NEILL Sidebotham has signed on for Knutsford Golf Club as the new deputy course manager.

The 40-year-old joins Knutsford from Vale Royal Abbey Golf Club where he has spent the last 19 years, latterly as deputy manager.

Neill, from Rudheath, Northwich, started his career at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, studying golf greenkeeping and sports turf between 1996 to 1998 when he attained his NVQ level 2 apprenticeship.

Upon leaving college, Neill cut his teeth at Heyrose Golf Club in Tabley before moving on to Alsager Golf Club in Stoke-on-Trent in 1999 as assistant greenkeeper.

He spent two years at Alsager prior to joining Vale Royal Abbey in 2001, initially as assistant greenkeeper before becoming first assistant and then deputy course manager.

It was at Vale Royal Abbey that Neill first met and worked with David Jones, who is now the course manager at Knutsford Golf Club.

“I am delighted I managed to persuade Neill to join my team here at the Knutsford Club,” said David.

“He is an outstanding greenkeeper with a great deal of knowledge of our art.

“My team at Knutsford has been working hard over the winter months on our turf programme and in the spring months we introduced a totally new greens maintenance programme which has given us excellent greens.

“Our members are very happy with our results so far. With Neill on board we want to take the course and our greens to the next level. Our aim is to be an outstanding course for all players and the best in the north west.”

Neill is married with three children. He has lived in Northwich all his life.

In his spare time, he is a keen cyclist and takes a great interest in football, especially Everton Football Club.

Knutsford Golf Club is a nine-hole course positioned adjacent to Tatton Park, close to the town.

It is a welcoming club set up to cater for all standards of golf with a vibrant social scene.

See knutsfordgolf.com for more details.