TLY SOFTLEY...
cut the grass,” she remembers. In 1993 Michael, a young Head Greenkeeper from Ganton, was appointed and led the team for two years until his marriage, after which he left to join his father-in- law’s business. Michael was followed by Mark Jones. “Sadly, Mark became very ill from
cancer,” Marian explains “and, when he died in 1998, Geoff decided not to replace him but take on the role himself.” Gradually, over the years Marian, who has been with the course since its inception and has now gained over fifteen years experience, became the link between Geoff and his staff. “If there were any problems with machinery, for example, I’d tell him and he’d deal with it,” she says. “Since he’s become older, I’ve taken on more and more responsibility.”
Driving into a head wind for a tour of the course, I suspect that Marian is far
more skilled than she admits. “We do the usual things,” she says airily when asked about the maintenance programme. “We follow a minimal fertiliser policy and lightly feed the greens about three times a year, once at the end of April, another in July and a third in the autumn. During the growing season, we verticut them every fortnight and topdress monthly. We don’t put anything on the fairways, but hire a contractor to spray them and the semi rough once a year with selective herbicide. We aim to keep the use of herbicides and pesticides to an absolute minimum.” Once part of the Forest of Galtres, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book, the club is blessed with ancient oaks, which could be anything up to 150 years old. These have been augmented by indigenous plantings of new trees. “We’ve literally planted thousands and thousands of trees,” Marian continues,
“mainly oak, ash, silver birch and crab apple. In a few years time the young plantations will produce wonderful canopies.”
Meanwhile, the three lakes (two of which provide irrigation) are lined with bulrushes, soon to be followed by yellow flag irises, the gorse is in flower; and the driving range ball washer is out of action until the robins, who have made it their nest, no longer need it! Marian talks of the hares, deer and geese that are constantly sighted and the view. “I love it,” she says, “you wouldn’t know that we’re so close to the A19. Every day here fills me with pleasure. Yesterday, we had black storm clouds behind the brilliant greens of the trees. It was spectacular.” At 6,167 yards off the yellow tees the course is not long, but has more than enough natural hazards, bunkers and water to make it a challenge for golfers of all abilities. All but two of the USGA
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