Spending time behind the scenes at a golf course always offers a unique perspective, and my visit to Trevose Golf Club was a perfect example of that.
Hosted by Course Manager Neil Ivamy, I spent the morning photographing an important phase of the club’s greens maintenance programme: overseeding. Most golfers only ever see the finished product, but the work that goes into maintaining healthy, consistent greens is methodical and fascinating to watch.
The process began with a pass using the Toro ProCore fitted with 12mm blunt tines, creating thousands of small holes across the putting surfaces. These allow air movement through the profile and create the perfect environment for new seed.
Once the greens were aerated, fresh seed was spread and brushed into the holes, ensuring good soil contact and giving the new grass the best chance to establish.
Next came a granular fertiliser application (C Complex 4-3-4) to provide the nutrients required for germination and early growth. With the groundwork in place, the team topdressed the greens, adding a fine layer of sand to smooth the surface and protect the seed.
The greens were then drag matted to work the sand and seed evenly into the aeration holes, before being rolled to restore a smooth putting surface. Finally the holes were changed, ready for play.
Trevose is one of those places where dramatic coastal views meet beautifully shaped holes, and even during a maintenance morning there are countless moments of quiet beauty across the property.
Seeing the care and precision that goes into these practices is a reminder that great playing surfaces don’t happen by accident. They are the result of planning, patience and a dedicated team working long before the first tee time of the day.
From a photographer’s perspective, Trevose is a story well worth telling.