Golf
RCP’s Open Championship Qualifier preparation team
job of getting the course into great shape, ably assisted by his excellent Deputy, Greig Easton. Having a great deputy is so important to producing a great golf course. James said to me he would never find a harder working deputy and it was clear Greig had everything under control. So, to get everything prepared just the way
that James and Greig wanted for the Open Qualifying event, he asked for a few guys to help out for a few days before the tournament.
One of the things I love about this industry
is that everyone always wants to help each other out and to make everyone’s courses the best they can be. Not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for James to get the people he needed. You get what you give I guess! So, the ‘dream team’ consisted of an old friend of James’s, Fraser Peacock, and an old friend of mine, Gareth Roberts, Course Manager of Hankley Common, which is one of the world’s best heathland golf courses. Gareth also brought along young Jake Austin. Jake’s not been in greenkeeping long, so
James Bledge and faithful companion “
it’s inspiring that he’s been given such a great opportunity to learn, meet new people and see what this amazing industry has to offer. It does need great support from the
Course Manager to give guys the time to do this, but I think you get it back in spades and Jake is lucky to have Gareth as his mentor. The Roberts family was well supported for
the week with Graeme Roberts, (Gareth’s son) and Deputy Course Manager at Camberley Heath. Graeme is a veteran of many tournament support teams around the world - at numerous US Opens and USPGAs to name a few. Also in the crew were Wes Lenihan, Head
Greenkeeper at Ealing Golf Club; Lars Knutson, Course Manager at Ljunghusen Sweden; John Mcloughlin, Course Manager from Warrington Golf Club; the formidable Lee Sayers, Course Manager from Mid Kent Golf Club, and the hilarious Ryan Hyder from Tacit. To complete the team, we were joined by
Darren Burton, Head Greenkeeper from Lydd Golf Club to film all the action with his drone and GoPro. These items have made a great impact in the golf industry over recent years. The drone did provide some of the great moments of the week, with Jake being followed a little too closely whilst mowing greens and Darren offering his services for weddings and birthdays! Greenkeeping pay has never been great!
Never gloat as a greenkeeper, as you will soon be brought back down to earth!
Graeme Roberts cutting the practice greens 30 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
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