Nokia River Golf is one of the most popular golf courses in Finland and more than 70 thousand rounds are played there every year. Teemu Lehtimäki has been the greenskeeper since 1998 and works actively to maintain and improve the condition of the green.
Responsibility is a significant part of Nokia River Golf’s strategy, and it can be seen also in the management of the course. Because of this, environmentally friendly Eco-Melter S granules were chosen for de-icing. Due to their biodegradability, de-icing granules do not accumulate in the nature or water bodies and are therefore completely safe to use in groundwater areas as well.
Eco-Melter S granules have been used on dozens of golf courses in Finland for several winters. The product is popular due to its biodegradability, efficiency and because it is easy to use and handle. Eco-Melter S has a high concentration of active ingredients which means it has a long-lasting effect on the ice and thus eases the winter maintenance of the greens. After the Eco-Melter S treatment, the green is in a better condition in the spring which saves resources, such as work and equipment time. Most importantly the greens are strong, green, and ready for the first players of the season.
Golf courses struggle with changing winter conditions
Changing weather conditions and a layer of ice forming on the green are a yearly problem on many golf courses. Because of this, it is important to find suitable methods and de-icing products and to prepare in advance for rapidly changing weather conditions. According to greenskeeper Lehtimäki, Eco-Melter S granules are a good and important addition to the winter maintenance of golf courses as they are a much gentler way of removing ice than mechanical de-icing.
Effective ice removal methods are critical for golf courses as ice causes significant damage to the greens. The green suffocates under the ice when oxygen cannot get in and harmful gases cannot get out. When the green is suffocated, it turns brown and requires additional sowing in the spring which leads to additional costs. It is important for golf courses that the greens last through the winter and are in good condition when the golf season starts in the spring. The poor condition of the greens may cause significant delays in the opening of the season, which can lead to considerable financial losses.
Traditionally suffocation of greens have been prevented by mechanically perforating the ice. However mechanical perforation of the ice can damage the green which can be seen in the summer as holes on the green. There have also been attempts to protect the greens from ice with other ways such as by spreading plastic films on the greens. However, spreading plastic on the greens takes a lot of work time and is not an ecological option.
Excellent user experience at Nokia River Golf
Co-operation started when Nokia River Golf wanted to test a new solution for removing the ice layer that forms on the green. The solution offered by Kemion was suitable due to its biodegradability and efficiency together the fact that it does not contain traditional chloride salts. For Nokia River Golf it is important that the product is quickly biodegradable in the soil and does not have a long-term impact on the nature.
Eco-Melter S granules were used for the first time during winter 2022 at Nokia River Golf and user experience has been excellent. Golf course was particularly satisfied with the granule size as the optimally sized granule penetrates an ice layer up to 5 cm thick. The larger granule size also increases the long-lasting effect of the product because the holes drilled in the ice by the granule do not freeze and the grain also acts under the ice. The Eco-Melter granules make the ice fragile which makes removing the ice mechanically easy and gentle.
Greenskeeper Lehtimäki estimates that a 400 m2 area takes about one 25 kg bag. We recommend 70–100 grams per m2 depending on the thickness of the ice. The product can be applied by hand or by using existing equipment such as sand spreader. Eco-Melter S is popular choice especially because it is easy to spread and store. Packaging sizes are available from 25 kg bags to 1000 kg big bags.