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Greenkeeper Diaries: Broadway

March 22, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

NCG chats to trainee Nick Gardener about the life of a greenkeeper… Course: Broadway Golf Club Name: Nick Gardener Position: Trainee greenkeeper You were a professional golfer. What brought you into greenkeeping? I was looking for a job and I was considering going back to university to train as a teacher. I went to my […]

Cricket: Free Trip On Offer For Groundsmen

March 22, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

A free trip to Headingley beckons for members of the Lincolnshire Cricket Groundsmen’s Association. The association is providing free transport from Lincoln to the Yorkshire stadium on Monday (March 27) to meet award-winning head groundsman Andy Foggerty and to learn about his pre-season preparations. Members will then visit the rugby ground next door to speak […]

Greenkeeper Diaries: Broadway

March 22, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Cricket: Free Trip On Offer For Groundsmen

March 22, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

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Greenkeeper Diaries: Broadway

March 22, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

NCG chats to trainee Nick Gardener about the life of a greenkeeper…

Course: Broadway Golf Club
Name: Nick Gardener
Position: Trainee greenkeeper

You were a professional golfer. What brought you into greenkeeping?

I was looking for a job and I was considering going back to university to train as a teacher. I went to my club at the time and the professional said they were looking for an apprentice greenkeeper.

At first, I thought it would tide me over but I loved it. I loved the science behind it. You are not bound to a desk, or stuck in a building. I took up the apprenticeship and I have never looked back.

What’s the best part of the job?

It ties in with my lifestyle. I can get up in the morning and be done by 2 or 3pm. Then I can go and train for my race days. I race for an amateur cycling team, Cycle Studio Core Telecom RPC Team.

What don’t golfers understand about your role?

They don’t understand what we have to take into account [in preparing a course]. They don’t understand the science behind it or the processes we go through to design, build or maintain a course.

They think it all happens by magic. A lot of things have to be thought through. For example, how you care for your machinery can affect the grass. It is all hard work and takes a lot of skill.

What is involved in becoming a qualified greenkeeper?

I study at Myerscough College. It’s a further education course. A lot of the work is done practically and through video analysis. We actually use our phones now. It could just be a two minute video to upload.

We might be changing a hole, having a chat about it and talking about health and safety. There is theory behind it as well, disease for example, and you can carry through for a maximum of two years. I will finish by the end of this year.

If you could ask golfers to do one thing, what would it be?

It would probably be to respect greenkeepers and acknowledge their hard work. I could say repair pitchmarks but golfers don’t know the work that goes into the job and I’d like acknowledgement for staff and the work they do to get a course into great condition.

To read the original article, click here

Cricket: Free Trip On Offer For Groundsmen

March 22, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival and, after a free buffet lunch, the will be the opportunity to ask Andy questions before departure at around 3pm. The transport leaves Lincoln Lindum at approximately 9.15am. Alternatively, members can use their own transport and meet at Headingley.

The trip is free to fully paid up members of the CGA but is also a good opportunity for those not directly involved in ground preparation – such as club coached, chairmen and players – to view what is required at the highest level.

Anyone interested in the visit should contact Martin Deans at martindeans@btinternet.com or call 07971087891.

To read the original article, click here

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Greenkeeper Diaries: Broadway

Cricket: Free Trip On Offer For Groundsmen

Greenkeeper Diaries: Broadway

Cricket: Free Trip On Offer For Groundsmen

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Greenkeeper Diaries: Broadway

Cricket: Free Trip On Offer For Groundsmen

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