AKH Golf – Scottish Golf Photography
Behind the Scenes with the Greenkeepers at Spey Bay Golf Club
SPEY BAY · BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO · GREENKEEPING
An Early Morning with the Spey Bay Greenkeeping Team
Spey Bay Golf Club occupies a remarkable position beside the Moray Firth, but presenting and maintaining a golf course in this exposed coastal setting requires considerable work behind the scenes.
Long before the first golfers arrive, the greenkeeping team is already out on the course. Greens and tees must be cut, holes changed, surfaces watered and countless other jobs completed to prepare the course for the day ahead.
As a member of Spey Bay and someone who regularly photographs the course in the early morning light, I often share those quiet opening hours with the greenkeepers. While I am working to capture the landscape and atmosphere, they are carrying out the work that allows the course to be enjoyed by members and visitors.
Watch: Behind the Scenes at Spey Bay Golf Club
This video follows the greenkeeping team during an early morning at Spey Bay, offering a closer look at some of the work completed before many golfers have reached the first tee.
It combines footage of the team working across the course with the distinctive coastal landscape that makes Spey Bay such an interesting place to play and photograph.
The Work Begins Before the Golf
For most golfers, the day begins when they arrive at the clubhouse or prepare to play their opening tee shot. For the greenkeeping team, however, the working day is already well under way.
Preparing the course involves far more than simply cutting the grass. The team must respond to changing weather, growing conditions, available resources and the requirements of the course each day.
At Spey Bay, that work is completed by a relatively small team. Every person, task and available minute therefore matters. From cutting greens and tees to changing holes, watering surfaces and completing general maintenance, there is always another job requiring attention.
Many of these tasks take place quietly and largely out of sight, but together they shape the experience every golfer has when playing the course.
Greenkeeping in a Coastal Setting
Spey Bay’s position alongside the Moray Firth gives the course much of its character. The coastline, changing light and expansive views contribute to a memorable round, but the exposed environment also presents challenges for those responsible for maintaining it.
Conditions can change quickly beside the coast. Wind, rain, dry periods and seasonal growth all influence how the course must be managed and prepared.
The video provides a glimpse of this working environment while showing the care and local knowledge involved in presenting the course throughout the season.
Photographing the Work Behind the Course
Golf course photography often concentrates on pristine greens, dramatic landscapes and golfers enjoying their rounds. Those finished images also reflect the work completed by the people responsible for looking after the course.
Documenting greenkeeping provides clubs with an opportunity to tell a more complete story. It introduces the people behind the course, helps golfers understand what is involved in its preparation and creates useful content for websites, social media and member communications.
For me, filming this feature was also an opportunity to capture a familiar part of life at Spey Bay. Early mornings on the course regularly bring together photography and greenkeeping: different work taking place in the same landscape before the golf day begins.
Recognising the Greenkeeping Team
The condition and presentation of any golf course depend on work that golfers will not always see. Early starts, changing weather and constant maintenance form part of the routine throughout the year.
This film offers a brief look at that work at Spey Bay and recognises the contribution made by the team responsible for preparing and maintaining the course.
READ: THANKING THE GREENKEEPERS BEHIND SCOTLAND’S GOLF COURSES →
Tell the Story Behind Your Golf Course
Behind-the-scenes photography and video can help golf clubs show the people, work and character that make their course distinctive.
AKH Golf creates photography and video content for golf clubs across Scotland, covering course preparation, greenkeeping, clubhouse life, events and the wider visitor experience.
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