Billy Mitchell retires

‘It is rumoured’ that one of the finest greenkeepers in GB&I is about to retire as he nears the age of seventy.

The guiding light who we refer to is none other than Billy Mitchell (a member of the Pantheon of the finest greenkeepers) who by the end of 2017 will have served 58 years at Perranporth.

He is of course a legend in the greenkeeping profession, not because he has been able to have a high profile and visibility at some wealthy, high budget club but because he has always set the highest standards, at what is a humble club that has been for too long below the radar of many, particularly inland, golfers.

The word ‘sustainability’ is banded about by many individuals and organisations but what we see here at Perranporth is genuine long term sustainability.

Rob Cook and Billy Mitchell. Click to enlarge

Billy might be a traditional greenkeeper but this does not mean he does not keep up with the latest technology and has always been keen on education for his apprentices whether young or old. For example he has used ‘Rescue graminicide’ to take out quite a lot of ryegrass around and on the greens and interestingly has used  ‘Compost Teas’ to enhance the health of his rootzones. (see brilliant article explaining soil biology by John Quinn MG).