Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠J⁠ohn Deere dealer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deere.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Damien Bell has a greenkeeping career that doesn't follow the traditional path. Growing up at Wellington, in country NSW, greenkeeping wasn't exactly on his mind when looking for work after leaving school. After falling into a greenkeeping apprenticeship, as he puts it, he was literally thrown the keys to the golf course after his boss had an accident at home and was unable to return to work. A steep learning curve by anyone's standards. Damien stood tall and took on all the challenges that confronted a young man looking to learn the trade of greenkeeping, and after completing his apprenticeship, went on to win the national apprentice of the year award which laid down a path to a different world.

Damien was soon on a plane to the USA before taking on a new role in Sydney and living in the big smoke! As life changes, so do your priorities, which would then see Damien and his young family looking to return to country life and taking on the role as Superintendent at the club where his career began. But this was only another small step in his career to date.

Join Damien and I as we record this one in person at the Wellington Golf Clubhouse, catch up on old times, discuss what it's like living and working in a regional town, the highs and lows of maintaining a regional golf course within the swings of Mother Nature, the incredibly unique setting and location of Wellington Golf Club, and the club's bright future under the new management of Wellington Soldiers Club! Oh, and there's plenty of laughs along the way of course!

You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!

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Send me an email to - [email protected]

People and places mentioned in this podcast:

Wellington Golf Club

Manly Golf Club

Pennant Hills Golf Club

ASTMA Golf Course Graduate of the Year Award (past winners)

Wellington Caves

Jenolan Caves

Big Cedar Lodge

Big Cedar Lodge - Cliffhangers Course video