taken on nearly all the new development works, at significant cost savings to the club. Project costs are 50% of the cost of using contractors and staff naturally take more pride in their work.


The winter periods 2003 to 2005 were spent reconstructing and redirecting all the watercourses and streams on the course, as well cleaning out ponds and water features. This work involved major reconstruction of banks using railway sleepers, building new brick bridges and landscaping. Materials costs were just £12,000, and the work was well received by the members. This winter the course has seen further improvements. Several tees are being re- constructed, enlarged and realigned. The club has a policy of playing from natural grass tees all year round and the work was considered necessary to ensure that this policy is maintainable. The old turf on the tees has been removed, the tees extended and reshaped using the existing top soil and sub soils, and topped off with 100mm of sharp sand to set levels for the new turf brought in from a local supplier. The club also has a similar policy of not using temporary greens, the main greens are played on at all times.


All the staff get involved and play an important part, combining all their skills and experiences to ensure the projects are completed successfully and on time. In addition, this year the club has invested in some major path reconstructions around the


clubhouse at a cost of £36,000. The staff have been involved in landscaping the adjoining areas, creating colourful displays around the practice green and main walk ways around the clubhouse. Without a doubt, it has been a successful strategy of the club to invest in the resourcefulness and capabilities of its own greenkeeping team. The members are reaping the benefit with the ever-improving quality of the course, furthermore it has increased membership and generated a healthy playing income during the winter months. With Mick and his committed team of staff, the course is in good hands. They have been well supported by the Greens Committee which, each year, commits well over £350,000 to running and developing the course.


Between £20,000-25,000 is set aside for annual projects (materials) which includes £3,000 on new trees, £50,000 is allocated for new machinery, with the remainder on salaries and wages.


As for the future, there is plenty left to do. Mick is looking at refurbishing the front of the clubhouse, enhancing the pond and formal gardens. There will also be the need to upgrade the irrigation system and then there is the ongoing job of tree planting to improve the topography of the course.


It’s a never ending labour of love for Mick and his committed staff.


The next project involves refurbishing the front of the clubhouse and formal gardens


Project costs are 50% of the cost of using a contractor and staff naturally take more pride in their work


Staging set- up for the


Green Day concert


The club have invested in their own drainage equipment


Tools of the trade THE PRISM GAUGE


What is it? - A tool that allows you to accurately measure sward height, particularly important on fine turf surfaces such as golf and bowling greens where height of cut is critical to both surface playability and plant health.


It is a robust heavy weight device that is placed on the turf and, via the prism, reflects information to the reader. The height of the sward can be easily read against the backdrop measurement ruler. Getting into the habit of using this


How to use? - Just place it down on the grass-playing surface, ensuring it lies on level ground. Simply look through the prism and read off the height of grass against the ruled scale. The scale measures grass height from 0-40mm. Take several readings on different areas of the green or pitch to obtain a mean height of cut. Care should be taken when using


device will not only ensure the height of cut is correct it also allows you to look closely at the general condition of your sward.


this device; it is well made, usually of steel and glass, and quite heavy, dropping it onto a hard surface is likely to damage the Prism. Available from the Pitchcare shop at www.pitchcare.com/shop > tools > miscellaneous.


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