GREENKEEPER Ian Warrender has retired after 41 years service at North Oxford.

The 65-year-old knows every hollow and borrow on the club’s 82-acre parkland course, which celebrated its centenary in 2007.

Warrender's farewell party saw more than 100 club members send him off.

North Oxford manager Bob Harris said: “As part of the team that has given us one of the best kept courses in the area, there is not an inch that he does not know. He is a true prof- essional.”

Warrender started working on golf courses in his native Scotland more than 50 years ago.

He moved south with his father, who was also a greenkeeper, tending the greens at several clubs before working at North Oxford.

After his going away party, where he was presented with a cheque, Warrender said: “I do not intend to quit just because time has caught up with me.

"I shall continue with my interests.”

With a passion for wildlife, Warrender he is continuing to improve the habitat of waterfowl on the course and is also looking after the clubhouse gardens.