Welcome to our new Super!
Posted on: 31 October
It’s been a baptism of fire for Whaleback’s new course superintendent Ben Eddy, who was thrown headfirst into the course’s spring treatment program in his first week on the job. Given how wonderfully well the course has bounced back since the early-October coring, we think Ben is going to fit right in.
We caught up with Ben to find out a little more about his journey to the City of Canning and how his first month in the hot seat has gone.
How did you get a start in the greenkeeping business?
I got into the turf industry via my local club in the small southwest town of Collie, where I grew up. I did work experience through my high school and started there full time after graduating year 12. I spent my four-year apprenticeship there until moving to Perth with my now fiancé in late 2016 to start my qualified career.
What was your pathway to Whaleback?
I’ve spent my entire career in sports turf management and graduated Murdoch TAFE trade qualified (Cert III) in Sports Turf Management.
After leaving the Collie Golf Club in 2016 I spent my first year in Perth at Araluen Golf Resort. After my time at Araluen, I was lucky enough to land a job as a greenkeeper at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.
From there I landed my first role as an Assistant Superintendent at Point Walter Golf Course in late 2018, working for the City of Melville. I spent almost 4 years at Point Walter before becoming the Course Superintendent at Marangaroo Golf Course. I spent 2 years at Marangaroo and am looking forward to bringing all my experience Whaleback Golf Course.
What are you most excited about in your new role as superintendent?
I want to really excel in my position, both for the development of myself and my team but also for the betterment of the course in general. The long-term vision for Whaleback really excites me and I am so happy to be onboard.
How have the first few weeks been – especially being thrown into the deep end of Spring Treatment?
It has been a baptism of fire but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Fortunately, most course renovation practices are similar in approach regardless of the golf course, so I was able to lean on my past experiences and the skills and experiences of my new team to get through the busy period. We are very happy with recovery results of our playing surfaces and it’s very satisfying to see the hard work pay off. It also helps when everyone has been so welcoming and accommodating since my arrival, teamwork really does make the dream work.
How would you measure success in your role at WB?
It’s tricky to put a unit of measurement on success at Whaleback but I am very outcome based in most aspects of life, so if the finish out on the course is good, my team is happy and thriving and the community all agree that Whaleback is the place, to be then its hard to argue that we aren’t succeeding.
What are some of the challenges that your job brings – and how do you and the team deal with these?
The greenkeeping team probably doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, most of the time. From early and mostly fast-paced starts to our day to hot and long summers, it can be a tough industry to work in. But as long as we are all working together, have common goals and do it for each other, being a greenkeeper can be a satisfying career with plenty of benefits to outweigh the challenges.
What’s the best thing about your job?
There was once a time when I would have said the best thing about my job was the free golf and early finishes and while that is still a great part of the work, the best thing about my job as a Superintendent is the ability to pass off everything I have learned to those around me to build a strong team that can produce ‘miracles’ to the average punter.
How’s your golf game?
My golf game is mediocre at best. I’m lucky to have scored a hole-in-one but I am also known for blowing out my score to 100+ strokes a game – there is no in-between, it seems. I really do enjoy the game and find it beneficial to my day-to-day job but don’t take it as seriously as I once did. These days, as Superintendent, I find I have less and less time to get out and play but when I do, it’s mostly just to enjoy the outdoors and catch up with family or friends.