ICL products central to performance at Hogs Head Golf Club

David Daly, golf course superintendent at Hogs Head Golf Club

Golf course superintendent relies on a wide range of ICL products to maintain the award-winning 18-hole course

Sports & Parks

12 August 2021

David Daly, golf course superintendent at Hogs Head Golf Club, Co. Kerry, has long relied on a wide range of ICL products to help him keep the award-winning 18-hole course at a consistently high level.

Daly started in the role when it was formerly known as Skellig Bay Golf Club. That was before the club was bought by current owners Bryan Marsal and Tony Alvarez II. What came next was an incredible transformation which has since seen the course voted Ireland’s Best Course and Best New International Course by Golf.com.

Designed by the highly regarded Robert Trent Jones Jr, Daly was heavily involved in the plans and the grow-in period which took place from 2016 to mid-2017. Utilising the experience he gained in his previous roles at Waterville Golf Links and Killeen Castle, and by working closely with Keith Boland from Goldcrop, Daly thoroughly researched the best products to use for the grow-in.

The products he selected were predominantly from ICL, and they have continued to be central to his yearly turf management plan ever since. Vitalnova Stressbuster, which he uses to pre-condition the turf against stress, is one of his most favoured products.

“I like the instant impact the product provides,” he says. “Especially the immediate natural green colour response. The simplicity of use, the ‘fully-loaded’ liquid formulation (the product contains a wetting agent, biostimulants, amino acids, macro nutrients, micro nutrients and iron) and that it is so tank-mixable.”

Daly mixes Stressbuster with H2Pro TriSmart, PGRs and seaweeds before he applies it monthly from March through to September for best results.

At the start of each year Daly works with his team to create a yearly turf management plan, and although the weather on the southwest coast of Ireland means the plan often has to adapt, ICL products are a common feature regardless.

In 2020 Daly had to contend with 2,000mm of rainfall, as well as long periods of drought. For a proven water management product, Daly chose the H2Pro TriSmart which he says, “ticks all the boxes.”

TriSmart’s unique triple-active formulation provides great control over moisture management. Containing three water management technologies, it provides effective water penetration, even water spread through the rootzone and improves the water holding capacity of sandy rootzones. Daly applies TriSmart monthly to his tees and greens at 10L/ha.

When it comes to feeding, Daly relies on Sierrablen 28-5-5 – a granular fertiliser which provides sufficient nutrition for the entire main growing season in just a single application.

“It is the Rolls Royce of granular controlled release fertilisers,” he says. “The controlled release formulation of this product is key, especially with so much rainfall throughout the year.”

Daly uses Sierrablen on his fairways and green surrounds, and because he has a short season, starting in May, Sierrablen’s longevity of 5-6 months gives him a certain peace of mind.

Aside from the spectacular golf course, Hogs Head Golf Club also boasts a stunning clubhouse and accommodations consisting of a luxurious lodge and multiple golf cottages. Around the clubhouse and accommodations, Daly uses Gronamic, an organo-mineral fertiliser which he says has “transformed the areas.”

For more information, contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.ie