W 20 years, Jamie Melham, Head
TURF MANAGEMENT
Optimising Turf Health with Consolidate at Highwoods Golf Club
ith a career spanning
W 20 years, Jamie Melham, Head
Greenkeeper at one of the finest in Sussex, Highwoods Golf Club, brings his experience and collaboration with specialist for Consolidate Turf, Rob Welford, to enhance the health and aesthetics of the golf course. He is keen to understand the science behind turf health and to implement the means to maintain it. e is the fact that the club,
Jamie began his greenkeeping journey two decades ago, accruing experience at Dale Hill Golf Club and Lamberhurst Golf Club before joining Highwoods Golf Club, where he has been for over eight years leading a team of six greens staff. His role involves not just maintaining the course but also continuously experimenting with and refining turf management practices. Jamie’ s partnership with Rob Welford from Consolidate Turf www. consolidateturf. com started 3 years ago and has been instrumental in transforming the nutrient management approach at Highwoods. Rob’ s expertise and responsiveness have provided Jamie with confidence and reliable support, and the use of consolidate products played a big part in the presentation of the course, when the club celebrated its centenary year in 2024.
One specific challenge Jamie faced was the inconsistency in fertilizer prill size from a different supplier. Initially, Rob assessed the golf course’ s overall plant health, leading to the transition from granular to liquid fertilizers for more consistent results, using Consolidate Plus to kickstart the greens early in the season. This approach has proven successful for three consecutive seasons.
including seaweed, potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients, which are customised yearly to
60 GroundskeepingJournal. co. uk | May / June 2025