Branston G&CC investing in talented young greenkeepers

By Alistair August 1, 2016 06:29 Updated

Hard on the heels of Branston Golf Club’s £100,000 investment in new high performance golf course maintenance machinery comes the recruitment of three young greenkeepers joining Gavin Robson’s talented team of professionals who are set to develop two new short game practice greens and a putting green alongside the attractive wooded entrance to the club.

Experienced and qualified greenkeepers Shane McKeown from Stapenhill and Tamworth resident Ashley Thompstone are joined by full-time trainee greenkeeper and Burtonian, Billy Howard who is new to the profession but enjoys golf and is keen to develop a career in the industry.

Ashley, 23, with an NVQ level 2 qualification in sports turf management joins Branston to further his career after several years at Lichfield Golf Club. “Branston has an enviable reputation as the Midlands’ finest and friendliest club and I’m delighted to be developing my skills under Gavin Robson’s inspirational leadership – despite him being a Leicester supporter,” joked Ashley – a Manchester United FC fan and non-golfer.

Meanwhile Liverpool FC supporter Shane, 26, who found his vocation as a greenkeeper having started aged 17 with Gavin at Burton Golf Club, has taken up golf at Branston Academy. Shane commented: “Branston’s now famous for the quality of its courses and extensive range of activities making it an enormously successful club that I’m proud to have joined.”

Trainee greenkeeper, Billy Howard, 19, from Burton, previously part-time at Burton GC, is now full-time at Branston and currently busy looking after the gardens and parkland setting. ‘I’m amazed at the club’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere and determined to learn from Gavin and my team mates so that I can try for a professional greenkeeping qualification’ said Billy.

Gavin Robson’s new team members have started work with deputy course manager Frank Robson, Paul Hadfield and Richard Harris developing two new short game practice greens complete with bunkers on the area of cleared wild woodland between Branston’s teaching academy and the clubhouse, getting ready for an autumn launch.

“Most games of golf are won or lost at the chipping and putting stage so we’re investing £10,000 in two new short game practice greens, one flat and the other a two tier green, both with bunkers providing members with valuable opportunities to sharpen their games. They’ll be giving our talented team of golf professionals excellent teaching facilities to complement our 20 bay driving range,” said Gavin. “Our existing green near that will become a practice putting green for the public at Branston Academy.”

“These developments are examples of our investment,” said director of golf Richard Odell.