Overseeding - Trevose Golf Club

Spending time behind the scenes at a golf course always offers a unique perspective, and my recent 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. While most golfers often only see the finished product, the work that goes into maintaining healthy, consistent greens is both methodical and fascinating to watch.

Phil Taylor, Greenkeeper, Trevose

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 holes 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 then topdressed the greens, adding a fine layer of sand to help 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.

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While documenting the work, I also took the opportunity to capture a number of wider images of the course. 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 maintenance 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.

And from a photographer’s perspective, Trevose is a story well worth telling.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit Trevose Golf and Country Club, you have to grab it with both hands. You'll be welcomed by friendly faces from the moment you arrive and the course will provide many lasting memories.

To see more machinery in action, visit my Greenkeeping gallery.