My New Job: Danny Gallagher

The new course manager at St Austell Golf Club in Cornwall explains what motivated him to relocate from Norfolk and the challenges that await him

After progressing rapidly through the ranks in Norfolk, Danny Gallagher relocated to Cornwall in May to become course manager at St Austell Golf Club.

The opportunity has taken him away from family, friends and the only region in which he had worked, but Danny felt moving was the step he needed to broaden his experience and continue developing his career.

How did you get your start in the industry?

I started at Kings Lynn Golf Club in 2016, straight after leaving school. I wasn’t a golfer and was simply looking for an apprenticeship. I spent six years there, progressing to irrigation and spray technician. I then moved to Swaffham Golf Club as deputy course manager before becoming head greenkeeper at Tydd St Giles.

Was moving around always part of your plan?

My course manager at Kings Lynn, Colin Robinson, told me early on that if I wanted to progress, I needed to be prepared to move clubs and gain different experience. He said that if he came back in five years and I was still in the same place, he would be disappointed. That stayed with me. Even if a move didn’t offer an immediate promotion, there is value in seeing how another course operates. As it happens, each move has taken me into a more senior role.

 

How did the St Austell opportunity arise?

I had known agronomist Bruce Jamieson since my time at Swaffham and had kept in touch with him. He knew I was ready for a new challenge and contacted me out of the blue. He described a club in Cornwall that needed help and wanted to invest and improve the course. There was clear support and a chance to make a real difference, so it immediately appealed.

What did the recruitment process involve?

Bruce passed my details to the general manager and everything moved quickly. We spoke almost immediately and had an interview within a couple of days. I then travelled down to walk the course. It felt less like another formal interview and more like an opportunity for both sides to make sure it was right. By the end of the course walk, I had been offered the job.

 

What convinced you to relocate?

I had worked at three clubs that were all within about half an hour of my home, so moving from Norfolk to Cornwall represented a complete change. The landscape, weather and growing seasons are different, and that was exactly what I wanted. Leaving family and friends was the biggest consideration, but I had wanted to make a move like this for a long time. Previously, I had not been in the financial position to uproot. Once everything aligned, there was no hesitation.

What are your priorities at St Austell?

The main focus is the greens, where a significant build-up of thatch over the past five or six years has contributed to soft surfaces and bare patches. They have deteriorated in terms of playability, but the route to improving them is fairly straightforward. It will take time and the consistent application of general greenkeeping practices.

I do not think you should walk into a new club and immediately list everything that is wrong. You do not know why previous decisions were made. My approach is to ask for the team’s opinions, discuss the course and agree the way forward together.

What would success look like over the next few years?

I want golfers to walk off the course talking about consistency. The greens should run true rather than simply being chased for speed, the bunkers should play well and the whole course should feel clean, tidy and enjoyable. The goal is a high standard throughout without it feeling manufactured. I want returning golfers to see clearly how much the course has improved. GI

Be prepared to move for the right role

If you're in a position where you can relocate, it is definitely worth going for it. You will only regret it if you don't. It does need things to line up, which was the case for me at St Austell. The club have been very supportive in helping me settle in and finding me a place to stay. Professionally, this was exactly what I needed. I had worked at three courses that were all within half an hour of my home, whereas Cornwall is completely different. The weather is different, the seasons are different and the landscape is different. That gives me more experience and helps me continue developing my career and knowledge.