Golf
GETTING Personal...
Simon Olver - needs to learn to switch off when he gets home from work - the red wine should help!
Who are you? Simon Olver, 33, Course Manager at Whitley Bay Golf Club, North East regional secretary of BIGGA, currently studying my final year of FdSc Sports Turf Management.
with what we have and evolve what wants to be there naturally with very similar results? Surly this is sustainable turf management? Imagine if it were possible to
produce firm, fast, healthy turf with a natural disease and drought tolerance just using all natural species available at a specific site. It is. All modern turf managers
must aerate, scarify, topdress, apply additions and mow at a height which has a detrimental effect to turf, no matter what the species is. Why not create the growing environment and let nature do what it does best. Over time, traits will evolve, tolerances will change and all species will adapt to survive in the growing medium which is created. Understanding the environmental
impact placed on each site specific golf course is imperative to its success; this allows the creation of a harmonious environment with equilibrium between happy grasses
and faultless playing surfaces. As the golf industry continues to
suffer, its unknown future is worrying, financial sustainability has never been more important. Look at what you have and what it needs to get you where you want to be. Who knows, in creating the ideal environment for current species through good traditional maintenance, sward composition may naturally change - FOR FREE. Modern greenkeeping has a new angle, producing today’s educated tradesmen, who understand the importance of science behind their profession as keepers of the green. This, used in partnership with the traditional fundamental mythology of yesteryear, makes a winning combination in any situation. We are all the modern day
Gingerbread men. Sustainable? Definitely.
Family status? Engaged to Kelly; three boys - Charlie, Jack and Frankie.
Who’s your hero and why? My dad, The kindest and cleverest man I know.
What would you change about yourself? Learn to switch off from work when I get home.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Red wine.
What's been the highlight of your career so far? Being offered my current position at Whitley Bay Golf Course.
Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? George Best, David Blaine and Albert Einstein.
If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why? Richard Branson; it would be great to see the world through the eye of one of the most successful humans on the planet.
Do you have any bad habits? I am a bit of a hoarder.
Do you go to bed worrying about the next day’s workload? Never worrying, but always thinking about tomorrow’s workload.
What are you reading at the moment? Lots of Uni books, J B Beard’s books are great.
What are your pet peeves? Cutting corners.
If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be? Japan.
What’s the best part of your job? I love all of it.
… and the worst? Office work and H&S.
Do you have a lifetime ambition? To manage a world class links course and host The Open. Then I will relax!
Favourite record, and why? Café del Mar; amazing sound to be listening to whilst working early doors during the summer months as the sun comes up.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? Kelly my fiancée.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Take my whole family away for an amazing holiday.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? Drums - intense, but very technical.
What's the best advice you have ever been given? Never ever stop learning.
What’s your favourite smell? Garlic.
What do you do in your spare time? Walking with family, golfing and relaxing.
What's the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? Do you put sand on the greens just to annoy us golfers?
What's your favourite piece of kit? John Deere HD200 sprayer and Pro Gator.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Dedicated, ambitious, loyal.
What talent would you like to have? To be able to dance.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? More standardised education ensuring that all levels of qualification deliver equal standards.
PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 I 17
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