Les Howkins MG, joined The Richmond Golf Club in April 2008 but his greenkeeping career began back in 1989. Passing the Master Greenkeeper exams in 2004 is still one of his proudest achievements – especially as he is one of only 80 people worldwide to achieve MG status.

Les is a keen golfer and, as his +1 handicap suggests, he excels at that too. He’s a passionate Course Manager and oversees a team of 10 to nurture fantastic putting surfaces and a golf course that remains playable throughout the year.

During particularly wet spells of weather many other local courses are forced to close while ours remains open for play. Equally, in drier times we have our own boreholes and an abstraction license which allow Les and his team to keep the course well-watered and lush.