Meet the team

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Why you joined the industry?

I fell in love with it through a work studies program in high school when I was 16 years old .

Who inspires you?

Honestly, anyone in our industry who throws themselves in the deep end to reach their goals.

I love it when people in our industry reach out to better themselves.

What's the best thing you've learned during your career?

As a very young manager I learnt the hard way of how to manage staff. At the end of the day, you have no idea what’s going on in your work mate's head and the problems they have outside of work.

Everyone has their own problems at home so it’s important to make work enjoyable so they want to turn up.

What's the most difficult challenge you've had to face?

Working two or more jobs my entire career to get ahead while seeing opportunities outside the industry that could halve my workload for more money.

What's your funniest greenkeeping moment?

Too many to remember as we get to meet a lot of great characters in our industry.

Best career achievement? 

Starting International Greenkeepers For Hire.

What keeps you in the industry?

My friends' passion for the industry, then finding thousands of other people who are as mad as I am.

What inspiring words would you say to young greenkeepers?

What works at home may not work next door and if you think you know everything, you are holding yourself back.

What are your future goals?

I’d love to create as many scholarships as I can through International Greenkeepers but also help raise the profile of our industry so I can be proud to recommend to our great industry to anyone that will listen.

Favorite sport?

Any sports that our work mates are playing in. I do not have a lot of free time usually but if any of our work mates or friends of the industry are playing, I try and make time.

Favorite sportsperson?

Mathew Ridge Former Manly Sea Eagle - that’s how long ago since I’ve followed sport as I see enough at work!

What's your dream job?

One where I’m happy to turn up everyday and earn enough to give my family a better life.

What's your ultimate retirement goal?

I’ll die working. I’ve been working since the age of 14 delivering newspapers and working at KFC.

I’ll be happy to retire once I know International Greenkeepers For Hire is self sufficient, meaning passionate people in our industry are doing great things to keep passionate people in great jobs as well as create opportunities for people in our industry to grow.

Why did you join the industry?

I've always been an outdoor person so to work outdoors was an obvious choice to make. The wildlife and nature, all the while being very science related. Being a greenkeeper allows me to work with my strengths and interests every day.

Who inspires you?

Probably less of who but what inspires me, I am definitely a self motivated person. The job itself and the quality of product produced motivates me more than anything. Just seeing what people have achieved at the top of their game at Real Madrid, PSG, Liverpool etc. Just imagine.

What's the best thing you've learned during your career?

There's been a lot, still to this day Iam learning new things and will continue to do so. But on a personal note I think learning how to help develop other people's skills is probably the best thing I've learned. I've started to feel I can pass on some of the years of education.

What's the most difficult challenge you've had to face?

Without a doubt moving, I'm at my 5th job now. I've been going around, seeing how different places and sports work. But nothing can prepare you for moving job, home and location all in one. Especially when it's the opposite side of the world! UK to Australia.

What's your funniest greenkeeping moment?

Oh man, there's sure been some good laughs along the way! One of the funniest things that happened to me personally, I was pulling a string line as tight as possible across the width of two fields along the goal line. Now the string was about 10 meters short but nevertheless I gave it a go. Of course it broke, I performed a backward roll and I remember looking up and seeing three of the guys I was working with at the other end in absolute histerity. My back hurt but what a laugh.

Best career achievement?

There's has been some great moments, I've worked at Nottingham Forest F.C and The Belfry golf resort. Some iconic world sports venues. One moment that I'll never forget is being sat across from Pep Guardiola after the 2016 Icons of football golf tournament at the Belfry. Better yet sitting in a marque overlooking the 18th green on the Brabazon course. But then standing next to Peter Crouch on a football field shouldn't be overlooked too, excuse the pun.

What keeps you in the industry?

The love for being outdoors, the quality of the product you can produce whether that be a golf course or football field. Something about it just makes me smile.

What inspiring words would you say to young green keepers?

Give it a go, greenkeeping may not be as fast track as other jobs but I believe that everyone should enjoy work. At the end of the day we spend most of our time alive there right? Working outdoors and at unbelievable venues. How can you resist that, I'm a football man so when I worked at Forest and got to see the games live from the closest seats in the house every week it was amazing!

What are your future goals?

Over the next couple years I am to take on an assistant/Superintendent role. Whether that be golf, football or rugby. Who knows, I love all sports. On a training level, I'm starting my level 5 soon and I'm looking towards university degrees in the future.

Favorite sport?

Football without a doubt or as the rest of the world seems to call it, soccer. I've grown up watching, playing and living the sport. It's ingrained in me. Closely followed by the good old Ice Hockey.

Favorite sportsperson?

There's too many to pick from but I guess braised on my views of professionalism the likes of Michael Dawson and Peter Crouch are way up there. Real role models.

What's your dream job?

I'd absolutely love to be working at one of the top European football clubs. The likes of Barcelona, Ajax, Real Madrid or PSG. 

What's your ultimate retirement goal?

Taking it easy somewhere living by the coast but of course this won't happen. I'm the type of guy to work until the end, can't sit around empty handed. Maybe I'll have a few projects on?

Bradley also runs our podcast, if you'd like to find our more about the podcast click here!

Why you joined the industry?

Started out in computer science, but couldn’t stand being in an office all day, saw an advertisement for an apprentice at my local club, and applied.

What’s the best thing you learned during your career?

I learned that no matter what someones skill set may seem, everyone has a niche that they’re good at and it’s your job as a manager to find that, and help that individual grow.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve had to face?

Having to leave an old job where I was a member of a fantastic team to move onto a better opportunity.

What’s your funniest greenkeeping moment?

I couldn't possibly answer this while still being PG haha.

Best career achievement?

Completion of the brand new driving range, allow the membership to enjoy their $5,000,000 investment.

What keeps you in the industry?

An ever increasing drive to be better everyday and to provide a product that has people leaving the property in awe of our standards, conditioning and playability.

What inspiring words would you say to young greenkeepers?

Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, try new things, move overseas, don’t let an opportunity slip because you’re scared.

What are your future goals?

Become a Golf Course Superintendent.

Favorite sport?

NCAAF (American college football.)

Favorite sportsperson?

Ryan Day, Ohio State Football Head Coach. 

What’s your dream job?

Anything in the golf industry.

What’s your ultimate retirement goal?

Mow fairways and or rough 3 days a week on a course near the ocean.

Why you joined the industry? 

After I graduated wanted to emigrate to Australia so ended up working at STRI to get enough points 

What's the best thing you've learned during your career? 

Not everyone has commonsense 

What's the most difficult challenge you've had to face? 

Dealing death of my father when I was young

Best career achievement? 

Starting my own business from nothing 

What keeps you in the industry? 

Bills to pay and in all honesty being able to work outside and not in an office

What inspiring words would you say to young green keepers? 

Keep an open mind and always try and learn

What are your future goals? 

More research based product development and choose who I deal with and what I do

Favorite sport? 

Football

Favorite sportsperson? 

Stuart McCall

What's your dream job? 

Barfly

What's your ultimate retirement goal? 

See above

Why you joined the industry?

School wasn’t my thing and I loved playing bowls.

Who inspires you?

My old man.

What's the best thing you've learned during your career?

I’ve been lucky enough to meet and work with some great people over the years and always learning new and interesting things from them.

What's the most difficult challenge you've had to face?

The current Covid 19 crisis would be up there.

What's your funniest greenkeeping moment?

To many to list but I do love a  good practical joke and a I’m a massive fan of a good scare.

Best career achievement?

I’ve been lucky enough to have worked some big events over the years from GWS Giants first ever AFL game, Sheffield Shield cricket games, World Masters Softball & Baseball to hosting State Bowls Events.

What keeps you in the industry?

The great mates I’ve met over the years and i couldn’t picture myself not being around turf.

What inspiring words would you say to young green keepers?

Get in and have a go and don’t be scared to ask questions if you are unsure.

What are your future goals?

Keep adding to my current world record of Air Guitars. Although if I can’t win powerball and retire then I suppose I’ll happily keep working and pay off my mortgage.

Favorite sports?

Horse Racing

Rugby League

Cricket

Bowls

Two Up

Favorite sportsperson?

Steve Renouf

Ricky Ponting

Glenn McGrath

Dick Trickle

What's your dream job?

Any Greenkeeping job on the coast in QLD would have to be pretty good I’d reckon but I’d also rate my self pretty highly to be able to adequately apply sunscreen for any of the women’s beach volleyball teams.

What's your ultimate retirement goal?

Pass on the little speck of knowledge I have learnt over the years to someone younger who might get something out of it.

Why you joined the industry?  

Didn’t really know what I wanted to do after finishing year 12 & my dad didn’t want me to turn in to a bum so I got a part time job at Kyle Bay Bowling Club & loved it. Apprenticeship come up at Hurstville Oval & the rest is history.

Who inspires you? 

Other passionate sports turf managers. The younger generation going on to bigger & better things & the competitiveness within the industry. 

What's the best thing you've learned during your career? 

To never think that your way is the only way. While that’s all you may know, from being taught those processes, there may be a more effective way that can deliver better results.

What's the most difficult challenge you've had to face? 

Leaving my “comfort zone” & taking on new challenges with a different employer, but looking back it was probably the best thing I did.

What's your funniest greenkeeping moment? 

Very hard to name one but I have managed to roll several phones in to a fresh wicket.

Best career achievement? 

Leading & being part of teams that have won several ground of the year awards. Also hosting many state & international cricket fixtures over the years. 

What keeps you in the industry? 

The satisfaction that you get after preparing a decent surface. While this isn’t true in my current role, watching others that I have trained or lead, continuing to produce the same standards.

What inspiring words would you say to young green keepers? 

Challenge yourself as I did. Look to escape your comfort zone & try different forms of turf management. Also, don’t think that what you have been taught in your apprenticeship is the only way to do things. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to guys that have been around the industry for a while.

What are your future goals? 

I do miss being hands on & actually preparing surfaces but if I am to continue in my current role, I would like to head down the project management path

Favorite sport? 

To watch - Rugby League, to play - cricket.

Favorite sportsperson? 

Ricky Ponting

What's your dream job? 

Firefighter

What's your ultimate retirement goal? 

Can’t really see myself retiring. I can’t sit still long enough. I’d probably try & find a local cricket club that needs a part time curator, that’s a bit relaxed on the PPE & allows me to have a few beers while sitting on the roller

Would you like to start by telling us a bit about yourself?  

Originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the USA. Began my career on golf courses and had the opportunity to work at some amazing facilities in the US and Australia. Currently the superintendent of a lawn tennis club near New York City.  

What attracted you to greenkeeping?  

I had my first grounds job at 15 and stuck with it. I enjoyed the instant gratification of completing impactful projects, and working outside with good friends among fantastic scenery. Free golf around sunset was always a nice way to finish the day.  

Why did you join the industry? 

I saw an opportunity for growth to the superintendent level that challenged me, and could also reward me with a lot. I loved the idea of having my job allow me to travel and see the world.  

What's the best thing you've learned during your career?  

Taking the opportunity to travel and try new things early and often is a great way to start a career. Once you have increased responsibilities, and start your own family if you so choose, it makes it a lot harder to work the long hours or pick up and move venues.  

What's the most difficult challenge you've had to face?  

Navigating the covid crisis in the early days of my years at the superintendent level, which has brought on staffing shortages, supply chain delays, combined with welcoming our first child has been quite the ride.  

What's your funniest greenkeeping moment?  

There's nothing quite like getting to know some of the more seasoned caddies out there. They are the ones with all the stories.  

Best career achievement?  

Going on the run of working on the teams at The Country Club - Brookline, Pine Valley Golf Club, and New South Wales Golf Club was a proud stretch for me. Being able to successfully and smoothly move to a new place, find a way to benefit the group, and keep pressing on, was always a confidence builder.  

What keeps you in the industry? 

I would rather work with a balance of indoor/outdoor efforts that challenge all of my skills in beautiful sporting arenas, rather than be locked in an office or handcuffed to a monotonous role in some other industry.  

What inspiring words would you say to young greenkeepers?  

Know yourself and never waste your time. Remember to take a moment here and there to identify your shortcomings, so you know you are working to make yourself better. Also always maintain perspective and balance between work and home life.  

What are your future goals?  

I'd like to volunteer to work an Olympics or Ryder Cup. I would also hope to get back to travelling and working at courses in other parts of the world later in life.  

Favorite sport?  

I spent my early days watching and playing a lot of baseball. Later in life I turned to (American) football, and now really enjoying golf.   

Favorite sportsperson?  

Tom Brady without a doubt. It sounds cliché, but growing up in Massachusetts watching his whole career, he has been very inspiring.  

What's your dream job?  

International Golf Course Photographer / Course Ranker  

What's your ultimate retirement goal? 

I would spend half the year at a mountain region lake-house in the USA working part-time at the local golf club, and spend the other half of the year napping through the day somewhere lost in the Whitsundsays-waking only for a refill on a cocktail or the occasional trip to Fiji.

Why you joined the industry?

Passion for cricket and helping out at club level with curating was rewarding and another way to be involved in cricket besides playing, got an apprenticeship at a school and went from there. 

Who inspires you?

Aspiring curators and turfies from all levels (backyard through to the top level)

In terms of colleagues and peers, there are several people from around the country who I keep in touch with that have helped me along with the way and look to for help, ideas or just general turf chat. 

What's the best thing you've learned during your career?

Observation is key, anyone can follow direction, it’s the ability to pick up or pre-empt issues before or when they happen that sets the top of the industry apart. And networking, you don’t know everything but so many people in the industry may have faced a similar issue, creating a good network of peers that you can contact and bounce ideas. I’ve worked at multiple venues across Australia to increase my knowledge.

What's the most difficult challenge you've had to face?

In terms of the turf trade, most challenges are always focused around machinery, staff and good work /life balance, you throw in things beyond your control. For me one of my more difficult challenges was trying to get the most out of my work and stay motivated without the content that I was seeking being played on the fields or the opportunity to go to the next level. The motivation had to keep that standard and know the work being put in was being noticed and looking at working to where you want to be rather than trying to get there immediately. 

What's your funniest greenkeeping moment?

I haven’t got a specific moment but there’s been some pretty funny times on the covers and a lot of banter with colleagues in general that is must to take the edge off.  

Best career achievement? 

Starting The Perfect Pitch

Preparing multiple variations of spinning tracks that saw the Australian Test squad come to Darwin for a spin camp prior to a visit to Bangladesh for a two test series. 

And taking up the role of Head Curator for Pitchcraft at Cricket Victoria’s Junction Oval and getting to consistently work with players, coaches and colleagues at the elite level.

What keeps you in the industry?

Wanting to do better and make a positive impact on that industry. 

What inspiring words would you say to young green keepers?

Have a vision for wherever you work and where you want to go to. It doesn’t mean undermining or making radical changes, it means bouncing ideas off each other, always learning, trying to ways to become more efficient and sharing/increasing the knowledge base.

What are your future goals?

Linked in with my dream job, making a test wicket is everyone’s dream, when I first started out mine was to be the first NT born curator to prepare a test and/or ODI wicket. Which I believe I may have had that honour with curating women’s ODI between Australia and New Zealand in 2019, however going forward it is to be involved in enhancing the industry and establishing an academy for current and future curators, through initiatives like IGFH and The Perfect Pitch. 

Favorite sport?

Cricket, still play when I can, currently for Prahran CC in Melbourne and PINT CC in Darwin. 

Favorite sportsperson?

Matthew Hayden/Pat Cash.

What's your dream job?

To create and run a curator’s academy/elite cricketing facility where research & development can occur while teaching and creating a curating fraternity literature to refer to and iron out bad practice but allowing teams/players and coaches to be a part of the process and develop a better relationship. 

What's your ultimate retirement goal?

To have made a positive difference to the industry/leave a legacy that sees the next generation of curators and turfies with the same aspirations and drive to make a difference and improve the trade.