Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
References
Affiliations
Timeline
Mark Fry

Mark Fry

Exeter,Devon

Summary

Dynamic and resourceful professional with a strong foundation in team building, strategic planning, and leadership. Demonstrates good communication skills and a commitment to quality assurance. Adept at fostering collaborative environments to drive organisational success.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work history

Self-employed

Mark Fry Services
Exeter
06.2024 - 06.2025

Secured contract to collaborate with various companies for extensive renovation of large gym in Exeter, transforming facility into climbing centre, ‘Boulder Exe’.

Estate Manager/Course Manager

Teignmouth Golf Club
05.2022 - 06.2024
  • Established a comprehensive structure for greenkeeping practice, enhancing team welfare, training, and knowledge.
  • Formulated a machinery replacement plan for the next five years to ensure operational efficiency.
  • Integrated stages to upgrade the outdated irrigation system within the club's financial strategy over three years.
  • Implemented 'Obbi Golf' for equipment checks, incident records, health and safety assessments, and personal training.
  • Executed project programmes for course improvements, including heather regeneration and bunker construction.
  • Provided regular updates to the committee regarding ongoing projects and progress.
  • Conducted daily data collection for records and reports on moisture levels, weather, and greens speed.
  • Managed budgeting, fertiliser programmes, irrigation planning, staff training, and in-house improvement projects.

Course Manager

Whittington Heath Golf Club
05.2017 - 05.2022
  • Elevated standards of Whittington Heath golf course significantly beyond previous benchmarks.
  • Enhanced staff welfare through targeted training and knowledge development initiatives.
  • Boosted team morale by implementing improved working practices and resource allocation.
  • Oversaw the government HS2 project for six new holes, four existing hole adjustments, and new practice facilities.
  • Designed and managed the construction of a state-of-the-art greenkeepers' compound.
  • Introduced a five-year machinery plan to ensure operational efficiency.
  • Implemented fertiliser and chemical applications for both existing and newly constructed holes.
  • Executed upgrades to Health & Safety protocols, including C.O.S.H.H. and risk assessments.

Deputy Head Greenkeeper and Construction Project Leader

Worplesdon Golf Club
08.2011 - 05.2017
  • Maintained golf course to championship standard year-round.
  • Implemented and upgraded Health & Safety, C.O.S.H.H assessments, and Risk assessments.
  • Supported Course Manager in managing a team of 9 staff, including scheduling and maintenance programme.
  • Oversaw training for apprentices to ensure skill development.
  • Regenerated and expanded heather on bunker faces, drive carries, tee banks, and rough through turf or seeding.
  • Owned the construction and installation of irrigation systems for the new putting green and tees.
  • Completed reshaping of new bunkers and trialled alternative bunker liners.
  • Installed multiple drainage systems across the course, enhancing water management.

Deputy and Head Greenkeeper

Dulwich & Sydenham Hill Golf Club
05.2007 - 08.2011
  • Maintained high standards for course management and upkeep.
  • Implemented and upgraded Health & Safety, C.O.S.H.H, and risk assessments.
  • Led a team of 7 staff, facilitating meetings, scheduling, and performance reviews.
  • Collaborated with Irritech Limited on installation of irrigation pump station and ring main.
  • Organised construction projects related to tees and bunkers.
  • Managed invoicing and budgeting using Excel spreadsheets.
  • Executed fertiliser and chemical spraying programmes effectively.
  • Participated in Greens Committee meetings to advance club initiatives.

Greenkeeper/ Spray Technician

Queenwood Golf Club
02.2005 - 05.2007
  • Managed all facets of greenkeeping to uphold course standards.
  • Administered spraying programmes per the course manager's specifications.
  • Regenerated and expanded heather using turf sourced from local commons, adhering to contract terms.

Intern

Baltusrol Golf Club
New Jersey, USA
05.2004 - 12.2004
  • Contributed to preparations and construction for the 2005 US PGA Championships at Baltusrol Golf Club.
  • Played a significant role in the tournament setup for the 2004 event.

Intern

Midland Hills Golf Club
Minnesota, USA
03.2003 - 05.2004
  • Completed 18-month internship at Midland Hills Golf Club, Minnesota.
  • Oversaw the construction of the nursery green as a key project.
  • Studied at Minnesota University, enhancing academic and practical knowledge.

1st Assistant Greenkeeper

Woodbury Park Golf & Country Club
Woodbury, UK
04.2002 - 03.2003
  • Supervised 12 greenkeeping staff to ensure adherence to standards.
  • Conducted C.O.S.H.H assessments, risk assessments, and addressed health & safety issues.
  • Assisted with training programmes for new staff to enhance operational efficiency.

Greenkeeper

Woodbury Park Golf & Country Club
Woodbury, UK
11.1999 - 03.2002
  • Executed an in-house apprenticeship programme for greenkeeping professionals.
  • Maintained football pitch to premiership standards for optimal performance.
  • Ensured upkeep of gardens and grassed areas surrounding Club facilities.

Greenkeeper

Woodbury Park Golf & Country Club
Woodbury, UK
06.1992 - 03.1998
  • In-house Apprenticeship for greenkeeping.
  • Maintenance of the football pitch to premiership standard.
  • Maintain the gardens and grassed areas around the Club.

Education

NVQ Level 4 - Sport Turf Management

Merrist Wood College, Guildford, Surrey

Excavator Operator Competent Certificate (up to 12 ton)

In house training, Worplesdon, Surrey

CS30/CS31 - Chainsaw

City and Guild, Guildford, Surrey

PA1, PA2 and PA6 - Spraying Licence

Merrist Wood College, Guildford, Surrey

Soil Science

University of Minnesota , USA
04.2001 -

Advanced Computer Course - Excel and Word

Minnesota University, USA

NVQ Level 3 - Sport Turf Maintenance

Bridgewater and Taunton College, Bridgwater, Somerset

NVQ Level 2 - Work-Based Sport Turf Maintenance

Bridgewater and Taunton college, Bridgwater, Somerset

Skills

  • Team building and leadership
  • Strategic planning
  • Budgeting and resource management
  • Communication skills
  • Quality assurance

Accomplishments

· Volunteer for the R&A Seniors Amateur at Saunton Golf Club 8th-12th July 2024

· Volunteer for the European Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns Golf Links 3rd-8th October 2017

· Achieved my first ‘CPD Milestone’ certificate in Dec 2016

· Volunteer for the ‘USPGA Championship’ at Baltusrol Golf Club, 24th-31st July 2016 and wrote an article in the BIGGA magazine (September issue).

· A committee member and Treasurer of the Surrey BIGGA section

  • Volunteer for the ‘Turkish Airline Open’ at Maxx Royal Montgomerie Golf Club in Turkey- October 24th-1st November 2015
  • Attended the ‘FTMI’ (Future Turf Management Initiative) – 24th- 26th March 2015
  • "The Open" maintenance support team at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Golf Club – 18th-22nd July 2012
  • Austria PGA Ladies Open Championship. Golf Club Fohrenwald, Wiener Neustadt, Austria -31st August-5th September 2010

Tournament setup – Hand-cut greens morning and evening

References

  • Martin Hucklesby, General Manager, Teignmouth Golf Club: martinhucklesby@hotmail.com
  • Lee Strutt, Director of Golf Course and Estate, Loch Lomond: leestrutt@live.co.uk
  • Leigh Powell, Course Manager, Windlesham Golf Club: leighpowell82@hotmail.com
  • Chris Lomas, General Manager, Worplesdon Golf Club: chris@worplesdongc.co.uk
  • Cameron McMillan (ex-Course Manager Queenwood Golf Club), DJUKE 21st Century Solutions for Sports Turf: cameron@djuke.co.uk



 

Affiliations

  • Golf and a handicap of 13
  • Motorbikes and cycling
  • Spending time with my son

Timeline

Self-employed - Mark Fry Services
06.2024 - 06.2025
Estate Manager/Course Manager - Teignmouth Golf Club
05.2022 - 06.2024
Course Manager - Whittington Heath Golf Club
05.2017 - 05.2022
Deputy Head Greenkeeper and Construction Project Leader - Worplesdon Golf Club
08.2011 - 05.2017
Deputy and Head Greenkeeper - Dulwich & Sydenham Hill Golf Club
05.2007 - 08.2011
Greenkeeper/ Spray Technician - Queenwood Golf Club
02.2005 - 05.2007
Intern - Baltusrol Golf Club
05.2004 - 12.2004
Intern - Midland Hills Golf Club
03.2003 - 05.2004
1st Assistant Greenkeeper - Woodbury Park Golf & Country Club
04.2002 - 03.2003
University of Minnesota - , Soil Science
04.2001 -
Greenkeeper - Woodbury Park Golf & Country Club
11.1999 - 03.2002
Greenkeeper - Woodbury Park Golf & Country Club
06.1992 - 03.1998
Merrist Wood College - NVQ Level 4, Sport Turf Management
In house training - , Excavator Operator Competent Certificate (up to 12 ton)
City and Guild - CS30/CS31 , Chainsaw
Merrist Wood College - PA1, PA2 and PA6, Spraying Licence
Minnesota University - Advanced Computer Course, Excel and Word
Bridgewater and Taunton College - NVQ Level 3, Sport Turf Maintenance
Bridgewater and Taunton college - NVQ Level 2, Work-Based Sport Turf Maintenance
Mark Fry