September 10, 2024
Today, golf pays tribute to thousands of its unsung heroes across the globe.
They protect, preserve and perfect the game’s most prized assets.
Millions of golfers – of every calibre – could not play without them. Even the pros spend less time on the course.
Today is Thank A Greenkeeper Day 2024.
Join Carr Golf in showing our appreciation for a special group of greenkeeping teams.
Let’s Celebrate Thank A Greenkeeper Day 2024
Carr Golf oversees golf course maintenance operations at a growing collection of venues throughout the island of Ireland.
This involves collaboration with over 350 head greenkeepers, course managers, superintendents and turf-care professionals.
As a result, we see first-hand the effort and expertise required to consistently create high-calibre course conditions that deliver enjoyable golf experiences and customer satisfaction.
It takes year-round dedication.
So one official Thank A Greenkeeper Day is the least the golf world could do!
See Our Clients’ Golf Course Maintenance Achievements
Greenkeepers enact KPI-driven golf course maintenance and agronomic plans Carr Golf designs.
This scientific framework is based on four sustainability pillars:
- Quality
- Labour
- Economic
- Environmental
Our clients also receive expert support, progress reports and actionable course data from our Regional Superintendents – Aindriu Jackson, Conor O’Donoghue and Iain Ritchie.
Each venue achieved marked improvements in their monthly KPI scores over the last year.
So we’ve highlighted their successes in celebration of Thank A Greenkeeper Day.
See for yourself.
Cill Dara Golf Club
Sustainable golf course maintenance safeguards and fosters biodiversity.
Greenkeepers Rory Sweeny (Head) and Alan Maguire of Cill Dara Golf Club deserve endless credit for accommodating the sheep that often roam their heathland on the Curragh Plains.
Edmondstown Golf Club
It’s been a busy time for Head Greenkeeper John Nolan and his assistant, David Strich, at Edmondstown Golf Club.
First, they renovated the irrigation system course-wide. Their current assignment is a phased revamp of every bunker.
Blainroe Golf Club
Blainroe Golf Club hit a prestigious milestone in 2024. The seaside parkland entered the Irish Golfer Top 100 Golf Courses in Ireland following a stellar rebunkering.
Kudos to Head Greenkeeper Tony Redmond and assistant Dale Flaherty for assisting architect Marc Westenborg and DARGolf Construction.
Mallow Golf Club
Mallow Golf Club is a newer addition to our client portfolio. Alongside a par-72 parkland, it features impressive practice facilities.
Already, Superintendent Darren O’Connor and Head Greenkeeper Patrick O’Leary have installed new putting and short-game greens.
Forrest Little Golf Club
The trend of bunker makeovers also reached Forrest Little Golf Club.
Head Greenkeeper Robbie Moore and his deputy, Ryan Moore, often braved tough conditions to complete a sweeping renovation alongside architect Ken Kearney and DARGolf Construction.
Thurles Golf Club
Carr Golf recently onboarded another Munster parkland. Head Greenkeeper Denis O’Dwyer and his staff at Thurles Golf Club immediately adapted to our EU-compliant agronomic plan.
They now track and fine-tune turf treatments via an IT system.
Limerick Golf Club
Limerick Golf Club remains in a constant state of improvement. The venue added new short-game and practice facilities – and completed a back-9 drainage project.
Next, Head Greenkeeper Greg O’Connor, Ken Kearney and Atlantic Golf Construction will remodel three greens to USGA specifications.
Skerries Golf Club
At Skerries Golf Club, Head Greenkeeper Michael Calvey upgraded key drainage areas and will soon add a new irrigation system.
Rathsallagh Golf Club
Golfers can now explore the idyllic parkland course at Rathsallagh Golf Club on revamped pathways that seamlessly skirt the surrounding woodland.
Furthermore, Head Greenkeeper Barry Kavanagh – assisted by Vova Drozdeckis – consistently presents an immaculate layout.
Stackstown Golf Club
Eddie Mulligan and Garry Duffy have two new greens under construction following the successful addition of four others. A short-game area is also coming.
Elmgreen Green Golf Centre
Swingyard, Ireland’s first golf entertainment venue powered by Inrange®, is now open at Elmgreen.
Greenkeepers Paddy Foy and Brian Highland supported the extensive remodelling project. They’re also rebunkering the main course and re-tooling with new eco-friendly equipment.
Ardee Golf Club
An exciting project just got underway at Ardee Golf Club.
Head Greenkeeper Darren Henry has teamed up with Ken Kearney and DARGolf Construction to build three new green complexes – seeded with bentgrass – for next season.
Ballyclare Golf Club
If there’s a greenkeeping gene, Jordan Harrison has it. The Head Greenkeeper of Ballyclare Golf Club followed his father into the family business.
Since arriving a the start of the year, Jordan has assembled a top-notch grounds team and made huge improvements to the presentation of the course at Ballyclare.
The Blackwood
It features two 18-hole parklands routed through the 2,000-acre Clandeboye Estate. The presentation of both courses has quickly improved under Head Greenkeeper Jonny Eager.
Corballis Golf Links
His team have managed the integration of a new tee box and green complex on the 8th hole that will be ready for October.
Corrstown Golf Club
The Head Greenkeeper’s work is never done. And George Eastwood and his staff have already started sanding the fairways at Corrstown Golf Club for winter.
This process – coupled with aeration – supports drainage and surface smoothness.
Foxrock Golf Club
Any golf course that bears Harry Colt’s signature deserves an elite chief custodian.
Enter Walter O’Toole, the vastly experienced Head Greenkeeper at Foxrock Golf Club. This year, Walter oversaw the addition of a new green complex.
Castleknock Golf Club
John Jennings is not your average Golf Course Superintendent. He helped build the parkland at Castleknock Golf Club – literally.
But his latest achievement is the renovation of every greenside bunker – alongside DARGolf Construction – for more consistent playing surfaces.
Seapoint Golf Links
It’s been a groundbreaking season for the Lester Winters-led grounds team at Seapoint Golf Links.
In June, the club staged its second consecutive OFX Irish Legends. Beforehand, Golf Ireland selected Seapoint to host the 2025 Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open.
Royal Curragh Golf Club
Royal Curragh Golf Club inhabits land uncultivated since prehistoric times.
Course Manager Robert Kilduff has managed to elevate playing conditions while preserving its unique topography and ecology. As a result, Ireland’s oldest golf course gets better with age.
Show Your Appreciation on Social Media
Share this article and use the #ThankAGreenkeeper to show your appreciation for greenkeepers everywhere.
Finally, if you’d like to equip your maintenance team with a proven blueprint for continuous, never-ending golf course improvements, contact Carr Golf today.