Golf
L-r: Joe Daws, Sam Mullinder and Dan Groome
cutting unit away in January with two or three months life on the bottom blade.” “I regrind the cutting units on the tees, greens and fairway mowers two or three times a year to ensure a consistent high quality of cut all year round, and carry out weekly backlapping to increase the life of the bottom blades.”
These two pigs were rescued from the adjoining main road, and brought onto the course for their safety. Dan has no idea where they came from, but a good home was found for them.
“This winter, we have undertaken some bunker reconstruction work, some clearing of ditches and crown lifting some tree plantations. With only a team of three we are always kept busy. There’s always something that requires our attention, or something I want to do to improve the course.”
Dan considers presentation to be of paramount importance. “I want people to really enjoy playing golf at Aqualate.
TWENTYQuestions
Dan Groome - if you can read this, our special ink is not working ... and, if you’re his wife, don’t read on!
Who are you? Dan Groome, Head Greenkeeper/Mechanic at Aqualate Golf Club.
Family status? Married with two children.
Who’s your hero and why? Radio One’s Chris Moyles, because he helps me get up and motivated every working day.
What is your dream holiday? The Bahamas.
What annoys you the most? People who think they are above their station.
What would you change about yourself? I would have changed that I was a smoker - I have been smoke free for twelve weeks, and counting!
Who would you like to be? Jeremy Clarkson, he just has the best job in the world.
Favourite record, and why? The Manic Street Preachers’ Motorcycle Emptiness, but credit must also be given to Green Day’s Basketcase.
Who would you choose to spend a
romantic evening with? The wife, unless you’ve got secret ink that only greenkeepers would see - then it would be Kate Hudson!
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Head straight for the Aston Martin dealership.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? Probably a drum kit - make a lot of noise - some good, some not so!
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? Don’t eat yellow snow - from my dad.
What’s your favourite smell? Petrol.
What do you do in your spare time? Gardening, listening to music and spending time with the family.
What’s the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? I once got asked if the sprinkler heads were, in fact, big nuts to hold the greens down. Jesus wept!
What’s your favourite piece of kit? The John Deere 2500e greens mower.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Handy, knowledgeable and workaholic.
What talent would you like to have? Any musical ability.
What makes you angry? People being late.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? A fixed minimum wage system for greenkeepers and a fairer taxation system.
Because we don’t have the mature trees, water hazards and mega bunkers that other courses have, what we do have, I always want presented to the best of our ability.”
With a healthy membership, and a committed head greenkeeper, Aqualate Golf Club appears to be in a healthy position. “I’m aware that we will never be much of a rival for the larger courses in the county, but we do, however, offer local people the opportunity to try their hand at golf via the pay and play route.” Dan seems very content with his role and enjoys being left alone to get on with the job in hand. He is to be commended for his dedication to the club.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148