My New Job: Mark Carter

After spending more than 20 years at Norwood Park, Mark Carter took the step into his first full-time head greenkeeper role at Tapton Park last October.

Released from a football apprenticeship at Mansfield Town in the mid-2000s, Mark entered greenkeeping through an apprenticeship at Norwood, progressing quickly into a long-serving deputy role. Now, with extensive experience behind him, he felt the timing was right to take on the top job.

How do you reflect on your time at Norwood Park?

I loved my time there and it was a great place to learn. I learned everything there – irrigation, drainage, chainsaw work, all the things you need to know. But after 20 years as deputy, I just felt it was time to spread my wings and see if I could do it on my own.

Why did the Tapton Park role appeal to you?

I applied for a few jobs and every time it came back that I needed head greenkeeper experience. I always thought, ‘How do you get that experience if nobody takes a chance on you?’. When I applied for Tapton Park, they rang me back the next day and asked me to come in for an interview. That meant a lot because it showed they were willing to give someone an opportunity.

What did the interview process involve?

There were three interviews. The first was with the general manager Kelvin Wilson, then a second interview with Kelvin and Jared Ellison, who oversees all the head greenkeepers at Link Golf’s seven courses, and that included a course walk and more in-depth questions. The third interview also included Andrew Terry, one of Link Golf’s co-owners. I think they were looking at the person as well as the knowledge. They want people who fit into the team and buy into their approach of providing playable, affordable golf for everyone.

What state was the course in when you arrived?

An irrigation tank had burst earlier in the year and they’d lost a lot of the greens across both courses. It was daunting, but I looked at it as a challenge and thought the only way was up. I started on 6 October, so there was a short window to get seed down before winter. I put over 100kg of seed out across both courses and we worked long days to give it the best chance.

How have things progressed since then?

The 18-hole Markham Course looks fantastic now and has full grass coverage, and the feedback has been really positive. The 9-hole Dobbin Course is improving as well, but it will need more work to get it where it needs to be. Overall, I’m really happy with how the greens have come on.

How have you approached leading a new team?

There are four of us including me, with the rest of the team each having around 20 years experience here.

I try to keep spirits up and not be too serious, because people want to work for someone they like. They know the course inside out and have helped me a lot. I ask for their opinions, and if their way is better, I’ll go with it. Praising people when they do a good job is important as well.

What does success look like for you in the early stages of the role?

Sorting the greens was the main priority and that’s been the focus since I arrived. The owners still expect a very good standard, even though the aim is to provide affordable golf. I’m pleased with where the Markham Course is now and I’m confident we can continue improving things from there. We have ambitions to introduce a buggy path around the course, so that’s on the agenda as well. GI

 

 

Mark’s tips for making the step up from deputy

• Go for it and don’t be afraid to take the chance, because if you don’t try you’ll never know.
• Don’t worry about failing – the worst that can happen is you go back to being a deputy.
• Be prepared for the people side of the job, because dealing with staff and their problems is a big step up.
• Learn to find solutions, because as head greenkeeper it’s on you to fix things.
• Lead from the front and work alongside your team so they can see you’re in it with them.