CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY


We’ve introduced the measures necessary to safeguard staff,


”


volunteers and the public as far as we can. Toilets


are sanitised daily and we caution visitors to keep themselves safe


Covid-19 has touched lives at Warley


Woods, as it has everywhere. “Golf club president and trustee John McBride died of the disease on the day Boris sent us into lockdown. Another trustee caught the virus in the run-up to lockdown, but is fine now.” Throughout the park, vigilance is vital.


“We’ve introduced the measures necessary to safeguard staff, volunteers and the public as far as we can. Toilets are sanitised daily and we caution visitors to keep themselves safe. Everything is clean when we leave at the end of the day, ready for tomorrow.” Bemused by the Trust’s need to keep the children’s play area closed under the Government’s lockdown, Viv is delighted it’s accessible once more. “This is a low risk area for kids and I couldn’t understand the ruling,” she states.


Move in a million


When Alan Merricks joined the Warley Woods team in 2015, he knew he had his work cut out on the golf course. After stints at The Chase and then North


Worcestershire, both private, he sensed his time had come to manage. “I jumped ship


I had to invest in some decent tools at first - jacks, proper sets of spanners and so on, as there was only a socket set when I arrived


” 32 PC August/September 2020


from North Worcestershire after ten months - before it closed - saw this post advertised and seized the opportunity.”


“Viv and three trustees interviewed me for


the job. I always thought I’d make a decent head greenkeeper and saw how I could bring greater efficiency to Warley Woods’ course management.” Now thirty-two, Alan is running a tight team with diverse duties across the 100-acre Trust site, constantly learning and applying fresh skills. Hard work and dedication have borne fruit out on course. “We no longer have to use temporary greens over winter and the course is far tidier now,” he says. Topography plays a big role in draining the nine hole, 30-acre course. “We are 200m above sea level here - one of the highest points in the region: higher even than the Hawthorns [he’s a diehard West Brom fan celebrating The Baggies’ return to Premier League action] which I can see from one of the fairways.”


“Our height means the course is pretty free draining. Water runs into a mini valley in the park to feed a small stream.” Maintenance costs are a major focus for


Alan and he brings his own expertise to bear to keep overheads low. “I’ve had experience with car maintenance as my dad is a truck driver.” “Our Toro machinery is robust and easy to work on. Mowers are not that complicated really and don’t present any issues. I do take the mowers over to The Chase for their annual sharpening as the club have a grinder.”


His good housekeeping is a game- changer. “We save massively by maintaining kit in-house. The annual outlay was £10,000 to £12,000. That’s fallen to around £4,000. I had to invest in some decent tools at first - jacks, proper sets of spanners and so on, as there was only a socket set when I arrived.” “The course brings in about 30% of


Warley Woods’ income. At £10 for 9 holes or £14 for two rounds we offer good value for money, reflected in some great Google reviews,” Alan adds.


“Golf is in a very vulnerable position, so having the park maintenance side offers more security for the team, but Viv and her team know how to attract funding and support.”


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