Golf What’s in the shed?
John Deere 2500B Greensmower Ransomes 185 T-Plex, for cutting surrounds
Ransomes 305 Fairway, for cutting the driving range John Deere Gator buggy John Deere 4700 Tractor with front loader
Husqvana rotary mower, for cutting the rough
Ransomes Super-Certes 51 hand greens mower
Hayter Harrier 65 Hand mowers for the tees x 2
Charterhouse Verti-drain unit John Deere D45C Scarifier Mete-R-Matic Topdresser Hardi 200L Sprayer MTD Rotavator Allen Flymo Scotts Fertiliser Spreader SCH Hand Sorrel Roller Stihl Strimmers x 2 Stihl Chainsaws x 2 Stihl Leaf Blowers x 2
View through the 8th and 9th
carries out this work and, likewise, Shayne is the only trained pesticides operative. More recently, Shayne achieved Level 3 First Aid certification and is the only fully trained first aider in the department. Shayne considers this highly necessary and important considering all of the blades and engines and heavy equipment that are dealt with on a daily basis. The newest member of the team, Kalum,
is still undergoing training, but can do most things on the course. The hotel offers ongoing training to their staff, and Shayne has already done a fire safety course, and a first aid course, something which is of great benefit to both the company and personal development, therefore Shayne will be pushing for more of this in the near future. After completing his Level 2 City & Guilds
apprenticeship in Greenkeeping, Shayne went on to do PA1, PA2 and PA6 safe use of pesticides and, since then, has done a certificate in maintaining the health of sports turf (GTC). I asked Shayne about the consideration to
I asked Shayne what was on his wish list and his excited response was a new workshop (as the current one is very old), and, due to his personal preference and ease of use, new John Deere mowers to help raise the profile of the course.
Since Shayne has been at the club, they have been looking at getting two new machines, one for the rough and one for the surrounds. So, when Capex requests roll around, at the top of his list will be to buy new equipment outright from their local John Deere dealer, Rabeys, who he championed for being ‘very good and a 'helpful bunch of lads who know their stuff’.
Sometimes, they hire in a digger and operator, depending on what work is being carried out, as well as a pedestrian Groundsman corer, which is used on the greens and surrounds.
Servicing and machinery maintenance is currently outsourced to a local supplier, but Shayne is looking to obtain a service contract for all the machines.
26 I PC JUNE/JULY 2014
employ apprentices. “We do employ one young lad, but this is a recent thing. He is not an apprentice, as such, and I trained him up myself. I would very much like him to do an apprenticeship though, as I know how hard it is when you’re young with no experience - no one gives you a chance unless you have a qualification these days.” “He does ask a lot of questions, which I
always try to answer, and we have a lot of turfcare books and magazines that he reads through. It is early days yet, but it seems to be working out very well. It works for us, and that’s what is important, everyone is happy. I explain to him how things have changed over the years; from back when I was his age, and how technology and research and development have helped greenkeepers over the years. I would much rather be a greenkeeper now than thirty years ago.” “I think our industry is bigger than ever
now, due to the ever growing demand for sports, especially golf… it is getting more and more popular by the year. With the way
“
I think our industry is bigger than ever now, due to the ever growing demand for sports, especially golf… it is getting more and more popular by the year
technology keeps changing, everything is getting better and becoming more affordable. I think with the amount of work we do, underground work that people can't see, and don't realise it has been done; sometimes it feels like a thankless task.” “In terms of raising the greenkeeper
profile; I think if we carry on doing what we are doing, we will get noticed for what we do as more and more people are becoming aware of the work that is required by us. When I used to say to people ‘I am a greenkeeper’ they used to say ‘Oh, you cut grass.’ Now, when I tell them, they say ‘I’d love to have your job!’” Shayne concluded by telling me his father
was his inspiration: “I had always taken a keen interest in what he did from an early age, and was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to work with him, and develop my own skills and knowledge. Some of my club members are also members at his club, and they ask about the banter we have about each other’s courses. I have adopted his love of the sport and his perfectionist approach. Presentation is the number one priority for me; if it doesn’t look good, then I am not happy. It doesn’t really take a lot to tidy up where you have made a mess!”
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