Meet the course manager: Paul Teviotdale

By Alistair March 17, 2023 07:46

The course manager at Montrose Golf Links talks about the threat of coastal erosion and how the club rolls its greens.

How long have you been head greenkeeper at Montrose and what has your career path been to this point?

I’ve been the head greenkeeper for just over two years now. I started greenkeeping at Arbroath back in 1994 where I served my apprenticeship before moving to Montrose in 1999 for a greenkeeper position. I had held the position of chargehand greenkeeper before stepping up to head greenkeeper late 2020.

What’s your favourite aspect of the job and what are the biggest challenges you and your team have faced?

My favourite aspect of the job is working outside. I’ve always been an outdoors person from a young age, and being a keen golfer with this job feels like I’m stealing for a living.

As for the biggest challenges we have faced at Montrose it would have to be the constant threat of coastal erosion, we just have to keep trying to find solutions and keep the course moving forward.

What’s been the proudest achievement for you and your team at Montrose so far?

Having your golf course appear on Sky Sports on a yearly basis being part of the PGA EuroPro Tour is always something special, this was before I was head greenkeeper and unfortunately the tour is no more [it ended last autumn], but we continue to welcome the Tartan Pro Tour and hope we can attract more big competitions in the future while I am head greenkeeper.

The club has recently invested in a Tru-Turf RC-50 roller. Why did you choose this model, which areas are you using it on and have you been pleased with the results so far?

We already had a Tru Turf roller that was needing to be replaced so it was a no brainer to get the new version for the replacement. We did try the bigger model (70) but it didn’t suit our contours, so decided to stick to the 50. Since we have had the roller on the greens we have had some great feedback from our members and visitors saying how good the greens are running, which is always good to hear.

What advice would you give to a greenkeeper starting out in the industry today?

Don’t be frightened to ask questions, you will find most greenkeepers will appreciate you taking an interest in what they are doing. I still ask questions and for advice from local greenkeepers and former head greenkeepers at Montrose I have worked under. Every day is a school day.

For more information, visit www.doublea.co.uk