Scott MacCallum travelled to to see at first hand Southwick Park Naval Recreational Base's excellent new Course Management Centre Ship shape at Southwicmunrl/k

Right: Rear Admiral J. Chadwick C.B. chats with Southwick Park's Head Greenkeeper Nick Beadle (centre) at the grand opening

Below: A commemorative plaque marks the auspicious occasion

It was a marvellous pal golf club. The opening was carried soon as I arrived. Surprised to see occasion. The sort of out by Rear Admiral J. Chadwick C.B everything closed up I entered by the thing the does so well. watched by several other high ranking side door to find Head Greenkeeper Pomp, ceremony, precision timing and Royal Navy Officers. Nick Beadle delivering a fine off break a decorated dignitary to say a few well They also marked the end of an era which assistant Simon Berry could chosen words and seal the moment during which the gieenkeeping team only edge onto the back door of the with a well propelled bottle of cham- had operated fromthre e less than sat- main facility which, in the rules of the pagne or, as on this occasion, a neatly isfactory buildings spread out over the game, meant he was out caught snipped ribbon. golf course, a situation which did much behind. But this wasn't the launch of a new to test the team's survival instincts and I hasten to add that, in the interests , nor was it the passing out little to extend the life of machinery. of safety and damage limitation, a soft parade for the season's new officer The new facility includes all that ball was in use. cadets, but the opening of the brand could have been asked from a building "We like to play a bit of cricket at new Course Management Centre at and was achieved at a cost which did- lunchtime or football, as we've got a Southwick Park Naval Recreation n't make the Navy baulk. goal down on the pitch and putt Base, alongside HMS Dryad, near The morale boost provided by the course," explained Nick, who was Portsmouth - the Navy's own munici- new accommodation was apparent as blowing a bit after his bowling stint. Maintenance Facility SPECIAL Southwick Park

Right: The old maintenance facilities were badly in need of rennovation, which resulted in a brand new complex (far right)

Below: A purpose built wet room provides the team with facilities to change and dry work gear in comfort

"We have a rule case while extremely attractive with that there is no the sun streaming through it, protec- smoking and we must change our tion from the elements was not its Equipment Inventory footwear in the drying room ana at the strong suit. moment everyone is sticking to it," he "This was where we kept the big Tractor Units explained as we sat in his well appoint- stuff," explained Nick. Hayter LT324 2 John Deere 2653As ed, and remarkably tidy, office. As well as the obvious complications, Toro 216-D The genuine enthusiasm and rapport being split over three sites was not ide- John Deere 455 within the team has been enhanced by al from a logistical point of view. Huxley Greenstar the new living and working environ- "I cut fairways and it was a case of Huxley Huxtruck ment which is a far cry from what was setting everyone up then going all the LF3800 Ford 1910 in place before. way down to the boat house to collect Ford 1220 "We had three separate sites - the the equipment then going back up to 2 Kawasaki Mules Top Shed, the Tea Shed and the Boat cut the 1 st and 3rd before golfers got House. The Top Shed was made of tin out so it was about 20 minutes before Attachments and was old, rusty and small. We used I'd get any work done." Bobcat Shredder/Chipper Charterhouse Rapid core to keep the greens mower, two John The catalyst for change came when Huxley Topdresser Deeres; a Toro, a Hayter a Hux Truck the Navy s Establishment Safety Hardi Sprayer and two mules in there so we had sev- Advisor, together with the Dryad's years to finally secure the funding. Allman Sprayer en or eight pieces of equipment stored First Lieutenant in charge of all envi- The key to the success was approach- Wessex Brickbox in there. But it only had one door so ronmental and health and safety issues ing the civilian builders, VJ Fleet and Wessex Trailer Wessex Rotovator we had to work out what we were going surrounding the base, visited to carry Sons who had built several of the stone Two Tonne Trailer to do the next day then rearrange the out an independent health and safety built bridges on the course and who Lewis Landlugger 33 machinery so the appropriate pieces assessment on the team's working con- had been contracted to undertake the John Deere Brush were at the front. We also had the ditions. work, and ask what they could do for John Deere Blade chemical safe up there," said Nick. the money available - £144,000 from LF3800 Sisis Fairway Slitter The Tea Shed, named after the What they saw caused the Navy and £50,000 raised by the Huxley Scarifier favourite beverage of the occupants, them to take action. club itself, as in addition to feeing Rotary Deck looked like an old stone bothy and "They said that it wasn't good. All Southwick Park Naval Recreation Huxley Back Box boasted stone floors and ivy growing our wet gear was always stored in the Centre it is also Southwick Park Golf through the roof. Tea Shed which was against health and Club with civilian members. Hand Machinery 4 Supercedes "We kept the Certes in there as well safety regulations ana we had no facil- "We already knew what we wanted GS55 as racks of hand tools while it was also ities for drying so we'd come in - a mess room, drying room, office, 2 Stihl Blowers our Mess Room. It was very cold in absolutely soaked and have other workshop, storeroom and the main Stihl Chainsaw the winter and heaven knows how clothes dripping down on us and the storage space and this is what we came HusqvarmaChainsaw many heaters we stone floor." up with," said Nick, adding that he'd Robin Dagger Allen Strimmer got through." Having looked at the situation and be more than happy to talk with oth- Stihl Stimmer The Boat House agreed that something would have to er greenkeepers who were looking at Allen Flymo was exactly what be done about it the Navy revealed that new facilities. Push Leafblower the name suggests funds were available and that the club Prior to going ahead they did visit Jetstar Blower as it is located on should make a bid for the money. other clubs with new facilities and Hedge the edge of the "We explained what we wanted to once they were happy with the final Suppliers attractive lake an architect who did the work and plans ground work began last June Tacit which runs through came up with a costing for the project. with the team moving in on Sheerwater- Headland the middle of tne Initially, the Navy rejected the plans November 1. Avoncrop course. because the plans didn't fit into the "We carried out the move ourselves Grass Roots Rigby Taylor Obviously there proposed budget so we did more work and with the course being closed for is no real need for a but were rejected again and it was only a couple of months due to the flood- Winchester Gdn Mach Head Greenkeeper Nick Beadle TH White (right) and Simon Berry inspect boat house to be on the third attempt that we got ing we were able to concentrate on DJ Scott the course particularly water approval - third time lucky," said Nick, making it happen. We had a skip down tight and, in this who added that it took two and a half at the Boat House and were ruthless Í'.S-' * re? ^....

about throwing things out - nuts and is the fine bridge which spans the lake bolts, old tractor weights and wheels at one of its narrowest points - it was all went," he recalled. previously the disabled ramp at HMS The course itself is exceptionally Victory which is permanently berthed busy with 40-50,000 rounds a year on at Portsmouth. a lay-out which only stretches to 100 The course does see its fair share of acres. celebrities with the Royal Navy's most "Not so long ago it used to be a mind famous golfer, the Duke of York, play- boggling 70,000 rounds a year so you ing a few rounds while he was can imagine how busy it was then. stationed at HMS Dryad for a time. When a ship comes into port we often HMS Dryad has a unique place in get a party coming up for a game, the country's history having been although many of those who play are where Churchill, Eisenhower and not regular golfers," said Nick, who Montgomery planned the D Day arrived at the course in April '96. Landings and the three men used to Prior to his arrival a policy of replac- adiurn to the village pub for a light ing the existing push-up greens with refreshment after a long day's work. sand based had been in place but Nick "We've also had the Jim Davidson decided to spend more time on the British Forces Foundation Day here existing greens instead. with a whole lot of stars," said Nick, "We had no aeration equipment who, together with the team, has Above: The beautiful lake at Southwick Park when I arrived so we got hold of some recently built some excellent new tees narrows to allow and started scarifying and rapid cor- on the course. access across, via the ing, putting an aeration programme in The Course Management Centre is old disabled ramp from place. The majority of the course is on a fine example of what modern day HMS Victory (right) clay which doesn't help and when they maintenance facilities should be and attempted to stop the flooding in Southwick Park Naval Recreation Fareham they backed the water up to Centre has shown what can be done us, so we caught the brunt of it," with a sensible budget. And those explained Nick, whose contract states responsible have every right to look that he must attend BIGGA Golf Days on with the the same pride as the and lectures. Royal Navy would of a newly com- One interesting feature of the course missioned aircraft carrier. Maintenance Facility

SPECIAL Jeremy Pilcher, Course Manager at Copt Heath Golf Club in Solihull, describes the background and work that went into producing their superb new greenkeeping facility... Top of the

Copt Heath Golf Qub was formed ceed with the purchase. Sometime in constructed of brick attached to one in 1907, with the great Harry Vardon the mid 60s a milking parlour that had end which would house such things as invited to contribute towards the lay- served the farm was converted to be a office, mess room and shower/drying ing out of the 18-hole course. In 1912 used for greenkeeping use. room. Harry Colt, the prominent golf course Over the next 35 years or so this The main building would be con- architect, made an inspection of the building remained little changed, and structed of brick and cladding over a course and advised on what could be during that time housed the green- steel frame. From our point of view this done to develop the existing layout. keepers and their machinery in would be a very practical building and Over the next 20 years he would return increasing discomfort. would easily house our machinery plus to Copt Heath on several occasions to During 1998 two things happened, allow some expansion room for addi- upgrade and improve on the layout. one was the club decided that new tional machinery. It would allow space Following the war, during which land greenkeeping facilities were overdue for a fully equipped workshop and was used for farming purposes, the firm and the second was a new Course stores room. of F G Hawtree and Son was given the Manager was appointed. Looking back we may have been a bit job of reconstructing the course. The latter halt of 1998 an architect naive to think that the local planning Below: The new maintenance In 1934 an opportunity to purchase was appointed to design with the help office would allow such a building on facilities were designed to blend Longdon Hall and its farm with 91 and input of the greenstaff a com- what is greenbelt land and within the sympathetically to the surrounding acres arose, this land adjoined the golf pletely new greenkeeping building that vicinity of Longdon Hall which by this buildings of Longdon Hall, and were fashioned on old stable blocks course and a decision was made to pro- would meet our requirements for many time had acquired a Grade 2 listing. years to come. However, trie plan was submitted in The siting of new buildings can often December 1998, the planning office be a difficult decision, in our case we advised the architect that if the plans were already well situated with our pre- were to come before the planning sent building as it sits almost in the meeting in January they would be middle of the course. turned down. As things turned out our new build- The club withdrew this application ing was actually erected just two metres thereby saving the application fee from the end of the existing building. which exceeded £2,000. Following The initial drawings produced by the extensive talks between the architect architect were based upon what we the club and planning officials guide- thought would be the most practical lines were drawn up as to what the use of space and movement in and out council would allow in terms of size of of the building. the building, the materials and the This resulted in a building approxi- design of the building. matey 30m x 30m in total with a block What planning officers had in mind was very far removed from our origi- nal ideas, they wanted to see something that when finished would resemble a group of farm buildings or stables, that in many ways would resemble the nearby barns and out- buildings attached to London Hall. The materials specified were to include such things a mixture of slate and tiles for the roofing and the bulk of the building to be constructed of brick that would closely match the brick of Longdon Hall. As all this was going on we were still working out of the old milking parlour and preparing the course for such Right: Spacious storage areas mean all the equipment can be housed in a tidy fashion

Below: Building from scratch enables the inclusion of 'wish-list' items like this machinery lift

things as The Peter McEvoy Trophy October came and went then the wet 440 tonnes of stone in one day alone. One incident that could have being and holding the Regional Qualifying weather started, other delays included Site meetings were held every month far more serious occurred one week- Round for The Open Championship. such things as detail design and so that any problems or queries could end, two youths obtained the key to a In the summer of 1999 Jim Tomkins, approval of drainage both foul and be aired, progress was checked at these rough terrain fork lift truck. After the architect, came back to us with his rainwater, the regulations and laws meetings, which were attended by the breaking their way out of the com- interpretation of the planners guide- concerning the installation of fuel chairman of the buildings and devel- pound, they decided on a quick tour lines. The transformation was tanks in the ground. opments committee for the golf club, of the golf course via several greens. stunning! We now had before us a Eventually tenders were sent out to along with the architect and myself, the After being spotted by a member who design showing a group of buildings four contractors including the one who contractor was represented by his site then gave chase, they abandoned ship, around a courtyard, just as you might had submitted the builders estimate, manager and project director. only to be apprehended by another find on a farm or at a stables. Because they were received back after a period Thankfully the golf club readily member whose house overlooks the of the design, some space had being of four weeks and duly examined by accepted the need to change various course. lost, but after careful consideration we the architect. Winter was giving way things as the project was developing, The club after due consideration came to the conclusion that the over- to Spring and a start in the summer for an example it soon became appar- decided not to press charges, a decision all design and the much improved now seemed favourable. Out of the ent that the three tonne capacity lift also taken by the contractor prospects of obtaining planning per- four tenders only one was within the due to be installed in the workshop These incidents did in no way ham- mission made it a worthwhile sacrifice. anticipated cost range, strangely the was not going to accept our fairway per construction and as the end of At this stage I would like to point out contractor who has submitted the orig- mower, a loro 6700 due to the width October approached the building was that at no time did the golf club put inal builder's estimate now submitted of the units. nearing completion. restrictions on our relationship with the second highest price. Consequently we upgraded this to With the arrival of Autumn most of the architect, he always approached the As there was a considerable differ- four tonnes, giving not only a greater yQu will remember that signalled the greenstaff with any designs and draw- ence between the lowest tender and lift capacity, but also the requiredwidth start of the wettest autumn on record, ing which were then left with us to the other three some time had to be to drive the machine onto the lift. this affected the final stages of con- consider, and if needed we then added spent examining the reasons behind Another change that became appar- struction to the extent that the our suggestions which would then be this. ent was the need to upgrade the underground petrol and diesel tanks incorporated into the design. Finally in April 2000 the general heating system in the staff block, orig- due to be installed have had to be tem- After lengthy consideration and con- committee of the golf club took the inally the specification called for a porarily postponed. sultations witn the planning officer the decision to recommend that the club number of wall mounted electric Also a new access road that has being golf club agreed to submit the much proceed with the contract and agree heaters placed in the office, mess- partially constructed has had to be revised design and apply for full plan- with the main contractor a price and room/kitchen and drying room. postponed. As I write this in February, ung permission. possible dates for starting the work. I had always opposed these, favour- these and the landscaping of the ThRee plannin* " g sub committee met on To ensure that the members of Copt ing instead a oil fired central heating grounds still await completion. August 9,1999, our concerns were mis- Heath were kept informed of devel- system, gas was never an option as we Putting those aside, we have now a placed, the design went through opments we arranged to hold two open are some distance from the nearest gas superb building which houses all the without comment, we now had our evenings in the committee room supply. equipment and staff in very comfort- much prized planning permission. The where, we made available full colour The contractor supplied cost com- able and secure premises. next stage was to prepare detailed drawings of the buildings and in atten- parisons between the two heating The time taken in the planning and drawings and submit these to the con- dance was members of the committee systems, obviously the oil fired boiler development stage along with the tractors that had being chosen to and myself as well as the architect. system was more expensive to install input of all the green staff has paid off, tender. Contracts were signed on May 18, but over a longer term would result in we have ended up with a building to In the meantime a builder's estimate 2000 a start was made on June 19, lower fuel bills. be proud off was obtained to give a general idea of 2000. Also it had the advantage of supply- Looking back the planning officials costings. This appeared to be within The summer of 2000 will be remem- ing hot water in unlimited quantities. actually did us a favour in respect of our budget. bered as a wet and dull summer, Security of the site was always going rejecting the first design, as we now Structural Engineers appeared on site although it did not cause many prob- to be a problem, apart from London have a building that looks far better along with landscape designers things lems to the contractor some unforeseen Hall the site is fairly remote, during the than we could ever have imagined, and seemed to be going along at a good difficulties did arise early on in con- construction phase several attempts to with the use of materials probably far pace, building work was expected to be struction with unstable ground break in to site cabins and storage areas more in keeping with our surrounds started in October of 1999 with a com- conditions being encountered during took place, unfortunately this also and probably far more durable in the pletion around March 2000 in the excavation or the foundations. This bought unwanted attention to our long term. readiness for the new season. involved the importation of around existing greenkeeping building.