When, at the end of September of every year, greenkeepers and representatives of the turf industry meet for an international golf tournament on a great course in Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland or Germany and when the presidents of those country’s greenkeepers associations meet the leading representatives of FEGGA and when the atmosphere at the golf tournament and the two evenings is particularly congenial and friendly means that Peter Harradine has, with the support of befriended sponsors, invited the participants to the traditional Don Harradine memorial trophy.

One of his father’s favourite mottos was that the courses designed and built by the architects were only as good as the training and formation of the greenkeepers that maintain them. Therefore, Don Harradine considered it to be one of his duties to constantly inform and educate greenkeepers to maintain or even enhance the quality of his golf courses. The participation at the tournament, of so many internationally recognized and experienced greenkeepers is surely a tribute and honour to his contribution to our profession.

More than a 100 greenkeepers and sponsor’s representatives teed-off at this 7th memorial trophy which was played on the 27/09/06 near Stuttgart at the Golf und Landclub Haghof. Despite the very heavy rains experienced during the days before the event and as was the case in all previous years the clouds opened up during the actual tournament in order to match the enthusiastic atmosphere created by the players. Some, even declared that they saw Don Harradine’s ghostly hand influencing the outcome of the weather, so as not to let his protégés stand in the rain.

The first and last flights left dead on schedule at 08:45 and 13:51 respectively. The players all received a local specialty called “Salzkuchen” which was specially baked and served by the local greenkeeping team.

The players who did not learn anything new about their game apart from being involved in a new experience, could at least broaden their historical and cultural knowledge with the participation of two Romans clothed in original dress and hardware. They recounted the days when they occupied Germany and the Northern section of their empire was demarcated by the “Limes”. One could actually play over the original “Limes” at the next tee as long as the correct swing and accuracy would permit such an exploit.

Hein Zopf, the President of the Austrian Greenkeeping Association invited everyone to the next trophy which will be played on the 17th - 19th of September 2007 in Kössen, next to Salzburg (Austria). The invitation closed the official part of the event!

Finally, as the organizer of this year’s trophy, I would like to thank Peter Harradine for the excellent cooperation and the generous support of all the sponsors and I am looking forward to meeting all the participants again at the next tournament in Austria.

Translated from the original German text written by: Hubert Kleiner