The British Turf and Landscape Irrigation Association’s revised educational programme is proving to be a great success. The most recent module delivered by industry experts was hailed by one of the attendees as, “Possibly the best course I’ve ever attended”. “It was so informative and detailed”, was the opinion of another, who went on to say, “I’d certainly recommend it to any course manager, head greenkeeper, or assistant who wishes to develop a deeper understanding of their subject and practices.”
Held at the Thistle Hotel, Brands Hatch, Kent, the BTLIA Foundation Certificate module was aimed at assessing actual irrigation system performance and efficiency and then relating these operational criteria to the turf management environment. The effects of different climatic conditions, soil types, turfgrass species, and micro-climates surrounding golf green complexes were considered in the assessment.
Part of the course provided experience of golf irrigation auditing, including a practical session at West Malling Golf Club, where the attendees set out water collection devices and gathered data such as precipitation rates and coverage uniformity that was subsequently used to produce an irrigation schedule that matched the system to the turf characteristics and conditions.
The five-day course, which was attended by course managers from across the south of England and as far away as Sweden, was very well received. It was described by those attending as having provided a new insight into irrigation management and greatly increased the awareness of the full integration of irrigation into the wider turf management sphere.
The British Turf and Landscape Irrigation’s new educational programme is set to continue with other modules of the Certificate and Diploma Courses being offered in the near future. Presented by recognised industry experienced experts, the courses offer the most comprehensive and relevant sportsturf irrigation training in the UK.
BTLIA www.btlia.org.uk
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