“The first few jobs I did were all designed to get me eased into the course and to familiarise myself with its layout”
got introduced to was Kevin, who is one of Todd’s two assistants. He showed me how to clock on and off and I also got introduced to all the other lads on the team. The first job I had to familiarise myself with was to plug the greens. At this golf course they go around and take the Poa annua out of their greens and replace it with plugs full of bent grasses. Then, in the afternoon, I learned how they cut their greens. I was working with a guy called Scott and we cut the greens together with hand mowers. We cut five greens in total. I really enjoyed my first day at the golf course. The first few jobs I did were all designed to get me eased into the course and to familiarise me with its layout. The first few days were so wet that we had to cut the grass around the bunkers, and the steep banks, with rotary mowers. We only got half the course done on the first day. I also helped dig a trench for a water hydrant for the clubhouse as it doesn’t currently have one. All the staff have been very kind to me. They are mostly Americans, but there are two Mexicans and one fella from Ecuador. The two Mexicans cannot speak much English and they have asked me if I could help them learn the language and, in return, they will teach me a bit of Spanish. My daily routine at the moment is getting up at 6:30am each day and getting picked up about 7:20am. Then we go out on the course just after 7:30am returning for lunch at around noon. We have 42 minutes for lunch then head back out on the course to tackle the afternoon tasks, finishing about 4:30pm. In my first two weeks I had
Saturday and Sunday off, but that changed on week three because we now work a rota system where we are split into two groups. My days off are now Friday and Saturday.
The weather in the first few weeks has been so different. I have seen all four seasons. We had 80O
plummeted to 40O
F on one day which then F the
following day - what a shock. This was followed by snow and thunderstorms. We also had a glimpse of the spring weather, which we should be having at this time - such a nice temperature to work in. I had to wait a few weeks to set up my bank account because I needed a social security number and, to get this, you have to be in the country for ten days. Then you have to wait for it to be sent out to you. Once you have that, you can get a bank account and a drivers licence for the state that you are in. I recently passed my driving test for Ohio which was very easy and took about 45 minutes altogether with the practical and theory. I have a car as well - a Honda Accord.
I went to watch the local ice
hockey team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are a professional team. Sadly, they have not done so well this season. The game I went to see, against the Anaheim Ducks, they lost 5-2. I had never watched ice hockey before so it was new experience for me, and one which I really enjoyed. I have settled out here very well and already feel at home. The country is very nice and I don’t feel like I am missing home that much. Mind you, I am getting phone calls daily from people back home so I don’t feel like I am missing them. There will be more people coming out to live with me while I am here, including two English lads and one from West Virginia. I hope you enjoyed reading this second ‘diary’ and I look forward to telling you about my experiences when I have settled a little bit more. ROB JONES
A few words from the new BAGCC Chairman
Brian D
Pierson, the incoming Chairman of the British Golf Course Constructors Association, says “wait until you can afford it!”
THE greatest asset of any golf club is the golf course itself and yet, far too often, more is spent on the ‘19th’ than the other 18.
If clubs are to embark on alterations, they should ask the following questions:
• Can the work be done in house?
• Are the green keeping team free to take on the extra work? Have they the time?
• Do they have access to the specialist equipment?
• Most importantly, do they possess those differing skills?
It has always been my contention that “Golf course builders build courses” and it is the Greenkeepers who “make them into courses”. It is now generally
recognised that the solution to alterations or improvements is to employ an experienced specialist who has the ability and, most importantly, a proven track record. My views are based on
the experience gained in golf course construction and alterations over the past forty years, in that time working on over 250 courses, including major construction and reconstruction at St Andrews, together with
the renovation on seven Open Championship venues. To quote international golf course architect, Donald Steel, who, as long ago as 1974, stated in an article in Golf Monthly - “Entrusting work to inexpert and inexperienced
contractors, even on the grounds of economy when funds are limited, is inviting disaster”. That statement is as true today as it was then. BAGCC members are far too often called in to “put right” sub standard work. It is essential that companies with experience and expertise are commisioned to undertake improvements. Golf clubs must also be aware of their legal responsibilities for insurances and Health & Safety and the very recent changes in government policy.
This year I have been elected as the Chairman of BAGCC, of which I am proud to have been a founder. Our members have an unrivalled reputation and experience, and are always willing to meet with clubs and offer professional advice. My final advice, if I may offer it, is “if you are unable to afford to do the job properly then wait until you can.”
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