Getting Personal with Paul Larsen
Paul Larsen - The Robert Smith of the greenkeeping world!
Who are you? Paul Larsen, Course Manager Royal St. George's Golf Club.
Family status? Single dad with one son Elliot.
Who's your hero and why? Robert Smith from the Cure (he's just a legend )! Seve, as he got me into golf.
What's been the highlight of your career so far? Well, more life highlights really … taking time out to travel the World.
If your younger self saw you now, what would he think? How the heck did you keep your hair!
Which famous people wind you up? Simon Cowell.
What job would you love, other than your own? Head groundsman at the mighty West Ham Utd (watch out Dougie Robertson)!
What was the most embarrassing moment in your life? My old car breaking down in the central lane of the M25 in the middle of a traffic jam. I had to wait for a police officer to escort me to the hard shoulder.
What is your favourite film? Reservoir Dogs.
What scares you? Other than no rain … it's got to be snakes!
What would your autobiography be called … and who would play you in the film? We're on a road to nowhere and Hugh Grant (a member at Royal St. George's).
What is your favourite sport? Football and golf.
What would you cast into Room 101? What's Room 101? After being told … Definitely COVID!
Which historical time and place would you most like to visit? The very gothic Vienna in the 13th century.
Do you have a lifetime ambition? To author a book about my escapades!
What's your favourite smell? Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? Robert Smith (The Cure lead singer), Hugh Grant and David Bowie.
What's the best advice you have ever been given? Never give up!
What's your favourite piece of trivia? The highest score Jack Nicklaus ever scored during his professional career (not as a senior) was 83 at Royal St. George's back in 1981 - and Tiger Woods lost his first ball as a professional here in 2003!
What's your favourite piece of kit? The Wiedenmann Terra Float Air overseeder.
Which three albums would you take to a desert island? Disintegration - The Cure, Doolittle - Pixies and Bauhaus - In the Flat Field.
What's the daftest work-related question you have ever been asked? Why don't you pump boiling water through the irrigation system to thaw out the greens when its frosty?
What three words best describes yourself? Different, sincere and maverick.
What is the single most useful thing you could tell a 16-year-old greenkeeper? Do your work with passion!
What talent would you like to have? I'd love to be able to sing (unfortunately I'm tone deaf)!