Paisley Golf Club is a private members' club close to Glasgow, Scotland. The team was tasked with preparing the course for its first national tournament since 2006.
In 2023 paisley hosted:
"It had been many years since i had played at paisley and i could not quite believe the condition of the place, especially at this point in the season."
Paisley was first approached by Scottish Golf at the start of December 2022 about hosting the event.
The club and members were delighted to accept because it gave the club a chance to showcase the recent five-year bunker renovation programme and improved course condition, which the members have been very proud of over the last few years.
It also coincided with the club gaining its first entry into the Golf World Top 100 £65 and under category.
The greenstaff prides itself on producing quality playing surfaces and presenting high standards each day. It was always in the back of their mind about hosting this championship, but the team always works together to produce a great conditioned course.
There are no irrigation heads on the course at Paisley Golf Club and during periods of high temperatures and drought, the team must hand water greens. In 2023 there was no rainfall from May 10 until June 18 and temperatures were over 20 degrees. The team took it in turns to work 15-hour days to keep the grass alive and kept the surfaces in prime condition during this period.
The heavy morning dews was not the best time to allow for a quality of cut when mowing. The team stayed on extra hours when the dew had lifted to allow for the driest cut possible which enhanced our presentation.
The team did not only focus purely on the condition and presentation of the course, but we also made sure to make sure we presented the clubhouse and surrounding area at its best.
We are very lucky to have a very supportive volunteer group who helps us with divoting fairways monthly. They also came out and divoted the week before the tournament (see picture). Club captain Alistair Dyer joined the team each day preparing bunkers for the competition.
One member of staff was on standby each day to help assist if any problems did occur. This did happen on the Sunday as some squeegeeing was required after the heavy shower.
"I had the pleasure of catching up with course manager jonny caldwell on both our competition days and he seems a real asset to the club. He showed real energy, enthusiasm and took time to speak with the competing golfers."
"Without fear of contradiction, I travel to many events up and down the country – and indeed beyond – and I have yet to see a golf course in better condition. Jonny and his team did a fantastic job and you can tell that the greenstaff are very passionate about their golf course."