Earning his Spurs - Pitchcare

Tees are double-cut two or three
times a week and, when required
during the year, vertidrained,
topdressed and divoted to maintain
levels and appearance.
Last winter, Paul renovated a
number of bunkers to improve both
the look and maintenance
capabilities of those around the 2nd,
7th and 9th holes.
Plenty of tree work was completed,
thinning out plantations and
reducing canopy cover on certain
parts of the course. This not only
increased air flow but improved the
visual appearance of the course.
Paul works closely with local nature
groups and conservation trusts,
enlisting their help and advice on
maintaining scrubland and limestone
grasslands. Part of the course is
registered as an SSSI, along with
tracts of ancient woodland, all of
which require appropriate
management regimes in place.
Paul’s two gardeners - Patrick Kelly
and Chris Cowley - are kept busy
looking after the formal gardens
around the Manor House, along with
growing a range of vegetables and
fruits for use in the hotel.
The remains of the castle, after
which the village is named, are also
situated on the site. This ancient
monument prevents Paul from
carrying out certain types of work,
for example drainage and tree
planting.
The club are hoping to become an
Open qualifying course in the
coming years and have recently
secured the services of the STRI’s,
Buy online at
www.lws.uk.com
John Lockyer MSc, MBPR, RIPTA,
to help evaluate what needs to be
done agronomically to improve the
condition of the course in terms of
sward composition and performance.
Improvements are generally
achieved when the level of
maintenance inputs are increased
along with better monitoring of
existing practises. For example,
monitoring the level of organic
matter content, and ensuring
prescribed feeding regimes are not
exceeded, will help overcome any
problems of blacklayer or
hydrophobic issues such as dry patch.
Tweaking the feeding regimes will
help the sward retain vigour whilst,
at the same time, withstanding the
rigours of play.
The overall aim is to refine
management practices to encompass
little and often regimes that help
improve surface playability. For
example, by careful use of water and
taking regular soil samples to detect
moisture content of the profile, Paul
will be able to make better judgments
about irrigation requirements.
Like most things, it is having the
time and resources available to
achieve these objectives. The Manor
House course presentation is second
to none, and is a credit to Paul and
his dedicated team. The course is
visually stunning and makes
the very best use of the
natural topography. It
requires not inconsiderable
talent and commitment to
achieve, what is, a golfer’s
paradise.
Telephone 0845 230 9697 • enquiries@lws.uk.com • www.lws.uk.com
What’s in the shed?
John Deere 2243 and 2500A triple mowers for
tees, collars and approaches
John Deere 220 and 220A hand mowers for
greens and tees
Toro Sidewinder 3100-D for greens and tee
surrounds
John Deere 3235A mower - fairways
John Deere 3235C mower - fairways
Ransomes Backwing 951 plus - rough
Kubota F2400 Outfront rotary mower
Flymo hover mower
John Deere Gator
Kawasaki Mule
Toro Workman
Amazone Profi Hopper
Charterhouse Verti-drain
Kubota tractor
Iseki tractor
Massey Ferguson tractor
Ford tractor
Hayter pedestrian mower - hotel lawns
Rotary pedestrian mower JS63C (mulcher) -
hotel lawns
Various strimmers and hedgecutters
Topdresser
Blue trailer (large) - 2 tonne
Blue trailer (small)
Red trailer - 4 tonne
Slitters
Tornado leaf blower
Tractor brush
Drag brush
Turf cutter
Log splitter
Cultivator
For all your golf, sportsturf and
landscape irrigation needs.
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