Welcome to our golf course agronomy podcast, where we will be talking all things West Hove Golf Club.
Hosted by Course Manager Dean Franks, and Head Teaching Pro Ryan Fenwick.
Educating members and informing them of all ongoing and future work being carried out on the course.
With various guests joining us on each episode and key areas to be discussed throughout we aim to take our members on our journey and new chapter at West Hove Golf Club.
Surviving the Drought: How Our Course Came Back to Life
Dean, the head professional, and Ryan discuss a brutal, rainless summer and how the greenkeeping team prioritized greens and tees with persistent irrigation, hand watering and careful maintenance to keep playing surfaces alive.They cover the recent bounce-back after rain and wetting-agent treatments, targeted renovation work, badger damage and deterrents, and the team’s hard work during coring and verti-draining to restore turf health.
22 Dec 2025
West Hove Golf Club Agronomy Podcast - Christmas Special
Join Ryan Fenwick (Head Teaching Professional) and Dean Franks (Course Manager.) As they reflect on 2025, the journey the club, the course and its members have been on.
Listen how the greenkeeping team, managed to cap a fantastic year off by welcoming 90+ greenkeepers in a record breaking BIGGA event.
Unfortunately the weather didn’t play ball, however the event went ahead, and greenkeepers couldn’t compliment the club, the set up and the course enough.
Wishing all the West Hove Golf Club members a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
2026 is going to be one hell of a year!!!
6 Nov 2025
Winter Greens & Member Rules: Protecting West Hove's Turf
Dean, head greenkeeper at West Hove Golf Club, and Ryan discuss the course’s strong condition following a challenging summer, upcoming winter measures like temporary greens, and new traffic-management ropes and posts to protect turf.The episode requests members’ cooperation with winter rules and 90-degree trolley use to maintain greens through wetter months and prevent damage.
Ryan Fenwick interviews Dean, Head Greenkeeper at West Hove Golf Club, about a recent maintenance program that included scarifying, overseeding tees and approaches, contractor-led scarifying of greens, deep verti-drain spiking, and extensive topdressing with kiln-dry sand.
They discuss challenges from heavy rain, progress made so far, and the team’s next steps to finish filling holes, refurbish temporary greens, and improve playing surfaces as weather permits.
24 Jul 2025
Mastering the Course: Insights on Setting Up a Championship
Join us in this episode as we delve into the preparations for the upcoming West Hove Club Championship. Dean and Ryan, share their insights from a recent course walk, discussing strategies to set up the course for optimal play. They highlight the importance of tee and pin positions and how these can influence gameplay.
Listeners will gain a perspective on how different settings can challenge golfers, with the team aiming for a balance between easy and demanding pin positions. The episode also celebrates the remarkable work done to enhance the course conditions, ensuring the greens are in prime shape for the tournament.
And hear about young golf champion, Darcy, bringing her unique inputs directly to the fairways. Tune in for a blend of behind-the-scenes action and expert advice, all in preparation for a thrilling weekend of golf.
23 May 2025
Battling Leatherjackets and Reviving Fairways and Tees: Insights from West Hove Golf Club
In this episode of the West Hove Golf Club podcast, Head Professional Ryan Fenwick and Head Greenkeeper Dean discuss the current focus on the tees, fairways of the course. They explore the progress being made, such as the remarkable growth on the greens, and the challenges faced, including the persistent issue of leatherjackets affecting certain areas. Dean provides insights into the measures being taken to improve the playing surfaces, from chemical treatments to planned autumn renovations. Join the conversation to learn how the team is working tirelessly to overcome the obstacles of weather and pests, ensuring the course remains in top shape for members and players alike.
29 Apr 2025
Battling Disease: Golf Course Greens Maintenance
In this episode, Dean, the head greenkeeper, and Ryan, the head pro at West Hove Golf Club, discuss the challenges faced with the golf course greens, specifically focusing on the scarring caused by disease and the measures taken to combat it. Despite the difficulty faced in November due to disease, Dean explains the maintenance strategies employed, such as fungicide application and top dressing, to address thatch and moisture retention issues.Their conversation also covers the success of the recent maintenance efforts and the ongoing process of improving the greens before the summer, emphasizing the use of continuous top dressing and seeding to promote growth and resilience. Dean remains optimistic about the upcoming season, noting the lack of recent disease outbreaks and the team's dedication to diligent upkeep.
23 Jan 2025
A New Era at West Hove: Meet Rebecca Prout, Our Dynamic General Manager
Join us for a captivating episode as we sit down with Rebecca Prout, the new General Manager at West Hove Golf Club, and Dean Franks, our dedicated Course Manager. Discover Rebecca's fascinating journey from an amateur golfer to a professional player, and ultimately to her current role at the club.Rebecca shares her rich history in both golf and the hospitality industry, detailing her experiences on the Futures Tour and her transition to golf management. With her profound understanding of the sport and a strategic vision for the club, Rebecca alongside Dean aims to enhance the course's agronomy and overall playing experience.Listen in as we discuss the exciting prospects for West Hove, bringing in new strategies to elevate the golfing standards and improve members' experience. Learn more about Rebecca's vision and how she plans to foster a top-tier golf culture at West Hove.
5 Dec 2024
Battling the Green: Overcoming Golf Course Challenges in December
Join us in this episode as we dive into the ongoing challenges at West Hove Golf Club, where Dean provides an insightful update on the condition of the greens. As December brings persistent disease pressure, coupled with fluctuating temperatures, discover the measures being implemented to tackle fusarium and improve the golf course.
Listen in as we explore the three-pronged approach: strategic use of fungicides, hand seeding, and the innovative Air 2G2 machine, which fights compaction without disrupting surface play. Dean also addresses the importance of balancing financial considerations with effective disease management while ensuring golfers remain informed about ongoing efforts to enhance the course.
6 Nov 2024
Inside the Greens (Episode 1): A Conversation with Dean Franks, West Hove's New Course Manager and Head Teaching Pro Ryan Fenwick.
Welcome to the our first episode of the West Hove Golf Club Agronomy Podcast, where we dive into all things golf course management with our new Course Manager, Dean. In this episode, Dean shares his journey from starting as a groundsman to taking the helm at West Hove, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh ideas to the club.
Dean discusses the current challenges and ongoing projects at the club, including course maintenance strategies, managing disease pressure, and the ecological initiatives in place to enhance the course's natural beauty. He emphasizes the importance of communication and education for club members, ensuring everyone understands the rationale behind course management decisions.
The episode delves into Dean's plans for improving the greens, fairways, and bunkers, as well as his vision for creating a more links-style course experience. He also highlights the significance of member involvement in course upkeep, encouraging practices like proper pitch mark repair and bunker etiquette to maintain the course's quality.
Join us on this journey to a greener, more sustainable golf course, and get a glimpse of the exciting projects that lie ahead at West Hove Golf Club.
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