THE COUNTY of is Park - I applied and got the job endowed with a profusion of and have remained here ever good golf courses and one that since. OUT has always been a popular "When I took over the course choice with golfers is there was a lot of work to be Park Golf Club on done to reach the standards ON the outskirts of . Don that I was aiming for. Over the Major, 57, head greenkeeper years we have done a lot of has been with the club for 21 construction work to improve years and his enthusiasm for the layout, tree planting, reno- THE golf and his course has never vation and repair combined diminished during the long with a regular programme of period I have known him. The turf management to keep the COURSE fine condition of the course is a course in good playing tribute to all the hard work and condition. interest shown by himself and "As an example we have his staff over the years. recently had installed by Betchworth Park Talking about his career and Watermation a new irrigation his love for the game, Don system for all tees and up- Major said, "Having been in the graded the greens irrigation. by Forces and enjoyed an outdoor life playing goif, cricket and football, it was difficult John Campbell afterwards to settle down to a humdrum job with the Eagle Star Insurance Company and I always had a hankering to work on a golf course." "We are fairly well equipped "Our local course, Flackwell with two Toro GM 3's for the Heath, was only a four iron greens and have on standby shot from my home and the four Auto-Certes mowers. A head greenkeeper there used to Ransomes 180 is used on the pass the door mornings and tees which we hope to replace evenings, so it was not long with a Toro 216 Reelmaster, before I persuaded him to give Trimming around the trees is me a job, and from there my done with a Toro 70 machine. career in greenkeeping blos- A 27hp. four wheel drive somed. I worked at the club for Kubota tractor pulls the five years after which I fairway gang units and a ten married a bonnie local lass, year old Ferguson tractor is Gillian, and we have a daughter Don Major, headgreenkeeper at used to cut the semi-rough who is married to one of my Betchworth for 21 years together with a full Cushman staff now at Betchworth Park. System. In addition we have "From there I went to work all the usual assortment of with Bob Plain, a genial Scot "I must be one of the small equipment, like Strim- who was head greenkeeper lucky ones with staff - my first mers, Flymos and Chainsaws. then at Beaconsfield Golf Club assistant has been here 14 'The staff are all encouraged and he steeped me in a lot of the years, another man has 11 to treat the machinery as tradition and greenkeeping years service, and my son-in- though it were their own. For skills which are essential to be law has clocked up five years instance, if the GM 3 breaks a successful golf course with me. I also have a part- down through incompetence it manager. After serving seven time employee, who works may mean resorting to the years with Bob he decided that I three or four days a week, who pedestrian mowers to cut the had the necessary experience has been on the payroll a long greens, which is not popular - and competence to seek a time." so the incentive is look after position that would offer more 'The terrain at Betchworth is the equipment properly or take scope and responsibility. slightly undulating. It is not the consequences. Respect for "After this I went to tiring to play golf here; there the machinery by careful Camberley Heath for three are one or two slight inclines at handling and regular main- years but things never the 8th and 10th holes, then tenance, saves the club materialised as I hoped. downhill to the 11th, after that unnecessary bills, keeps the Finally it was through Frank the rest of the course is fairly machinery in good condition, Brittan of Parkers that I flat. The greens have undul- adds to its working life and learned of the vacancy for head ations and are deceptive to read efficiency of operation and greenkeeper at Betchworth but they putt reasonably well. reduces down time.

-the Golf Course "BIGGA deserves the full support of every greenkeeper and golf club in the country"

Don went on, "Like many tree lined courses around here we lost a lot of lovely old trees during the night of the hurricane force winds which devastated the south of . Damage was quite extensive around the 2nd tee where 13 massive beeches came down. Around the ruins of the Betchworth has some large traps ancient Betchworth Castle at the 11th hole we lost a few lime very good golfer whose name is "It's good to have all the and beech trees. Fortunately inscribed on many trophies. greenkeeping associations now most of those blown over fell He has won the British Green- under the one banner of BIGGA back into the wood behind so keepers Tournament several with our own Executive there was little damage to the times and been runner-up on Director, Neil Thomas at the course. Many of our trees were occasions. His proudest helm. This deserves the full magnificent specimens which moment recently was to win support of every greenkeeper have taken a lifetime to grow. the Artisan Senior Handicap and golf club in the country, Their loss is a great blow. Championship at Moor Park but we must be patient and "We have some lovely and bring the honour back to appreciate that it's going to American oaks - two of these his own artisan club at take a little time to set up our were brought down and the Betchworth. The trophy is new organisation - the future is horse chestnuts took quite a displayed in the parent club. bright and we have much to bashing from the wind. "I was always a staunch look forward to". Thankfully many of the supporter of the old BGGA," majestic trees that enhance the said Don, "and have been golfing scene at Betchworth did involved with the administra- OUT survive that dreadful night but tion of the association since we are left licking our wounds 1962 when I was elected to the and picking up the pieces. committee of the Southern ON Hopefully we will never Section. I served as an experience this again in our executive member for the south lifetime." of England during which time THE "Over the years we have my wife took over as secretary systematically planted Scots for a brief period." COURSE pine, cypressus, lime, beech, silver birch and mountain ash to maintain a good variety of trees on the course. Some horse chestnuts planted a few years ago have not done so well, but we plan to replace them with may trees, probably white and pink, or white and red to add a welcome splash of colour in the middle of the course. "Clumps of rhododendrons have been successfully transplanted to break up open spaces and they blend in well with other features on the course and create a satisfactory balance." Don Major is a modest man, a The clubhouse at Betchworth Park has a commanding view of the course

_the Golf