Golf
from start to finish, repair work may be required at any time on the pipes, although the engineers strive to avoid peak playing periods and other important occasions on the golf course. “Before the most recent work, in October 2012, we had not seen the maintenance engineers for around two years,” pointed out course manager, Kevin Rawlins. “The refinery’s staff and contractors keep us extremely well informed at all times, whilst ensuring also that noise and disruption are kept to an absolute minimum when repairs are proceeding.” “The engineers appreciate that they
are working on a golf course and understand the importance of fostering and maintaining good relations. I would call the arrangement a great example of mutual cooperation and understanding
which works well for both parties.” Whilst the on-course work is being
carried out, members and visitors are still able to play a full round of golf, thanks to the foresight of the club which retained two surplus holes as spares when the parkland-style course was extended from nine to 18-holes in 1980. Marked by a series of small discrete posts, the pipes, buried 2m beneath the course, actually date from the early 1970s when Amoco, the then owners of the refinery, reached agreement with the club to install them between its jetty and oil storage tanks. To service the jetty, Amoco purchased,
from the club, a strip of ground on the landward side of the 17th fairway on which a roadway was built. The club received around £12,000 for the land plus an annual rent.
“We do gain some other important benefits,” commented Kevin. “Whenever excavation machinery and staff are working on the course, they are made available to help us out with landscaping or construction projects that would otherwise involve the costly hire of specialist equipment.” Last October, for example, Kevin
arranged for the overgrown sides of a steep ravine to be smoothed and shaped by a long-reach excavator prior to having an attractive, yet sturdy post and rail fence, installed between the ravine and an adjacent pathway. A backhoe loader, dump truck and driver were seconded also to help level an area of ground to the side of the clubhouse which had been earmarked for paving. “Although not happening all that
“I liaise closely with the club’s secretary and greens’ chairman, both of whom understand that low labour resources demand appropriate mechanisation if the course is to be kept looking and playing to a consistently high standard”
Kevin Rawlins, Course Manager, Milford Haven Golf Club
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