GREENKEEPERS’ DAY IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Photo: Scott Aitchison (left) and course manager Eoin Riddell head up a team of top-class greenkeepers

NEWLY installed club captain Gary Bethune has hailed the professionalism of the greenkeeping staff at Royal Dornoch.

September 10 is “Thank a Greenkeeper Day” and Gary has praised the key role long-term course manager Eoin Riddell, assistant Scott Aitchison and the rest of the team have played in enhancing the world-famous reputation of the Championship Course and securing a Scottish Top 50 rating for the Struie Course.

A low handicapper and a past Carnegie Shield winner, local man Gary has witnessed a dramatic change in fortunes for the golf club since he was first introduced to the links by his father Dennis, a former professional at Haggs Castle and Elgin.

Having hosted a string of high-profile amateur golf events in recent years, Royal Dornoch is now counting down to the 2028 Curtis Cup match pitting the best female amateur golfers from GB&I against the cream of the USA crop.

Gary said: “Our greenkeepers do a great job in presenting the golf courses in superb condition, regardless of whether we are hosting a prestigious tournament.

“Many of them have been with us for a long time and they take pride in making sure that members and our many visitors experience the Championship Course in magnificent condition, befitting a links which is regarded among the finest in world golf.

“In addition to the never-ending task of maintaining our courses and implementing the seasonal programme, which can be heavily influenced by the weather, Eoin and his team were entrusted with creating the new 7th and 8th holes on the Championship Course, working in tandem with Tom Mackenzie of architects Mackenzie and Ebert.

“More recently, they have also been busy creating a new Par 3 hole on the Struie Course and it is good to see that beginning to take shape.

“Nowadays sustainability is an integral part of the job and it’s been great to see the team rewarded for their professionalism by lifting various national awards.

“Our dedicated greenkeeping staff really do a wonderful job and the reputation of the courses and their condition all season long has undoubtedly helped Royal Dornoch attract big amateur championships, with the 2028 Curtis Cup the latest feather in our cap.”

*The British and International Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is one of many organisations taking part in “Thank a Greenkeeper Day.” Combined, these groups represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in nearly 80 countries.