Royal Aberdeen Golf Club – Golf Course Blog

Tag: teamwork

  • BIGGA Awards – Project Of The Year 2025

    The Royal Aberdeen Greenkeeping team were recently recognised at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition – BIGGA Awards as the winners of the Greenkeeping Project of the year 2025 category.

    The BIGGA Awards were established to recognise and reward the exceptionally high standards, professionalism, innovation and dedication demonstrated by greenkeepers throughout the year. The awards hosted once again by Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk, shines a light on those who deliver outstanding renovation and improvement projects, highlighting innovation, sustainability, excellence in project management and outstanding contributions that strengthen the wider profession.

    The award highlights all the hard work the greenkeeping team have completed through a difficult 2025, but mainly for the massive reconstruction projects that were undertaken to ensure we safeguard the future of the historic Balgownie Links. Ongoing coastal erosion prompted a complex reconstruction programme, including a new contingency 1st hole, reconstruction of a new 3rd tee, green and approach, new 4th tees, new grassed pathways and a new turf nursery. All of which was completed alongside the day-to-day maintenance of the links and many other general winter improvement projects.     

    The team overcame some strong opposition and managed to hold off the other 2 finalists of Royal Birkdale and Bearsden Golf Club who also completed huge renovation projects during the last 12 months. The project demanded meticulous planning and adaptability amid challenging weather and tidal pressures, with judges praising the balance between preserving heritage and delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions. 

    The Greenkeeping team lead by Course Manager Richard Johnstone worked closely with Golf course architect Martin Ebert, Golf Link Evolve construction, Callum Chalmers Irrigation and W.M Donald engineering to plan and implement the various projects across the site. We appreciate all the support shown from the club membership, council, General Manager and especially the master planning committee throughout the whole process.

    A huge Congratulations to the greenkeeping team for picking up the BIGGA Greenkeeping project of the year 2025 award and for all their hard work and dedication over the last 12 months.

  • Staff Training -SCQF Level 6 (SVQ Level 3) Sports Turf

    Congratulations to Assistant Greenkeeper Stephen Watson who has recently recieved his SVQ level 3 certificate after completing the SportsTurf qualification in March 2025.

    SCQF Level 6 (SVQ Level 3) Sports Turf

    It covers areas such as: implementing plans for the management of sports turf areas; plan and set out sports turf areas; promoting, monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security; managing resources; co-ordinating planting of crops or plants as well as maintaining land drainage and irrigation systems.

    Designed in partnership with the Sector Skills Council Lantra, this SVQ gives learners an internationally recognised qualification that guarantees they have the skills, knowledge and abilities to carry out their role successfully.

    This work based qualification was delivered on a part-time basis through attendance at SRUC Elmwood and developed to include the skills and knowledge required by the modern day greenkeeper and necessary to meet the golf course supervisor job profile.

    Royal Aberdeen Golf Club continue to invest in the future development and career progression of our team and Stephen has worked hard during his 4 years with the club to complete many other qualifications such as SCQF Level 5, PA1, PA6 & PA2 Spraying certificates, emergency first aid at work and CS30 Chainsaw certification.

  • Bunker Etiquette / Advice

    #1 – Locate the lowest spot around the edge of the bunker that is convenient to your ball try not to walk down a steep face possibly damaging the turf edge, and leaving deeper footprints.

    #2 – Carry the rake into the bunker if needed. Contrary to what some golfers believe, it is within the rules and can speed up play, be sure you do not allow the rake to touch or test the sand except when you drop it.

    #3 – Before playing the shot the rake should be dropped behind the area where you take your stance and not used to align the shot.

    #4 – Begin raking over the signs of play, to restore the surface without displacing too much sand by pushing the rake away from you a few times to spread the excess sand forward towards the face.

    #5 – Step out of the bunker and make a final few passes. The Rake Should Be Placed Inside the middle of the Bunker. This is normally a balls natural finishing position (especially in our small links pot bunkers) and if your ball hits it , you’re already in the bunker. We feel there is more likelihood of a ball being deflected into, or kept out of, a bunker if the rake is placed outside the bunker.

    If the sand was to be all raked back towards the entry point and rakes left around the edges it almost makes it impossible for the next person who lands in the bunker to escape.