Meet the husband and wife team at Harborne Golf Club

Meet the couple who are managing to maintain a golf course and a relationship together at the same time. Work-life balance can be a struggle at the best of times, let alone when the two become practically inseparable.

But Harborne’s Course Manager Jim Gilchrist and Deputy Course Manager Vicky Cavinue have found a way to make it work – and both the golf club and the loved-up duo are thriving. Jim and Vicky have been together for more than two decades, spending over half of that time at the heathland course in Birmingham. Far from finding it all too much, the pair – who have a young son, George, and a playful dog called Fergus – can hardly believe their luck.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to work with your other half, these two might just convince you it’s actually a good idea.

How did you meet and what were your first impressions?

VC: I first met Jim when we worked together at Hamilton Golf Club in Scotland, and we worked together for around two years before we moved on to other golf clubs. The first things that struck me about Jim were that he was handsome and funny. I liked the fact that work was never boring when he was around; we were always laughing but always got the job done. 

JG: Apart from being beautiful, what I noticed about Victoria is that she was quite petite, but she showed pretty much straight away that she was more than capable of taking on the role as a greenkeeper, with all the physical demands the job entails.

How long have you been working together?

JG: We’ve been together as a couple now for around 21 years and have spent 14 of those working together on and off, with 11 of those at Harborne. Vicky was working at Shirley Golf Club as deputy and, after giving birth to our son George, an opportunity arose where I was looking for an assistant greenkeeper at Harborne.

After careful consideration between the both of us and meetings with my committee, followed by an interview process, we decided this was the best option for everyone. We have never looked back, and neither has the club, and Vicky went on to accept the role of deputy when it became available a few years later.

How would you describe your working relationship?

JG: We work very well together, as first and foremost I see Vicky as a deputy course manager and hopefully she sees me as her course manager. That’s not to say we don’t disagree on certain aspects of the job as she has 26 years’ experience and is a fine greenkeeper. Mostly we discuss and then agree I was right.

VC: Our working relationship is built on hard work and not taking each other too seriously, although we are well aware of the demands and expectations of the job.

Does your son help out at all?

JG: George is our wonderful 11-year-old son, and he certainly keeps us on our toes every day. Occasionally he will help out with course set-up alongside his Mum and Dad for a few hours. He is starting to demand a higher hourly rate as he gets older, though.

What’s the best thing about working together?

VC: The best thing about working with Jim is he knows exactly how I’m feeling most of the time, and we both have the same mindset when it comes to work. I can also keep tabs on what he is eating for lunch. It’s also quite handy being able to ask for a swap on a weekend morning after a night out.

JG: We know what the other is thinking in terms of tasks for the day and expectations of the course. I have complete trust in Vicky if at times I can’t spend as much time on the course as I normally would. It is also important to have a sense of humour around the workplace, while acknowledging that there is a job to be done.

Any downsides?

JG: Not so much a downside to working together, as it comes with the territory, and ultimately it was our choice to work as a pair, but we don’t tend to have much time off together during the summer months – although this may be the reason it works. I suppose one downside could be that Vicky now gets to control what I eat each day at lunch.

VC: The worst thing about working with Jim is not having many weekends off together. We can never pull a sicky or just have a duvet day.

What have your respective career paths been to date?

VC: I started off as an apprentice greenkeeper at 17 years of age at Colville Park in Scotland. I was the first female modern apprentice in Scotland and went onto achieve greenkeeping qualifications through GOSTA. I’ve worked at several golf clubs, including Williamwood, Hamilton, Lilley Brook and Shirley, before arriving at Harborne. I also helped out at the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath recently and thoroughly enjoyed the full-on tournament experience. It was a great week and I met lots of fantastic people.

JG: I have been greenkeeping since 1991 after I soon realised I wasn’t bright enough to pursue my chosen career as a football journalist. I completed my YTS at Hamilton GC and gained my further qualifications and experience to eventually become the deputy before moving to Harborne as deputy in 2004 and then taking over as course manager in 2008.

What major or memorable projects have you undertaken at Harborne?

JG: Working at Harborne for nearly 20 years has allowed me to complete many projects, but the one that has given me the most satisfaction was a rebuild of the majority of the greenside bunkers after some heavy rainstorms in 2016. We worked many long hours alongside our chosen contractor Conor Walsh and the project was completed in four weeks. Also, we have begun a programme of greens drainage since 2018 with Cameron MacMillan at Hydrowick Drainage, where we have drained 14 greens. We are hoping to complete the remaining four in 2024.

What else is planned for the year ahead?

VC: The main priority is to continue to produce a fantastic golf course for both members and visitors. We will also move on to new projects like a complete overhaul of the teeing areas on the course, as well as an intensive woodland management programme, so plenty to keep us busy! GI

About Harborne

Harborne is an unspoiled Harry Colt parkland course designed in 1893 and provides a challenge for both high and low handicap golfers. The layout of the par-70 course is largely untouched from the original Colt design, with over 80 bunkers. It provides a stern test of golf and tends to play longer than its 6,180 yards due to its undulating fairways. A warm and welcoming clubhouse ensures the excellent overall experience extends beyond the course.

The team at Harborne

 

Fergus the dog

Fergus is a five-year old Cavapoo who we have had since he was just three months old. He loves being on the buggies and the fairway mower. He has a fantastic personality and loves being around people. He has been known to chase the odd squirrel and crow, but thankfully he has had no luck as they are too quick for him.