SHAW THING!
The project management team was headed by Ian Martin and his associate, Bob Hornegold who, along with agronomic adviser to the R&A, David Stansfield of PSD Agronomy, formed an experienced team.
Construction started on the 14th
March and was completed in just over six months, with the last seed sown on the 19th September 1994.
When it opened in April 1995, Ramside Hall was the largest golf development in the North-East of England. The course was designed, with big undulating greens and numerous strategically placed lakes set in historic parkland surrounding a 100-bed hotel. The architectural brief was for “a course of quality to please golfers of all abilities”. That’s the essence of good architecture, but here Jonathan Gaunt had created a gem, with a card of 6,809 yards, 6,100 yards of the yellow and 5,530 yards for the ladies, all par-72. The course has many highlights, among them a collection of outstanding par-3s, two dominated by water, and one
a double dog-leg with a stream in the green approach. This all enhances a site of exceptional beauty, a mixture of mature woodland, ancient parkland and rolling countryside.
In addition to the 18-hole golf course
the grounds feature a 9-hole golf course of 3000 yards and a driving range. These facilities will shortly be extended to a 36- hole golf course. Roger has a staff of ten to help maintain the course and hotel grounds. Head Greenkeeper is Harry Lees and his deputy is Craig Hardy. The greenkeeping staff are Lee Mason, Anthony Baker, Andrew Shaw, Mal Atwill and Mick Dobson. Nick Scott is the club’s mechanic and Bob Stewart is Head Gardener. Harry and Craig have been with Roger since the early days of construction in 1994 and helped with the growing in of the course. They have a wealth of experience and know the course inside out. They are a “well-balanced and dedicated team” who have learned many new skills under his leadership.
All service and repairs are carried out in house. All machines are fully serviced during the winter months with the aim of keeping downtime to a minimum during the height of the playing season. Nick, with assistance from Craig, does a sterling job keeping the equipment in first class condition, some of it has been in use since 1994, still looking good and giving good service. Mowers are set up on a daily basis, with the cylinders checked for sharpness and set to the correct height of cut. A new grinder from Bernhard & Co. was purchased in 2006 to speed up the whole process. It has proved a very worthwhile investment.
Another invaluable piece of kit is the
Rotary turf lift which, in Roger’s words “is a great tool and helps with easy access to all areas of the machine and at any height. We have found it a great help in the workshop”. Presentation of the course is paramount and keeping the machinery in tip top condition certainly helps to achieve this aim.
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