Georgia on his mind as Tain greenkeeper hits the Masters
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A MAN who started his greenkeeping career at his hometown club at Tain fulfilled a lifelong ambition by joining the slick operation at the 2013 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
Gavin Neill, who is now deputy course manager on the New and Jubilee Courses at St Andrews Links, joined the mammoth greenkeeping operation ensuring the first Major of the season was presented in the immaculate condition it is famed for.
He said: "Ever since I was a young junior golfer watching on TV I always dreamt of one day visiting Augusta National. When I started my career in greenkeeping I made it one of my main objectives not just to visit but to work at the Masters. So when I was selected last year to work at this year’s masters I didn’t even have to think twice about accepting."
The 31-year-old said the experience lived up to all his expectations. "My first impression of the course was that it was just picture perfect. You can’t really appreciate the landscape of the course either, with the severity of the greens and surrounds and the undulating fairways that viewers simply can’t see on TV."
His duties including caring for the fairways, switching grass clippings and repairing divots.
His responsibilities for the 4th green involved hand blowing, switching the sand splash and leaves off the green’s surface when needed.
He was also part of the Links team at the 2005 and 200 Open Championship at the Old Course. He was impressed by the "incredible" attention to detail. He said: "It has been fascinating to see policies such as the performance of the greens, including their speed and other indicators, are kept top secret at all times.
"There is a huge emphasis placed on the overall experience the spectator receives from the moment they walk through the gates ensuring that they leave with an unforgettable experience with staff and volunteers going that extra mile to deliver a first class customer service."
Local golf and more sport inside this week's Ross-shire Journal
