Simon Blagg’s greenkeeping career has taken him eight years, across seven golf courses, six
tournaments and three continents.
Now, happily settled in Sydney, Australia, Simon charts his career, from mowing his parents’ lawn in Staffordshire, through to the Ohio State University Programme, via Loch Lomond and back again.
His story is, or should be, an inspiration to any young turfcare
professional looking to advance his or her career
I
am Simon Blagg, a twenty-three year old qualified greenkeeper. From a young age I have always loved being outside amongst nature and, consequently, became a keen
gardener. My specific interest in turf started when I was around ten years old, after my older brother handed down one of his unwanted weekly chores and gave me permission to use the lawn mower. From that moment on I haven’t really looked back! After leaving High School aged sixteen, I was inspired to go on and study at Reaseheath College in Cheshire and gain a Horticulture Qualification. I started on the foundation course and worked my way, over four years, to a National Diploma in Horticulture and Sports Turf Maintenance. I graduated from Reaseheath with a number of ‘Best Student’ awards and a Triple Distinction in my final exams.
During my time at college, I was also able to secure a couple of really beneficial “eye opening” work experience placements. The initial placement was at Jack Barkers’ Keele Golf Course; a municipal course on the border of Stoke on Trent. It was here that I really learned my basic golf course maintenance skills; bunker raking, hole changing, greens mowing and general golf course setup.
My second placement was at the Oval
Cricket ground in London, home of Surrey County Cricket Club. This placement was perfect, as one of my main sporting passions is cricket and, at the time, I was playing for my local team. I spent five weeks working at the Oval and learning from, in my opinion, one of the best cricket groundsman in the country - Bill Gordon. The Year was 2005; a massive season of cricket in England, as it was the Ashes winning summer when England secured the series at the Oval, which always hosts the final Test.
In the spring of 2006, with one more year left at college, I set myself a new goal; to try and become the youngest cricket groundsman in my local Stone and District Cricket league. Fortunately (aged 19), I was offered a position as groundsman at my local club - Maer and Onneley CC.
Although I was still at college completing my studies, I was then offered a further employment opportunity at Leek Golf Club, working under a fantastic Head Greenkeeper, John Turner, and his assistant, Steven Parr. Steven has since,
“I was left with a tough decision - to continue as a greenkeeper at Leek, find a way of pursuing my cricket groundsman career or apply for the Ohio State University Turf Grass Programme”
Blagg’s Blog
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