The greenkeeping team (l-r Coordinator, Matt Workman -A Course Manager, Charlie Beetge -A Adam Matthews -F Greenkeeper
Nigel Crewe (l) -O Ian Shaw -F
Old Course Greenkeeper First Assistant Geenkeeper
r) Will Harris -M
First Assistant Greenkeeper. Inset -M
11,000 cubic metre water storage lake ... with guests!
ancient hedgerow, Paul has been keen for his staff to embrace these skills and utilise them on the course. An expert in hedge laying was brought in to train the staff in this traditional skill, whilst the club have an expert ‘waller’ on the staff in greenkeeper Charlie Beetge. It is hoped to plan a series of instructional days or weekends for club members in both skills, and South West BIGGA members may also look forward to these skills being offered in the fullness of time.
The benefits of both skills are important as far as wildlife is concerned. A traditional laid hedge attracts all manner of animals, birds and insects whilst the dry stone walls offer sanctuary for permanent wall dwellers such as lizards and spiders. Nocturnal animals use the crannies in the walls as daytime resting places. Dry stone walls are especially valuable habitats for insects and spiders. The club has a green waste policy.
Tee on the Avening
Waste from the course (grass clippings, wood, waste sand etc.) is collected, together with cardboard from the clubhouse, and broken down using a shredder. Originally, the mixed material was
Water on the Avening 46
stacked on a porous base through which air was blown, by means of a fan, to aerate the composting material and reduce the amount of turning needed. This was not ideal as the outside of the pile quickly grew weeds and grass. Nowadays, the material is brought to a hard-standing, and
Assistant Greenkeeper, Paul Worster, Dave Rosselli -D Assistant Greenkeeper, Ed Parsloe -A
Matthew Leeson Magry -A
Machinery Manager, Matt Worster -E
Ecology
Apprentice Greenkeeper, Assistant
turned by tractor. The more nitrogen in the grass clippings, the more wood and other materials are required in the mix to break it down. Approximately 200 tonnes of material gets composted each year. The presence of cardboard and wood in the mix means much of the liquid from the decomposing grass clippings is absorbed, resulting in little or no problem with harmful leachate. Any leachate is absorbed by bales of barley straw placed around the perimeter of the area.
The compost has been used for tree planting and mulching on the course. In addition, it has been used for the rootzone mix in tee construction work at a ratio of 70% soil to 30% compost by volume. It has also been used on bare areas of turf around bunkers, where overseeding is needed, pure compost has been applied to enhance germination. The rootzone blend works well and grass germination is rapid and appears to perform better in drought conditions. Bunker edges also perform better. Nine pads are sited around each course where grass clippins are emptied. The original pads were made of wood but these are slowly being replaced with used driving range mats. The approximate time for turning compost is four hours per month. There is a need to have more than one pile under preparation as
Deputy
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