Scott MacCallum travelled to Portsmouth 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 Royal Navy 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 from three 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 frigate, 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 Cutter 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.