Unsung heroes rewarded at BTME

Unsung heroes rewarded for high standards on low budgets

By Carol Dutton

Karl Fulford, Head Groundsman of Abbeydale Sports Club, Sheffield and Mike Symons Head Greenkeeper of Bovey Castle Golf Course on Dartmoor in Devon were awarded as Unsung Heroes at BTME.

The awards, which are mounted and financed by Terrain Aeration and sponsored by Turf Professional Magazine and the Pitchcare website, honour one Greenkeeper and one Groundsman, allocating each winner the hire of a house in the South of France for a week and money towards travelling expenses.

Dr. Tim Lodge, of the STRI, speaking on behalf of his fellow judges Gordon Child of BIGGA and Derek Walder of the IOG, praised Mr. Fulford (who was nominated by Max Korin, Head Fitness Training Instructor at Abbeydale) for his selfless dedication to the job despite a low budget and minimal machinery and equipment. "Karl has actually paid for grounds care work out of his own pocket, and managed to increase the club's revenue by improving the facilities under his care," he said. Mr. Symons (nominated by Tom Mackenzie, Golf Course Architect with Donald Steel and Co.) who was in charge of the Bovey Castle golf course for 11 years in similar circumstances - prior to investment under new ownership - impressed the judges by his consistently high standards of maintenance before the course was re built, and his stoicism and support during the difficult winter construction period. "Neither Mike nor Karl have ever sought the limelight," Dr. Lodge concluded.

Picture from left to right: David Green (Terrain Aeration), Karl Fulford and neice, Mike Symons and Linda Green (Terrain Aeration).