9
« Last post by James Boon on Today at 07:08:06 AM »
I’ll start with a question: How many of you who love Brora, have regularly been the first player out (as I have), and caught up the greenstaff to see what they have to do before the main body of golfers come through later that day...
I've been playing Brora for around 35 years, and I've been a member for several years now, all be it a country member so I'm not as up to speed as some and wasn’t able to vote on the matter. Many years ago, I recall playing the course and no matter where your ball was, rough or fairway, there was a chance it would be nestling up against one of the local sheep's calling cards. Suitable local rules were in play regarding taking relief. Interestingly, I don’t recall there being many cows back then?
However these days, with the higher green fees, and what feels like a lot more visitors, when I play you hardly see any excrement from sheep or cattle... AND THAT’S BECAUSE the greenstaff who are out early when I often am, are literally shoveling it off the fairways to keep things clear for the players coming through later. It doesnt exactly look a fun job and having spoken to a few of them it clearly isnt...
So I understand why the staff and those that play regular, may prefer it without the livestock.
Additionally, the greenstaff out early will often be repairing the damage the cattle have made to various cut grass areas and edges of bunkers, as well as the erosion along the edges of the 2 burns that run across the course that either need repairing, or essentially mean the width of the water hazard increases. Again I suspect much of this work goes un-noticed by later visitors.
Therefore, I wasn’t too surprised when I received an email a few days ago confirming that the voting members (I cant vote as a country member) had passed the resolution to seek permission to have the cattle removed. Essentially it appears to mean applying to the government to have crofting rights removed as well as agreeing compensation for those that have those rights, so probably not an overnight job!
I also understand that in the early 2000s the membership voted to do similar, but it was never followed through for some reason…
The sheep and electric fences have always been there for me, and have certainly been part of the character, and spirit of place if you like, of a course I love. But in recent years, playing early and seeing what needs to be done, I suspect I would have voted as the other members did if I could have. It will be a shame to see some of the sheep go, but I wont miss the cows!
Having said all that, there can be a place for livestock, certainly sheep, on a course. I have had several discussions with the greenstaff at my other course Hollinwell, a heathland course, about the benefits of sheep. We have them away from the playing surface and they do a great job helping the heather and heathland habitat to be maintained. We have discussed bringing the sheep closer to the main playing areas, and the few times we have, they have proven excellent at rough management, but I suspect most members wouldnt go for it on a more permanent basis.
Recent Posts
