Paul Plimmer keeping Methven pristine

By Neville Idour.

During our time at Methven golf course, we were pleased to chat with

greenkeeper Paul Plimmer who is a real dinkum Aussie from Sydney.

Plimmer used to come to the area to ski at Mt Hutt and also worked a couple

of seasons. Then he came over for another season and as he said “twenty five

years later I’m still here.”

Paul’s sister lived in Methven at the time and they were skiers.

``So I would come over holidaying and then worked up the mountain (Mt Hutt)

for a few years.’'

He explained his background in Australia.

“I did work on a couple of golf courses back home when I was a young fella

and then mainly a bit of building and brickies labouring. I also got my

truck license and drove a few trucks.''

His work here while living in Methven has been very much with golf.

“I worked at Terrace Downs for about eight years before my son was born.

Then I worked at Methven Golf Club part time before taking on the full time

greenkeeping position.

“I work a 40 hour week all year round.”

Are there any assistants?

“I have two helpers. One does 23 hours a week, then in summer I have another

who does 12 hours a week. He looks after the fairways and the practice

pitch.”

Are then any particular problems to deal with?

“No, it’s all pretty good. It’s a lovely spot to work when you can see the

mountains. It gets a little cold in winter so sometimes I might not start

till 10am when it’s frosty. We can get snow on the course too, although the

last few years haven’t been too bad. Nothing at all to complain about.”

After our brief chat we leave Paul to carry on the good work and can say the

course is obviously in very good hands with its pristine condition. —