hen Prince Andrew steps first nine open for play in 1906. In involved to complete Phases I and story, for though he was born in Wonto the BTME lecture 1915 a Donald Ross plan was pre- II, and the comprehensive written the Kingdom of Fife, often podium at Harrogate in January pared and several changes were exam in Phase III, I had an unbe- acclaimed as 'The Home of Golf, to present Master Greenkeeper made over the years. Latterly, the lievable feeling of accomplish- in the 16 years he spent there he Certificates, the four MGC recip- noted architect, Michael Hurdzan, ment upon reading David never once set foot on a Scottish ients will, I'll wager, be on ten- has made several dramatic Golding's fax, which read: 'Con- golf course! terhooks: nervous, highly changes, bringing back interest, gratulations! - the second Master Kerran moved with his family to excited, tingling with the expec- character and definition to the old Greenkeeper and the first Interna- Hertfordshire and on leaving tant pleasure of an occasion course. Dr Hurdzan is now con- tional to achieve this status'...". school at 18, started work at they will remember 'til their sulted on all long range plans, Influential in Bil's life have been Berkhamsted Golf Club, home of dying day. from trees to bunkers and includ- architect Jack Kidwell, who he the Berkhamsted Trophy and To be acclaimed by one's ing a new irrigation system. describes as "a man whose wis- scene of early triumphs by the peers as a Master Greenkeeper Bil served enough time as both dom you can take to the bank", young Sandy Lyle. Some 18 is the highest accolade known assistant and superintendent to be and Dr Michael Hurdzan, appren- months later he moved again, this in British greenkeeping, for tested (in 1985) by the GCSAA, tice to Jack and a talented archi- time to Brighton's finest municipal gaining membership bestows and he now carries the proud des- tect who "gives his clients exactly golf course at Hollingbury Park acceptance to an exclusive ignation CGCS (Certified Golf what they want, whilst never los- and after just one year he was brethren that consists currently Course Superintendent). ing sight of the needs of the appointed their head green- of just five men. keeper. Two years at Hollingbury Laurence Pithie, the first ever gave him the confidence to move to warrant the letters MGC after into the private domain, and he his name, has risen to fame and became head greenkeeper at East glory and his story is writ large Brighton Golf Club, then the in the history of our profession. home club of editor, David White, Now four more MGCs are to be who recalls, 'though I was not at thus honoured, and in recogni- TME that time involved in greenkeep- BIGGA Turf Management tion of their 'Right Royal Accla- Exhibition and Seminar ing journalism, I can readily mation', Greenkeeper Inter- Programme 1993 vouch that East Brighton's national outlines their careers, windswept acres were in Masters all! sparkling condition, obviously in Four greenkeepers have a particular very capable hands'. WILLIAM (Bil) MONTAGUE, Six years later, 'the rough edges CGCS, MGC reason to be luuking forward to the knocked off as Kerran puts it, he Bil Montague is the first American ventured north to Staverton Park to gain MGC status, and I am Golf Club and spent five years indebted to Thom Martinek, Presi- 1993 9TME. They'll be collecting their learning about USGA spec greens dent, Northern Ohio Supt. Assoc., and how to care for heavy clay for his commentary. Master Greenkeeper Certificates from fairways, 'greenkeeping at the 'Bil started in the business in sharp end' as he now describes the sixties after serving in the US Prince Andrew. We look at the careers the experience. Whilst at the Dav- Army. Under the watchful eye of entry club he attained the EIGGA Walter Dean, Bil learned quickly, of four more recruits to the Diploma in Golf Management and acting as Walter's most able assis- won the coveted EIGGA Course tant. He attended night school Manager's Gold Diploma. until the State of Ohio declared profession's most exclusive club The lure of the Downs brought an austerity programme and laid Kerran back south, this time to off many of its employees, work- In 1988 Bil was introduced to superintendent, who must main- the historic and welcoming Salis- ing then as a superintendent at a BIGGA and attended his first con- tain the end product". bury and South Wilts Golf Club, public course before returning to ference in Scotland. "I was so Bil lives in Kirtland, Ohio, with and it is here that he cares for the education, this time as a full time taken by the hospitality of the wife Monica, son Jason (18) and needs of his members, producing student at Ohio State University. people I met", Bil told me, "I came daughter Amanda (10), together turf that is, according to his peers, Following his time at Ohio State, home an avowed ambassador for with several horses. In expressing a pleasure to play upon. he worked for Leo Petronzio, BIGGA, keen to tell everyone of his appreciation to his friends in Education has never been far gaining valuable experience of my experiences and of the great BIGGA, Bil especially singled out from Kerran's mind, and mindful landscape layout and plant selec- educational opportunities existing fellow American, Jean Esposito, of the benefits such education tion from one of the best known within the organisation". who introduced him to the Associ- brings in keeping greenkeepers exponents of the art. Bil began his quest for MGC in ation. He also thanks his family 'on top of the game', he has com- In 1972, Bil began working at 1990, "after having been in golf for "all the times I couldn't be pleted Phases III and IV in Golf the Oakwood Club, and he will for over 20 years, and having with you, 'because the grass was Course Management. His recogni- soon be starting his twentieth sea- been certified by GCSAA, I felt the growing' and you all understood". tion as an expert saw him com- son, having been named superin- need for a career orientated edu- pete in the ICI Professional tendent upon his predecessors cational goal, which BIGGA ful- KERRAN DALY, MGC Product Premier Greenkeeper of retirement. The Oakwood Club filled perfectly via its MGC There is a novel, some might say the Year awards in 1990, placing was founded in 1905, with the programme. With the time cruel, twist in Kerran Daly's career a creditable third. In his 21 years of greenkeeping has gone on to win over 30 pro- ground staff of three different golf was ready for a new challenge there has been no stronger sup- fessional events including five courses.' and a chance, as he states 'to put porter of BIGGA, in the past as British Opens. Throughout his Bob and Cheryl have two back into greenkeeping all that I chairman of the Sussex section, career he has been an inspiration, youngsters, Alexandra, aged four had been trained and educated to whilst now holding office on the we have stayed in touch and his and Kieron, three. achieve'. committee of the South Coast sec- encouragement has been a great Luck fortunes the brave, and tion. Apart from this active partic- motivation for me. GORDON IRVINE, MGC Gordon was successful in securing ipation in committee, Kerran is at From 1976- '78 I was employed It struck me in writing about Gor- a position at Surrey's exciting new ease on the lecture podium, and at Oak Park CC and got my first don Irvine (27) that he is the Mill Ride Golf Club, where in he has addressed both South taste of how difficult this line of youngest greenkeeper thus far to 1989 he came as clerk of works Coast and Devon and Cornwall work really is, thereafter (1979- achieve MGC status. Further, he is during construction and is now section meetings on several occa- 1981) I was assistant at Kenosha the third Scot to be so honoured their course manager. His fortune sions. In January, greenkeepers CC, Wisconsin. Working under and I am eaten with curiosity - continued during construction in will be able to see and hear him in superintendent David Ward, I who will be the first greenkeeper being part of a fabulous team con- action at our own BTME, when he learned some of the difficulties born south of Hadrian's Wall to sisting of the modern-day triumvi- will address the subject: Comput- involved in managing a staff and join the hallowed MGC Club? rate - architect Donald Steel, ers and Golf Course Management. projects. Dave Ward, now the Though still the youngster in agronomist Jim Arthur and con- Kerran is married and confesses superintendent at Olympia Fields the pack, Gordon has ten solid structor Brian Pierson - who wel- to spending most of his spare time CC, was and continues to be a years of experience behind him, comed and encouraged his input with his daughter, Shona, who is great mentor for me. He gave me culled in the main on the champi- and responded favourably to his just three years old and the apple the opportunity to develop my onship links of Turnberry, Ayr- ideas from the maintenance view- of her father's eye. management skills and much of shire. Joining Turnberry straight point. Opening the project eight the credit for my skills as a course from school, his first assignment months ahead of schedule, the ROBERT MAIBUSCH, B.Sc., manager can be attributed to his was on a Government Job Cre- course has received huge praise CGCS, MGC positive influence, and his willing- ation Scheme, a stint of just six and has attracted some of the top Bob Maibusch is the second of our ness to let a *wet behind the ears' months. The wisdom of his peers golfers in the country as playing American Internationals, a man assistant prove himself. was shown when after those six members. whose first experience with the From 1981-'82 I was assistant months had expired he was "My studying has carried on game of golf was as a caddie. He at Ravisloe CC. This position came offered a full time job on the over the years, Gordon told me, writes: 'I was employed at the as a result of Dave Ward taking course as a trainee greenkeeper, a 'with added interest in the game Oak Park CC from 1971 to 1976, the job as superintendent. It was a fortunate decision for both par- generated through study of course fortunate to work at a club that new experience for me, because ties. design and a growing collection of cared enough about their caddies the course had many agronomic Fortunate again, Gordon was books and literature on golf and that they encouraged us to play. problems as a result of prior mis- sent on a day-release manage- greenkeeping. I have now An outcome of this experience management. The experience I ment course to Langside College achieved three of my targets in was that I attained a Chick Evans gained in seeing it transformed in Glasgow. He spent four years at life: I have become a Master Caddie Scholarship. The scholar- from its poor condition into one Langside studying Greenkeeping Greenkeeper and I have a golf ship is based on a combination of of the finest conditioned courses Management and passed through course of my own to prepare in a grade point average, caddying in the district helped to prepare each year with Grade A results - way that will enable me to experience, financial need, moral me for the step up the ladder to four straight 'A's, as our American demonstrate what British green- character, a written essay, and the superintendent. friends might say. At the end of keeping is all about. Finally I am recommendation of the members Since 1982 I have been superin- this period, based on exam results lucky enough to be married to a of your club. This scholarship tendent at Hinsdale Golf Club, and glowing tutor recommenda- very supportive wife who under- allowed me to attend Michigan fortunate in the past ten years to tions, he won the title: 'Young stands the greenkeeper's lot. She State University for four years, have worked with a board of Scottish Greenkeeper of the Year'. insists my 'baby' is Mill Ride, majoring with a B.Sc. in Turfgrass directors and committee who It is his proud claim that during though our first child is due in Management. were committed to the betterment his time at Langside College he November." (Written in early Another experience that I had of the course and were willing to received on-course training from November, readers may now caddying and which, more than allocate funds to see our goals some of the finest course man- assume that Gordon is adding the anything else, convinced me that I achieved. Also, I have been agers in the country, whilst work- word DAD to his MGC title! - edi- wanted to devote my life to golf blessed with an extremely dedi- ing with a team of ' most highly tor). was that as the top caddie at my cated and competent staff. I skilled greenkeepers'. club I was qualified to caddy in believe that these two factors, Seven very happy years were the 1974 Western Open. By luck more than anything else, have spent at Turnberry, preparing the of the draw I chose Tom Watson, been instrumental in whatever golf courses for club members and who had played well the previous success I have enjoyed profession- many thousands of visitors. Turn- week in the U.S. Open but had ally. berry nevertheless plays host to faltered in the last round in what Cheryl, my wife, is my biggest many famous events, notably The has come to be known as the supporter and understands the Open, the Amateur Championship "Massacre at Winged Foot". Fate long hours and dedication that it and the British Seniors, this expo- works in mysterious ways, and on takes to be successful in this busi- sure acknowledged as a huge the last day Tom Watson came ness. It helps that she was also a bonus in the learning curve of any from six behind to win his first Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship young greenkeeper. The time ever tournament. Since then he recipient and had worked on the came, however, when Gordon