Rhys Norville, Commercial director at ReGen Amenity.
What inspired you to pursue a career in turf?
My love of sport, I enjoyed working outdoors and I loved playing golf and rugby. When I was offered a summer position as a greenkeeper at Newport Golf Club, it was perfect for me. I was getting paid to work outdoors and the hours meant I could play lots of golf after work.
How did you find your current job?
After 10 years working as a greenkeeper I moved into a sales role. I spent 3 years at an Amenity Sales company and 5 years at an Organic Fertiliser Manufacturer. After this I decided it was the right time to use all of my experience and knowledge to set up my own company – ReGen Amenity limited. At ReGen Amenity we believe in putting our customers 1st. We aim to advise, supply and deliver high-quality products to suit the individual needs of our customers, whilst assisting you to produce unrivalled Turf Quality.
What is your favourite part about working in sports turf?
Feedback from customers after we have helped them to solve a problem, really makes me feel apart of their team.
What’s the most challenging problem you’ve faced while working on sports turf, and how did you handle it?
I think the biggest problem in sport turf for the modern greenkeeper/groundsman is customer expectation. Expectations have soared in recent years, whereas budgets, resources and labour have not! I think the best way to overcome this is through communication, explaining decisions, and trying to manage those expectations. I often tell the people I work with, ‘it is impossible to please everyone!’
If you could switch roles with any grounds/greenkeeping team for a day, whose job would you want to try and why?
I would love to go to Tottenham Hotspur Spur’s stadium and see the conversion of the pitch from an NFL game back to football. The time-lapse video of this is just incredible.
How do you unwind and relax after a challenging day of work?
I have two young children so there is very little time to relax! My new role has allowed me to have more flexibility and given me a better work/life balance which is invaluable to me and my family.
Share a funny or unexpected moment that happened during your career.
When volunteering at The 2014 Seniors Open at Royal Porthcawl, we would work split shifts, morning set up and evening prep. Every evening Bernhard Langer’s caddy would be out rolling golf balls across the greens. By the 3rd day a few of us joked and said to him ‘you must know the greens by now,’ he turned and said, ‘You can never be too careful when you are trusted with another man’s balls’ We erupted into laughter as you can imagine.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your current job role?
Helping people. Whether that is recommending products or offering advice following a data collection or soil analysis. I get great satisfaction from helping people to make informed decisions to improve their turf surfaces.
What’s one piece of greenkeeping equipment you couldn’t live without, and how does it make your job easier or more enjoyable?
I am going to be cheeky and go for 3. I think a moisture meter is paramount, it takes the guess work out of decisions making around moisture management. Secondly a sprayer, like we talked about earlier with customer expectations being so high, the sprayer is now an invaluable piece of kit as it can really help turf managers dial in their surfaces. Thirdly, the Procore, it is such a versatile piece of equipment that can be used with minimal disturbance and maximum efficiency.
Who has had the biggest impact on you in your career role and why?
I owe a lot to Angus Macloed, he gave me my 1st position at Newport Golf Club and really gave me the enthusiasm to enjoy greenkeeping and this is where my passion started. Secondly, I owe a lot to Paul Handy, he took over as Head Greenkeeper when Angus left. Paul really pushed me and gave me a lot of opportunities to get my qualifications, supported me to volunteer at events such as; The 2010 Ryder Cup, various Opens through the BIGGA Support Team, The Seniors Open at Royal Porthcawl and very rarely stopped me from attending workshops or seminars. This support all helped me towards achieving Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year.
What advice do you have for new people looking to join the industry?
Grab any opportunity you have with both hands. Whether that’s completing a training course, volunteering at an event, or even attending a seminar. You never know who you might meet or what you might learn along the way. I have been in the industry nearly 20 years and I am learning new things all the time.
Finally, what message or insight would you like to share with others about the role of organisations like International Greenkeepers for Hire in connecting professionals with opportunities abroad?
I was lucky enough to study in America at the University of Massachusetts and spend a year working at Remuera Golf Club in New Zealand. Two massive highlights in the early part of my career, I learnt so much and have experienced things I will never forgot.
Thanks, Rhys! If you’d like to check out other Meet the Members articles you can here: https://internationalgreenkeepers.com/category/meet-the-members/