Golf


Not seeing anybody for weeks on end, with a perfect course around you could demotivate you, but we are always on top of things and never fall into the trap of letting things go, even temporarily


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to the late 1950s economy; “you’ve never had it so good”. As a professional greenkeeper this is certainly so for Pete, although there are a few drawbacks too. Pete has been involved with the course


from the outset, working on the construction team before becoming Deputy Head Greenkeeper when it was first played. He left to further his career as Head Greenkeeper at Bradfield College course in Berkshire a couple of years before the Birch Grove course was closed by the then owner. He came back at his personal request when he wanted to renovate it, and then left again, this time to manage Selsdon Park Golf Club in Croydon, before moving to manage the Cavendish Golf Club, near Buxton.


The Birch Grove course was, at this time,


just about ticking over. The owner this time had closed the back 9, using just the front 9 for play. He never really put any resources into its upkeep and Pete was used now and again as an outside advisor. He told him that, to be an effective golf course, he needed investment and full-time professional management. That was six years ago. Shortly after, he put the estate up for sale. A phone call out of the blue from the new - and current - owner when Pete was on the M1 asked him if he was interested in doing another renovation. How much would it cost to get it back to being a prime 18-hole course? What would it take? He went to Birch Grove the following day to discuss the


Pete Smith, Birch Grove Course Manager PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 I 13


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