RICHMOND Golf Club recently held a special "evening with the greenkeepers" to inform members how much work actually goes into the maintenance of a golf course.

Rob Spaven, head greenkeeper, and his staff explained the complexity involved including tree management, with more than 150 trees planted to replace ash trees that have succumbed to "die back" disease.

There is now a strong emphasis on biodiversity, with significant seed planting throughout the course to encourage pollinators.

The club has invested a significant amount of finance in new equipment to help Rob and his team ensure the fairways and greens are in pristine condition, ready for the summer season.

Results

April 17, Shepherd Shield: 1 G. Staines / K. Mccauley 59, 2. D. Morris / J. Bowes 61, 3 R. Liddle / A. Kerr 64

April 19, Toffs Stableford, division one: 1. Rob Eldred 39, 2. Steve Willis 38, 3. Andy Kerr 37. Division two: 1. Tim Swettenham 38, 2. Jim Manley 36, 3. Ian Dunkinson 34

April 21, Toffs Whisky Trail, division one: 1. Albert Nowicki 37, 2. John Newbury 36, 3. Andy Kerr 35. Division two: 1. Paul Henderson 42, 2. Tim Swettenham 40, 3. John Galloway 38. Toffs Senior Mixed Open: 1. Karen Jobling and Martin Catt (Richmond) 45, 2. Sue Stocks and Richard Gibson (Richmond) 44, 3. David and Judith Alexander (Wearside) 43, 4. Robert and Susan Pinder (Meltham) 43.

April 24, Orchard Salver R1: 1. Ray Letts 68, 2. Rob Sanderson 71, 3. Keith Stephenson 71. Peter Collins R1 (April 24): 1. Kieran Mccauley 41, 2. Glen Hunt 39, 3. Robert Dawson 37. Ladies: Stableford 4 (April 24): 1. Susan Gardner 44, 2. Tracey Clements 38, 3. Lesley Calvert 34

The club will staging a number events over the next month. The next quiz night is on Friday, April 29, with the latest Ladies Taster Day taking place 24 hours later on Saturday, April 30, to give newcomers the chance to try the game of golf. A bingo night takes place on Friday, May 13, from 8pm with all welcome and is followed by a charity coffee morning on Tuesday, May 17, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The coffee morning will include a cake stall, raffle, gift stalls and proceeds will go to Butterwick Hospice and Toilet Twinning.