Tight ploughing and sophisticated fertilisation strategy are the basis of success

Behind the scenes of a golf club

On the natural sandy soil of Kempense Golf Club, they know better than anyone how important knowledge, passion and teamwork are. Head greenskeeper Guy Cams and operations manager Jef Reynders and their team, have been ensuring a course that is there every season for years - with an eye for detail and a well-thought-out fertilisation strategy tailored to their grounds.

From humble beginnings to forward-looking club

When the Kempense Golf Club opened its doors in 1986, it was still a compact six-hole course that expanded to eighteen holes only four years later. And in 2026, another new chapter is already planned: the construction of nine additional holes. “The application is still pending, but with this expansion this is how we keep the playing experience interesting for our members,” says operations manager Jef Reynders. Head greenkeeper Guy Cams, who has been part of the club since 2002, adds: “And it will undoubtedly be interesting and challenging for us as well.”

Team with years of experience and respect for the craft of the trade

Guy started at eighteen, with no greenkeeping experience. “I honestly had little understanding of it, but I was immediately fascinated. Working during the day and studying at night, that's how I taught myself the trade.’ Today, Guy leads a crew of four greenkeepers. Together with Jef, who has been with the team since 2012, he forms a stable and well-matched team that has known each other for more than a decade. ”Everyone knows exactly what needs to be done. You notice that trust in the quality of the work.“ What further typifies the team is its artisanal approach. ”We still mow everything manually with simplex mowers,“ Guy says proudly. ”That takes more time, but the result is second to none. You get a tight, even image with a nice speed
and appearance.”

Sandy soil as natural asset with customised fertilisation

The course lies on pure sandy soil, a blessing in wet winters. “Our drainage is top notch. Even with a lot of rain, we can keep at least eight holes open,” Guy explains. “But it also means we have to be very conscious about nutrition and leaching.” That is why they take soil samples every year, which they combine with visual assessment of the soil and grass. 

“The numbers are one thing, but you also have to see how the plant responds. That remains our main compass.”

In winter, Guy opts mainly for granular fertilisers and in summer for liquid nutrients. For early autumn fertilisation, the team counts on a combination of Compo Expert products, each playing its specific role:

• NovaTec® Premium on fairways: a high-quality pellet with complete nutrition, trace elements and nitrification inhibition - ideal for reducing nitrogen leaching on sandy soils. 
• Fertilis® Swing NK on the tees: very fine, nicely spreadable pellet rich in beneficial bacteria and with a balanced composition for strong, resilient grass plants.
• On the greens, Kick® is also applied as an anti-dew agent, combined with Vitanica® P3 Extra, a liquid fertiliser with double seaweed extract for root stimulation and stress reduction. Later, the iron-rich Ferro Top® pellet is sprinkled for a beautiful deep green colour. 
• Aeration also gets structural attention. “We always prick with full tines, except at the first turn in spring. Then we use hollow tines to remove old material and refresh the top layer with Agrosil® LR, among others. This provides better structure and stimulates new rooting.”

Knowledge, passion and cooperation

“Fertilising is not a set recipe,” Guy stresses. “You have to respond to the condition of the course, the weather and the races coming up. There has to be growth, but never too much - otherwise you lose speed and increase the risk of disease.” Before competitions, the team does sometimes give the greens an extra tint with Basfoliar® Ferro Top (20 l/ha, three to four days in advance). “That keeps the colour nice for about 10 days - just long enough to give the players a perfect impression.” Kempense Golf Club's strength lies in the combination of experience, love of the job and a thoughtful approach. “We do everything with conviction,” Jef and Guy conclude. “The right products help, but it's mainly the people who make the difference. We know each other, we know the course - and that shows in the results.”