Hellidon Lakes Golf & Spa Hotel
Captain's Log

CAPTAIN: Shaun Start
LADY CAPTAIN: Pat Hallam

As the summer draws to a close there has been much to reflect on at Hellidon Lakes. We have had an extremely successful run in the Northamptonshire Handicap League with our team winning 7 out of 10 matches just to be pipped for a semi-final place helped by a quirk in the rules; we also now boast the County Singles Matchplay Champion with an impressive win for Eddie Washbourne (6 and 5) and still to come is the County Doubles Final where again we are represented - Good luck to Simon Buck and John Wingrove.

Hellidon also had the pleasure of hosting this year's QHotel Champion of Champions Tournament and I was a proud Captain to be shaking the hands of the overall Ladies winner - Ann Marriott, and Men's winner - Jody Heritage, both from Hellidon - Home advantage ... I know!! Next year we will be hosting the Q-Cup so be aware everyone else!!

The course has looked very good throughout the summer so my thanks go to Adrian Harris, Head Greenkeeper and his staff for all their efforts.

Personally, my captaincy is drawing to a close after a two year stint... and I can't say that I am disappointed as I am now looking forward to assuming blissful anonymity once again. I would, though, like to thank all the members of the committee and General Manager Sacha Cauwels for all of their assistance during my captaincy and all the best to current Vice Captain, Paul Andrews, for next year.

Greenkeeper's Log: Ady Harris

October:
Solid tine all greens approaches and tees, 12mm tines to 4 inches Oversow greens and top dress Start to strip 9-11 tees for levelling & re-turfing.

November:
Drill & fill greens - help improve for 2010, improve drainage, root system and relieve compaction. Strip tees 14 & 15 (whites for levelling & returfing - should have root zone remaining from last year)

December:
Finish remaining tees
Trim branches along out of bounds
Cut trees down around 11th pond
Remove any dead or poor trees on green course
Remove lower branches in copses on green course
Machinery maintenance

January:
Verti drain all greens, tees & approaches with 12mm tines to 10” if possible Tidy up around 13th and 14th ponds.

February:
Tree planting - various parts of course, mainly green 9
Thin out trees on 2nd & 15th

March:
Spring maintenance - holo core main greens & green 9
Top dress after coring

Personal profile:
Daniel Harris is one of our junior green keepers and has been with us for nearly 2 years. He is currently studying for his NVQ level 2 in Turf management at Moulton College and has already passed his PA1 and PA6A spraying qualifications so is a versatile member of the team. Daniel's interest in green keeping stems from two areas; he is a keen player with a 25 handicap (and working on it to come down) as well a being the older son of Hellidon's head green keeper Adrian Harris. Adrian's other son, Tom, has worked during the summer season on the course - so a real family affair!

Daniel's other passions in life are fishing - he has helped develop the main lake at Hellidon for recreational and match fishing, and he is an avid Birmingham City fan - well we'll forgive him for that and blame his Dad!