Getting Personal with Matt Plested
Matt Plested, taking the opportunity to use our industry to see the world.
Who are you? Matt Plested. Course Manager at Stoneham Golf Club.
Family status. Married with three beautiful children; Oliver, Ivy and Flora.
Who's your hero and why? I don't really have heroes! I greatly admire doctors/neurologists who specialise in conductive education.
What's been the highlight of your career so far? I have three! Completing the driving range project here at Stoneham GC, improving our golf course ranking by 34+ and my staff going on to becoming head greenkeepers in their own right.
If your younger self saw you now, what would he think? You need to chill out more (and lose some weight)!
Which famous people wind you up? Most politicians, but Boris at the moment.
What job would you love, other than your own? I'd love to be an educational speaker/trainer.
What was the most embarrassing moment in your life? Anything involving wetsuits!
What is your favourite film? The Karate Kid.
What scares you? Decisions being made by uninformed committee members.
What would your autobiography be called…and who would play you in the film? One big project - Jack Black.
What is your favourite sport? Football/golf/rugby, but football slightly wins. I'm a big Portsmouth fan!
What would you cast into room 101? Nuclear weapons.
Which historical time and place would you most like to visit? The UK in the swinging sixties. What great music!
Do you have a lifetime ambition? I've accomplished most things in my career but, personally, to be a good parent.
What's your favourite smell? A BBQ.
Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? John Lennon, Tiger Woods and Liam Gallagher.
What's the best advice you have ever been given? We didn't come this far, just to get this far!
What's your favourite piece of trivia? Christmas Day (Jesus's birthday) was once celebrated in January!
What's your favourite piece of kit? Toro ProCore.
Which three albums would you take to a desert island? The Verve - Urban Hymns, Oasis - Definitely Maybe and The Stone Roses - The Complete Stone Roses.
What's the daftest work-related question you have ever been asked? Why are you putting out so much bird seed on the tees? (It was fertiliser)!
What three words best describes yourself? Passionate, caring and reliable.
What is the single most useful thing you could tell a 16-year-old greenkeeper? Take the opportunity to use our great turf industry to see the world.
What talent would you like to have? To be able to predict the weather!
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? Better welfare/rights for vulnerable children.