzed.
3) Interpretation of Results and
Recommendations:
Although most superintendents will uti-
lize the services of a reputable consultant
or soil scientist to interpret the results and
give recommendations, it is still very impor-
tant that one understands the results to
properly judge the basis and quality of any
recommendations.
It is therefore vital that all superintendents
‘brush-up’ on their soil fertility knowledge
on a regular basis to make sure you are get-
ting the most out of any recommendations.
The most important aspects of the analysis
and recommendation, which superintendents
should be paying attention to are,
- Soil acidity (pH)
- Lime requirement (lime raises the pH to
counteract the acidity affect of chemical
fertilizers)
- Soluble salts, e.g. Sodium (Na) and EC
and SAR.
- Essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S,
Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B, Cl, Ni)
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
- Base saturation.
Other items of general importance are,
- Utilize a balanced granular vs foliar,
course management
program. There are very few prod-
ucts that are purely ‘foliar’ (only
absorbed through the leaves). Most
‘foliar’ applications are simply water
soluble fertilizer sprayed in liquid form
which is absorbed by both the roots
and shoots. Either way, light frequent
applications through liquid fertilizer
can play an important role especially
in greens maintenance, but remember
not to neglect the ‘root based’ ferti-
lizer inputs, as this is still where most
nutrient absorption takes place.
- Nitrogen should always play a central
role in any fertilizer program. Nitrogen
is generally taken up by plants in the
forms of ammonium (NH4 +) and
nitrate (NO3 -). The correct use of
nitrogen, applied at a rate equivalent to
the minimum requirement to produce
healthy turfgrass, must be one of the
first items addressed in any fertilizer
program revision.
Soil fertility and plant nutrition may
sometimes seem like a daunting subject,
but with a simple scientific approach and a
little bit of common sense greenkeeping, it
can easily become standard practice for even
the most humble of golf course maintenance
operations.
For further information
on course management
issues, contact Darren
Berry, at Golf Data on
083-671-9399 or at
darren@gdmaint.co.zaor
visit their website www.golfdata.co.za
Reference
Baird, James H, 2007, Soil Fertility and
Turfgrass Nutrition 101, USGA Green
Selection Record.
Golf Club Management March 2008 11

The importance of corporate
identity on digital publications
Are e-mails killing off the personal touch? Graham Starkey of RetailTribe stresses the
importance of personalising your e-mail communications.
Golf club members and patrons are begin-
ning to receive more and more digital
communication into their inbox. Some is
desirable but most is not and deemed by you
or your internet service provider as spam.
However, digital communication is far more
cost effective than print media these days
and allows more regular communication
with your members, so is being used more
and more by golf clubs.
There are two clear points of considera-
tion in respect of the e-mail newsletters as
communication solutions to your members
and your community.
1) Maintaining a consistent corporate
identity (CI) and
2) Having a face, a personal identity as to
where the message has come from.
Maintaining your CI.
Many of you have spent lots of money either
developing a new identity or maintaining
your existing one; from websites to letter-
heads, from scorecards to the menus in the
bars, the club’s CI should reflect the club’s
colours and be carried in the same way
across all media, both physical and digital
alike.
In deciding what e-mail format you take,
spending a little to get it right is more impor-
tant than spending nothing and getting a
‘generic feeling’ newsletter.
In a climate where brands carry a lot of
weight and carry an emotive feeling, main-
taining your CI in terms of the club’s logo
and colour theme should be carried onto your
e-mail newsletter, making it more recognis-
able to your local community in a world that
is becoming more brand aware. Consistent
club identity on your digital communication
will therefore be more acceptable and read
more widely.
A message from a recognised individual
The number of e-mails coming from various
faceless companies are growing, whereas
the golf club is a place made up of an active
‘community’ of friends, colleagues and
business associates. If an e-mail comes from
the club or committee the communication
should not be faceless but be from an indi-
vidual that can be recognised. A message
from a faceless club manager can be inter-
preted by the reader as him or her hiding
behind a wall. A message from a manager
who projects their face with a smile is a mes-
sage coming from a position of strength and
confidence that will be received in a much
better light.
A face makes the e-mail far more powerful
in its key objective, namely to build rela-
tionships. How can you develop a positive
relationship with an e-mail full of text? You
can’t! But an e-mail coming from an indi-
vidual that you can see and then recognise
COMMUNICATIONS
The more you can illustrate
your e-mail newsletters
with pictures and people,
the more effective they are
likely to be.
in the flesh at the club is a communication
method that is far more acceptable and suc-
cessful way of communication.
In summary, spending a little on your
e-mail newsletter, to ensure it matches as
closely as possible the rest of your media
and the CI that carries your brand, is more
than worthwhile. Presenting the e-mail
from an individual or group of individuals,
including photos of yourselves, is a very
worthwhile exercise. It makes the e-mail far
more personal and effective in its objectives
of communicating to a community who see
the e-mail as a great source of regular infor-
mation and not just another spam e-mail.
For more information on e-mail
newsletters and solutions right for you,
contact Graham Starkey at RetailTribe on
021 880 2693, e-mail him on
grahamstarkey@retailtribe.com or visit
www.retailtribe.com
Golf Club Management March 2008 13
COURSE MANAGEMENT
An answer to salinity and sodicity
problems in sand-based turf sites
Willie Pretorius of Golf Course Solutions identifies the definitions, causes,
implications and correction of salinity and sodicity problems in sand-based turf sites.
This article will endeavor to explain why
salinity and sodicity control on sand-based
turf sites needs to be identified and managed
with extreme care.
This topic will become one of the most
important issues as we progress in time and
water becomes more of a scarce resource and
golf courses are forced to use recycled and/or
treated effluent water. Water in this category
has, without exception, a higher level of
dissolved salts of which sodium in most cases
is the dominant and problematic ion.
Definitions
What is salinity? Salinity in very simple
terms is the level of salt concentration in
the external soil solution. In other words
salts from the irrigation water and applied
fertilizers in solution and not adsorbed on
soil colloids. These salts consist mainly of
the following anions (negatively charged
ions) chlorides (Cl ˜), sulphates(SO4 ²˜) ,
14 March 2008 Golf Club Management
bicarbonates (HCO3˜), carbonates (CO3²˜)
and nitrates (NO3˜) as well as the following
cations (positively charged ions) sodium
(Na+) calcium (Ca ²+), magnesium (Mg ²+)
and potassium (K+).
What is sodicity? The level of sodicity
is measured by the level of exchangeable
Sodium ions adsorbed on the soil colloids and
is measured by the Percentage Exhangeable
Sodium in a normal soil analyses.
Why is this so important as it relates to
sand-based turf sites?
In order to understand the implication of the
problem it is important to get to grips with
the following definitions.
Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
Quality of Irrigation water.
Sand is in many instances exclusively used
as the base for the growing medium to build
golf course greens. Sand is inherently low
in Cation Exhange Capacity (CEC). This
term can be best described as the number
of negatively loaded adhesion points of
the soil colloids where positively charged
(cations) nutrients can adhere to. It will
become obvious why a soil with a low cation
exchange capacity becomes a more difficult
situation to deal with as it relates to these
problems.
Irrigation water quality.
The quality of irrigation water is measured
in respect of how it is going to influence the
salinity and sodicity status of the soil it is
intended to irrigate. It therefore measures
the different soluble salt contributing
components.
As irrigation water is applied to the
soil to replenish the water removed by
evaporation and transpiration from the plant
(evapotranspiration), the dissolved salts in
the irrigation water will therefore be added
to the soil profile and therefore influencing

the Salinity and Sodicity of the soil on a
continuous basis.
The soil/plant/water interaction illustrated
with a practical example.
Assuming we start with a sand-based green
with low cation exchange capacity of say
1.5 meq / 100g.
The cation adsorption points are loaded
as follows:
Ca 0.9 meq 60%
Mg 0.15 meq 10%
K 0.12 meq 8%
Na 0.03 meq 2%
H 0.3 meq 20%
This sand has a pH of 5.5
Irrigation water quality used to irrigate this
sand based soil has the following quality:
Dissolved salts mg/l Converted
to meq’s
Calcium (Ca) 120 6.0
Magnesium (Mg) 42 3.4
Potassium (K) 6 0.15
Sodium (Na) 287 12.47
Bicarbonates (HCO3) 253 4.14
Carbonates (CO3) 181 6.03
Chlorides (Cl) 552 15.59
Electrical conductivity (mS/m) 204
pH 6.9
Certain very simple chemical reactions take
place within the irrigation water of which
the reaction of calcium and magnesium with
the carbonates and bicarbonates are one of
the more important as far as influencing
soil’s salinity and sodicity status and is
measured by the residual sodium carbonate
content.
In the above water, the calculated Residual
Sodium Carbonate (RSC) is calculated as
follows:
RSC = (HCO3 + CO3) – (Ca + Mg)
RSC = (4.14 + 6.03) – ( 6.0 + 3.4)
RSC = + 0.77.
The above illustrates that all the calcium
and magnesium ions in the irrigation water
will precipitate as calcium and magnesium
carbonate and the excess sodium in the free
form or in the form of sodium carbonate will
first of all displace the hydrogen ions on the
soil colloids with the resultant rise in pH to a
level around 7 or higher.
The Golf Industry Trade
Show in Orlando
Willie Pretorius will be attending the golf
industry show in Orlando, USA from the
29th January to the 2nd February 2008.
While there, he will be researching mate-
rial for future articles in GCM. He will
also be investigating the possibility of
holding an industry trade show in South
Africa during 2009 in conjunction with
Golf Club Management and Compleat
Golfer. We’ll keep you posted on devel-
opments and look forward to bringing
you the best of what the Orlando trade
show has to offer.
For more information on the Orlando
Golf Industry Trade Show go to
www.golfindustryshow.com
If you look at the immediate potential
of the excess sodium ions to replace the
hydrogen on the starting sand profile
illustrated above, then the soil quality as far
as sodium is concerned will quickly move
to about 22 meq of sodium as it drives off
the hydrogen from the soil colloids. This
is a phenomenon always observed when
a low cation exchange capacity sandy
soil is irrigated with just the slightest of
sodium containing irrigation water. This is
technically known as a low buffered soil
reaction. (Inability to retain its pH when
invaded by base ions because of low CEC
indicating too few adhesion points for the
very weakly bonded hydrogen ions to retain
its presence)
When the soil water
quantity declines with
evapotranspiration so
will the plant root need
to expend more energy to
“suck” the water into
its roots.
COURSE MANAGEMENT
Although calcium is bonded to the
“exchange adhesion points” much stronger
than sodium; the shear quantity pressure in
the above example will over time dominate
the soil profile giving rise to a sodic soil.
Continual irrigation with water having
the quality as per the above example will
not only increase the incidence of sodicity
as described but will also add to the soil
salinity. When a high number of short -
irrigation cycles are applied just to replenish
the evapotranspiration loss it stands to reason
that with every application the salts in the
irrigation water will remain in the external
soil solution and build up over the “wetted”
profile, usually the top 100 to 150 mm. This
is usually observed when the soil resistance
measurement in Ohms presents a declining
tendency. (This measures the resistance to
an electrical current – when this is high as
it ideally should be, then a smaller quantity
of salts are present to conduct the electricity
and vis versa.)
What is the significance of all the above?
Salinity: In simple terms consider a soil
solution where no salts are present. In this
instance water uptake by the plant roots takes
place with minimal expedition of energy
and only has to overcome the tension with
which the water is held on the soil colloid.
When the soil water quantity declines with
evapotranspiration so will the plant root
need to expend more energy to “suck” the
water into its roots. When dissolved salts
are now added to this equation under an
identical water quantity situation, the salts
will add an extra holding force to the water
as it decreases with evapotranspiration. (The
added induced force by the salts is termed
osmotic pressure.)
When the added salts increase with
irrigation applications, so will the osmotic
pressure potential. This is when you find
wilting spots on the greens where it is
thought to be sufficiently irrigated. When a
situation like this arises a dangerous cycle
starts with over irrigating to “dilute” the salt
induced osmotic pressure, adding more salts
every time and creating anaerobic conditions
with all the horrible consequences that this
can cause.
Continued on page 17
Golf Club Management March 2008 15
 COURSE MANAGEMENT

Continued from page 15

Sodicity: The main problem associated with a sodic condition is

the dispersion of soil particles into smaller particles creating an
impervious layer resulting in poor water infiltration. It also causes
plugging of the pores with a resultant poor air (oxygen) movement
to the root zones.
With high sodium content on the soil base profile, and high
pH’s, calcium becomes insoluble in the calcium carbonate form
and can result in calcium deficiency in the turf. It has been widely
reported that if calcium is abundantly available and easily taken up
by the roots then all the other nutrients are also easily absorbed as
it acts like an ion pump in the nutrient uptake process. Abundant
calcium availability is therefore crucial for a healthy turf.

How do you overcome these problems?

Salinity: This problem can be overcome by leaching the excessive

salts below the root zone. The question of regular “intentional salt
leaching irrigations” is very important where salinity is a problem.
Using a good Desalinator in the irrigation water is always a good
idea. Such a desalinator should retain the calcium in the soluble
state i.e. overcome the effect of the carbonate precipitation. Such
an irrigation must be applied so that it leaches the built up salts in
the soil profile below the root zone.

Sodicity: The solution to this problem is to rid the soil colloids

from the excess sodium and replace this with calcium ions. This
can be done using gypsum or acidifying the soil so as to release
the calcium in the bonded calcium carbonate form. There are now
however more modern sophisticated products available such as the
calcium saturated organic acids that will exchange the sodium
from the soil colloids with calcium derived from the release of
the bonded insoluble calcium carbonates. These products therefore
provide some calcium to the soil solution as well as acidifying
it; therefore combining the effects of what gypsum and soil
acidification would have achieved, in a mild but effective process.

Improving the Cation Exchange Capacity of the growth

medium.
The extent of this problem can also be minimized if the cation
exchange capacity of the starting sand based growth medium is
increased. This will improve the buffering capacity as well as the
tolerance levels of the problem. There are zeolites available that
have the physical properties of sand but possess a CEC of 165 meq/
100g. By blending a pre-determined quantity of this material into
the sand growth medium, the CEC can be raised substantially.

For more information oncourse

management matters, contact Willie
Pretorius of Golf Course Solutions.
(tel 021 913 2913 / 083 4589854).
PRO-FILE

Tips on moving to a new club

Richard Pickering has recently moved from King David to Royal Cape Golf Club.
GCM asked him what advice he could give other golf professionals and clubs to help
make the transition to a new club as smooth as possible. Here’s what he had to say.
Moving to a new club is a wonderful
opportunity to take stock of yourself and
your values. You really have to focus on
what is important to you, your family and
your reputation. You need to make sure that
you leave your previous club with your
reputation intact. Your new club is going to
be judging you on first impressions, so you
had better make sure you get things right
first time. During the move to Royal Cape
two bits of advice I received in the past kept
coming to mind. My father, John Pickering,
taught me to “always under-promise and
over-deliver.” The other piece of advice
comes from Jeff Clause of St Francis Links.
He told me that a critical key to success is
to… “treat your members like kings and
your visitors like members.” With these
thoughts in the back of my mind, here are
some points that may help others facing a
move to a new club.
Move in the quiet times.
Try to make your move during the quiet
periods. This enables your old club to make
plans for your replacement, while at the
same time it enables you to negotiate with
suppliers who are not up against year-end or
similar deadlines. To make the move during
a hectic trading/golfing period is not condu-
cive to creating a favorable first impression.
Do some thorough research.
Visit other golf shops with similar profiles
so that you can find out what products
are most likely to sell in your golf shop. It’s
not always what you like which sells, but
rather what your new customers will like
that is critical.
Just a point of warning though; the golfing
world is small and people can be sensitive
to prying eyes. Make sure you clear your
visit and its purpose with either the head
professional or director of golf before you
make the visit.
Don’t work alone.
Meet regularly with your architect, shop-
fitter and a neutral committee member, to
oversee the planning and opening proc-
esses of your new golf shop. Bring the
club manager and greenkeeper into your
thinking and ask for their input. The more
that people understand why you are doing
what you are doing, the more they will be
able to support and advise you. I am fortu-
nate to be supported by my very competent
and capable wife Taryn who is a quali-
fied CA. It is great to have someone close
to you who you can trust and rely on.
You also know that you have a colleague
who will tell you when you are being a
complete @#*&%!
Develop a network.
Get to know the other golf operators in your
area, be it The Pro Shop, The Golfers Club
or other golf clubs. Share information and be
prepared to exchange stock between stores
in order to satisfy your customer. The more
reasons you give for members and visitors
to spend time in your shop, the more suc-
cessful you will be.

Beware of technology.
It’s great to have the latest computer tech-
nology but make sure that it is appropriate
and that it works before committing yourself
to large expenditure. Wireless options look
great on paper but ensure that you do not
have dead spots in your shop where wire-
less technology will not work? Make sure
your systems are easy to operate, simple
to maintain and are backed up by reputable
suppliers and guarantees.
Running a successful Pro Shop is all about team work, especially when you are trying
Be ready to trade when you open.
to set standards at a new club. Nazley Payne, Taryn and Richard Pickering, and Latifa
Make sure there is enough time for the var-
Cassiem certainly have a lot to smile about.
nish to dry before you open! I’m not joking.

18 March 2008 Golf Club Management


Ensure that you have full size curves on display at all times, change your displays regu-
larly and ensure that higher units do not obscure lower units.
There is nothing worse than having shop-
fitters/painters around when you are trying
to make a good first impression. Shrinkage
could incur through merchandise being
spoiled. It is critical to have enough equip-
ment and merchandise to attract members
and visitors into your shop; be well stocked
but focus on a neatly presented, uncluttered
golf shop. Ensure that you have full size
curves on display at all times, change your
displays regularly and ensure that higher
units do not obscure lower units etc.
Schedule your staff for the busy periods.
Take a look at the most important aspect of
your business, your staff. Keep your con-
tracts of employment as flexible as possible
so that you have maximum coverage over
the busy trading periods. If possible start
with short-term contracts until you know
what the shop will be able to support and
what the performance levels and capacities
of the individual members of staff are. It
will take a substantial amount of time for
you to start understanding your unique
trading patterns and when your daily,
weekly and monthly trading peaks and val-
leys occur.
Staff training is critical.
If you have the luxury of opening a new golf
shop do as much staff training as you can
before the shop opens. Get suppliers in to
talk about their products. Ensure that the
staff members in your store understand the
basic properties and qualities of the mer-
chandise they are selling. Training takes
time and once the shop is open it becomes
extremely difficult to spend quality time
training your staff.
Don’t form cliques
Most clubs have groups or cliques that at
best stick to themselves and at worst believe
that they own the club. Make absolutely sure
that you don’t get sucked in to a particular
clique. Try to relate to all ages, genders,
members, visitors and committee members
alike.
GCM asked Richard what his top three
priorities were during the process:
1. Get to know and understand your
members. Each club is different and
you can only be understood when you
understand.
2. Make sure your staff members are thor-
oughly trained, know their merchandise
and are well presented and professional
at all times.
3. Always try to deliver beyond expecta-
tions as you never get a second chance to
create a good first impression.
To contact Richard Pickering call him on
021 761-6552 or e-mail him at
clubpro@mweb.co.za
PRO-FILE
GCM asked Barbara Pestana, club man-
ager at Royal Cape, what advice she
could give to club management when
welcoming a new Pro to the team.
1. Communication is key.  The job
is usually generic but each club or
employer has their own unique style
which needs to be learnt.
2. Standards have to be set during the
initial interview stages as they have
to know exactly what is expected and
required of them prior to accepting
the position.
3. Once the recruitment and selection
process has been completed it is
essential to solicit members support
for the new incumbent.   This is cru-
cial from the club’s point of view.
4. It is also essential to assist the new
incumbent wherever possible espe-
cially during the first couple of
months whilst they are gradually
being integrated into the club.
5. They should be allowed a bedding-in
period of three to four months.
6. During this period short informal
meetings should take place to iron
out teething problems.  Flexibility is
important as they might have some
new untried ideas.
7. After the bedding in period, longer
structured meetings should be held
weekly.
Barbara Pestana can be contacted
on 021 761-6551.
Golf Club Management March 2008 19
 Is your golf course exceptional,
exciting and enjoyable?
...it could be

PO Box 4531 Dainfern Valley 2055

Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel/Fax +27 11 469-3345
e-mail: COBIELEG@telkomsa.net
Direct personal service line
+27 83 375 2098

My team has over two decades of experience in golf course design and construction!
Cobie Legrange has won 23 international tournaments, including the Australian Masters and two British Masters titles.
Once ranked 15th in the world, he now applies a lifetime of knowledge and experience to: • Design of golf courses &
golf estates to international construction specifications • Redesign, reconstruction, and consultancy across the board,
including par-three golf courses, driving ranges, golf studios and academies, golf estate residential layouts and feasibility studies
• Liaising with top international golf stars for signature designs.

Labour pains
Employees who have been in employ-
ment with an employer for longer
than four months and who work for
that employer on at least four days a
week are entitled to family responsi-
bility leave. Employers must grant an
employee, during each annual leave
cycle, three day’s paid leave under the
following circumstances:
• When the employee’s child is born
• When the employee’s child is sick
• In the event of death of the employ-
ee’s spouse or life partner, parent,
adoptive parent, grandparent, child,
adopted child, grandchild or sibling.
When granting family responsibility
leave you would be quite within your
rights as an employer to require rea-
sonable proof of the claimed event for
which the leave is required.
An employee’s unused entitlement to
family responsibility leave lapses at the
end of the annual leave cycle in which it
accrues and can’t be accumulated.
One thing that is critical to remember
when dealing with a request for family
responsibility leave is the aspect of
consistency. Very often the request is
made at a time of high emotion and/or
stress and any good employer will want
to be as accommodating as possible.
Whatever you do for one person though,
sets a precedent for the future. To quote
an overused cliché, apply empathy
not sympathy. There may well be rea-
sons why you want to grant more than
three days family responsibility leave
to an employee. You just need to make
sure that you would be willing to grant
similar benefits to others under similar
circumstances.
For more information on this and
other contractual employment obliga-
tions visit www.labour.gov.za
Peet de Wet has recently been appointed
general manager of Ebotse Golf & Country
Estate in Benoni. They are opening their
new golf course in February 2008 and
GCM wishes them great success with their
new venture. Peet can be contacted on
0860700007 or cellphone 082 551 5675.
BIRDIES & BOGEYS
If you are not a member of the CMASA, read on
10 Reasons why your club should be a member of Club Management Association of
Southern Africa (CMASA)
CMASA is a membership driven association formed to benefit sport and recreation clubs
in South Africa. The Association caters for all types of clubs, current membership includes
yacht, golf, country, rugby, tennis, bowls and general sports clubs.
The CMASA :
• communicates with their membership almost on a weekly basis via electronic media
and produces a monthly newsletter with items of general interest to the membership.
• offers opportunities for clubs to follow best practice models, which are communicated
to members.
• offers opportunities for management to attend information sharing sessions in areas
around the country.
• offers networking opportunities for club personnel.
• offers internationally recognized education programmes for club managers and senior
management
• offers benchmarking of areas vital to the management of a club i.e. subscriptions, bev-
erage prices, salaries, snack menu prices, sport playing fees etc.
• offers assistance with new or current legislative issues.
• is represented on various industry boards and committees for the benefit of the mem-
bership base.
• has a resource that has been developed over 10 years which is available to the
membership.
• has affiliation status with similar international associations i.e. Club Managers
Association of America and Europe
CMASA is your one-stop convenience store for any information related to the sport and
recreation club industry. Your club cannot afford to not be a member of CMASA.
Please call CMASA on (011) 482-7542 or email admin@clubmanagement.co.za for
your application form. You will wonder why you never joined before!
Zimbabwe
GCM extends a very warm welcome
to the thirteen golf clubs in Zimbabwe
that have been added to the GCM cir-
culation. We know that there are many
more golf clubs in Zimbabwe, but have
been unable to obtain their postal details.
If you are reading this and are associated
with a Zimbabwean golf club which is
not receiving its monthly complimen-
tary copies of GCM then please let us
have your contact details. They can be
e-mailed direct to natalies@rsp.co.za
The Compleat Golfer and GCM team
The top team at White River Country
are planning on visiting some of the
Club from left to right: Gerhard
main clubs in Zimbabwe in February. It
“Smittie” Smit (greenkeeper), Trevor
should be a wonderful experience for us
John (director of golf) and Keith Kruger
and we look forward to sharing some of
(general manager). See our club profile
our experiences with GCM readers.
on pages 8 and 9.
Golf Club Management March 2008 21
HR DEVELOPMENT

Overcoming the fear

of public speaking

Sooner or later we all have to make a speech. To some it is relatively easy, to others it
is a complete nightmare. Andrew Wilson of GCM gives some tips on overcoming
pre-speech symptoms of a dry mouth, cold sweats and butterflies in the stomach.
For some lucky people public speaking your talk so that your audience can relate Think physical
comes naturally and their presentations easily to what you are saying and why you There is nothing worse, if you are nervous,
seem effortless. For the rest of us mere are saying it. The more prepared you are, the than having to stand up with the notes in
mortals, we have to overcome the fear of more confident you will be. your hand and nothing to rest them on. Your
public speaking to some degree or another. hands start shaking and the more you try to
For some of us it is our worst nightmare Keep your notes simple control them the worse it gets! You are soon
while for others it is a case of out-of-control Avoid typing out your speech word for more worried about the impression you are
butterflies in our stomachs. word. Remember that you are talking to making on the audience than you are about
As a youngster I was terrified of public your audience and you need to connect with the message you want to get across. Make
speaking to a point where I physically them, not your notes. Create a prompt sheet sure you have something to rest your notes
shook before, during and after having to that you can refer to from time to time to on. If you are sitting, make sure there is a
make a speech. Now I am relatively calm make sure that you cover all the points you table in front of you. If you are standing,
when confronted by an audience. So what want to raise. The prompt sheet can consist make sure there is a podium. You can then
enabled me to move from a gibbering wreck of major headings in bold and one or two quietly rest your hands next to your notes
to a relatively calm and controlled public word-prompts of all the things you want to and the audience will not be aware of the
speaker? Let me share a few experiences cover under each heading. stress you may be feeling.
that helped me to overcome my paranoia.
You can always develop Be yourself
Prepare well Don’t try and put on an act when you are
Make sure your mind is clear on what technique, which should presenting. It is almost impossible to train
message you want to get across and how improve over time, someone to be a good public speaker.
you plan on doing it. Identify the one, two but don’t try and be an Trained public speakers generally come
or three things you want the audience to across as being false. You can always
go away with after the presentation. Think extrovert if you are develop technique, which should improve
through examples or anecdotes to illustrate normally an introvert over time, but don’t try and be an extrovert

22 March 2008 Golf Club Management

 HR DEVELOPMENT

if you are normally an introvert or a happy/smiley person if you

are normally a fairly serious person. The key is to be yourself and
then you will be more believable. If you are not a natural joke teller,
avoid jokes. If you are nervous, don’t apologise but do consider
asking the audience to bear with you “while you get your nerves
under control!” Admitting to being nervous or apprehensive can
endear an audience to you providing you don’t over-play it.

Start strong, finish strong

In public speaking jargon it is known as the “book-ends”. The most
import parts of any presentation are the first two minutes and the
last minute. This comes back to preparation. Give careful thought
to how you are going to grab the attention of your audience. Give
your audience a good reason for being at the presentation; let them
know how they are going to benefit from listening to you for the
next period of time. Finish up by giving a brief summary of the
main points you have covered and what you want the audience to
go away with and think about or do. What you say between the
first two minutes and the last minute is often lost as people’s minds
wander, so keep your presentation as short as possible.

Use visual aids

The more you can illustrate your talk with visual aids the better.
Firstly it helps the audience to understand the points you are making;
secondly it takes the focus away from you from time to time. If
you are a bit nervous it is good to give both the audience and
yourself a break by getting them to concentrate on a chart,
object, illustration or anything which will highlight what you
are covering.

Keep the language simple

Use language you would normally use and don’t try to get
too many messages across at one time. The best way to gain
confidence and support from your audience is to talk their
language. Use words they can understand; back it up with
examples they can relate to.

Get your mind right

I’ve left the most important point until last. Most of our fears
come from what we are thinking and our belief system. Also,
most of what we fear never happens or if it does, it is nowhere
near as bad as we predicted. If you have prepared well and know
your subject you are at a huge advantage over your audience. Go
into your presentation genuinely believing that your audience
can really benefit from the time they will be spending with you.
Avoid stimulants such as alcohol as these can totally undermine
the hard work and preparation you have put into the presentation.
They may make you feel better (temporarily) but they also are
likely to make you lose the plot. If you must have a drink, leave
it until after the presentation when it can become part of the
celebrations.

For more information on effective presentations contact Andrew

Wilson at consultaew@iafrica.com or on 082 575 3861.