Golf
“Spring water has been cleverly capped to move natural water back to the man-made irrigation reservoir and streams to ensure free flowing water most of the year”
the breathtaking house.
Once in Phil’s office, I began by asking him what influenced him to come into the turfgrass industry?
restoration projects are carried out, meeting the time frame of the planners. He has until 2020 to achieve the targets for planting new trees, restoring buildings and refurbishing the historic croquet lawns and bowling green. Phil has been on site since the early development and construction of the course back in 2008. Tom Mackenzie had originally asked Phil if he would help manage the course, and so was on hand throughout the grow in period. Three years later, he is still overseeing the day to day running of the course.
It was a call to Pitchcare that prompted my visit, and I soon found myself entering the main drive of the estate, a 1.5 mile long meandering drive up to
“Golf has always been in my blood, with my father being a PGA golf pro. My childhood was spent in his golf shop or out on the golf course during lunchtimes and after school, so I was never far away,” recalls Phil. “Once I left school, I had the usual dream of becoming a golf pro but, unfortunately, lacked the gift needed to be successful in that line of work. Instead, I concentrated my efforts on the maintenance side of the sport, and gained a three year full time place at Myerscough College, completing the course with high qualifications. Whilst there, I was fortunate enough to be chosen to work in Florida for my one year work experience. John’s Island Club’s West Course at Vero Beach was under construction at the time, and it was this experience which influenced my passion for construction and growing in courses, which I have since used on numerous occasions in my career.” “My qualifications include a National Diploma in Sports Turf and I became a Master Greenkeeper in 2001. I am also an A1 Qualified Assessor.”
“I have worked my way up through the ranks since leaving full time college. I
started out at Camberley Heath Golf Club in Surrey, before becoming deputy head greenkeeper at Collingtree Park and then head greenkeeper at Overstone Park in Northampton. I went on to become grow-in course manager at Minthis Hills Golf Resort in Cyprus and, now, here I am at Heythrop. The course is currently ranked 123rd in England, so there is still some work to do!” suggests Phil, although he is delighted with the progress made in such a short timescale. “The soil type is Cotswold limestone. Drainage is excellent due to the stone content within the profile. A full Rainbird irrigation system has been installed to greens, tees, aprons, bunkers and fairways.”
“Greens and tees have been built to a typical USGA specification, with a 300mm 80/20 sand peat rootzone on both. An extensive drainage system to all areas, including secondary sand banding to fairways, to facilitate faster surface drainage, was installed by White Horse Contractors. Spring water has been cleverly capped to move natural water back to the man-made irrigation reservoir and streams to ensure free flowing water most of the year.” Phil has a staff of ten, with Senior Greenkeeper, Mark Davies, overseeing work out on the course, assisted by JUNE/JULY 2012 PC 17
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