The course manager at Knock Golf Club in Northern Ireland, Lee Eager, takes us through his average day.

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

I arrive at the club at 6am during the summer and 7am during the winter months. My first job is to check the weather and look around the course if required, while the team carry out our checks prior to getting out and started. I regularly cut the greens in summer, so I can be checking them while getting a task ticked off the list.

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

We currently have five full-time staff, one of which is a trainee. We also have a retired greenkeeper who does 20 hours a week for us in the summertime. As a team we share as many jobs as respective skillsets will allow. I like having a versatile team that are capable of doing all jobs to a high level – you’re not then stuck if someone is off unwell or on holiday.

How do you motivate your colleagues?

Lead from the front – a wise man once told me never ask anyone to do something you’re not prepared to do yourself! I’m always happy to get out on the course and get stuck into tasks alongside the team. I also try to encourage them to do additional training, whether that’s done in-house or externally.

What aspects of your job give you the greatest satisfaction?

Looking back on a well-manicured golf course. I was a golfer long before I was a greenkeeper so I can appreciate good presentation.

And the least satisfaction?

Repairing divots! I’ll still do them of course but it’s definitely my least favourite job.

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

I haven’t been able to attend any courses for a while as staff numbers and a busy course make it difficult to get away. However, I did recently attend a day centred around robotic mowers, which was interesting.

What is your favourite season of the year and why?

Spring. Everything wakes up and the course starts to take shape, although staggered growth can be a little irritating for a while.

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

I’ve certainly noticed more in terms of extremes. Rain is generally very heavy, which creates conditions that are hard to deal with. We also see more frequent storms and more periods of drought. Having lots of trees and a very old irrigation system can make a prolonged drought more than a little bit stressful!

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

There is certainly more anthracnose about and we have already encountered dollar spot for the first time this year. In terms of pests, we have plenty of badgers and birds, but there is nothing I can do about the badgers except repair the damage. Birds pecking in spring is a pain but nothing a little topdressing cannot solve.

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

Our favourite machine is the Baroness LM2700 fairway mower, which is now going into its 10th year of service for us. The quality of cut is outstanding and it’s been incredibly reliable, with bedknives which last three or four years. With this machine you can literally set it and forget about it.

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

We are on a biological focused nutritional programme on our greens and have been for a few years now including the use of compost teas. This approach helps us to reduce thatch and promotes the growth of finer grasses. Watering is kept to a minimum and sourced from an on-site borehole. Fungicide usage has been reduced to just one or two applications per year. We have also recently introduced a few areas of wildflower which has been well received by the members.

What do you do to support wildlife?

My greens convenor loves wildlife and has bird feeders and bird boxes around the course. We are also hoping that the newly introduced wildflower areas will encourage some new species of insect and pollinators onto the course.

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

The internet has made it so much easier to get information, weather apps, parts diagrams and ordering materials. In terms of machinery, aeration equipment has vastly improved in my career and I recently started using an air-injection machine which has produced some good results.

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

Unfortunately I do! I am not a fan of using it for work, but it does allow me to pick up some great information from people further afield.

How would you improve the greenkeeping industry?

Greenkeepers are a very talented bunch in general and we somehow need that to be broadcast around the world. It is important to highlight that we are not just grass cutters, but it will take a smarter person than me to work out how we get that message out there!  

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

Do every single job to the best possible standard. Read as much as you can and hopefully create a good relationship with your boss in hope they will share their wisdom with you.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I used to play golf off a handicap of two but I don’t really play much anymore. I now focus my efforts on playing both indoor and outdoor bowls and really enjoy getting out and about in my caravan … though this doesn’t happen as often as I would like, unfortunately, due to the demands of my job.