James Gaskell: 'I thought I was going to faint'
For James Gaskell, greenkeeping began as a summer job, enabling him to earn a bit of money between terms at the University of Sunderland, where he was studying towards a Sports Science degree.
But the keen golfer soon realised that it was on the fairways where he wanted to build a career and now he’s put Ripon City on the map as James, the club’s deputy head greenkeeper, became the 33rd Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year.
“The period between terms gave me a great opportunity to go into my local golf courses and work the summers,” said James, 30. “I did it for a bit of money and experience and at the time didn’t think much of it. But I just absolutely loved it. It changed from something that was going to help with my bank balance while at university into my chosen career.”
Although he hasn’t pursued his degree subject further as a career, attending university did equip James with some valuable skills that he uses in his management role at Ripon City.
He explained: “I think university helped massively because you quickly develop your interpersonal skills. For example, when you first arrive there’s a group of seven of you living together and you have to quickly adapt and bounce off each other, which is like day-to-day life in a greenkeeping team.
“I’ve also done a lot of assignment-based work in the past and so that has helped with my Level 3 and preparing for these awards.”
Helping guide James on his journey is Myerscough College tutor Andy Kenworthy, who is celebrating his third consecutive student winning the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award.
“He strives for the best possible answers,” said James. “When he first started tutoring me he said the answers need to go above and beyond the marking criteria. He will never settle for just an answer that was passable and I think that’s the most important thing – everything needs to be in depth and detailed.”
With Ripon City located just 25 miles from Rudding Park, where the previous two awards winners – Jason Norwood and Matthew Milligan – were based, that also provided James with an opportunity to prepare for the awards by gaining some knowledge from those who had already undertaken the process.
James said: “I managed to organise a game of golf with Matt and he talked me through the process, such as what happens on the day. But nothing can prepare you for what happens. I didn’t expect any of this. I also spoke to Jason and he was incredibly helpful in giving up his time and trying to explain what you come across on the day.
“Despite all that, I was pretty apprehensive and anxious, but once you get into the interview process and the presentation and you see friendly faces that make you feel comfortable, it’s a lot easier than what you think it will be in the morning. I enjoyed the experience a lot more than I thought I ever would.”
Having come from outside the industry, James said it came as a shock that there were bodies such as BIGGA, Toro and Reesink who were willing to invest so much time in supporting those beginning their career in greenkeeping and providing opportunities for them to make a name for themselves.
“When you first start working as a summer worker, you don’t know about everything within the industry,” said James. “You would never expect what BIGGA or Toro and Reesink do for the younger greenkeepers who are trying to make a career, it’s just amazing.”
Despite all his preparation, the standard of finalists was so extraordinarily high that James said he was stunned when his name was read out as winner of the competition.
“I thought I was going to faint,” he said. “I was massively shocked because, speaking to everyone around us, they were all so knowledgeable and it must just have been the toss of a coin as to who won because everyone is so good at their job and so passionate about it. In my head, I thought there were so many good people there and to have won, I was completely shocked.
In winning the award, James now gets to participate in the University of Massachusetts’ Winter Turf School, he will attend the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando, he gets to visit Toro facilities in Wisconsin and he will also participate in a work placement at Adare Manor, host of The 2027 Ryder Cup.
James said: “I’ll just soack in all the information that I can. Speaking to Matt about his experiences, he said it is life changing. I watched Tiger Woods playing at Adare Manor just a couple of months ago and the course is just amazing, so to go there and gain information about what they do will be amazing.”
Reflecting on his experience at the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards, James concluded: “I’m so grateful for this opportunity and so thanks to everyone at BIGGA, Toro and Reesink for what they do. Obviously, congratulations to Pete, who is so passionate and knowledgeable, which is great to see, and thanks to everyone who has taken part.”
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