He comes from Scotland, he’s worked in the States, and now he’s a Spray Technician at Te Arai Links. This week we caught up with Ross Traill who’s had more than one hole in one (but not really), and what drives him to start work at 5am every day!
What’s your job, who do you work for and how long have you been doing it?
I work as the Spray Technician on the Greenkeeping staff at Te Arai Links. I have been greenkeeping in total for 6 years but been at Te Arai for 6 months! I have also spent time working in America as well as Scotland and England.
What inspired you to pursue a career in turf management and what’s a typical day like?
I started playing golf when I was 5 years old and it was my love of golf that got me into turf management! I first started raking bunkers on a Saturday morning when I was 11 years old and… still at it 13 years later starting full time in the industry when I was 17. One reason why I love greenkeeping is each day is never the same there’s always something different going on, different challenges etc. A typical day for me would be a 5am start and I would do some of my admin for maybe 30mins then I’d get equipment ready for whatever was going on that day. The boss would give a full team briefing at 5:45 then we would be on our way for the morning course set up! We would then have a lunch break around 11 before heading back out onto the course to do some detail work such a filling in divots, pulling weeds etc.
What are the biggest challenges you face in managing golf courses?
Biggest challenges these days I would say is dealing with the ever changing weather conditions: each year is different!, and the ever increasing expectations of golf course conditions that golfers are expecting.
What trends or changes do you see shaping the future of the golf industry, specifically when it comes to turf and maintenance?
One of the biggest changes I have seen lately is the use of robotics. There has been vast improvements in this sector over the past couple of years, and it will be interesting to see what golf course maintenance looks like in even 10/20 years time!
If you weren’t working in golf, what would you be doing?
Ever since I was a young lad growing up in Scotland, I have always loved the outdoors so if I wasn’t a greenkeeper I’d probably be an outdoor pursuits instructor or something like that!
If you could play a round of golf with three people dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Jon Daly. Purely for the fun and the banter! (I have actually met him in Florida. Tiger woods. Only for one reason. He is the goat. Arnold Palmer. Got to play a round with the king!
What’s your handicap?
My handicap these days is 12.6
Ever had a hole in one?
I have had 3 hole in ones… however they were all during practice rounds and were all a second/3rd shot off the tee box so don’t really count!!
