History of kingennie golf course

The 9-hole, 2,800 yard course at Kingennie, designed by Team Niblick, was seeded in September 2006, with the greens using revolutionary new Bargold ryegrass, at a sowing rate of 25-35g per m² and 5mm depth. It was rolled two or three times over the winter and mown down to 12mm. There was no disease over this time. In spring the sward was taken down a millimetre at a time, the surface top-dressed every two weeks, and a 14.2.4 fertiliser applied.

The course opened less than a year after seeding on 1 August 2007, and has been greatly appreciated by the club members and guests.

"The greens have looked superb all summer - despite the wet weather and their young age. I have always been wary of using ryegrass in greens - but I am now convinced that a cultivar like Bargold, that combines the fast establishment of traditional ryegrass with a fine leaf, offers the best of both worlds. We are currently developing a further nine holes and shall be using BAR Platinum on these too." – greenkeeper Grogor Norrie.

As well as the 9-hole course at Kingennie, Team Niblick constructed an imaginative putting green which emulates the actual Cairngorms Mountain Range - with glens, corries and passes to negotiate.

Capable of holding 80 players at any one time, the putting green was opened during British Open Week in July, and many of the top professionals, including Darren Clark enjoyed having a go.

"We also sowed the putting green with BAR Platinum," says Gregor. "It has provided a very attractive playing surface and been extremely hard wearing. Despite the high usage, we only have to move the holes once a month."