Larry Wilkie, who has been tending to the fairways at the Celtic Manor for two years, couldn’t believe what he was seeing
17:07, 03 May 2026Updated 17:07, 03 May 2026
Snake spotted at Celtic Manor
A greenkeeper at Wales’ most famous golf course had the shock of his life this week when he came across a snake while tending to the fairways.
Larry Wilkie, 61, from Magor, discovered what turned out to be a grass snake on the 13th hole at Celtic Manor in Newport. Mr Wilkie saw the snake there near the green where there is a lake very close by.
He said at first he jumped away having thought it might have been an adder. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here
Mr Wilkie, who has worked at Celtic Manor for two years, said he was used to seeing plenty of wildlife on the course including rabbits and interesting birds but had never witnessed a snake there.
“We have a lot of wildlife on the course – generally birds and rabbits – but I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Mr Wilkie told WalesOnline.
“I was a little startled at first and concerned it could be venemous. Once I’d got a friend to look at its head it became clear it was a grass snake. It’s a video I’ll keep for posterity and one I’ll share with friends and family.”
According to the North Wales Wildlife Trust Website grass snakes can be found in many places in the UK although they are considered endangered due to loss of habitat. With their numbers in decline, spotting one in the wild – let alone a gold course – is quite a rare sight.
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