What’s in the shed?


Saxon LM56GF Greens Mowers x 3 Toro GM1000 Greens Mower Toro GM3200-D Greens Master Groomer units for GM3200-D x 3 Toro Reelmaster 2000D Toro Reelmaster 3100D Toro Reelmaster 5610 Fairway Mower Toro Procore 660 Aerator Ransomes Marquis 61cm Mower Ransomes Matador 24” Mower Flymo XL500 Petrol Hover Mower x 2 Ferris H2220BR Ride-on mower Ferris Out-front Mower Cushman Turf Truckster Kubota RTV Utility Vehicle Cooper Peglar Knapsack Sprayer Hardi Knapsack Sprayer Greentek Sarrel Roller SISIS HD Spiker SISIS Varibrush SISIS Veemo MkII SISIS Scarifier MkIV Huxley HU84 Slitter Ford Tractor Iseki TK546 Tractors x 2 John Deere Hydraulic Gang Mowers Kawasaki Backpack Blower Kawasaki KRB 400B Hand Blower Billy Goat Blower Billy Goat Truck Loader Progressive PF-120 Pro-flex Rotary Mower Cushman TD 1500 Topdresser Tornado TM360 Blower Tornado Pressure Washer Turfco 1530TM Widespin Sreader Ryan Tuf Cutter Ryetec 600l Sprayer Wessex 3 tonne Trailer Wessex Leaf Sweeper McConnell PA41 Mounted Flail Robin Dagger Royer Power Screen and Shredder Logic STT 400 Trailer Graham Edwards FB3512T Trailer Stihl - various chainsaws, strimmers, pruners and pole pruners Plus various drills, compressors, angle grinders, generators etc.


Until recently, the only way to get large machines onto the island was via a ford


“We used to say that, by mid April, our greens would be set up, but now we can get well into May before they’re ready and, during the 2010 season, it was June before we had any grass to cut”


the course and the weather. If it’s been a wet winter, and the weather’s right in April, we might verti-drain. You do what you have to do.”


In Duncan’s opinion, climate change has put paid to many an established maintenance routine. “Are there any such things as seasons now?” he asks. “We used to say that, by mid April, our greens would be set up, but now we can get well into May before they’re ready and, during the 2010 season, it was June before we had any grass to cut.” One thing that this Head Greenkeeper insists upon is that, once the grass is there, the greens are hand cut. “We used a triple mower after hollow tining but that’s very rare,” he says. “Our greens are cut by hand all year round, and they’re cut at 5mm in summer and 6mm


TWENTYQuestions


Duncan Campbell - honest, straightforward and direct - could he be from Yorkshire?


Who are you? Duncan Campbell, Head Greenkeeper at Ilkley Golf Club.


Family status? Married with two lads, 18 and 16 years.


Who’s your hero and why? I don’t have one.


What is your dream holiday? The Bahamas - all those white sandy beaches and sun.


What annoys you the most? Golfers who complain when they don’t know what you’re trying to do, and golfers who think they know better than you do.


What would you change about yourself? I’m happy with what I’ve got.


Who wouldn’t you like to be? The Prime Minister.


Favourite record, and why? I don’t have one.


Who would you choose to spend a


romantic evening with? My wife Michelle - I don’t see much of her.


If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? I’d pay off the mortgage.


If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? A drum. Some say they can hear me before they see me!


What’s the best advice you have ever been given? Always live within your means.


What do you do in your spare time? I farm and follow the rugby.


What's your favourite smell? My wife’s cooking.


What’s the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? When told I was a greenkeeper - “I presume you cut grass?”


What’s your favourite bit of kit? My hand mower.


What three words would you use to describe yourself? Honest, straightforward, direct.


What talent would you like to have? I’d like to be able to play a musical instrument.


What makes you angry? Not a lot - I get cross, but not angry.


What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? None - there are enough laws already. I don’t see the need for any more.


in winter. The British climate was not designed to have grass cut down to 2 or 3mm. Here at Ilkley we’re after a true running ball rather than speed. We’re not into stimpmeter readings of 12. What we’re after is 8.5 to 9, a nice even pace for the average golfer.” Having said that, one of the reasons why he likes his greens hand cut is to give his members the same treatment as the professionals. “When you watch any tournament on television, The Open, Ryder Cup, PGA events for example, all the greens are hand cut. Why not give our members the same experience?” he asks. “You’re also rolling the greens at the same time.” But, perhaps the most important argument for hand cutting, is


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