Get to Know The Greenkeeper|Cathal Browne

In this latest edition of Get to Know the Greenkeeper we catch up with the young and upcoming Greenkeeper/Groundsman, Cathal Browne who has a infectious attitude towards the industry.

What is your name, where to you work ?

Hi, my Name is Cathal Browne. I’m 22 from Cork in Ireland and currently working as a Greenkeeper at Mahon Golf course in cork. I’m also the Head Groundsman at Ballinlough City Division Sports Complex.

How did you end up with a career in Groundsmanship/Greenkeeping?

I’ve always been an outdoors person, and wanted to do something with golf. I’m an avid golfer and I always loved how golf courses were manicured. I managed to find a Greenkeeper course here in Ireland back in 2017 where I studied for a year and it really just took off from there, never looked back.

Just pure love for my career, I love looking back at the end of the day seeing the golf course/sports pitches coming together. It gives you a great sense of achievement, my passion for the turf industry in my opinion is second to none. Whether it being a voluntary role or a paid position my work ethic and commitment is always 100 percent. 

What do you like most and least about your role?

It is always changing — always evolving — and I get front row seats watching the process of a simple idea grow into a championship golf course every day is different, and it is a constant adventure, I love my job. 

Definitely the winter months when it’s cold wet and windy. Not much to do on the golf course at that time of the year. Mostly tiding up from the previous season

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing Groundsmen/Greenkeepers in the coming years?

I think the biggest let down in the industry would be that we don’t get the recognition we deserve. A lot of people don’t actually know what we do on a daily basis. At the end of the day everyone thinks we “just” cut grass, but there’s a lot More than cutting grass, and obviously the salary.

What’s the best advice/tip work wise you have been given?

Work while you have the light, you are responsible for the hard work that has been entrusted to you and no great work is ever done in a hurry. . . To do anything great requires time, patience and perseverance

 If you could invent a robot to do one job for you on the turf, what would that job be?

Probably a robot to cut the rough in my opinion.

Best wishes Cathal

If you enjoy this type of get to know the Groundsman/Greenkeeper take a look at our archives. –https://turfcareblog.com/community-bloggers/