Golf
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sent out on morning duty. That morning, superintendent Chris Dalhamer made time for me and we had a long chat about what I wanted to achieve from this opportunity and also what was expected of me. Not having a great deal of experience, I
just wanted to learn as much as possible from start to end under possibly one of the best management teams out there in Chris, his assistant superintendent, Pete Bachman, and second assistant, Jack Holt. Sometimes, I would be afraid to ask
questions as I felt they might be stupid, but was put at ease as Chris, Pete and Jack were always happy to make time and provide the answers - and, with their combined knowledge, there wasn’t a lot they couldn’t tell me. The only thing that they couldn’t answer is why they call football ‘soccer’ and American football ‘football’. My first few weeks consisted of various projects, checking bunkers for sand depth,
With their combined knowledge, there wasn’t a lot they couldn’t tell me. The only thing that they couldn’t answer is why they call football ‘soccer’ and American football ‘football’
sod jobs, installing an alternate new 10th tee. The idea of this new alternate tee came from photos from Pebble Beach many, many years ago when there used to be a tee positioned in the area we built it. This, to me, shows the dedication and commitment Chris has to his position at Pebble Beach. The alternate tee was used for specific tournaments through the year and was loved by the owners of the company. At Pebble Beach they use section workers
and, after a few months, I was on section. This consisted of taking care of five holes; I would maintain holes 1, 5, 9, 13 and 17. I thoroughly enjoyed section work as I feel it says a lot about the way you conduct yourself in the workplace. The main responsibilities would include mowing greens - allowing me the opportunity to use the world-class Jacobsen Eclipse battery operated greens mower - a piece of equipment that competes against
any other - raking bunkers, fixing ball marks and watering surrounds. I felt a huge sense of pride in my section and always did my upmost to make it look great. The attention to detail required whilst on section is something that stands out the most for me and I will bear that in mind wherever and whatever I go on to do in the future. There are certain aspects of greenkeeping which I had minimal or even no experience in whatsoever, but Pete recognised this and allowed me to take part in virtually every aspect, giving me the required training to achieve the experience I desired. Spraying greens and tees, topdressing, aerifying and fertilising were all practices I hadn’t much experience in, but now would be confident in carrying out, if required to do so. Just by working at Pebble Beach my confidence has improved significantly. Pete made time to teach me about herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers and the use of machinery I wasn’t
PC APRIL/MAY 2014 I 19
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