Friends Ross Macleod and Andrew Leslie celebrate 25 years of greenkeeping at Forres Golf Club
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TWO friends are celebrating more than 50 years of looking after a local golf course together.
Ross Macleod and Andrew Leslie started at Forres Golf Club within a year of each other a quarter of a century ago and are looking forward to many more years working on the greens.
Head greenkeeper Ross started straight from school as an apprentice in 1996, first attending Elmwood College in Cupar, Fife.
He said: “I played golf from a young age and always wanted to work in the industry. Once I’d qualified I worked my way up to assistant head greenkeeper then on to head.”
Deputy head Andrew also completed an apprenticeship, studied at Elmwood and has only ever worked as a greenkeeper.
He said: “As a teenager, I had a Saturday job at the course, sweeping and tidying around the clubhouse. I’ve always loved golf and spent most of my time there when I was younger.”
After all these years, Ross still loves the early morning starts at Muiryshade. He explained: “We’ve usually done half our day by the time most people start work at 9am!
“In the summer, once the course is prepped for play, it’s great to see our hard work paying off. However, the weather can be a nightmare. It puts a lot of pressure on the course and us as a result.”
Andrew agrees that the weather has been hugely influential on his career.
He said: “There are no longer obvious seasons, just periods of weather. For example, we’ve been faced with prolonged drought and excessive rainfall in the last few years which presents challenges to make the course playable.
“We’ve had to adapt how we work and focus on more sustainable practices. But I love being outside and every day is different. I’ve never dreaded going to work – I’m passionate about it and work with one of my closest friends.”
The pair have seen numerous changes to the course over the years, which, like them, is always maturing.
“There is always upgrading on the bunkers, paths and tees,” said Ross. “And I’ve a lot less hair than when I started and more grey!”
Andrew added: “Continual improvements over the years have ensured a better version of the course for members and visitors to enjoy. The job has got harder with the lack of chemical solutions to disease, budget restrictions and spiralling cost of machinery and fertilisers.
“But it’s a great new challenge to find more sustainable ways to work and encourage nature in the land we are so lucky to look after.”
Ross cannot quite believe he has already passed the 25-year working milestone.
He said: “I’m privileged to be in the job I love. I’m very proud of what we as a team achieve and hope we continue to improve the course year-on-year.”
Andrew feels just as fortunate in his role.
He said: “I’m proud as a Forres loon to be part of the course’s history. It has an exciting future ahead – the recent amalgamation of club and course has allowed investment in new machinery. There is renewed focus on more sustainable ways of improving playability and biodiversity of the course, with exciting changes in the pipeline.
“I’m proud of our work at Forres Golf Course and have worked with so many great people over the years, many of whom are still my friends today. For anyone who might be considering a career in greenkeeping – do it. You won’t regret it!”
