I just wanted to write one last blog before I hand the blog over to Kevin O'Neill the new Course Manager.
Appointing Kev as my deputy in July 2007 when I joined was one of the best things I have ever done. Kev has been brilliant since day one and I wish him all the luck in the world.
He won't need it as he's that good. Don't just take my word for it, above is a picture of him collecting yet another award this year from Princess Anne!
Muswell Hill is in safe hands with Kev and the team behind him.
Lee Brady now becomes deputy. A job he has been ready for, a long time. The rest of the team Martin, Robin, Adam and Graeme will all step up one and be even more fantastic.
I remember driving into the car park on my first day, the old sheds were still in pieces following the fire.
The irrigation system had melted (so no irrigation to water the greens) but every time I thought we were in trouble it rained a lot during another great british summer!
There were huge conifer trees in the car park where the buggy and trolley sheds and our heather bed is now. Our mess room and office were in a small wooden hut that leaked rain water not only from the roof but from the car park as it gathered and ran down in through the doors. I remember building sand bags to keep the rain out. We would lie on that floor to fix machines!! You as members might remember the 18 containers in the car park to hold our demo machines (the rest had burnt) while we waited for our new ones. How different it is now, with fully equipped workshops, storage areas, office, mess room, locker rooms and bathroom with shower.
The putting green used to be on the site where the sheds are now and we moved this round to behind the clubhouse. This took weeks after the construction to finish as the turf was coming up in a4 paper size pieces! It was worth it now.
The 17th tees had to be moved to accommodate the green.
We built new pathways though the course over areas like below on 13th. 
We then added ditches across 13th, 12th(Which used to be one big bunker, it also allowed us to drain the right handside of the 12th which was unbelievably wet). The ditch was put in behind 6th green and down the left. Removing the black thorn that used to touch the green at the time!!
We lowered the 13th tee to play through the gap (making it harder!), the 7th tee was moved back to the 12th whites and a gap created. This was David Wiltons idea and has made this one of the best holes on the course.
Other changes I will look back on fondly will be the new tee at the 1st and removing the hedge. Level and changing the tees at 2,3,4,5,8,9, 14,17 and 18.
The odd tree needing to be removed or lifted to improve the course strategy and to prolong and improve the life of woodland.
Also the new bunkers at the the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 14th have changed the holes for the better. The use of the bunker blinder following the trials has saved many man hours and shows what can be achieved with bunkers on a clay soil.
The drainage that has been carried out over the years has helped to improve the surfaces and allowed more days of play. I know Kev is going to carry this on and the course will make huge leaps forward once this is completed.
The installation of the borehole which has secured the clubs water supply for many, many years was something we as a club should be very about getting installed over the last three years.
(Below the greenstaff receive there borehole training on how to use a dip meter and complete the forms for the EA).
Lastly, I am most proud of the Greenkeeping team. There professionalism and dedication has been second to none. They have attended many educational seminars and college courses. All of this will mean the club will carry on improving year on year and remain North London's number one golf club.
I am happy Kev will continue this blog as its a great achieve of the work that is being completed by your greenstaff and shows the story of the golf course.
Thank you all for reading the blog!
See you soon
Matt
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