“Greenkeepers are not just grass cutters, they are so much more”
Paul Worster, Courses Manager, Minchinhampton Golf Club
Paul Worster is Courses Manager at Minchinhampton Golf Club, a three course facility in the Cotswolds. He is also Vice Chairman of BIGGA and passionate about his profession.
Report by Laurence Gale MSc
A COMMON TOUCH ...
P
aul Worster began his greenkeeping career in 1974 at Cirencester Golf Club before moving to nearby Lilleybrook Golf Club in Cheltenham, and then on to Minchinhampton in 1992. Minchinhampton Golf Club Ltd. manage three 18-hole courses, The Old Course built in 1889, The Avening course, designed by Fred Hawtree and completed in 1975, and the Cherrington course, designed by Martin Hawtree, Fred’s son, in 1995. The Old Course is run by a separate sub committee, and membership to old and new is available separately or jointly. Current total membership is 1800. Paul has a staff of eleven to cover all the work required on the three courses. Two staff members are permanently employed at the Old Course with the remaining staff working on the newer
42 Minchinhampton courses. His eldest son, Matt, is on the staff
as greenkeeper/ecology coordinator, whilst his youngest son, Rob, is currently studying his Foundation degree in sportsturf management at Cannington; greenkeeping must be in the blood!
The Old Course
The Old Course was one of the earliest club’s to be formed in the West of England. It is set on Minchinhampton Common, an area of outstanding natural beauty close to the picturesque village of Amberley and the small market town of Minchinhampton, and three miles from Stroud.
Its natural contours and the absence of bunkers give it a special character which is seldom seen elsewhere. The initial impression may be that the course is wide-open but, after a few holes, it is evident that the “St
Andrews” factor applies and that positional play is very important. The numerous humps and hollows around the greens test the golfer’s ability to play a variety of shots, often in difficult conditions. The course is a designated SSSI and is governed by both the National Trust and Natural England who restrict the use of chemicals and mowing practices on the site.
Due to common rights the public are allowed access at all times and are free to roam wherever they want. During the summer months the common is particularly popular with ramblers and picnickers, therefore, no play is allowed on Sundays after 11.00am.
Golfers also face other interesting challenges. From May
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