4 weeks in Scotland

Well, I have been in Scotland for nearly 4 weeks! Wow, time just flies by. I've been away from NZ for coming up 6 weeks! It feels way longer aye? (Well it does for me anyway) Miss you guys....



This week was yet another great week! All the new staff had a "induction day" where we got to meet all the head of departments, got to see the warehouse, and pretty much just everything that is involved the "St Andrews Links" which is who I'm working for. Total number of people employed by them is over 300 staff, and half of them are greenkeepers. But it was good to meet people in the other sectors like the club house restaurants, proshop people and even the caddy's.

it was great to hear that over 450 people applied for my job, and there were only 5 places availible! and I got one of those 5 places! Stoked. They also get another 5 people from Elmwood college (pretty much the elite for greenkeeping collages).

I can't believe the scale of professionalism it is at this level. Just everything from someone who greets you at the tee as you walk onto the golf course, to having the St Andrews Links logo on the toilet paper! It really is world class and is everything I thought it would be.

Here is a photo of the greenkeeping shed, Bear in mind that alot of the equipment will be out because I took the photo during work hours in the day, but the value of everything is just phenomenal! think, the pedestrian mowers alone around about 7000 pounds each! Don't get me started on the rest.... Though a lot of extra machinery will be brought in for the Open.



Greenkeeping talk:
40 pedestrian mowers, GM1000's, GM1600's, Flex 21's
10 Approach mowers GM3250
12 Fairway mowers RM5500 (mowed with catches on)
6 full time machanics
7 full time divot fillers

and the list goes on....

After the induction that ran all day I went out for a game of golf assistant head greenkeeper and I actually played pretty well! so I was happy with my performance :-)

1st and 18th - Grandstands going up....

Today (Saturday) I finally decided to explore the town of St Andrews and check out the castle ruins and also the HUGE cathedral which is also just ruins now. It was a nice stroll around town and down by the beach as I haven't seen this part of town yet. I also saw the golfing pioneer Tom Morris grave which is quite the monument! Finally some photo's of the area for you though.




Cathedral ruins...





I have booked my flights for Paris now, so I'm going to meet Candice there at the start of June. I'm thinking of proposing to her there too....










































JUST Kidding! I think it would just be cheesy for my likings. I have french phrase book now so hopefully that gets me by for the 3 days I'm there. Really looking forward to at least trying snails or frogs legs though. Any other suggestions??

Work starts at 5.30am from Monday! but I'll be finished work by 1.30pm at least. it will be weird having my lunch at 9.30am though!

My turn for flat dinner tomorrow night, so taco's is on!

Hope you're enjoying the blog! Miss all of you! Loving the phone calls at the moment - If you want the number to call me on and it will cost the same as a local call for you just ask Renee, she's the only one that's been successful at getting through to me on that number at the moment.

Till next time :-)