National
lawn care company, Lawn Master, has welcomed Master Greenkeeper Colin Parish to
its growing network of turf professionals.
Colin has
worked in greenkeeping for more than 36 years beginning his career as an
Assistant Greenkeeper at Heysham Golf Club where he worked for 13 years before
becoming Course Manager at Ulverston Golf Club, which hosted several county
fixtures, the County Stroke Play Championship and the English Ladies Northern
Region Match Week.
In 2003, Colin became Course Manager at the Alister MacKenzie-designed Morecambe
Golf Course where he introduced a raft of agronomic improvements, including the
course’s transition from Poa-annua to fescue and bent swards. Colin attained Master Greenkeeper
Certification in 2005, the 40th greenkeeper to do so and one of only 72 worldwide.
Colin says he was ready for a new challenge and
looking to improve his work/life balance in addition to his income. He was
aware that some of his peers had joined Lawn Master and were running successful
businesses and decided to make an enquiry. After finding out more about the
company, its practices and ethos, and after speaking to franchisees that’d
joined from the greenkeeping profession, Colin decided he was ready to become a
business owner and purchased a franchise area in the Lake District.
“I was very impressed with what I found, from lawn
maintenance practices, to administration and their bespoke software,” he
explains. “Everyone in the company is committed to providing customers with a
superior level of knowledge and expertise and in delivering excellent customer
service.
"My only trepidation was that I had never run a
business before. I attended a week-long training course at Head Office in North
Wales in March to learn how to run the franchise, focussing on using the
software, business development and customer service.”
Within a short time, Colin has already built up a
valuable customer base who are benefitting from his expertise.
“My business got off to a flying start. I’m working
hard and reaping the rewards as customers value my turf management expertise.
I’m particularly enjoying being part of a network of turf professionals who are
working towards the same goals. We exchange thoughts and ideas, and support
each other in our areas.”
Lawn Master started treating lawns in the 1990s, and
franchised the business in 2002 with the aim of having a qualified greenkeeper
or grounds person in every area of the UK delivering high-quality lawn care to
domestic customers. Franchisees include former groundstaff from Chelsea and
Arsenal Football Clubs, and the Course Managers of Royal Winchester Golf Club
and St Mellion International.
