Greenkeeper Ali Morrison singlehandedly tends one of the most remote nine-hole golf courses in the UK.
But he swapped award-winning Durness Golf Club for a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” manicuring Florida’s TPC Sawgrass for golf’s “fifth Major,” The Players Championship.
It meant a 13-hour haul from his home in the Highland village to hook up with another half dozen UK greenkeepers selected to make the trip to Ponte Verde for the USPGA Tour’s flagship event.
The seven successful candidates were selected from more than 150 applicants for a coveted role on the programme teed up by manufacturer John Deere in tandem with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).
Ali (32), who is marking his 10th anniversary tending spectacular Durness after completing his apprenticeship at Brora, was flying the flag for Scotland and Northern Ireland when he joined another 100 professionals from around the world assisting US greenkeepers on the Stadium Course.
“I had never been to America before and it was a great working experience, very different from life in Durness,” said Ali, who has collected back-to-back awards for Best 9-Hole Course at the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.
“Here I am by myself. At Sawgrass there were around 200 of us on the team, working morning and afternoon shifts,” he said.
“It was great being selected for the BIGGA and John Deere trip and thanks to them I’ve made mates and new contacts from all corners of the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Venezuela.
“Morning shifts meant a 4.30am pick-up from the hotel but that isn’t much different from my normal start during the summer when the course is busy with visitors.
“I was part of a 12-strong team caring just for the front nine bunkers. They are massive.
“We’d also be on divotting duties after the golf, or cutting rough back with hand mowers.
“We had a storm on the first day when more than three inches of rain fell in 24 hours. But it drained quickly, and we were off to the airport on the Sunday afternoon when a storm delay meant Rory McIlory had to return the next day to see off J.J. Spaun in the play-off.
“All the big names were there and I followed Bob MacIntyre when I had down time.
“Going from working on my own to joining 200 other people was certainly different. I didn’t find anyone else who had a team of one back home or who had electric fences protecting greens from sheep at certain times of the year!
“They get a lot of growth at Sawgrass but thankfully at Durness the fescue grass doesn’t require as much hands-on feeding and care.
“It was an eye-opener to see what that level of manpower can achieve, and it was a fantastic learning experience.”
With visitor numbers rising at Durness, the Golf Highland and High 9s group member has been investing in plant and machinery.
“It’s great that we are welcoming more and more visitors. Hopefully winning the Best 9-Hole Course of the Year Award again will help with the profile.
“At Sawgrass they are very protective of the famous 17th green which is surrounded by water. It’s a bit like our 9th hole overlooking the bay, where the cameras come out and people play extra shots.”