National Apprentice Week 2025: John Cunningham

Up next in our National Apprentice Week 2025 Q&As we have Course Manager at the Isle of Skye Golf Club, John Cunningham. 

Where and when did you do your apprenticeship in turfcare ?

I did my apprenticeship at Oatridge Agricultural College in West Lothian, Scotland. 

How much did you learn during this time?

I learned a lot during this time. College tutors had different backgrounds so you learned from each of them for example farming machinery, machinery maintenance, landscaping and greenkeeping. 

Did the apprenticeship help you shape your career in turfcare? 

It certainly did. I realised quite quickly that I should be a sponge and just absorb as much as I could. My boss at my club could do a bit of everything and I wanted to be like him. He was the one who told me to pay attention and take as much in a possible. 

Would you recommend an apprenticeship in turfcare to others?

I would absolutely recommend doing an apprenticeship in turf care to anyone. There’s so many different avenues or places it can lead you towards. 

What advice would you give to a young greenkeeper starting out today?

Be a sponge! Try and soak up all the information you can, from all different people, with all different levels of experience. Never stop learning and always ask questions.

What aspects / functions of your job gives you the greatest satisfaction?

I really enjoy seeing our members and visitors happy with the course.

And what part of it gives you the least satisfaction?

What frustrates me, in one word… midges!

Can you give us a brief summary of the role you are in now? 

I now manage a nine hole course on the picturesque Isle of Skye. I’m lucky to have an amazing office, a good part time member of staff and good people around me. I couldn’t envisage doing anything else or moving somewhere else. I’ve been very fortunate.

I absolutely love my job and I’m always itching to crack on and try to get the course in as good a condition as possible.