Perfecting the Playing Experience
Creating an exceptional golf course is only the beginning; maintaining it to the highest standards, season after season, requires expertise, precision and an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. Rick Hamilton, Course Manager, explains what goes into caring for La Grande Mare’s 18-hole course, from its USGA-specification greens and sophisticated drainage and irrigation systems to the technology and skilled team delivering outstanding playing conditions throughout the year.
When someone plays La Grande Mare for the first time, what do you hope they notice?
I think they'll immediately notice the site’s natural beauty; it’s hard to miss. What we've created is a blend of old and new, retaining the original character and layout wherever possible while introducing new holes that have already matured remarkably well.
I’m sure people will recognise features from the old course, but they'll also see how seamlessly the new development has settled into the landscape.
What makes the greens and playing surfaces here so special?
The quality of the playing surfaces starts with the way the course was built. The greens have been constructed to USGA specification, which is designed to optimise long-term turf health. Beneath the surface, there's an enormous amount of work that golfers never see, from the sand profiles and drainage to the irrigation system.
We also wanted to preserve part of La Grande Mare's history. We harvested grass from the original greens and introduced it into the new green profiles alongside carefully selected modern cultivars. That gives us turf that's perfectly suited to Guernsey's climate while maintaining a connection to the course's heritage.
What goes into producing conditions like these?
It all starts in the workshop, which is really the heart of the golf course operation. Having the right machinery, the right technology and, most importantly, a skilled team allows us to maintain the course to a consistently high standard.
Building the course is only one part of the journey. Having the resources and expertise to care for it every day is what keeps it performing at its best.
How does Guernsey's climate influence the way you manage the course?
Guernsey has a unique climate. Being further south than much of the UK means we experience milder winters, so the course rarely becomes fully dormant. That means we're actively managing the course throughout all twelve months of the year.
Our summers have also become warmer and windier, which increases moisture loss from the turf. We carefully monitor those conditions with cutting-edge technology so we can replace exactly the right amount of water and keep the surfaces performing consistently throughout the season.
What's something golfers never see that makes a huge difference?
Most golfers never see what's happening beneath the surface, but that's where the course’s foundations are built. Everything from the drainage and irrigation systems to the soil profile and thousands of tonnes of sand has been designed to create healthy, consistent playing surfaces. Those hidden elements are what allow the course to perform day after day.
What machinery or technology has had the biggest impact on the course?
Technology has completely transformed the way we manage the course. We're a John Deere facility, meaning that we use their management systems to support everything from GPS mapping and spraying to job allocation, record-keeping and machinery management. It allows us to work more efficiently, make better decisions and maintain consistently high standards across the entire course.
What are the biggest challenges of maintaining conditions throughout the year?
La Grande Mare presents some unique challenges because it sits below sea level. During the winter, our biggest focus is managing water. We've installed an extensive drainage network, automated sluice gates and additional water storage to move water intuitively around the site and recover quickly after heavy rainfall.
In the summer, the challenge is the opposite. It's about conserving water and using it as efficiently as possible. Our lakes and ponds don't just provide irrigation, they also support the site's biodiversity, allowing us to balance exceptional course conditions with the natural environment.
What are you most excited for golfers to experience?
I'm looking forward to golfers experiencing just how beautiful La Grande Mare has become. The combination of the landscape, the course design and the surroundings make it a very special place to play.
More than anything, I hope people leave having enjoyed a memorable round of golf. If golfers finish their day wanting to come back and play again, then we've achieved exactly what we set out to do.