Tell us about your journey here at Millbrook?
In March 2002, I arrived in Queenstown which is when I started my career at Millbrook. I was first hired in the Golf Shop, working outside cleaning carts and clubs. My girlfriend (now wife) started on the same day and spent seven years working as the Executive Sous Chef. After three months, I was asked to work in the Services department with Ken Wilson, which I spent doing for six months. This involved a variety of work, but one of the main projects I was involved in was finishing the gas line ring main from the gas tanks, which run past Malaghans ridge, up Orchard Hill, and down the back of the Villas. Malaghans Ridge and the Orchard Hill houses were still under construction and Streamside did not exist. Due to Ken becoming sick, the Services department was disbanded and their work was taken over by other departments. One of my final jobs with them was catching and relocating 200 chickens!
How did your journey in the greenkeeping field progress, leading to your eventual role as Superintendent?
As I had by then done some work with the Greenkeeping team over the Christmas break, I was offered a position with them and the opportunity to do an Adult Turf Management apprenticeship which I leapt at. Over the next three years I learnt the greenkeeping trade under some great mentors. We only had around seven staff on the greenkeeping team- a far cry from todays massive team. I also continued to do some part time work at the Golf Shop in the evenings and weekends.
Upon finishing my apprenticeship, an opportunity for an Assistant Superintendent vacancy came up. I was promoted into this role, which I held for a duration of seven years. Over that time another nine holes was built, and four holes redeveloped, taking us to 27 holes. The driving range was relocated to its current position and our staff numbers went up to 18. In November 2013, the Superintendent resigned. I then applied for this role which I was offered.
What significant responsibilities have you undertaken in your Superintendent role?
After getting my new role as Superintendent, was just three months before our very first NZ Open, so it was quite daunting. Since then, I have been involved in eight NZ Opens, seen another nine holes constructed, lived through the Covid pandemic, and seen our team grow to 32 staff, who this year prepared 36 holes for the NZ Open for the first time, which was a massive undertaking. I have helped in the training of a further 12 apprentices as well as mentoring many Polytechnic students who after join the team to complete their practical grounding in the trade, so the training continues.
What do you love most about working at Millbrook?
Millbrook has been great for me. I quite literally started at the bottom, and with training and encouragement have been able to progress a long way. I love the fact that it is forever evolving and there is always something on the go. It has more than doubled in size during my time here and staff numbers across the resort have increased threefold. I have had the opportunity to work alongside hundreds of different people from all walks of life. My 14-year-old son now works here part time in the laundry which I think is great.
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