Golf
Club in Southampton before here, and Iford Golf Centre in Poole prior to that. My first position in greenkeeping was as at Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club, where I spent twelve years, starting as trainee assistant greenkeeper and leaving as course manager.” “My first job in the industry, when I was
sixteen, was at a golf driving range doing odd jobs, and it was here that I developed a liking for golf. I also spent two years working for Wiltshire Direct Services as a groundsman and, latterly, as a twenty-one year old chargehand with them.” Mike has three staff to support him. Dave Baugh is the first assistant, who has been with club for seven months, and the team is completed by assistant greenkeepers Dan Yeo (thirteen years service) and Sam Day (approaching nine years). “As there are only four of us, it is essential
that all of us can do everything; the only exception is spraying and chainsaw use as only two of us are qualified. I’m lucky to have an outstanding team and their standard of work is excellent. I think it is clear that we all love what we do and the quality of our work reflects that. We vary the jobs constantly, and try not to do the same thing twice in a row. The only exception to this is bunker raking, as we go out as a four to do them three times a week, I’ve tried calling this a team building exercise, but they’re having none of it!” “Being a small course, presentation is very
important, as everything is always on show,” notes Mike. Leaving aside all things ‘phallic’ for the
moment, Mike is keen to talk about the tree management plan that he has put into place. “The course has some very old and large
trees, and these really come into play. All the trees are subject to Tree Preservation Orders, and they are a very emotive subject with most of the membership. Some of the tree lines are also important with regards to health and safety, such as the one alongside the 14th hole, which protects the main road and members of the public from miss-hit golf balls.”
The Highcliffe Castle team l-r: Dan Yeo, Sam Day, Dave Baugh and Mike Cartwright “So, when I first came here, we arranged
for a visit by an expert from the Forestry Commission. His visit opened our eyes to the fact that some of the trees were coming to the end of their lives, and that we should be considering felling some and replanting.” “The club then decided to employ the
services of an arboriculturalist to assess all the trees. His very detailed report has a felling list and a replanting schedule.” “During the storms at the beginning of 2014, we lost twelve large trees that really impacted on several of the holes,” continues Mike. “The planting list is quite extensive, with
seventy-eight semi-mature trees to be purchased. The membership are doing a ‘sponsor a tree’ scheme, which has gone very well, and we are hoping to purchase and plant all the trees this coming autumn.” “The brief for the replanting was that it should be mostly deciduous trees that should add to the appearance of the course, whilst still maintaining the playing
characteristics of individual holes. Over the past one hundred years, there has been an abundance of conifers and pines planted, and the club are keen to get away from this by introducing more aesthetically pleasing varieties.”
The club celebrated its centenary in 2013
and Mike is keen to point out that they have a very loyal membership, with family links that can be traced back to the original members. “I meet with the secretary daily, and we liaise about what competitions or societies are upcoming and what available dates we have for course works. If we are doing anything that will disrupt play, then I post notices around the clubhouse. I have a monthly greens committee meeting and we discuss all matters about the course. It is here that I answer all members’ questions and, if requested, I will produce a course newsletter. I’m always out on the course, and I get on well with most members, so I’m happy to discuss anything with them as we
All trees are subject to tree preservation orders
26 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
The site plan of actionable trees and location of new plantings prepared by Complete Arb Services Ltd
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