GOLF Women in turfcare
In an era of equality, we at Pitchcare don’t wish to be seen as singling out females in the industry. However, in a male-dominated profession, we wanted to ask Lucy how she feels about it.
How do you find being a woman in a male dominated industry?
• Most in the industry have been welcoming
• I believe I have had to work harder and prove myself
• Don’t be put off by the few negative comments out there
• You could say we work smarter
Have you experienced any adversity whilst in the job towards yourself?
• People’s perceptions - this is where we need to be visible
• When enquiring about lift capacity on tractors, I was asked ‘what colour do you want it in love’? I found this unprofessional and answered not yours
• In interviews, I have always been asked, ‘can you lift heavy things?’ and ‘I know we shouldn’t ask but do you have children?’
Do you enjoy the Job?
• I love the job! Therefore, I hate that so many women are missing out on this great industry
What are your thoughts on getting more women interested in working in the industry?
• I don’t think it’s just women. There seems to be a whole recruitment shortage and taking away 50% of the population makes it harder. The turf industry needs to push the sector as a whole. I believe most greenkeepers fall into the industry because they played golf, or a family member did the job ... not many grew up wanting to be greenkeepers. Again, this is where visibility comes into it and I think TV coverage of tournament set-ups may be helping
What advice do you have for any women who are interested in a career in groundsmanship?
• Give it a try! Clubs are screaming out for volunteers or seasonal help, which is a great place to start. Then, if you enjoy it, look at it becoming a career. There is lots of information and contacts out there that would help, but don’t be put off
• Too good a profession to be missing out
• I hope seeing me on the surface - someone who they can relate to - provides motivation
26 PC February/March 2019 agronomic advice.”
Lucy has a combination of everything when it comes to machinery. “Some of it has been purchased outright and some on hire purchase. We have a mixed fleet of ages in the shed which looks good but, on the other hand, it’s not so good. My four biggest pieces of kit are less than three years old, then I have a ten-year-old greens mower and a Toro Workman. I’m not complaining though as there are definitely people worse off than me. It’s something I will I need to sit down with the club and work out in the future.”
Lucy likes to have regular talks with her staff about training and health and safety. “We regularly have little chats on various aspects of the job and share ideas. When new machinery comes in, we all have compliance training from the dealer whilst they go through all the features of the machine. We have a dynamic risk assessment process so all staff know where they can and can’t go working; this is made up of red, amber and green zones. I feel, training wise, we are all pretty much up to speed.” Lucy believes there are too many
clubs taking advantage of passionate greenkeepers. “Most love their job and hate to leave on a Friday with the course not looking its best, so if you are understaffed, the first thing you are going to do is make up that shortfall. There’s a lot of stressed, overworked greenkeepers out there, and there shouldn’t be. I think there are still too many people who don’t recognise the skill and the professionalism within greenkeeping. The only way to get members to understand what we do is through education, e.g. by inviting them down to the sheds to look around and get involved. Since I have been here, I have had the Greens Chairman, General Manager and Captain in to look at the problems first hand, rather than discuss it in the clubhouse, which better exposes them to our problems.”
Lucy is quite active within BIGGA. “I’m Chairman of the South Wales section and I sit on regional boards, so for me, promoting the industry is way up there. I believe we need to encourage more young people into our industry; regardless of gender.”
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