Meet the student, golfer AND greenkeeper: Harry Kerr

By Alistair August 18, 2023 07:17

Harry Kerr is not your average physics student. He has a golf handicap of one and splits his time studying and working as a greenkeeper on the Old Course at St Andrews. He talks to Georgina Hirst about his work today – and what it might be tomorrow.

Harry Kerr is about to go into his third year studying physics at the University of St Andrews. Not only does he balance his studies with playing competitive golf for the university golf club with a one handicap, but he’s also a greenkeeper on the Old Course. Harry and I sat down at The Jigger Inn overlooking the 17th hole and looked back on his first year working with the St Andrews Links’ greenkeeping team.

How have you found combining greenkeeping with studying?

The links have been very accommodating. They really appreciate that my university work has to come first – I don’t think there’s many places that would be so understanding and supportive.

Do you work after hours depending on where you are in the semester?

Yes. They have me doing part time work during terms and full-time non-term. The hours are also ideal because during the summer I start earlier and finish a bit earlier, so I still get to have the whole day doing whatever I like. During the term time I do start a bit later, but never finish later than 10am, which works perfectly with my classes.

Have you ever ended up going straight from the course to class in full greenkeeping gear?

Yes, it’s certainly a look!

What attracted you to this role?

I’ve been a greenkeeper since 16 at Sherwood Forest. But being able to work at the ‘Home Of Golf’, where it all began, is something special that I’m sure all golfers and greenkeepers can appreciate.

It was when I was marshalling at the 150th Open last summer, stood on the stands, watching the last group coming in followed by a fleet of greenkeepers, I realised that’s what it’s all about. I wanted to be part of that – following in the footsteps of the greats and contributing to something so important to so many.

How did you go about getting this role?

As soon as I got home that night, I looked on The Links website. There was a position for greenkeeping which I applied for and heard back the following day that they wanted to interview me.

Originally, I planned to go straight home after the Open, but I stayed a little longer, had my interview and started the week after the Open finished. I was incredibly fortunate to get this position and ever since, I’ve never looked back.

Do you see this as a viable career option in the future?

Of course, currently I’m studying for my degree in physics, and so that could be a route I end up going down career wise. That was the original plan when I applied here three years ago. But the more time you spend greenkeeping here, the more you appreciate it. There are some great progression opportunities within the links, leading onto places in golf all over the world. There isn’t a better place to be looking for career opportunities as a greenkeeper. I have the flexibility, support and best equipment while spending my time at the Home of Golf. I don’t think anyone would ever question why I would want to stay here, should I choose to after graduation.

Has there been anything that’s surprised you about the role?

I think coming into this I had very high expectations due to the history of St Andrews – all of which have been met. I think it’s easy to take this place for granted sometimes when it’s just ‘home’ for us. The extent to which people adore this place always humbles me. I see guys coming through, shaking on the tee and I think “it’s only the Old Course”, because it’s become so normal for me in my day-to-day life.

As someone who’s witnessed your golf first-hand, I’m sure you must have also stood on the first tee your first time shaking too!

Oh yes, 100 percent!

You mentioned earlier that you get access to some of the best equipment working here. Can you tell me a bit about how that has helped with the job?

One of the big things is being able to have access to the latest Toro fully electric mowers here. Previously I’ve worked on diesels, where you can’t hear yourself think or have a conversation with someone over the other side of the green. There’s no risk of hydraulic leaks with electric machines which can damage the turf and that’s really reassuring as a young greenkeeper, especially on such a prestigious course.

We also have such a large amount of machinery at hand that you never have to spend time swapping parts out or struggling to change the height of cut. We also get access to new technologies before they go onto the market – that’s really cool.

This morning, the other greenkeepers and I were discussing the new technology in the electric mowers for when you’re turning corners. It helps you turn by speeding up the outside and slowing down the inner wheels with the machine calculating the optimum cut speed for the height of cut.

We got these from Toro before they were readily available to everyone else. We have GPS on the demo ones to collect data that’s sent back to them. I feel as though I’m able to contribute to the advancements Toro are making, which is a great feeling as a golfer myself. The quality of everything we use is exactly what you’d expect in the Home of Golf – the best of the best.

What was your first biggest event as a greenkeeper on the Old Course?

At the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the DP World Tour in October 2022. That was my first ‘big event’ on the Old. I specifically remember, from a greenkeeping point of view, we were double cutting the greens and the machines being so quiet meant we could communicate with each other during that. It saved a lot of time and frustration!

I love watching the greenkeepers at the Dunhill, all out in fleets of machinery coming up the 18th in the mornings. It must be a great moment for those involved!

Absolutely. There was a huge sense of achievement seeing everyone watching and knowing you’ve contributed to making that happen. Later that night, I signed some of the other greenkeepers into the student’s union to celebrate the event and the work we’d been doing… that was another great moment!

How has working with the links given you an appreciation of the role of greenkeeper?

This place is special. Everyone wants to come here, play the courses, watch the tournaments – these experiences all come from greenkeepers working hard. We’ve got to maintain the standards for visitors, locals and everyone who comes to play the course.

Every time the pros come here people say “they’re going to rip it up, they’re going to set records”. Most courses you can make tougher by making it narrower and longer. We physically can’t do that here. We’ve got to work with what we’ve got and still make it a challenge. It shows the skill and complexity of the course and the work we do, rather than saying ‘lets just add 500 yards to it’ to make it a test. That’s something I have a great amount of respect for, the greenkeepers who can make that happen.

It sounds like you’re working around some experienced greenkeepers. What insights have you gleaned from this?

Absolutely. We get to do a bit of everything here. I’ve been able to hone in on all aspects of greenkeeping. Typically, you’d see the senior guys cutting the greens or moving the pins, whereas here you’ll see them raking the bunkers, repairing divots. Everyone has such respect for the course and for each other. No one is limited in their daily opportunities. Everyone here learns how to work and maintain a machine. If something goes wrong, you pull out your spanner and sort it. You feel more appreciated and more involved in the overall maintenance of the course. It keeps it refreshing – you never know what you’ll be doing. Every day poses different challenges and opportunities, which is one of the best parts of the job.

I also feel as though the senior guys are incredibly supportive. Certain fairways here are a bit quirky, like the fifth extending right out onto the Seven Sisters. It’s not something you could just look at and know what to do. Ever since I started, the guys around me have been really supportive in making sure I’m good and doing everything properly.

Another very useful thing is that I’m just about starting to understand a thick Fife accent; that could be one of my proudest achievements!

What has been your favourite day as a greenkeeper so far?

Other than working during the Dunhill, there was a random Thursday in June that was pretty ideal. I started the day at 5am, cutting the greens for a few hours before joining some friends for an afternoon tee time. After a fairly disappointing front nine, sitting three-over-par, I had a quick stop at the halfway house for a coffee and a sausage roll. That seemed to sort my game out as after a solid birdie on 10, I had my first ever hole-in-one on the 11th hole.

No way! Was that a green you’d been working on earlier that morning?

It was. I saw the ball disappear and the group stood on the seventh green started celebrating wildly. If there was ever a true ‘members bounce’ in golf, that was one for sure.