A day in the life: Tom Brooks

By Alistair January 6, 2024 08:40

The head greenkeeper at Searles and Heacham Manor Golf Club, two highly regarded golf courses in Norfolk, takes us through his average day.

What time do you arrive at the club and what is your morning routine?

I usually arrive at the club at around 5am. The morning starts with checking the course conditions, getting an up-to-date weather report and checking the tee sheet and fixtures for the day. From this, the daily job sheets are created. Pre-start checks are then carried out on machinery ready for the day’s work.

How many people are there in your team and do you share tasks?

We currently have a very experienced and qualified six-man team which includes; Andy who is our expert in land management, our in-house mechanic Steve, Chris and Martin who are very accomplished greenkeepers and golfers, and Jim who has worked on golf courses all over the world. We have over 100 years of experience between us!

How do you motivate your colleagues?

We are a reasonably small self-motivated team. Everybody takes great pride in their work; we are very lucky. I wouldn’t call it motivation necessarily, but food-related treats always seem to be well received!

What aspects of your job give you the greatest satisfaction?

There’s nothing better than preparing the golf course for a competition in the heart of the playing season with perfect conditions! Last year we hosted the Southeast seniors and Norfolk county match play final events – both were enjoyable ones to prepare for as a team.

And the least satisfaction?

Working in the depths of winter when the weather isn’t on our side!

Have you attended any courses recently, and if so, what did you take away?

I have recently attended two courses; one was a telehandler course and another on abrasive wheels. Being a greenkeeper means all sorts of jobs crop up so it’s beneficial to keep learning and adding to your knowledge.

What’s your favourite season of the and why?

Spring, when the weather is improving and the birds are singing!

Are you witnessing evidence of climate change and, if so, how has your job had to adapt to changing weather patterns?

The seasons are becoming less defined year on year. You just can’t rely on the weather to plan golf course operations; we find we are still cutting grass in November and even into December, which was unheard of in years gone by. The change in temperatures means we face greater challenges in the area of disease management for longer periods. We are certainly noticing slower starts to the season temperature-wise over the last few years, especially during spring, which puts pressure on staff to create a golf course that’s ready for competitive play when it isn’t always realistic from a weather or agronomic point of view.

Have you had to overcome any course issues with disease and / or pests?

We had some take all patch disease creep in a few months ago. We treated this by adding more nutrients into the soil and making sure we aerated the area properly to keep on top of drainage.

What piece of equipment would you say is the most popular and frequently used by you and your team?

Our two Redexim Verti-Drains are used very regularly. We have recently taken delivery of a 1513 Verti-Drain and Carrier set-up which has really benefitted the greens, helping to alleviate any compaction without applying excess weight. Our tractor mounted Redexim 7416 Verti-Drain also gets used regularly on the fairways and walk-off areas.

With a growing focus on sustainability, do you deploy any sustainable practices in the management of your course?

From an agronomic point of view, we believe it’s very important to minimise the use of fungicides by using as many preventative methods as possible. Fungicides will eventually be something that golf courses will no longer be able to use as part of their disease management programmes so we all need to be taking steps to prevent the use now in preparation for this change. Our yearly maintenance programme is largely organic based, we find this works well for us here alongside our cultural practices, which will hopefully be beneficial for our soil health in the long term.

What do you do to support wildlife?

We leave natural areas of untouched rough around the course, which gives a home for the hares and deer to reside in. We also have insect hotels around the Searles site.

What are the technological developments that you feel have been the most important in your career to date?

I think that greenkeeping in general is getting more data focused, which is definitely a positive. We are currently in the process of purchasing a weather station to help track data which will enable us to make more informed greenkeeping decisions as well as share this information with the members.

Do you use social media professionally and what do you think this contributes to the industry?

As a company, the marketing and golf teams use social media platforms to promote the Heacham Manor Hotel, Searles leisure resort and both golf courses, sharing competition results, course information and offers to members and non-members. It’s a great way to promote the site and highlight our success stories!

How would you improve the greenkeeping industry?

I would love to see more local and regional education days for greenkeepers… Maybe an education morning with some lunch and nine holes of golf?!

What advice would you give to a young greenkeeper starting out today?

Ask as many questions as possible, get as many qualifications as possible and get stuck in!

How do you spend your leisure time?

When I am not working, I spend time with my fiancée and two children. I also like to keep fit in the gym and try to get a game of golf in when possible.