The Greenkeeper's View: Preparing a Jamega Venue in the Final 72 Hours
First Look at the Final 72 Hours
When the Jamega Tour arrives at a venue, the scorecard may look simple, but the days before play are anything but. The final 72 hours are a compressed sequence of cutting, measuring, checking and re-checking. Every greenkeeper on site knows that the margin between a fair test and a frustrating one is often measured in millimetres.
This is not a story about grand gestures. It is about early starts, dew-soaked boots and the quiet discipline of preparing a course that must be ready for professionals and amateurs alike.
Mowing: The Rhythm of the Last Three Days
Mowing begins before most players have finished their breakfast. Greens are cut first, usually with a light pass to keep surface speed consistent without stripping the plant. Tees and fairways follow in a strict order, because dew and soil moisture change minute by minute as the sun rises.
By the second day, the cutting height is dialled in and the direction of cut is adjusted to avoid grain building up in one direction. The final 24 hours are about refinement, not transformation. A greenkeeper's rule is simple: never chase a number on a stimpmeter at the expense of turf health.
"If the grass is stressed, the putt will be unpredictable, no matter how fast the meter says it is."
Mowers are cleaned between passes, blades are checked for sharpness, and clippings are collected so they do not smother the leaf. It is repetitive work, but repetition is what produces a true roll.
Pin Placement: Designing the Day's Puzzle
Pin positions are chosen with an eye on both fairness and challenge. The rules team and the head greenkeeper walk the greens together, marking spots that offer a clear entry but demand accurate approach play. Slopes are measured, and the hole is cut with a sharp, clean edge.
Each cup is set to a consistent depth and the surrounding surface is firmed by hand. On the final evening, the positions are checked again against the day's wind forecast. A pin tucked behind a bunker may be fine in calm air but brutal in a crosswind.
- Greens are cut and rolled before pins are moved.
- Cup edges are checked for a clean, true lip.
- Pin sheets are printed and cross-checked with the starter.
Weather Contingency Planning
Weather is the variable no greenkeeper can control, so the final 72 hours include a plan for almost everything. If rain is forecast, mowing heights may be raised slightly to protect the turf, and bunkers are checked for drainage. If wind is expected, irrigation is adjusted to avoid soft, holding greens.
Lightning is treated with the utmost seriousness. The team prepares a suspension plan, communicates it to referees and ensures the klaxon is tested. Frost delays are also rehearsed, because a frozen green can be damaged by a single misjudged footstep.
| Condition | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy rain | Raise cut, check drains | 48 hours out |
| Strong wind | Adjust irrigation, firm surfaces | 24 hours out |
| Lightning | Test klaxon, brief officials | Morning of play |
The Final Morning and the First Tee
On the morning of play, the course is walked one last time. Dew is removed from greens, bunkers are raked, and the first tee is checked for markers and signage. The team watches the first group tee off, then waits for the radio call that confirms the course is holding up.
- Remove dew from all greens.
- Rake bunkers and check sand depth.
- Confirm pin positions and flag colours.
- Stand by for weather updates.
By the time the first putt drops, the final 72 hours have become invisible. That is the point. A Jamega venue should feel natural, fair and ready. The greenkeeper's reward is not applause; it is a course that plays exactly as it should.
