Greenkeeper Diaries: Killermont

Club: Killermont
Name: Stuart Taylor

What projects have you got coming up?

We’ve devised a three-year plan and, within that, is the upgrading of the bunkers. They were all redesigned between 2000 and 2006 and, as a consequence, there is constant maintenance that we have to do.

We have planned for 10 bunkers to be altered back to their original reshaped design. Then we will tweak them over and above that. We’ve also got various drainage projects to put in and to upgrade our practice facilities.

What don’t golfers understand about your role?

Having been at the club for 25 years we have conducted a process of understanding the members. We have a blog we fill in each day.

We do reports that council pass on to the members.

The members understand and are very enthusiastic about what we do to the course because they can see the benefits. They are able to play more often.

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

There’s a couple of things that really do annoy me at times. One of those is caddy cars on tees and not adhering to the signage from them – the white lines.

Our members, in general, are very good but there are always the few who seem to do what they want to do.

How has the job changed over the years?

I’ve been in since 1979 and the difference is mechanical. The machinery has advanced greatly but it has made the job easier. I would say the demands on our presentation levels and expectations from members have increased greatly as well.

There’s huge differences from when I first started – not all to the good. The expectations are there and it is trying to meet those that is the difficulty.

What is the best part of the job?

It’s the satisfaction of preparing a golf course for a tournament. This year we had the Scottish Seniors’ event and it’s great to be able to prep the course and bring it to a certain level, which isn’t an awful lot different from run-of-the-mill play.

Seeing it all ready and the enjoyment the golfer gets when he comes off the course, that’s the most satisfying thing.