First Green was just the beginning

Carnoustie has been inspired to take its approach to outreach a step further

From the first event back in 2023, First Green has been changing perceptions around greenkeeping and introducing young people to a career path many of them knew nothing about.

Carnoustie Golf Links took on hosting duties earlier this year, recognising that, as a world-class venue, it had a responsibility to support the wider profession. Greenkeeping Operations Lead Gill Andrews and Links Superintendent Kevin Stott have woven the event into a wider programme in partnership with Carnoustie High School.

The venue’s first First Green event brought 23 young people onto the course to explore modern greenkeeping. But it formed only one stage of a broader programme involving open days, summer sessions and work experience, all designed to create a route into the profession.

Supported by BIGGA Workforce & Careers Lead Jenny Bledge, Gill and Kevin have pursued a clear ambition – to introduce more girls to greenkeeping and, ultimately, welcome the first female greenkeeper into the Carnoustie team.

“As a world-leading organisation, we see it as part of our responsibility to support greenkeeping as an industry,” said Gill. “And perhaps a little bit more effort needs to be made to introduce girls, engage with them and show it as a viable career opportunity and further education route.”

Kevin admitted neither he nor Gill were naturally comfortable “throwing ourselves out there”, but hosting First Green laid the foundations for what has come since.

“It was a good platform for us,” he said. “There has been a natural progression and we’re now a little bit more comfortable with doing these events because we’ve seen a lot of value come out of them. That’s the big reward.”

A deliberate first impression

The work began with meetings involving Carnoustie High School, followed by a presentation to around 16 girls.

Gill, who moved into the greenkeeping team after working in the brand and marketing team at Carnoustie, wanted it to challenge any sense that the profession was unskilled, old-fashioned or only for men. Professionally branded materials and a short film showed far more than mowing.

“We wanted it to look slick and professional, to go against any perceptions of greenkeeping not being a professional field of work,” she said. “We also wanted to brand it in a way that didn’t look super male-orientated. This is for everybody. We considered whether they might think, ‘I’m not a golfer, so I couldn’t do that’. I’ve worked at Carnoustie for over four years and I’ve never been a golfer. We wanted to make it really clear that you don’t have to be a golfer or know about golf to be a greenkeeper.”

The presentation also highlighted data-led decision-making, irrigation controlled through phones and tablets and possible routes into ecology, machinery and electrification.

“It’s not just shovelling and raking bunkers,” said Kevin. “There are cool things to be doing rather than just that manual-labour outlook.”

A Girls’ Greenkeeping Apprenticeships Open Day followed, attended by 13 pupils who collected data, worked on the Championship Course and changed holes, which quickly became a favourite activity.

Carnoustie’s First Green event came next. Many of the girls returned, becoming more comfortable asking questions. The repeated contact also helped Gill, Kevin and the school identify three pupils with a genuine interest.

 

Keeping the momentum

Rather than allow the relationship to drift over the summer, Carnoustie created Girls in Greenkeeping Summer Sessions. Two days at Carnoustie were combined with a visit to St Andrews Links, where the girls met female greenkeepers Hannah and Lucy.

“We don’t currently have any female members within the greenkeeping team, so we realised it was really important to continue that line of communication,” said Gill. “Seeing someone who is only 10 years older than you, who is smashing it, has a great job and looks like she’s enjoying it gives that element of relatability.”

Kevin added: “We wanted to show these girls there is a career in greenkeeping. This isn’t just some sort of ridiculous idea. It is happening. We also had to talk about how hard it is and how good it can be. There was no point talking about only the fluffy stuff.”

 

That honesty shaped the sessions. The girls started at 5.30am, alongside the team, and carried out tasks they might encounter as apprentices. They changed holes, repaired divots on fairways and tees, tidied around sprinklers, prepared tees and raked bunkers. At St Andrews, they worked in the Road Hole bunker and changed a hole on the 18th green.

“We want to get female greenkeepers in because we don’t have any, but we don’t want to get women under false pretences thinking it’s all sunshine and rainbows,” said Gill. “That is why we said, ‘The boys start at half past five, so you’re going to start at half past five’. It wasn’t a problem.”

The girls became absorbed in identifying grasses and used moisture meters to consider what the readings meant for the turf. Kevin was struck by the care they took over course set-up and the questions they asked between tasks.

“The feedback from the course managers was exactly the same as ours,” he said. “It wasn’t just what they did on the course. It was the chat in between. They were massively committed and had a real curiosity to learn.”

Leaving the door open

From November to March, pupils can join the team on Fridays for full-day work experience, including winter greenkeeping. Further First Green activity and more collaboration with St Andrews are also planned. Crucially, the door remains open between sessions.

“We said to them ‘If there’s anything you want to look at again or you want to arrange to come in, please do’,” said Gill. “‘If you have any questions, get in touch’. We wanted to make sure they felt comfortable and knew we wanted them to do that.”

Neither expects one programme to solve greenkeeping’s recruitment challenge immediately. The process demands time, trust and sustained effort.

“This is a first step and a commitment from us and the organisation,” said Gill. “What we’ve done already has been so positive for us and for the girls. Somewhere down the line, do I think it will lead to a female greenkeeper? One hundred per cent, yes.”

Kevin is upbeat about the possibility it could happen sooner rather than later, but success should not be judged only by an appointment.

“We can look back and know we’ve given it our best shot,” he said. “If it isn’t successful straight away, we’re OK. Maybe this is just a stage in the process that has to happen.”

‘I’d do it again in a heartbeat’

Sky Adams and Rachel Carnegie took part in the Girls in Greenkeeping: Summer Sessions. Here’s what they had to say.

Did you enjoy your time at Carnoustie for the Girls in Greenkeeping: Summer Sessions?

Sky: I enjoyed my time there. My favourite part was meeting the female greenkeepers.

Rachel: Yes, I enjoyed my time at the Summer Sessions.

What surprised you most about greenkeeping?

Sky: I was surprised by all the technology used when cutting the greens.

Rachel: I was surprised by how good the routine was, how it set me up for the day and how much I enjoyed the early start.

What did your family think about you taking part in the sessions?

Sky: My family were all happy for me to try something new.

Rachel: My parents thought it was an amazing opportunity for me to try greenkeeping, so I had a good idea of what was involved before applying for an apprenticeship.

Has it made you consider an apprenticeship in greenkeeping?

Sky: It’s definitely an option, as I enjoyed learning new things while I was there.

 

Rachel: Yes, it has. I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and I love the opportunity to work independently as well as part of a team. I also enjoy the nature element, as I do well in geography and have always liked being outside.

Was there anything you didn’t enjoy too much?

Sky: Getting up early, but once I was there, it was all fine.

Rachel: No, I enjoyed every aspect of it. I liked going to the Old Course because it gave me an insight into what the greenkeeping industry is like for women and the differences between the two courses.

Were there any challenges you were proud of?

Sky: Cutting out the hole on the 18th.

Rachel: Understanding the differences between the types of grass was difficult, but I was amazed at myself when I got to grips with it.

Would you do the experience again?

Sky: Yes, I would definitely do it again.

Rachel: Yes, in a heartbeat. It was an amazing opportunity to grow my confidence and improve my understanding of a profession that I dream of being part of.