Man retires after 34 years landscaping golf club course

A COURSE manager at a golf club in Henley has retired after 34 years.

Lindsay Anderson, 63, has been at the heart of Badgemore Park Golf Club since he started in January 1991, transforming the landscape through several projects.

He celebrated with 116 members, friends and family on a special golf day dedicated to him for his work and commitment on Saturday, September 20, before retiring six days later.

“It’s been a lovely place to work,” he said. “One minute you start and the next minute you’re gone, but it’s been an enjoyable ride and I’ve really enjoyed being the custodian of a beautiful golf course and club.”

His career began at a seaside links golf course in Scotland when he left school at 16 in 1978. He then moved to Romsey Golf Club, a woodland course, before taking on the Badgemore parkland course in his first and only role as a manager.

Mr Anderson said: “When I left school on a Friday, I had no real intention of pursuing a full-time job. A friend of mine worked at a local golf course in Scotland, where I played a lot, and he put in a good word for me, and I started on the Monday at the age of 16.

“The first was by the seaside up in Scotland, the second was a pretty little woodland course, and Badgemore is completely different because it’s a parkland course, but all three of them were rewarding.”

The Connell family, who have owned the park since 1997, invested in transforming it into a leisure centre, adding a gym and accommodation. Mr Anderson’s role as a custodian of the land involved managing more than 120 acres of land with his team of greenkeepers who maintained the course to the highest standards.

Major projects during his time included bunker redevelopment, the installation of new greens at holes one and five and the planting of 4,500 trees over 25 years, which have matured and altered the landscape.

Mr Anderson said: “Badgemore is a tough par four, but the prettiest part, and my favourite part, are holes 10, 12, 13 and 14, as it has a little bit of elevation and character.

“Over the years, there have been bunker redevelopments, which was the biggest project and a pond installation at hole 18, not by me personally, but as a team.

“New greens at holes one and five. Planting of more than 4,500 trees, which have matured over the last 25 years since we put them there. It looks like a completely different golf course now than it was back then.”

Mr Anderson is looking to take on a new, less demanding, part-time job which offers more free time and playing more golf to improve his handicap of 12. He intends to take his wife, Helen, on a holiday in December to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.

The couple met in the King’s Arms pub in Henley and married in 1995.

Mr Anderson said: “The Connell family have been very kind to me and given me a lifetime membership, which I will definitely take advantage of to play a little more once I settle into the retirement routine.

“I’ve taken on a part-time job locally too, which I will start after an extended break, which has less intense hours to give me a bit more time for myself and family.”

Marc Goodwin, business director, said: “What can we say other than a huge thank-you for everything Lindsay has contributed to the club over very many years.

“To dedicate 34 years to one club in itself tells a story about his loyalty and passion for what he does and the hugely positive contribution he has made to this course over the years.

“We are sad to see Lindsay go, but wish him the very best with his upcoming retirement — he certainly deserves it.”