My first memory of Augusta National Golf Club was sitting in front of the TV with my dad, watching Ian Woosnam win The Masters in 1991. I had no idea what went into making that place look so perfect. But I do now, thanks to Mike O’Keeffe and The Ohio State University Programme. They got me in here for an experience of a lifetime.
Jeff Foulger talks to Pitchcare about his placement at the home of The Masters.
Inside the ropes at M 50
y name is Jeff Foulger and I am a 26 year old greenkeeper from London. I started my career as
an apprentice Greenkeeper in August 1997, at Chigwell Golf Club in Essex, under the supervision of Allan Sharp and Perry Lowe. I was taught a lot, learned a great deal and was generally guided in the right direction. During my time there I attended Warwickshire and Oaklands Colleges to achieve my qualifications. Towards the end of my time at Chigwell, I decided that I wanted to further my knowledge and career. I sent my CV to, what I considered to be, the top dozen golf courses in Britain and was successful in getting a position at The Grove. I spent two and a half years there
culminating in the preparation of the course for the World Golf Championship event. I also gained tournament experience at the K Club in Ireland working on the European Open to help better prepare myself for the WGC. In my last year at the Grove I was
already thinking about my next career move. I had often heard about training in America and all the benefits that could go with it. Everyone I talked to kept mentioning the Ohio State University Programme, either because they had experienced it themselves or had heard good things about it. This included Andrew Whittaker, a past student and Head Greenkeeper at the Grove. I decided it was time to get in contact with
AUGUSTA NATIONAL
Programme Manager Michael O’Keeffe at the Ohio State University. I sent him an in-depth CV with
references. We spoke many times via email and on the phone. I felt that he really wanted to get to know me, my background and what I was all about. He told me about some of the success stories and the top quality placements that he had dealt with. Using his experience and knowledge he told me that he would select a placement that would best suit me.
So, when he mentioned Augusta National, my jaw nearly hit the ground! I had a couple of phone interviews and some forms to fill in. I can still remember trying to contain my
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