“I have 1,250 sprinkler heads to maintain”
By Alistair
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Mark Allard, the irrigation technician at London Golf Club for the last nine years, talks to irrigation expert John Kidson about how he got into the role and what his work involves.
As with all the articles John Kidson has written for GreenKeeping this year, the aim has been helping others learn more about working within the irrigation industry. As mentioned in last month’s issue, John is starting to catch up with irrigation techs working within the irrigation industry to help share some light on the different roles and backgrounds involved. Here, he talks to London Golf Club’s Mark Allard.
Do you enjoy your role?
I have always enjoyed working with irrigation, I enjoy the responsibility of my role, it presents many challenges. I like to problem solve and it’s always rewarding when you fix something and it’s a success.
How did you gain your role?
Having been interested in irrigation from an early stage in my career, I have always been keen to learn and gain knowledge of irrigation along the way and I always pushed to get more involved. Through a combination of practical experience and knowledge, I was able to become a full-time irrigation technician.
Having started my career as a greenkeeper in the UK, I then had the opportunity to work in Australia. I soon realised how important an irrigation system was to the function of healthy turf on a golf course, which really interested me. I picked up and gained a lot of experience out there in general irrigation practices. This experience stood me in good stead not long after I arrived at the London Golf Club where, still as a greenkeeper, I was given the chance to work with my predecessor, Paul Kennedy. Through his training I began to understand how to manage an irrigation system of this size and, over the years, I have gained valuable knowledge of the site.
How much of your time is spent on irrigation?
One hundred percent of my time is spent on the irrigation, with 36 holes, a driving range, a practice area and 1,250 sprinkler heads to maintain. We also have 10 lakes including a reservoir that comes under my remit of upkeep and maintenance.
Do you control your own stock?
The short answer is yes, I manage my stock accordingly. I always make sure I have spares of everything on the shelf. I will do a stock take in late winter and order in all the parts and fittings in early spring, making sure I have plenty of everything I need to get me through the summer months. Then in the autumn I will do another stock take and order all my fittings for the autumn / winter maintenance and servicing.
What type of ground does your site have?
The site has a combination of chalk and clay ground and has a high percentage of flint mixed in with it.
Do you take moisture tests and what is a good percentage range?
Yes, we manage our moisture. Each golf course has a Pogo to record moisture readings, we generally look for a range between 19 and 23 percent on the greens.
Do you have more knowledge of irrigation now than when you first started the role?
I would say I have more knowledge now, having the responsibility of managing the irrigation system on my own means you are constantly learning.
How many holes do you think you’ve dug in your time?
Too many to count! If I had a pound for everyone!
Last question and most important, what’s the most common golfers’ comment while digging a hole?
I’m not sure on the most common comment, you get so many different and varied ones it would be hard to pick one. Most of the time I find they are just interested to know what’s going on.
John would like to thank Mark for his time and said it’s always a pleasure to see London Golf Club’s golf courses and estates manager Lee Sayers, and the team. If you’d like to talk to John, he can be contacted @JKIrrigation on Twitter
By Alistair
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