No phyto and high-wave reconcilable?

Golf Club 7 Fontaines proves with quality products and teamwork

Golf Club 7 Fontaines in Braine-l'Alleud is blowing out 35 candles this year and head greenskeeper Olivier Massaux may blow out 30 there at the same time. That deserves a review.

"When I started here, there was one course of 18 holes, and over the years we have expanded to two courses of 18 holes and 1 course of 9, which amounts to 100 hectares of land. Fortunately, I can count on my team of sixteen greenkeepers, two permanent mechanics and then occasionally some seasonal staff to manage that area," says Olivier Massaux. The club now has 1,800 to 2,000 members, most of whom are loyal senior members, but also a good proportion of juniors. Hence, a dedicated academy was also provided where six coaches are ready to provide training.

Tree canopy

Golf Club 7 Fontaines gets its charm from its fusion with the forest, which is a mission of the club and Massaux to watch over it, and also appreciated by the members. The two 18-hole courses are both tree-lined, one of which was fully integrated into the forest. "We keep tree felling to an absolute minimum, and when felling is done, we always plant at least the same number of trees back. Of course, so many trees also brings challenges in terms of keeping the site at top quality during the winter period. On top of the shade, there is less temperature and light, so we have to play short ball."

More natural approach

Since 2017, another challenge was added by the regional ban on the use of plant protection products. Massaux was obliged to work in a more natural way, but could count on his advisor, among others, to do so. "We've come a long way in the meantime, over the last few years. Instead of mowing at 3 mm and rolling a lot to have as high a ball rate as possible, I mow it higher and we seed and aerate enough to cause less stress and have enough air around the roots." Massaux continues, "The way we work is different now, especially if we look at how we did it 30 years ago. One such evolution is that we work more with liquid products, such as COMPO EXPERT's quality products. For example, for years I have frequently used Kamasol® brillant Grün, a soft, liquid NPK fertilizer with all 6 trace elements and a wetting agent. I also often mix the Kamasol® brillant Grün with Basfoliar® Ferro Top for iron sulfate application, where the extra color effect is nice. A second evolution is that we can anticipate weather forecasts even more and better by carrying out well-considered product applications or operations, with ever-evolving machinery."

Whimsical weather

Good weather forecasting becomes all the more important with the vagaries of recent years to respond appropriately and keep greens healthy. "To this end, I have therefore drawn up a program together with my consultant, in which we include biostimulants to provide optimal support for the plant. Among other things, we use Vitanica® RZ to additionally stimulate rooting with the Ecklonia seaweed extract and the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis R6-CDX®," says Olivier Massaux. Deeper rooting makes for more drought-tolerant grass. Use of a wetting agent such as Kick®, on top of that, ensures better utilization of irrigation water. "Thus, droughts in summer are actually still manageable," Massaux points out. "The months of September through November, on the other hand, are more critical because of weather changes, making it more challenging to keep a green healthy during fall and winter. Every season that is a target for us and we and our team must always try to do better. Both towards the condition of the grass, and constantly adjusting the holes to improve the playing experience."

Olivier Massaux concludes, "First and foremost, this requires passion for the profession, but here at 7 Fontaines I can also count on a close-knit, experienced team with a lot of mutual trust. We understand each other, and so we get ahead together."