Coinciding with the Autumnal Equinox, the Ray Vickers Trophy was played for on a gloriously sunny day with barely a breath of wind.

Most unusual for Farrington Park! Played from the green tees, the popular format of Tennessean Waltz was enjoyed by the sixty plus competitors.

The pictured winners with Seniors’ Captain, Alan Skivington and Ray Vickers are left to right: Fraser McGregor, Mike Hedges and Andy Baird. Their winning score of 98 was four points ahead of their nearest rivals, Steve Ball, Ian Clement and Rick Clark. Ian was playing his third game in three days and his efforts were justly rewarded with a hole in one on the 15th.

Our greenkeepers have been extremely busy over the past few weeks on a new project to change our greens from 95% Poa grass to 90% Bent grass.

Poa grass is not sustainable for a number of reasons. Chemical laws are changing, with many products being removed and Poa grass needs a lot of chemical treatment. Also thatch issues and the seed heads it produces, both of which slow the surface causing inconsistent ball roll.

Bent grass, however, is more sustainable, fungicide free and environmentally friendly, resulting in sustainable, playable all year round greens. The greens will look incredible.

The change is a 3 to 5 year program of overseeding at the end of each summer. This is the future of the turf industry and we will have the best sustainable greens all year round.

Rob Thain