Battling Leatherjackets and Reviving Fairways and Tees: Insights from West Hove Golf Club

West Hove Golf Club Agronomy Podcast - Christmas Special

Join Ryan Fenwick (Head Teaching Professional) and Dean Franks (Course Manager.) As they reflect on 2025, the journey the club, the course and its members have been on.   Listen how the greenkeeping team, managed to cap a fantastic year off by welcoming 90+ greenkeepers in a record breaking BIGGA event.   Unfortunately the weather didn’t play ball, however the event went ahead, and greenkeepers couldn’t compliment the club, the set up and the course enough.   Wishing all the West Hove Golf Club members a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.   2026 is going to be one hell of a year!!!

Winter Greens & Member Rules: Protecting West Hove's Turf

Dean, head greenkeeper at West Hove Golf Club, and Ryan discuss the course’s strong condition following a challenging summer, upcoming winter measures like temporary greens, and new traffic-management ropes and posts to protect turf. The episode requests members’ cooperation with winter rules and 90-degree trolley use to maintain greens through wetter months and prevent damage.

Rain, Sand & Recovery: Inside Westhove’s Greens Renovation

Ryan Fenwick interviews Dean, Head Greenkeeper at West Hove Golf Club, about a recent maintenance program that included scarifying, overseeding tees and approaches, contractor-led scarifying of greens, deep verti-drain spiking, and extensive topdressing with kiln-dry sand. They discuss challenges from heavy rain, progress made so far, and the team’s next steps to finish filling holes, refurbish temporary greens, and improve playing surfaces as weather permits.

Mastering the Course: Insights on Setting Up a Championship

Join us in this episode as we delve into the preparations for the upcoming West Hove Club Championship. Dean and Ryan, share their insights from a recent course walk, discussing strategies to set up the course for optimal play. They highlight the importance of tee and pin positions and how these can influence gameplay. Listeners will gain a perspective on how different settings can challenge golfers, with the team aiming for a balance between easy and demanding pin positions. The episode also celebrates the remarkable work done to enhance the course conditions, ensuring the greens are in prime shape for the tournament. And hear about young golf champion, Darcy, bringing her unique inputs directly to the fairways. Tune in for a blend of behind-the-scenes action and expert advice, all in preparation for a thrilling weekend of golf.

Battling Leatherjackets and Reviving Fairways and Tees: Insights from West Hove Golf Club

In this episode of the West Hove Golf Club podcast, Head Professional Ryan Fenwick and Head Greenkeeper Dean discuss the current focus on the tees, fairways of the course. They explore the progress being made, such as the remarkable growth on the greens, and the challenges faced, including the persistent issue of leatherjackets affecting certain areas. Dean provides insights into the measures being taken to improve the playing surfaces, from chemical treatments to planned autumn renovations. Join the conversation to learn how the team is working tirelessly to overcome the obstacles of weather and pests, ensuring the course remains in top shape for members and players alike.