Golf
Greens are hand mown in the winter
View of the course from the clubhouse balcony
In the summer, ye old oak is home to a family of kestrels
prevents any deeper penetration, so it is a case of varying the aeration techniques.” Simon will aerate with mini solid tines and topdress every four to six weeks. “A reduction in thatch has been achieved by scarifying/hollow coring, regular topdressing and reducing the amount of nitrogen being applied. Our annual input of nitrogen is now down to between 45-70kg per hectare, and is based on providing an adequate amount for a healthy grass plant without encouraging excess growth. Over the last eighteen months we have also started using compost teas within our feeding programme.” Tees are cut two or three times a week, depending on growth, at a height of 12mm all year round. Fairways are cut twice a week at 17mm, semi-rough twice at 32mm and rough once a week at 51mm. “Another of our projects has been to clean out some of the rough grass areas, with the aim of sowing native wildflower seed mixtures to provide more colour and biodiversity around the course.” Simon reports to Operations Director, Bryan Davies, meeting with him on a daily basis. “Since we both joined The Chase, five years ago, there has been a dramatic improvement in communication between all parties to ensure that the club members (c800) are aware of the work that is going on and the benefits it brings to the course.” “I’m keen to protect and encourage wildlife out on the course; for example, the members enjoy seeing a pair of kestrels that have, for a number of years, been nesting in a large, mature oak tree. The rough grass project has encouraged more rodents and invertebrates to the
Meet the staff
Simon White: Course Manager
Simon has been in the industry for fourteen years and has a
wealth of experience at all levels
of greenkeeping. He studied at Reaseheath College in Nantwich where he obtained an HND in Golf Course Management, an NVQ in Horticulture, PA1, 2 & 6 spraying certificates and numerous industry qualifications.
He began his career at The Forest of Arden Golf & Country Club, where he was fortunate to work on two European Tour events, before moving on to Abbotsley Golf Hotel and
28 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013
Cotgrave Place Golf Club before joining The Chase in 2007.
Since starting at The Chase, Simon has become involved with the Gingerbread Men, a group of greenkeepers in the Midlands and North West, who all believe in promoting fine grass playing surfaces through traditional course maintenance and reducing inputs of fertiliser and chemical. This approach also fits in with Simon’s belief in encouraging wildlife and wildflowers out on the golf course.
When not at work, Simon’s real passion is football, where he regularly travels the length and breadth of the country, and the world, following both Peterborough United and England. He is also a keen golfer and plays off a 12 handicap.
Neville ‘Nev’ Rowley: Deputy Course Manager
Nev started at The Chase in 1999 and, after
studying for an NVQ2 in Amenity
Horticulture at Rodbaston College, has progressed
from an assistant
greenkeeper to his current position of Deputy Course Manager, a position he has held for the last nine years.
Since the retirement of the club’s mechanic in 2011, he has taken on the
responsibilities of machinery maintenance. Outside of work, Nev enjoys spending his time in the gym, fishing and watching Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Roland ‘Ronnie’ Richardson: Head Gardener
Ronnie has worked at The Chase since it
opened in 1991 and was actually involved in the
construction work when Terry Edwards bought the land in 1988. He progressed up to the position of Deputy Head Greenkeeper, which he held for three years, before retiring from full time work in 2004 and taking up his current part-time role of Head Gardener.
A dedicated family man, Ronnie has been married to Olwyn for fifty years and has six children, eleven
course which, in turn, is attracting other birds and mammals.” “We are about to start putting up nesting boxes and will be placing a camera in one of them so that the members will be able to keep an eye on all the activity.” “There is still a lot to achieve in terms of course improvements,” continued Simon. “Localised drainage, bunker work, extending and modifying tees, plus the ongoing tree work, are all on my ‘to do’ list.”
It is fair to say that, in the current economic climate, The Chase seems to be getting the balance right in terms of investment both on and off the course. The new owners, Chris and Lesley Simmons, have created a superb indoor health spa boasting a state of the art gym, functional training area, two spacious studios, sauna, café bar, aroma crystal steam room, ice therapy, personal training, tranquillity room and physiotherapy suit. In addition, offices have been converted to provide a hairdressing salon, all of which complement the needs of an ever increasing membership. Simon and his staff consider themselves fortunate to be working on a course that has great potential, and one whose reputation is growing. The Chase is a model some other courses could perhaps follow to secure their future. The car park was full and everybody was walking around with a smile on their face, thoroughly enjoying their day’s relaxation, whether that was the challenge of the golf course, or simply being pampered!
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