Martin Guy Developments, the south east of England’s fastest growing golf course maintenance contractor, machinery hire, and specialist construction project& turf renovation companies has appointed Paul Copsey to play a key role in its business.
From 29th September, Paul will focus initially on the course maintenance side of the business, as Project Manager, to enhance the quality of delivery to the clubs and courses that are wholly maintained by MGD, currently a mix of the more traditional public course contracts such as Rickmansworth Public Golf Course, Bushey Golf & Country Club, Stevenage Golf Club, but also private member clubs; Braintree Golf Club and West Essex Golf Club.
Paul has over 35 years’ experience in greenkeeping & golf course management, specialising in multi-site operations, previously as Group Courses Manager for Crown Golf & prior to this as Regional Course Manager with American Golf (UK) Ltd.
He has also combined his group roles with the Course Manager positions at Pine Ridge & Hampton Court Palace Golf Clubs, & previously at Orpington Golf Centre, prior to its sale to Mytime Golf. One of the recent achievements under his stewardship was the award of GEO Environmental Certification for South Essex Golf Club. Prior to his roles with these multi-site operators he had experience both with public & private member operated courses, as Course Manager of Barnehurst Golf Club & North Foreland Golf Club.
Martin Guy’s experience in the course maintenance & renovation business is not too dissimilar to Paul Copsey’s, both previously working together at American Golf (UK) Ltd. While Paul continued with Crown Golf, Martin took the bold step of forming his own company, quickly gaining an enviable client list based on working to the highest standards, exceeding the client’s expectations & keeping a firm control on costs. Recently MGD have been installing drainage & supplying tournament support for Woburn Golf & Country Club.
With Oscar Smith taking a lead role in MGD’s construction & project portfolio and the turf renovation & machinery hire division performing strongly, the new appointment comes at a key time for the golf industry. In addition to strengthening the delivery to the existing golf course maintenance contracts, the company can now look to actively expand this arm of its business to offer complete, cost effective, professional& high quality course maintenance solutions to additional private member, proprietary & local authority operated golf course businesses. Paul’s experience will help deliver agronomic & turf quality performance in a business based & focused manner. Paul is a Member of the BASIS Register & qualified to offer advice on the selection, application, storage & use of pesticides & chemicals used in the turf care industry.
Martin comments, “There are many clubs, courses and proprietors in the market struggling with escalating costs for labour, materials and machinery or finding their businesses being threatened by poor turf quality and playability. The word “contractor” can perhaps conjure up the wrong impression with regard to turf maintenance, especially in the golf market, but with Martin Guy Developments there is a complete, specialist understanding of the customer’s needs & expectations which develops into a further working relationship with the client, often freeing up capital for the club & course to invest in other projects & improvements.
“Recent experience has shown that not only does the management of the maintenance function become less of a burden to the client, the turf quality improves, the standing of the course & club improves, but fundamentally the success of the course & club as a business does likewise. For those clubs perhaps not wishing to enter a full maintenance contract I feel that we are in a unique position to help turf & golf course maintenance operations given our experience & knowledge at all levels.
“We have an extensive fleet of hire & renovation machinery, a team of skilled operators & greens staff available to assist with all maintenance tasks. In addition to say the standard deep tine aerifier hire, our large trenching machinery has been active all summer installing drainage for clients in preparation for the coming winter & we have also invested in larger construction machinery for the more major golf course alterations & earth moving. The skill set of the senior team can now offer advice & training not just on agronomic matters, but also the training & administration for efficient greenkeeping & course management”.
With Martin Guy Developments expanding its machinery hire fleet, its ability to take on larger construction and alteration projects, enhance & expand its golf course maintenance contract business, 2015 and beyond will be an exciting time for MGD.
Martin Guy Developments www.martinguydevelopments.com