GETTING A JOB ON OLD COURSE HOTEL GOLF RESORT STAFF HAS BEEN A LIFE-CHANGING MOVE FOR GREENKEEPER CRAIG SNOWDON
MEDIA RELEASE
Old Course Hotel Opens Up New World of Opportunities
Life has changed "beyond
belief" for one youngster who applied for a job at the five red star Old
Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews.
Craig Snowdon is only 23 and
has always had a love of golf. He explains: "I'd always wanted to be a
green-keeper. My home in Stenhousemuir backed onto the golf course, so I
didn't have far to go to work!"
But he was made redundant from his club
in Falkirk
earlier this year. Whilst many may have worried about the next steps,
Craig looked to find work in the role that he loved. He applied for a
job on the green-keeping staff at the Duke's in St Andrews, and started
in April.
Derek Robson, head green-keeper
at the Duke's, liked Craig's enthusiasm, saying: "We get a lot of
people approaching us. Craig was clearly passionate about the game and
has a love of working on the course. As he had served his
apprenticeship, we knew he
could also 'hit the ground running' - so we offered him a job."
Craig's duties include mowing
the greens, tees, approaches and fairways as well as an array of
additional skills covering spraying and rolling. Derek explains: "We try
to ensure all our staff are competent in all tasks to provide them with
a better experience
and greater flexibility."
And Craig's enthusiasm has paid
off. Within two months, he had earned himself a place on an exchange
programme where green-keepers can work at some of the main tournaments
on the European Tour. Craig found himself in Paris, working with the
team preparing
the course for the French Open, won by Northern Ireland's Graeme
McDowell. Craig says: "It was some experience. One I'll never forget."
Through Derek's connections –
and the resort's links with Whistling Straits in the US – the Duke's has
been involved in a number of staff exchanges. Derek adds: "In 2010,
three of our team volunteered to help at the USPGA at Whistling Straits.
The contacts
made then have spread around the world. This winter, Craig will be
heading to Australia to work under the watchful eye of Ryan Irwin at the
Peninsula Country Club in Melbourne."
But the heady heights of global
green-keeping do not end there for Craig Snowdon. Derek explains:
"After March, Craig heads to the States on an internship via the Ohio
State Programme and hopes to secure a place at Pinehurst, host for both
the men's and
women's US Open in 2014."
Manager at The Duke's, David
Scott, is "very proud" of his team, saying: "Derek does a great job
recognising, recruiting and supporting young talent. This year alone,
members of Derek's green-keeping staff have worked at the Scottish Open,
the European
Masters and the Italian Open. The name of the Duke's travels far and
wide – and it reflects very well on the training provided as well as the
standards we demand."
The final word goes to Craig.
Asked "where next" on his tour, he says: "I'm not sure! This time last
year I was walking to work in Falkirk. The journey is incredible, I'm
excited to be heading to Australia - and I am very lucky to have this
opportunity."
Ends
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