Top man for a top job

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Top man for a top job: Scott MacCallum heads to the Scottish Trossachs to catch up with an old friend in a new job.

When a top job becomes available you know that, within the upper echelons of the industry involved, there will be a rush to polish CVs and Google the trendiest, most up-to-the-moment interview questions.

Top man for a top job

Top man for a top job

There are a few roles which would be at the top of many sports turf manager’s wish list and very high among those would be that of Director of Golf Course and Estate at Loch Lomond Golf Club.

Loch Lomond is one of those special places with a mystique borne out of the fact that for many golfers, it was only when the gates were opened for the Solheim Cup in 2000 and successive Scottish Opens from 1997 to 2010, that they could appreciate first hand the stunning layout and immaculate conditioning. It brings new meaning to the word “exclusive”.

So, when the job was advertised last year the jungle drums were beating. So loud, in fact, that they could be heard across the Atlantic in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Lee Strutt is a man who has never settled for the status quo. In fact, he could be seen as the poster boy for Norman Tebbit’s mantra, back in 1981, when he encouraged everyone to “get on your bike” and better themselves.

In the 30 years that I’ve known him, Lee has been responsible for Richmond Golf Club, in London; the GWest Project in Perthshire; the RAC Club in Epsom; Les Bordes Golf Club in southwest of Paris; and Cabot Cape Breton in Canada.

“None of my moves had ever been pre-planned, they were opportunistic and when I saw the Loch Lomond job being advertised, I knew that it had never been advertised before making it a unique opportunity,” said Lee, adding that he had been happy and content what he was doing in Canada

“I’m never upset by rejection. Quite often people will look at my career and think that I’ve had nothing but success. However, they haven’t seen all the jobs I’ve applied for, didn’t get a response, or got a response which was, ‘No thank you’.”

And before you ask. Lee never left any role with his tail between his legs. His work ethic, professionalism and general decency meant his departing employers were always as sorry to see him leave as his new employers were pleased to have acquired his services.

Lee had been told by a number of people that if he ever had the opportunity to work with Loch Lomond’s General Manager, John Blanch, he should take it.

“I’d heard so many good things about John from his time at Wentworth and then here that I reached out to him on Linkedin before applying for the job,” he said, adding that Ken Seims, long time Loch Lomond head man, was someone he identified as a mentor, while he was also extremely close to David Cole, the man who he was to replace, having himself moved onto an exciting new project near St Andrews.

One Teams call and an in-person on-site interview later and Lee’s ambition was being fulfilled.

“The question is always do you tell a panel what they want to hear or are you true to yourself and outline what you actually believe,” said Lee, of his second interview which came a few hours after he had had the opportunity to walk the golf course.

“I thought, no actually I’m going to tell them exactly what I’m going to do if I get the job.”

His approach worked. Having clinched the role, it appears to be the perfect fit. The country’s top rated inland golf course and a Director of Golf Course and Estate who not only has a passport as well-worn as that of Michael Palin, but also had time to become the only turf manager in the world to have the top greenkeeping distinctions from the top four greenkeeping associations – Master Greenkeeper from BIGGA, the top award from the GCSAA, the Canadian Master Superintendent and the Australian CSTM.

“I’m the only person with all four, although a good friend of mine from the States, Matt Gourley, should be joining me this year. I’m looking forward to celebrating with him becoming the second person to join the club!”

So, if you find yourself in your dream role, at a golf course which has ticked every box since the day it opened, what is left for you to do to make a positive impact? Standards are so high that improvements can be very hard to find.

One of the questions he had been asked was what does 30, 60, 90 days look like?

“I said that I’d spend the first 30 days getting to know people and to understand how they work. People – staff – are a really important component to me. The next 30 days were looking at our operations – what we’re doing on the estate, management processes, our equipment, some of the ambitions of the past. The last 30 days were about what we do going forward,” he explained.

Top man for a top job

Top man for a top job

“This is what I did and then at the end of my 90 days I sat down with John (Blanch) and said, this is what I see going forward. I’m looking at the agronomy, I’m looking at the presentation, I’m looking at our people.”

Given that he has gathered huge experience from around the world what has he taken from his time outside of the UK?

“I guess what I have learnt and developed is to communicate better and articulate what we need to do as well as I can. I keep saying to the team here that I’ve got three principles which I have carried through my career. They are transparency, respect, and trust. Without any one of those, it doesn’t work.”

While he believes his goals are in line with most top golf course managers, he does feel that there are many different ways of achieving those goals. “Everyone is different. I really like data. We have a weekly agronomic meeting where we look at all our data, green speeds, fertility, operations, trying to identify what our sweet spots look like.

“I don’t actually look at all the positives. I’m not wowed by the scenery and how beautiful this is. Because my job is all about what’s not right.”

Taking from the analogy of marginal gains, as preached by Dave Brailsford when he was head of British Cycling, and Formula One teams, Lee explained his philosophy.

“If you went to work for Formula One they’re not saying, ’Oh look at the lovely car, it’s all so shining’, It’s all about where can you save a tenth of a tenth? What needs to be done to motivate the team when changing tyres?

“That’s what I do. I focus on everything that’s not right,” said Lee, who admitted that since he started last August, he had yet to play the golf course, claiming he wouldn’t get past the 1st without finding something he wasn’t happy with.

So, let’s have an example of how his approach works on a day-to-day basis.

“We’ve revisited our agronomic approach and decided to strip it right back and rebuild, instead of turning around and saying, ‘Well in the past X, Y and Z was done.’ Let’s assume we don’t need to apply X, Y and Z and see what happens.

“So, we’re now learning about what actually the site wants and needs and then delivering it. You are not being influenced by a previous approach, even if it was that which got the course to an outstanding level. It is all about focusing on continuous improvement,” said Lee, who attributes Adrian Archer, former Course Manager of Broadstone Golf Club, in Poole, as the man who set him on his greenkeeping path and, in particular, pushed him into attending Sparsholt College.

“Sometimes you have to go back and look at that recipe and go, that recipe’s good. How do I improve it? Or sometimes it’s a case of stripping something right back and rebuilding it. You might get to the point where the results are the same, but there’s now a greater potential for further improvement.”

Loch Lomond was designed by the great Tom Weiskopf and opened in 1993 and while it has always been a majestic golf course it was challenged by the eye-wateringly high rainfall levels endured by local residents, Loch Lomond’s members and staff. The joke about locals having developed webbed feet comes from an average of two and a half metres of rain per annum and is not totally fanciful!

Over recent years, and before Lee’s time, the club invested £7.5 million to sand cap the entire site.

“They did a phenomenal job with the sand capping. It was started before Covid and completed in 2022. A new irrigation system has also been installed,” said Lee.

“However, it’s only part of that silver bullet because what has happened is that you’ve added an inert sand and we’ve got to change that sand into more of a root zone so it’s not so inert.

You need more biology and that’s something that we’re working on now.

“How we can evolve the plant to benefit from all that sand capping and for the plant to grow and to grow to be happy. So that’s one of our programmes that we’re working on, and it will help fine-tune presentation and playability.”

Top man for a top job

Top man for a top job

What constitutes success for Lee?

“That is a brutal question. I was chatting to a guy yesterday and we were talking about how do you get to a state of satisfaction? I do think that satisfaction is the closest I can get to success.

“If I have maxed out on all the opportunities to make things better, that to me would be satisfaction and would mean that I’ve succeeded.

Another area where he is seeking to make improvements is in the facility for the 38 members of his team – which includes six in the garden team, three in the workshop and the rest on the golf course.

“When I arrived, I thought that our facility of workshops, offices and mess room, built from breeze block, looked very austere. So, I’m working to improve things. I’ve got pictures of the team members up on the walls, while I’ve got hold of two fabulous leather armchairs for this room. I’m also having a table specially built from wood from the course for meetings, while the chairs are ideal for one-to one chats with staff, talking to reps etc,” said Lee, as he and I tested the comfort levels of the chairs.

Lee has inherited an extremely fine group of people, who have bought into his three values – remember, transparency, respect and trust – while he is also keen to encourage those looking to change career to join the industry.

“I’ve got a guy in my team that used to run building sites. He now works for us. I’ve got a guy that used to repair submarines. He now works for us. I’ve got a guy that spent 17 years as a court officer. He’s now greenkeeping, and a guy who spent five years as a video editor. He said that he just wanted to scratch that itch. They all have a work ethic,” said Lee.

“The issue with school kids is they don’t know anything different, so they can start greenkeeping and then wonder if they should try something else? Whereas the people that have got a past career, they’ve got something to associate and they’ve had enough time to think that they want more of this and less of that.

“I would say we, as an industry, need to find a means whereby we can say to people out there who had had a first career, that we can give you an opportunity for a second career.”

Speaking with Lee you quickly sense that here is a man who has got his teeth well into his new role and that he won’t stop until he finds satisfaction… which you suspect will always just sit tantalisingly outside of his grasp.

So, it is fair assumption that while Lee was absolutely delighted to have heard the sound of those jungle drums all the way in Canada last year, he won’t be listening out for them again any time soon.

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

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Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health: By ICL’s Henry Bechelet. A Greenkeeper’s Reality: The Battle Against Stress

You’ve been here before.

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

A long, dry spell stretches on, and the greens start showing signs of stress – wilting, thinning, roots struggling to reach deeper for moisture. Then,
just as relief comes in the form of rain, it brings a new challenge: soft, unpredictable surfaces, weakened turf, and patchy recovery.

In these moments, turf resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential. Stronger roots mean faster recovery, better stress tolerance, and consistently high-quality playing surfaces. And for years, greenkeepers have turned to seaweed extracts to support plant health.

But here’s the thing: not all seaweed based biostimulants are the same. The difference isn’t just in the seaweed itself – it’s in how its powerful compounds are extracted.

Why SMX is Different: Science, Innovation, and Sustainability

ICL, in partnership with Acadian Seaplants – the world leader in seaweed technology – has developed SMX, a scientifically engineered seaweed biostimulant designed to
enhance turf performance from the roots up. With cutting-edge extraction methods, a commitment to sustainability, and proven results, SMX isn’t just another seaweed extract. It’s a smarter approach to turf management.

The Science Behind SMX: Why Extraction Matters

Not all seaweed extracts deliver the same results. For decades, seaweed has been used in turf management. But how it’s processed determines whether its most beneficial compounds reach the plant in a usable form.

There’s a common belief that cold-pressed seaweed is always superior. It’s a nice idea, but the reality is more complex. Research shows that different extraction
methods yield different benefits – some unlock higher levels of bioactive compounds than others.

Alkaline Extraction: A Proven Advantage

Independent trials, including those led by Dr. Andy Owen and the ICL team, have demonstrated that alkaline extracted seaweed can significantly enhance root length and volume – key factors in improving turf resilience.

Here’s why it matters:

  • Better root initiation – SMX helps roots establish faster and deeper, providing stronger anchorage and access to moisture.
  • Enhanced stress tolerance – Turf treated with SMX recovers more effectively from drought, wear, and disease.
  • Improved nutrient uptake – Healthier roots mean better absorption of essential nutrients, supporting long-term turf quality. It’s not about saying one method is always better than another – it’s about understanding what actually works in turf management. And SMX is backed by real-world trials.

What Sets SMX Apart?

Specialist expertise from Acadian Seaplants. Acadian Seaplants is a global leader in sustainable seaweed harvesting and extraction technology.

By partnering with Acadian, ICL combines world-class seaweed innovation with its own expertise in turf agronomy, ensuring SMX delivers real, measurable benefits.

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

Unlocking the power of seaweed: SMX difference for turf health

Extraction that works for turf, not just for labels:

  • SMX’s alkaline extraction process enhances the availability of plant growth regulators and stress response compounds.
  • Trials confirm that SMX-treated turf recovers faster from drought, wear, and disease, helping greenkeepers maintain high performance playing surfaces.

Real-World Results, Proven by Science

Independent research shows that SMX:

  • Increases root initiation
  • Strengthens turf against environmental stress
  • Improves long-term resilience on golf courses, stadiums, and sports pitches.

Sustainable Innovation: The SMX Commitment

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a responsibility. Acadian Seaplants ensures every harvest is carried out responsibly, using satellite imaging and drone technology to monitor seaweed bed regrowth. This protects marine ecosystems while ensuring a continuous, high-quality supply of seaweed.

For greenkeepers, choosing SMX means choosing a product that supports turf health and respects the environment.

SMX: The Next Step in Turf Management

Greenkeeping isn’t just about managing grass – it’s about understanding how to give turf the best possible foundation to thrive.

With increasing environmental challenges, greenkeepers need proven, research-backed solutions – not just marketing claims. SMX is more than just another seaweed extract.

It’s the next step in root health, stress resilience, and sustainable turf management.

Are you ready for the SMX difference? Contact us to learn how ICL and Acadian Seaplants are setting new standards in turf management.

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

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A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show: Susan Lindsay takes a tour around the third edition of the ever growing Scots Turf Show at Hamilton Racecourse.

I walk into the grounds of Hamilton racecourse for this year’s Scots Turf Show and I am first given a voucher for £2 off food and greeted warmly. To my left is a robotic mower, meticulously cutting even green lines in the very wet grass. The rain has been coming down in sheets and my feet are already soggy after only five minutes of being on site.

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

All around me is a vast array of enthusiastic stall holders, public and impressive machinery. Each eager member of the public has some form of branded freebie, either on their head or over their shoulder and I am smiling with them at the camaraderie and shared level of interest present.

The food van is doing great business as the cold and wet attendees redeem their money off voucher. There is also free tea and coffee indoors, which I am very grateful for and have never experienced at any other event I’ve been to. I sit with my cup of tea, dry off a bit, charge my phone and look over the map that I also got upon entry.

Turf Tank have also got a piece of robotic machinery on show and I admire the precision line marking it is carrying out. The bold, crisp white lines the little bot is busying itself with is impressive!

First, I meet up with Andrew Donnachie from Iseki, the Regional Sales Manager for Scotland and Ireland. Scotland is their biggest market for winter pavement gritting tractors and the machinery on show today stands ready to fill the market’s needs.

Andrew tells me that it is nice to see more exhibitors this year, there’s been great footfall and that there is a real tight-knit atmosphere to this low-cost event for Scotland.

He feels it is important to showcase machinery using a smaller format and that bigger shows could benefit from learning from Scots Turf.

Key founder Alan Thompson, from SIS Pitches, credited the weather for driving people out to the show! With the rain so heavy, I can see why it may be a better day to come to Hamilton Racecourse.

With opportunities to participate in the seminars, watch demos and chat to stall holders, rather than sitting hunched over on a ride-on mower with every muscle seizing up in the damp cold, sounds more attractive to me too. The seminars range from water management research, climate smart turf management plus Q&A, nutrition and sports turf data.

What started for Alan over a fast-food meal with colleagues, has become a large event that he clearly feels passionate about. He tells me they invest what they make back into the Show along with donating sports products to five or six sports charities each year.

They prioritise product over financial gain. Ultimately his goal is to provide something in Scotland for Scotland as well as support local companies.

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

Next is key founder, Richard Heywood, from Campey Turf Care. When I ask Richard what the best part of the day for him will be, he tells me: “When I’m driving out of the gate to go home, knowing it’s been a job well done and all our efforts have paid off”.

He is particularly pleased that they were able to offer three seminar rooms this year with a PA tannoy system announcing when and where they would be held. The start of the day saw some damage from the wind and rain along with some panic as the tannoy microphone was lost. However, it didn’t take long to tidy up and find the mic and the event started to run smoothly from there.

Richard is keen to thank Laura and Mark, from Hamilton Racecourse, whose help has been invaluable and enabled the smooth running of the show.

Richard is excited to see where it goes from here and is looking forward to seeing many more fresh faces next year.

Richard doesn’t let me go empty handed and I am presented with my own woolly Scots Turf Show hat! I walk among the crowds, and I am jealously eyed by a few who stop me and ask me to tell them where they can get one. I am very glad to tell them that they can get one from either Richard or Alan, whose genuine passion for the show tells by just how much everyone has got from being here to see and experience everything on offer.

I have been to lots of events and a handful at Hamilton Racecourse and this is by far the best organised I have encountered. The feeling of giving back to the Scottish audience is tangible and genuine.

As my thick, attractive, woolly Scots Turf hat settles nicely onto my head, my only feedback would be it is too well insulated and my ears are so well cushioned, I cannot hear a thing… but what I do hear is lots of conversation about next year and what the future holds in store for this already successful event.

Stihl reveals impressive range

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Stihl reveals impressive range: Stihl invited the industry press to their new Camberley-based headquarters to demonstrate some of their new battery powered equipment and showcase their Master Technician Course.

The equipment on show included chainsaws; hedge trimmers; a single sided hedge trimmer and both conventional battery power mower and robot mowers.

Stihl reveals impressive range

Stihl reveals impressive range

With a high power output of 2.0 kW, equivalent to the petrol FS 411 C-EM, the new STIHL FSA 400 is the most powerful battery powered clearing saw available in the market.

Thanks to its impressive performance, the FSA 400 is the first STIHL AP System tool to be compatible with shredder and circular saw blades, allowing professionals to clear tough areas of dense and woody growth.

Like all AP System tools, the FSA 400 has been built to withstand tough working conditions. The sturdy battery housing with stainless steel air filter ensures optimum battery and motor protection, while the 28mm aluminium drive shaft and gearbox are identical to those found on the professional petrol range.

Designed for professional landscapers, the HSA 140 R and HSA 140 T are the most powerful battery powered hedge trimmers in the STIHL AP System.

The HSA 140 also offers high levels of operator comfort. The new hedge trimmer weighs just 4.3-4.6 kg (without battery) and is comfortable to hold, balanced in operation, and features a rotating rear handle that locks into three positions across a 180-degree range.

The HSA 140 is quiet in operation, and thanks to the highly effective anti vibration system, is suitable for long periods of use too.

Designed for professional landscapers, the HSA 150 R and HSA 150 T are the first single-sided hedge trimmers in the Stihl AP System, comparable in performance to the popular petrol HS 87.

Available in lengths of 75cm or 100cm, the HSA 150 comes equipped with a catcher plate as standard, increasing the speed at which the top of hedges can be cut.

Stihl reveals impressive range

Stihl reveals impressive range

Stihl has expanded its range of robotic lawn mowers with the introduction of the professional iMOW 7 PRO. Thanks to the new Teams Function, up to three iMOW 7 PRO machines can work in one mowing area to rapidly maintain lawns and sports pitches up to 8,000m2 in size, with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.

The iMOW 7 PRO offers professionals and businesses a cost effective and reliable way of ensuring a high-quality finish to their grounds, while allowing operatives more time to focus on other value adding tasks.

The Teams Function, combined with the fast drive speed and short mowing times, ensures that the iMOW 7 PRO cuts the grass quickly with minimal disruption. The mowing timetable can be customised easily in the My iMOW App, allowing mowing periods to work seamlessly alongside the activities taking place on the sports pitch.

Stihl is also launching three new powerful and rugged professional battery-powered lawnmowers, perfectly suited to demanding lawn care in noise-sensitive areas. An extension to the AP System, the new lawnmowers are equivalent in performance to the well-respected 7 series petrol models.

With a 48cm cutting width, the RMA 750 V is the smallest of the three new models. The RMA 756 V has a larger 54cm cutting width for faster working, while the RMA 7 RV is a dedicated mulching mower with no collection bag and a cutting width of 51cm.

Stihl’s Master Technician Course, has been designed to provide expert level servicing and diagnostics across the full Stihl product range.

Following extensive development and a successful pilot earlier this year, the Master Technician Course is now available to Approved dealers who have completed the full training pathway, comprising Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced Servicing courses.

The final stage of the programme includes an online entry exam and pre-requisite modules, followed by an intensive three-day face-to face training experience at Stihl’s headquarters, Contra House.

The hands-on course offers participants an in-depth technical deep dive, featuring:

• Eight specialist assessments
• Extensive product usage training
• A guided Contra House tour
• A structured recertification process, including an annual online exam. Since launching the Master

Technician learning pathway in 2023, nearly 100 face-to-face training courses have taken place across all four levels, reinforcing the company’s commitment to dealer training and technical excellence.

The first Master Technician Course officially launched online in February, with nine further face-to-face sessions planned throughout 2025.

Combined with a tour of the HQ which was officially opened last spring, the day was extremely informative and, as usual, Stihl were perfect hosts.

Where there’s a Will

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Where there’s a Will: Think of Ilkley and the first thing that comes to mind is probably the famous old song ,“On Ilkley Moor Bah’t ’At” and the fact that Ilkley, of the many lovely towns and villages in Yorkshire, is perhaps the most archetypal of them all.

Incidentally, did you know that the “translation” of “On Ilkley Moor Bah’t ’At” is “On Ilkley Moor Without a Hat”? I didn’t know that either.

Where there’s a Will

Where there’s a Will

Anyhow I digress. Ilkley has been in the news a couple of times lately. It was named as the best place to live in the north of England and secondly, Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club is where you can now find not only the GMA Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year, but also the GMA Grounds Manager of the Year.

Now it may be that you are in the market for a new pad in the north of England, but I’m reckoning that given that you are reading Turf Matters, you will be more interested in the achievements at the tennis club.

For first time GMA Award entrants, the team, which was entered by General Manager Chris Harrison, achieving the two accolades, especially as they were pitted against the most famous tennis club the world, is quite remarkable. Particularly so for the unassuming 31-year-old Head Groundsman, Will Rigg, who joins a very exclusive club of top Grounds Managers who have collected the award.

It would be fair to say that the Ilkley delegation arrived at Anfield Stadium for the Awards Dinner more in hope than in expectation. I know this because when I arrived at the stadium and exited my Uber they were the first people I bumped into and we chatted all the way to the fifth-floor function room.

Having established who they were, and that they were up against Wimbledon for their award, Will told me that he hoped that it might come down to how they managed their budget rather than simply judging Ilkley against the iconic All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

We finished off by my saying, “Well, if you do win, I’ll come down and visit.” Three hours later I was checking how long it would take me to drive to Ilkley.

“As we got closer to our award being announced I started to get a little more confident, but then I noticed the Wimbledon guys and they’d brought a full table, and come a long way, so maybe they knew something!” recalled Will.

Where there’s a Will

Where there’s a Will

“When our name was read out we all went crazy. It had been a good team night already, but to have won was just fantastic.”

Having accepted their award, they all returned to their table to relax and enjoy the moment.

“Not having been at the Awards before I didn’t know about the Grounds Manager of the Year, as there are no names released in advance. When it came to the announcement someone at our table joked and said that they’d be saying my name. Ten seconds later my name was read out.

“I’d say my heart dropped a little bit. It was a huge shock and a complete surprise. Then when I looked at the trophy – which had already been engraved – and saw those who had won it before, I just couldn’t believe that my name was right there beside them.”

Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club may have been an outsider going into the competition but having visited the club, you can easily see why the work of Will and the other two full-time members of the team, Peter Crowther and Jamie Teale, found favour.

Surrounded by a host of wonderful houses that make Ilkley such a sought-after place to live, the club has facilities the envy of most clubs in the country. There’s a gym open from 6am to 10pm coupled with fitness studios and there is a regular flow of its 1,800 gym members throughout the day.

There are 13 grass tennis courts, three outdoor acrylic and five indoor acrylic courts, two astro courts, squash courts and a padel court to accommodate the 1,000 racquet sport members.

There is also a café on the first floor looking over the site. Overall, there are around 3,000 members. When I was there it was during the Easter Holidays and there were dozens of young children, some trying a sport for the first time, all excited and enthusiastically taking in the experience.

Will studied Sports Business Management at Leeds Metropolitan University – now Leeds Beckett – but like many before, and after him, discovered that a degree doesn’t necessarily open the particular door that you’d like it to. The door that did open was that of Waitrose and post uni he was working at the Otley store stacking shelves.

Will was, and probably still is, a decent semi-professional loose head prop and a previous General Manager of the tennis club, who he knew from his time at Otley Rugby Club, asked if he fancied the job as Assistant Groundsman. So, nine years ago, he arrived at the club and started learning the ropes from his old boss, Richard “Lordy” Lord who sadly died suddenly just over three years ago.

“He was my boss and became a friend for six years, I learned a lot off him about grass, managing courts and life!”

Where there’s a Will

Where there’s a Will

When “Lordy” died, Will moved from Assistant to Head Groundsman.

“I’ve continued to build up my knowledge base while on the job really. I’ve got my spraying certificates, but I’ve just learned the agronomy side of things through working on site and getting advice from people in the industry, including Mark Ferguson when was at the STRI,” said Will, name checking Mark, who, ironically, is now on the Wimbledon staff.

He has also attended grass court seminars at Wimbledon while, amazingly, he is currently taking his Level 2 in Sports Turf Management.

Level 2 in Sports Turf Management. However, Chris Hunter, of the GMA, who came in to judge the club for the Awards, said that he is actually operating at Level 3 or 4 levels, which is less surprising.

So what was it about Will that marked him out as a potential Grounds Manager of the Year leading a Tennis Grounds Team of the Year? Let’s ask the man himself.

“I’m organised, I like to be on top of everything. If our tournament is in eight- or nine-weeks’ time, we don’t want to wait until three weeks out to get a job done. The guys know what they need to do and what is expected of them. They are like me, they want to get things done and we don’t like to be sitting around doing nothing. We want to do the best job we can and if that means staying an hour or two later, they have a pride in their work and are happy to do it, even though they don’t get paid any more.”

Being such a northerly lawn tennis club has its obvious issues, but there is one challenge that presents itself at Ilkley which doesn’t necessarily come because it is so far up from the Watford Gap. It’s the River Wharfe.

“The river is just 10 metres behind us and can flood. We actually flooded on New Year’s Day and we got two feet of water on the grass courts and the grounds resulting in major clean ups. It was the first time in three or four years,” said Will, adding that the upside of being close to the river is that they can take irrigation water from it during dry spells.

The highlight of the year for the club, its members and Will and his team is the annual Challenger Tour event, the Lexus Ilkley Tournament which, as a pre-Wimbledon warm up event for men and women, always attracts a strong field. Last year’s winner, for example, was Belgian, David Goffin, who was an established figure in the world’s top 10 for a number of years. The 2017 women’s champion, Magdaléna Rybáriková, followed up with by reaching the semi finals at Wimbledon a short time later.

Where there’s a Will

Where there’s a Will

“We erect 1,800 temporary seats around our Centre Court and have six match courts and five practice courts in play.

“It is a fantastic week and we have marquees up and our café is for the sole use of the players,” said Will, who augments the team with four temporary staff over the period.

The set up is retained for a period after the tournament for a series of outdoor concerts. This year, for example, Scouting For Girls and DJ Chris Moyles will be appearing at the club.

For general agronomic advice and, in particular, in the lead up to the tournament Will works with Tom Wood, of Agrovista, on putting a programme in place and it is the MM50 seed which is now used on the courts.

While maintained to the highest of standards, Will does try and bring them to a peak for the tournament.

“I’d say they are at their best for that week. You want them to be the right hardness, looking the right colour and playing as they should and we do keep the members of Centre Court for a period in the run up to the tournament.”

With the trophies sitting proudly in the club trophy cabinet and congratulations from members coming on a regular basis, Will and his team are in the fortunate position of being appreciated in roles which often come unsung and unrewarded.

But what dreams and aspirations did Will have when, just recently graduated, he was turning up every day at Waitrose to work?

“I’d have hoped to have been doing something with my degree but, looking back on it, I probably didn’t know what I wanted to do even then,” he said.

But nine years on, the new GMA Grounds Manager of the Year is well established in an industry that he enjoys, in a job that he loves and with a CV which will always stand out in a crowd.