New Greenkeepers Conference

James is the most recent member to the R&A Sustainable Golf Team. He has taken up the position of Assistant Championship Agronomist. 

James began his career in South Africa at the African Turf Academy. James has ten years of greenkeeping experience in several countries. He’s been an intern on the Ohio State Program in America. In 2018 he moved to the UK where he’s worked at JCB Golf and Country Club, Gleneagles and the Old Course at St Andrews. James is a graduate of the 2023 FTMI Programme and an R&A Scholar. He is currently studying a degree in Turfgrass Science at Myerscough College.  

 

My name is Stefan Carter, Sustainable Championship Agronomist for the R&A. I have been working at the R&A since April 2025 and this role has already provided me with great opportunities to work with so many amazing Golf Clubs and people. My career started in greenkeeping in 2009, where I was first introduced to the profession at a local Golf Clubs to me in Leicester. Initially I enjoyed greenkeeping for the aspects such as working outside and working with machines. After several years, I undertook and completed my NVQ level 2 in Sportsturf Management. it wasn't until I was selected for the 2013 Open Championship support team through BIGGA where my perception on greenkeeping change forever. Coming from an average 18-hole Golf Club, to seeing grandstands, spectators and everything else that comes with Championship golf and greenkeeping opened my eyes to what I could be doing as a greenkeeper.   Upon returning from that Championship, I worked hard to achieve my short-term goals of working on the home team for a Championship. I volunteered at events such as the BMW PGA Championship and Amateur events hosted by the R&A, and in 2015, I joined The Wentworth Club team full time. My years spent at The Wentworth Club were invaluable to me as I was exposed to incredibly high standards, as well as new greenkeeping technologies and practices. I fully immersed myself into expanding my greenkeeping experiences. Some of that was academic with me completing my NVQ level 3 in Sportsturf management and reaching the national finals of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the year, but also through additional volunteering opportunities including a wide array of international Championships as well as course renovation works at Le Golf National ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup.  Through growing my reputation within the industry, I was referred for an internship at Augusta National Golf Club in 2017 which was and still remains one of my career highlights. Being part of such an amazing Golf Club and working as part of the home greenkeeping team for the Masters provided me with an even higher level of standards and expectations with my greenkeeping work. 

I returned to The Wentworth Club in 2018 as a Senior Greenkeeper on the West Course where I also started my FdSc in Sportsturf Science and Management online through Myerscough College to further expand my technical knowledge. During the following years I continued to build on my experiences both educationally through completing my BSc (Hons) in Sportsturf Science and Management at Myerscough college, whilst progressing to Head Greenkeeper and eventually Deputy Courses Manager at The Wentworth Club. Being in a position to be leading the home greenkeeping team and volunteers for multiple BMW PGA Championships was a surreal feeling at the age of 29 but was a good example of through hard work and determination in your career, you can achieve your goals.   In April 2025 I stepped away from the greenkeeping side of the industry and into the incredible role of Sustainable Championship Agronomist that I am in today. This move has allowed me to continue to develop and progress my career, whilst also providing opportunities to share my career and experiences to inspire the next generation of industry professionals.

Stuart Yarwood MG has been involved in fine turf management for over 30 years, is now Regional Technical Manager for DLF Seeds and is passionate about sustainable landscape ecology.

Dave Cottrell aka Mindset By Dave is a Mindset coach and a lived experience educator around Mental Health. With his own history of living with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder, Dave brings a unique and relatable persepctive to mental health education that you cannot find in a text book.

Dave speaks passionately and insightfully on topics such as depression, anxeity, stress and coping strategies, eating disorders and more. In the past 3 years Dave's work has earned him three prestigious awards including a Points of Light Award from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for Dave's work bringing mental health education to children and their families over the pandemic. This work along with the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust and their "Change Talks" team also received a nomination for the Health Services Journal (HSJ) Mental Health Innovation of The Year in 2022 and then went on to receive the Chairman's award at the Time To Shine awards 2023.

Chris has been head mechanic and workshop manager for Leicester City Football Club since September 2017. He previously spent 12 years as head mechanic at The Belfry.  Prior to that, Chris worked at Ransomes and Toro dealerships and he began his career working at the local mower shop, meaning his entire working life has revolved around turf equipment. He also studied mechanics at Moreton Morrell College of Agriculture.

James has almost 23 years' experience in mechanics, 18 of which have been spent within the golf industry. An expert in maintaining turf equipment, James is currently workshop and equipment manager for Arora Group, based at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club. His remit is about to expand as he tales on a group role that will include potential Ryder Cup host Luton Hoo Golf & Country Club.

 Jack is Deputy Head of Agronomy and Robotics at Mad Swans in the Mendips.  Prior to this Jack was deputy course manager at Farrington Park, having been in the industry for almost six years. In 2023 he was selected by the BIGGA SW&SW Region as the recipient of funding to support his trip to BTME to further his education.  Jack was also part of the volunteer staff at Celtic Manor Resort for the 2022 Cazoo Open.  A talented cricketer and golfer, Jack has represented Somerset at county level in both sports.

Daniel switched to greenkeeping after completing a Level 3 extended diploma in sport and excellence, specialising in golf. During the course he was given the opportunity to complete two weeks' work experience at Wellow Golf Club. Daniel enjoyed this so much that as soon the course was completed he pursued a career in greenkeeping.  Daniel has a particular interest in heathland management stating "bringing back the natural landscape of the course to heathland not only enhances the look of the golf course but supplies a valuable habitat and helps to promote golf courses in a positive light".