The photo is that of the greenkeepers who looked after Le Golf National in Paris which hosted the Ryder Cup recently.
There will be a wry smile from many a greenkeeper who struggle to maintain their courses with inadequate budgets and teams that you can count on one hand.
Unfortunately, and may I say foolishly, the course maintenance budget is the first to suffer when a golf club is not making as much money as was thought.
There's a lot of hard work, and very early morning starts, for those looking after golf courses and many of them you don't see -- as their work starts at daybreak before first tee-times. The early starts are obviously needed. Imagine how difficult it would be to spray, cut greens, fairways and rough and rake bunkers etc, if there was a constant stream of players.
Allow me to ask the question of what's more important to you -- the clubhouse facilities or the golf course you play for several hours. If you were head of marketing and about to embark on an advertising campaign for your club, what would be your most important selling point -- the golf course or clubhouse which would perhaps include restaurant, gym, locker rooms and spa/swimming pool etc?
Of course, in an ideal world the combination of all would be the perfect scenario. However, the condition of the golf course would have to be placed at the top of priorities for any golf course owner and management. The quality of your golf course should be cherished and valued. And accordingly, those caring for it should also be valued and their pay should mirror the importance and responsibility of their jobs.
To build and maintain a golf course requires a very large investment and your course will be your showpiece and main draw card. You will not get many green-fee players through your facility if the course is badly maintained and in terrible condition.
It is no secret that golf courses who appear, and are placed highly, on local or international rating lists are doing good business but beware those who become complacent, because with today's social media outreach a disgruntled player feels misled by the hype of any given course, his or her grievances will be instantly posted.
There is also only a small window of opportunity for clubs to capitalise on a high rating.
Should the club fail to maintain its position, or slip down a list on its next rating, it will considerably affect its cash flow. The hardest for any course is to maintain, over years, a very high standing.
Out of Bounds: What's behind any good round from a top player on the Asian, European or PGA Tour is most likely a wife or girlfriend.