A greenkeeper at Woldingham Golf Club, Connor Brown, speaks to irrigation expert John Kidson about how he proactively helped irrigate the course during long, dry spells this year.
It’s always refreshing to see young talent stepping into the greenkeeping industry with energy and enthusiasm. I recently had the chance to sit down with Connor Brown at Woldingham Golf Club in Surrey, which is one of five golf clubs in Surrey and Kent run by Altonwood. Connor is one of those rare individuals who has thrown himself into the profession and has a genuine passion for learning. At a time when it can be difficult to attract younger people into the trade, his keen attitude and willingness to get hands-on with all aspects of course maintenance, especially irrigation and water management, really stand out.
In our conversation, we spoke about his daily routine, how he approaches watering, and the skills he’s developing as he grows into his role.
Hand watering on the course
Connor explained that through the recent hot spells he has often been out hand watering three times a week. He keeps a close eye on turf health by checking results from the data they record, and steps in whenever he notices areas beginning to dry out. Over the past few years, there has been major course construction with new tees being built. “You can usually tell when the roots aren’t taking properly, lift slightly, colour browning off on new turf,” he said.
Getting to grips with irrigation systems
Although still relatively new to irrigation system controls, Connor is keen to learn. “I’m not fully confident on the system controller yet, but I can run sprinklers and repair them with a bit of help. I’m shadowing my head greenkeeper so that I’ll eventually be able to set up and manage the system independently.”
He already has a solid grasp of how the system works at Woldingham. “We’ve got two pumps designed to run at eight bar across the whole course. We run separate programmes for tees and greens, and that helps us manage things even with reduced capacity when maintenance on a pump is happening or there are other issues.”
Deciding when to water
When it comes to choosing between hand watering and relying on the system, Connor takes multiple factors into account.
Recently the club invested in a soil moisture meter to make more informed decisions. “On sand-based greens, once the temperature climbs over 25 degrees, it’s usually a sign we’ll need to hand water in the morning and then let the system run at night. We’re careful not to overwater because sprinklers aren’t always precise, especially on windy days. It means you’ve got to judge the right timing yourself.”
Teamwork and sharing knowledge
Connor takes pride in being able to contribute knowledge to the rest of the team, even at this early stage in his career. “I can show the other staff how to connect hoses properly with GEKA fittings when we’re hand watering the greens, tees or approaches. I also help with the sprinklers around the course, and inside the irrigation boxes I can demonstrate how to switch the water on and off. It feels good to be able to share what I know.”
Looking ahead
Looking to the future, Connor wants to build his expertise in irrigation technology. “My goal is to be able to run the system controller confidently, set up programmes for night cycles and understand irrigation inside out. Eventually I’d like to be the person who can train newcomers and guide them through the process. I see myself becoming more irrigation-tech minded, and that’s where I’d like to take my skills.”
Interview conducted by John Kidson
For more conversations and updates on irrigation and turf management, you can find him on all major social platforms at @JKIrrigation