MARPLE Golf Club members are delighted with the improvement of the condition of their scenic course since Chris Porter took over as head green keeper just over a year ago.

Chris, a keen sportsman (Pictured) outlined his career in green keeping and his aims for Marple GC in the upcoming months.

Chris said: “I started at Glossop and District Golf Club at the age of 18 and I spent three years there, gaining my Level 2 in Green Keeping, building the foundation and getting to know what’s entailed in Golf/Greenkeeper etc.

I then moved to Bramhall Golf Club, spending 8/9 years under Les Adshead as an Assistant Greenkeeper where I progressed more with my knowledge and skills at a higher standard whilst working towards my Level 3 diploma, as well as learning key areas of the role like irrigation, drainage, construction and the set up of a golf course.

My next move was to Stockport Golf Club and I worked there for eight years, starting under a great Course Manager (Mike Goodhind), and I worked with a great bunch of lads.

It was probably one of my best times in the industry to date. At Stockport it was a lot different, more intense, hard work but very enjoyable.

The lads I worked with went on to manager roles in a short space of time at Prestbury, Warrington and Shrigley Hall.

At Stockport is where I became Deputy Course Manager and then Interim Course Manager for nine months.

Stockport is a great course, one of the best in Cheshire. It was a great place to work which taught me most of what I have in my locker now regarding presentation, deeper knowledge of golf greens and dealing with bigger golf competitions, corporate days etc with a demanding yet great membership.

It was a rollercoaster eight years, but I wouldn’t have changed any of it. I wish the club and staff nothing but the best and thank you to everyone that helped me along the way.

Joining Marple Golf Club after working at Stockport was a tough decision, but one I felt I had to make to help progress my career into course management.

I’m coming into my second year at the club and while it has been challenging in different ways to my previous experiences.

I now work with a smaller team but a very hard-working team and I am enjoying my time in getting this course going again.

My main target is to get the greens moving in the right direction. They are built on clay with minimal drainage installed and have a big thatch layer which has made them wet for a long time.

With the course being a wet and clay heavy course it is a struggle to keep the course open.

Going forward there will be more drainage and tree work being done, and along with that I will be trying to alter the course with bunker renovations, tee building and help get Marple on the map.

My other sporting interests are football, playing from my teens to 20’s early 30’s for Mellor FC.
I still keep my eye on Mellor's results, it looks like they are doing quite well in winning trophies, and I wish nothing but the best for that club.

I help coach my son’s football team, that’s as much football as I'm involved in now.

I play golf at Romiley GC and enjoy trying other courses. I also enjoy watching football, cricket, F1, NFL and having family time with my kids.

Geoff Garnett