Ian Kirwan took a risk with his current role at Bramhall Golf Club
Course Manager Ian Kirwan has been in turfcare since he was sixteen years old; he welcomes change and took a risk with his current position at Bramhall Golf Club.
Ian explained why now was the right time for a different opportunity: “I initially applied for this role simply because I saw it as personal progression - plus it's a bigger club with more staff, equipment and resources. After speaking to the general manager at the interview, I realised the club's ambitious, progressive, all-round professional approach and that lined up with my personal ambitions and future goals.”
He also reflected on the challenges that have come with change: “A new role at a new club can always bring challenges. The greenkeeping team here have all come on board with my plans and ambitions for the course and are all looking forward to the journey we are going to take.”
“As always, one major challenge is the weather with wetter conditions becoming what we expect now. I've put a comprehensive drainage plan together to run alongside the already extensive drainage system and the club have supported me with purchasing new equipment for us to commence the project. We've got a new gravel bander, AFT 45 whizz wheel kit and ordered a new Dakota 410 trailed 2-tonne topdresser for April 2025.”
A positive change is good
Ian said: “Change can be a really good thing - as long as you do your due diligence into the potential new place of work. Moving from somewhere you are happy and comfortable at can be a stress and also a risk, so making sure the change is right for you is seriously important.”
“Having said that, change at times can be necessary. Previously, I stayed in a role for too long, where I was not supported and felt stuck at a place that didn’t deserve my loyalty. As soon as I made the jump, I knew I'd made the correct move and I wish I’d done it sooner.”
“A few months into this new role at Bramhall and I'm loving it. It has been great to see the course and the team progress in a short space of time and I’m really enjoying the new challenges it presents.”
But why the change?
Ian reflected on his time at his previous club with a positive assessment: “I was really happy at Chorlton-cum-Hardy Golf Club and they allowed me to progress with opportunities such as involvement with TPC Sawgrass and the BMW at Wentworth Championship. I felt a loyalty to them, but at times you need to take a step back, take your heart out of the equation and look at things logically; sometimes maybe even selfishly.”
“They couldn’t support my ambitions so, after a long hard think and wrestling with the decision, I decided I'd be foolish to turn this role down. Giving yourself a new challenge is a great thing; it keeps you fresh and stops you from being in a comfort zone which can sometimes stop your progression. I think having constant new challenges within your job keeps the role interesting.”
Ian also reflected on the differences in resources and machinery: “I've always used predominantly John Deere fleets, but at Bramhall it is mainly Toro equipment - aside from an additional John Deere fairway mower I purchased when I started. All tractors are Kubota and the utility vehicle as well. It's the first time I've ever had a fully electric mower, which is our Toro greens mower and it's an excellent piece of kit; giving an awesome cut and finish. The battery life is surprisingly good too… easily handling a double cut of the greens.”
The team reaction and your management
“I'm very much team-orientated; I want everyone to be a part of the journey and feel involved with every step. The first thing I did was to ask the team where they felt they were unhappy with things, and most of the issues were easily ironed out. I told the guys where I wanted us to be in five years and every one of them jumped straight on board with the ideas.”
He alluded to the importance of developing a team: “Upskilling the team has been a major positive that I've implemented, with great feedback from the team. Things like starting our youngest member on his NVQ level 2, taking the time to show everyone how to use equipment properly and more efficiently, working alongside them and being hands-on rather than managing from an office. This has made the team mentality very easy to establish. Simple things like making sure we all have a uniform – to not only show members we are the greenkeeping team and to look professional, but to also visually appear as a team around each other and show that we are all in this together.”
Ian’s history in turf
“While completing my GCSEs, I began as a summer helper at my local course; Blundells Hill Golf Club, Merseyside and I loved everything about it. Not just the work and working outside, but the team environment and the banter that comes with it. I served an apprenticeship here and completed NVQ level 2, then began a Foundation Degree at Myerscough College - which
I later finished whilst at my next club, Widnes Golf Club. Whilst there, I was promoted to head greenkeeper at the age of 23 and stayed in that role for fourteen years.”
“I then moved to Chorlton-cum-Hardy Golf Club, Manchester and took on the role of course manager. I loved working here, with an excellent greenkeeping team as well as a great management team of Directors who all pushed the club in the same direction. I'm still a playing member here and often go back to play of a weekend.”