Working with nature
Mike Powell, Head Greenkeeper at the The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club, works with the elements to manage the turf in a natural way, befitting its picturesque setting
C
omplete peace and quiet, broken only by birdsong, awaits golfers at The Rolls of Monmouth, purpose built as a championship course in 1982. The idyllic 6733yd par 72 course sits in the grounds of a stunning manor house once owned by Charles Stewart Rolls, co- founder of Rolls Royce, and the outbuildings house the pro shop, offices and clubhouse, while the mansion itself hosts functions and events. The feeling of splendid isolation is completed by the vast acres of forestry that surround the course. The back nine holes were carved out of the estate’s farmland, whilst the front nine are surrounded by great swathes of open parkland. A dense, wooded hill, populated with deer, divides the two. “Greens are constructed from loam
and sand over a stone and drainage layer, in the older style rather than to a spec,” explains head greenkeeper, Mike Powell, “They were originally seeded with Pencross, but it has been hard to keep the levels up, although recently we have been overseeding more to get these creeping bents back.” With a natural feel to the course and the rich wildlife population part of the attraction for many members, Mike manages the turf accordingly. “There is minimal chemical use - we weed kill every two or three years, using a contractor other than on the tees and greens. Feeding is also light, mainly based on seaweed products and topdressing, adding nitrogen only when necessary. An autumn/winter feed can last all year round.” Water runs off the clay based soils up
to a point, and Mike comments that the greens stay in use year round, although he admits that winter traffic is low, and a larger membership would take a greater toll on the course. “We have a lot of societies playing the course and the winters tend to be a lot quieter,” he explains. The current greens committee has supported wider use of aeration, and Mike comments that this has helped reduce disease levels considerably, again cutting the chemicals needed. He uses one of the oldest tools in the club’s armoury, a 1991 Verti-Drain 105-145 model on a monthly basis, fitted with pencil tines to relieve compaction and get air and water down to the turf roots. “The Verti-Drain has been exceptional, totally reliable, even though it is quite ancient now,” he laughs. “We also sarrel
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