Then his life suddenly changed when it was decided to redevelop the site into a golf club. Today Robert presides over a thriving golf, hotel and conference centre complex with around 1,000 members.

Relaxing in the clubhouse with its majestic views of the lakes-strewn, undulating course, Robert talked about how different life is for him now.

"I didn't realise just how lonely farming was," he said. "I would be sat on my tractor for 12 to 14 hours a day and I would never speak to another person, unless it was on the mobile. Here I am dealing with somebody every minute of the day.

"It's more sociable and I really enjoy what I am doing now."

Generations of the family have farmed in the area, dating back to Robert's grandfather in the 1920s. His father, Frank, bought the Greetham land in 1961. Robert and his two brothers eventually got involved on the farm but when the industry went through a slump in the 1980s they considered the business would not be enough to support the three brothers and their families.

Planning permission was granted for the golf club in 1990 and the venture opened to the public two years later on 276 acres of the farmland.

"At the time we didn't know anything about golf," recalled Robert. "We did our research, though, and looked at 15 to 20 golf courses. Back then golf was the in thing and the R & A (the body responsible for golf rules and development) said another 750 new courses were needed to meet the demand to play."

In the end it was only Robert, his wife Dee and his father who continued running the complex. Younger brother Paul stayed in farming, adding 48,000 free range hens and he also started the Rutland Caravan and Camping site in Greetham.

Elder brother Andrew farms in the Stamford area, he also hires out plant and machinery (Hinch Plant) and he now helps create sets for television dramas and films for the BBC and film companies.

Robert lives in a house on site with his wife and young daughters Katie and Becky. The complex has now morphed into Greetham Valley Hotel Golf and Conference Centre. Aside from the two 18-hole courses, there is a 35 bedroomed hotel, conference centre and function rooms for business and private use. It is a very popular venue for wedding receptions with superb views over the lakes, ideal for wedding photographs.

Ten eco-lodges are currently being built and it is intended that the entire site will eventually be heated by an environmentally-friendly wood chip burner.

It is all very different from those tranquil days on the farm for the Hinch family.

"We used to be called Greetham Valley Golf Club but we changed the name because we wanted to get away from the idea that we are a closed shop," said Robert.

"The aim is to get more people down here. A lot of people don't realise they can just pop down for a meal or sit outside the clubhouse with a cup of coffee. It is also possible now just to ring up and book a tee time to play a round. We have a more relaxed dress code than some clubs. Some people don't want to put on a tie and jacket just to have a meal or a drink in the bar. We just expect people to dress smart casual."

Greetham Valley HGCC employs 55 people full time and 25 part time. They spent £250,000 on machinery last year to maintain the courses, which are worked on by nine green staff. The Lakes and the Valley Courses are characterised by spectacular rolling countryside, ponds and lakes. Every six weeks divers go into the water hazards to retrieve lost balls – 25,000 are recovered annually.

Robert said: "Our courses provide a great natural habitat. The ospreys from Rutland Water have been spotted here and we have also had a pair of red kites and kingfishers."

So he may run one of the top golf clubs in the area but is he any good at the game? "I play now and then, well I attempt to play," added Robert with a rueful smile.