Reel Turf Techs Podcast

Hey - I’m Trent, your host of the Reel Turf Techs podcast. Have you ever found yourself asking, “is there a podcast that focuses on the equipment manager’s unique roles and challenges?” Have you wondered what the high-end course or the tech down the road does at their facility? Would you like to hear the latest tips and tricks from around the globe? And do you want to know where the industry is headed next, direct from equipment manufacturers? Then my friend, you’re in the right place. As you know, working in the shop can feel like a solitary pursuit. This podcast will connect you with other techs facing similar challenges and offer solutions, ideas and innovations. Hear from turf technicians, equipment manufacturers, and other industry leaders on daily issues faced by the turf tech and fun stuff like fabrication projects, side hustles and favorite tools. Hit subscribe and let’s get reel. Join the conversation @reelturftechs on Twitter or email me at reelturftechs@gmail.com

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Reel Turf Techs Podcast

Episode 146: James Breeze

July 02, 2025 • Trent Manning • Episode 146

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Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 146!

Today we’re talking to James Breeze, Machinery Technician at Huddersfield Golf Club in Yorkshire, England, one of the oldest and most celebrated golf courses in the North of England. James is the lone tech in the shop, managing a fleet of mostly Toro equipment, and he’s also the recipient of the inaugural Bernhard Academy technician volunteer opportunity for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.

We caught up with James at the 125th U.S. Open after a string of 4 a.m. volunteer shifts alongside a seasoned team of equipment managers. He shares insights on the camaraderie and precision it takes to keep things running smoothly at a major tournament.

James talks about his roots in sports field greenkeeping, teaching himself the mechanical side of the job, and the pivotal people who supported his transition. He reflects on the importance of learning from mistakes, the value of staying curious even at a high level, and how hiking and photography in the Yorkshire countryside help him reset outside the shop.

Also: he tries to explain Yorkshire pudding to Trent. (It doesn’t go great.)

Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning
Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com
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Trent Manning: 0:56

Welcome to the reel turf techs podcast for the technician that wants to get reel follow along. As we talk to industry professionals and address hot topics that we all face along the way we'll learn tips and tricks. I'm your host, Trent. Manning let's have some Welcome to The Real Turf Text Podcast, episode 1 46. Today we're talking to James Breeze, machinery technician at Huddersfield Golf Club in Yorkshire, England. Huddersfield Golf Club is an 18 hole course in one of the oldest and most celebrated courses in north of England. James is the Lone Tech in the shop. He has mostly Toro equipment. We caught up. With James at the 125th US Open at Oakmont. Let's talk to James.

1:46

welcome James to the Real Turf Text Podcast. We're sitting here at the hundred and 25th US Open at Oakmont, and we've been working together for the last few days and it's been great. We've worked really hard, though. It's been some long hours. Starting at 4:00 AM last night. Which was Thursday night. We didn't leave till after 11:00 PM so really long hours. But we have the time. I'm just gonna sit down and we'll do a quick podcast. So welcome James. Yeah, thank you very much for having me on. It's an honor to be finally able to actually getting to the podcast and be interviewed by yourself. Well, we. Tried to get together a couple times in the past, but it's kind of hard with the five hour time difference. Yeah, definitely. Yeah, we have and obviously we tried to kinda link up before and the times and the kind of other conflicts in life just stopped us from doing that. So yeah, it's just nice to connect when we're together and actually make things happen. Yeah, for sure. So how did you get into the turf industry? So I started off in the green keeping industry as usual do my college level two and level three management. Then I kind of graduated to a club where I've currently been 13 years from college. Then went through that. Then kind of where I am now, kind of transactioned into mechanicing. So it's just the whole. Kind of, thing with growing up around sports and being able to work on local sports fields, and that's how I kind of really made my mark into the industry working at local football and local cricket and just gradually getting through the process of connections and making new friends. Where did you learn about the machinery? You know, as a kid, were you working on stuff? I was, yeah. I was like a home mechanic as I guess, and then I am self-taught mechanic until the last couple of years. Then I've kind of gone through the qualifications sections of the turf mechanical, industry standards, health and safety. I've kind of covered all that. Hydraulics, electric, some. So kind of qualified as it can be at the moment. What kind of classes are available in the UK to individuals that are interested in this type stuff? Yeah. Even if it's generic? Not necessarily, yeah. It's kind of independent. Independent kind of classes that teach certain subjects. I don't think the schooling is quite as what it used to be for the turf industry right now. So, I've done like independent classes through like PTME trade shows and that kind of thing, and I've gained of, gained qualifications over years. So it's kind of been a graduate kind of way of learning, I guess, and being around the right people that have put me into right directions has always kind of been the way I work. Why don't we have a saying over here? It's not what you know, it's who you know. Yeah, exactly. And I don't know Yeah. If y'all say that too or not, but it is true. Yeah, it is true to a certain extent. Yeah. A hundred percent. I agree with that. And, I think if you put yourself around the right people, it can definitely kind of open doors and head you in the right direction, where then you can progress and gain the knowledge to be where you want to be. And I think it's a perfect opportunity to say it right now since we're at the US Open about volunteering and networking and how important that is and how many opportunities that can open up. A hundred percent. So I. My story of actually being a volunteer at the hundred 25th US Open is kind of an opportunity that came along through the UK mechanics industry and it was in association with Tito and ards, the Academy. So it was an application, an interview process. Which was a video application then into interviews. Then obviously the winner got to come to the US Open, which is an honor to be here. You know, it's a mind blowing opportunity. Yeah. Which has just took me up to a brand new level in my career. That's awesome. Networking with guys like yourself and the team here with other volunteers coming in from world class golf clubs. It's just a. Heaven of networking. So yeah, it's been really good. Yeah. And so it's roughly two weeks that the whole thing you got over here like Saturday? Yeah. Advance week. Yeah, so I was here the Saturday, so I did all pre tournament and then now we're into full tournament flow and yeah, it's good. It's been a real mind blowing experience. And hanging out with Tommy Richie. That's the mind blowing experience in myself. Tommy Richie. Yeah, he's a great guy. I didn't know him until I got to the US for Oh, well, yes. I kind of learned very quickly that he's an awesome guy and he's definitely someone I will kind of stay around and keep con connections with because he is, he's a great guy with a lot of knowledge, but he's got a great personality. Yeah. Yeah. He's got a big personality. Oh, massive personality. Yeah. A huge sense of humor. A hundred percent. I agree. Yeah. No it's been good. I've really enjoyed it. For sure. Yeah. Hanging out. Yeah. With everybody here, and it's no matter what, you know, the course is or what the workshop is. Anytime you can go in somebody else's workshop and kinda see how they do things, you can pick up little tips and tricks. Oh yeah. Stuff like that all the time. Yeah. You can it's kind of, you put yourself in these situations of actually coming to a club that you don't know if they're gonna welcome you or not. And my experience here is the. Have just welcomed you with open arms. Oh yeah. And it's kind of that atmosphere that you want around a workshop that everyone just connects, gets on with the job, and the results are shown out on the course. And it's not a and a credit to the guys out there, but for what we do in the workshop, it is a real kind of experience in a lifetime. Experience that I'll take away with me and gain and progress on. Oh, yeah. And well, so Chris, the assistant technician, he said, I don't remember all of it runs together. I don't remember if it was last night or this morning. Yeah, it's been a long time. He's, he was saying how us in the workshop are not even really. Communicating. We're just getting it done. Yeah. You know, it isn't like you have to say, oh, grab that machine. Exactly. I wanna do this one next. I wanna do that one next. It's just when everybody's familiar with working in the shop, you know what needs to be done and you just do it. Exactly. I mean, everyone who has kind of being here now a couple of days or a week or so, really knows their place. We all have a routine and we kind of swap in between jobs, but we have a flowing. That comes down to experience and kind of just the knowledge of knowing each other and good communication in a sense. So yeah, we're all just like kind of flowing together well and organizations pretty good. Yeah. So we all know kind of as place in the workshop and what we're doing, the amount of machines that are coming through here per shift. I mean, it's just crazy. Alright. It's unbelievable number. Yeah, I know. I counted up, we had 40 walk mowers, and again, I don't remember if that was this morning or last night. And then, yeah. Yeah, it's like 40 hand mowers every day. Every day. Two times a day. Yeah. Yeah. Two times. Then all the triplex units every morning, every night. It's kind of fairway, mowers, everything. Rough mowers, hand mowers, everything comes in this workshop and goes back out twice a day. It's unbelievably crazy, but we have got to a point where we are smooth at getting things in and getting things out. So it kind of goes pretty much steady and kind of, you know, routine now. Well, and even like last night, they hit a pebble or something or rock with one of the mowers and you pull the reel off, you throw a grind on it, get it back on and yeah, we. Ready to go out. That's it. I mean, actually we haven't had too many bad units come in, but that last night was kind of a a bad stone or a rock or whatever they said it was, kind of gone through it. But yeah, it was yeah, pretty gnarly. But it ground out and I turned it around and got it back on and back out. Yeah. In no time reset. Yeah. In no time. Yeah. That was, so that was a bit of a change. But yeah, we kind of got it sorted and. Back into action. What's your least favorite part of the job? Oh, when you haven't got anything to do when you've completed all your machines. Oh, yeah. Yeah. And you've kind of, you've just got a period of time where you've kind of new machines in and it's like, I need some, I need a new challenge, and I need something in just to keep your mind ticking. So well then quiet times, I guess. Yeah. So you like to stay busy? Yeah, I just like to stay busy. Yeah. I like everything. I like to cover anything. Electrics and hydraulics and you know, anything, engine work, cylinder, grinding. I just like to keep busy. That's how I want to progress. Yeah. Nothing wrong with that. I think it's just a passion as well. You know, like people will say, you know, what's the worst but. V isn't really a bad part to the industry. It's kind of how you flow, how you organize yourself, and how you kind of want to progress. And I'm at a point in my career where I'm pretty happy with what I'm doing and I'm kind of at that top level now where I want to kind of progress forward and learn more at this level to take myself even further, give myself a new challenge. So there's hopefully kind of. Times come in where I'm gonna be able to push myself even more. Oh yeah, I'm sure. So, yeah, it's a crazy time, but yeah, it's enjoyable. That's awesome. That's good stuff. What's your favorite tool? Favorite tool? It's got to be my snap-on ratchets. Okay. Yeah. I love my snap on ratchets. It's one of those tools what comes out every day, and it's kind of. Those that you can't do without. So what makes a snap-on ratchet better than any other ratchet? Oh, it's just the finesse and the gearing, the gear. Yeah. You know that fine click, that kind of other ratchets don't have. But then, you know, technically if mechanically we could say a tool is my favorite grinder. I love grinding. That is kind of. The next favorite tool. Okay. So yeah, my grinders and my ratchets. All right. That's good. That's they're the two tools that can pull me through. What do you do to wind down or find your balance? Yeah, so out of work, I kind of love the outdoors. It's kind of puts me into that peaceful solitude kind of atmosphere where it takes you out of work mode. Then you can just concentrate on. Hiking, mountaineering, trekking. I do a lot of photography and it just kind of swaps my mind round into a peaceful one. Out of the rush of life. Yeah. So, yeah, I mean, with the hours that we work, we can soon get kind of tied up in, in just work and we kind of forget about ourselves. So I think sometimes it's good just to sit back and just think, you know, I just need to get out and. Doing the outdoor things and activities that I do just gives me that mind of space. Yeah. You know, that space that I need. That's really good stuff. Yeah. Is there a lot of places in your area? Yeah, so we are covered by a lot of outdoor locations like the P District going then into the North Yorkshire moles and that kind of molen scenery. So. There's a lot of hiking. Then I love mountains as well. So you've got like the peak, like the lake district going into the peaks. Then anything into Scotland? I've traveled the uk, but yeah. Okay. I try and stay local as I can. Yeah. Into the peaks. What's been one of your biggest challenges to date? To date? Well, I know and can, you can't say Tommy hanging out with him? No. Tommy's a great guy, so I can't I can't, not the guy. He is a brilliant guy. But the biggest challenge is kind of progressing how I have, because it was kind of a hard challenge. Making the kind of green, keeping to mechanic transaction. Because I grew up as a green keeper, but trying to find a balance and the right time to make the transaction into the full-time mechanicing was pretty difficult. And I went through a bit of a flat time in my career where I thought it was never gonna be. But once you kind of find that balancing. Getting to know people, opening doors, it kind of puts you into the right direction. So that's kind of a challenge that I had to go through in my career, but I'm kind of in a place now where I'm in, where I want to be. But yeah, I grew up as a level two, level three green keeper and went into management, but it just wasn't where I wanted to be in my whole career. Yeah. So I wanted to make that transaction as soon as possible. I feel like I'm in the right place now where I kind of belong. Yeah. No, that's great. And so you kinda worked on the course and in the shop some, yeah. Throughout your career at times it has earlier. Yeah, definitely. I mean, at times I have been on the course, we've kind of a team of eight where I currently am. So it can get a bit tight when people are on holiday and that kind of thing, so it gets a bit stressful, but. I run kind of an older fleet of machines, so that's time consuming as well. So I do kind of dominate a lot of my time into the workshop because it is needed to keep a maintenance up on these older fleet. Yeah. How old is your fleet? Anything from 2018 to. What, 13-year-old machines. Okay. You know, I'm running a pretty old fleet. Yeah. And it takes a lot of maintain. So, yeah, it's tough. Tough at times. Oh yeah. But you know, and you're the only person in there. Yeah. I'm the only mechanic. Yeah. I am. Yeah. So it's only a small workshop and it's one of those things that I am trying to kind of, progress and kind of build a plan where maybe we expand or we can. Organize things a little bit better and just progress down the line to something a little bit better than what we have. But that's in the future I guess. And only time will tell with that when you get back, are you gonna ask for a 6,000 foot square foot shot like we have here? It'll be nice. I mean, I've got plenty of pictures. Yeah. A couple's inspiring to take these pictures back and actually see what, what we can do. But yeah, I don't think that will be happening, but, so yeah, it would definitely be nice. Yeah. I mean, a little bit bigger workshop would be would be possible. But I'll see when I get back. Yeah. Yeah. What's been one of the strangest things you've seen on the golf course? Oh, any good stories. Yeah, there's been quite a few weird things happening, but I mean, one that stands out is we have quite a lot of public and that kind of thing, walking through the golf course, I guess dog walkers and that kind of thing. So we do get a few gnarly figures and people walking through when we shouldn't be, and. There's been quite a few things happened down the line. Okay. That shouldn't have happened Uhhuh than that, you know? But yeah, I don't know if I can go into too much. Okay. That'ss. Okay. I've seen some crazy stuff. Okay. Yeah. But that's what happens with public footpaths, so Yeah. How does that work? Is that, and that's a pretty common thing in the uk Yeah. Where it's like a park and a golf course type. No. So. The golf course where I'm situated is actually based on an estate, so it's an nest estate owned part, bit of land with the golf course on, which is on a rental kind of agreement from many years ago. So the public footpath is to do with the local government, which has kind of put it through. And that has always been there. So it's just open to the public. Okay. Kind of to walk one end to the other to get access to different locations. Okay. I guess so. Yeah. It's always been there, but yeah, it's it can be crazy at times, some of the things you see. Oh yeah. And the people, the characters that come through, so Yeah. But there's lots of loose dogs and chasing golf balls and people Oh yeah. Yeah. It's crazy. Yeah. Bet. I bet. Do you have a mentor in the industry? I do. Yeah. It's pretty weird because I grew up in the green keeping world, and you kind of see all these mechanics when you're growing up. And one guy that does stand out to me is who used to be kind of a mechanic, then he moved into the Toro dealerships, then now he works for Bernard's. And that is Stuart Hall. Okay. Stuart Hall is someone that I've followed throughout my career and watched how he does things and now I'm actually a good friend to Stuarts. Oh, I bring him, you know, he can kinda help me out when I'm needed. Not just kind of grinding stuff, but he good advice throughout the industries kind of helped me in different ways. So yeah, he is a great guy to be around. But yes, always great to have someone. Like that, you know? Yeah. A friend type thing. Yeah. Yeah. And from what I've experienced is you call someone and you're talking through whatever problem you're working on, and they might not give you the solution. But sometimes it gets you thinking in a different direction, if you will, and that ends up bringing a solution. Oh, a hundred percent. This industry is all about making. Things happen and solutions are the answer. There's never a time where you think this isn't gonna work because there's always an answer for something. It's just, you've gotta work it out. And even if you have to ask questions, that's how it is. You know, you've got to ask questions if you don't know. And there's certain people in the industry that I trust to answer those and advise me and help me along. Yeah. But I do like to work things out myself. That's the type of mechanic I am. That's how I learned a lot quicker and I can work things out from there and progress how kind of forward and Yeah. It's, it is pretty, it's been, it is been tough at times, but yeah, I'm like self-taught, so it's took taken a lot of time to kind of get where I am, but I'm I'm pleased that I've done it how I have. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, so Seth Sheldon was here earlier this week, and I remember him saying when I interviewed him that he'll spend about five minutes on trying to figure out a machine. And then he's picking up the phone and calling somebody. Because it's easy to spend half a day troubleshooting an electrical problem. And you could pick the phone up and call the guy down the road, and he had the exact same problem. You know, a few weeks ago. Yeah. And he says, oh, it was this, you know? Yeah. So, and, but I think it's hard for a lot of us to. To check our pride at the door and pick that phone up. Yeah. And call somebody. And I know I struggle with that. And it's not for me, I don't think it's as much the pride thing. It's the challenge. Yes. You know, so the machine's down. I wanna figure out why not the, I'm too good to rely on somebody else that's, but I like the challenge of solving the problem. Yeah. The challenge is kind of the thing that I love and coming into it how I have. It's always been a challenge. So it doesn't phase me at all. That's how I learn. And that's how you learn the best by making mistakes. Finding the faults, you know, learning, progressing, but never be afraid to pick up the phone if you have to. Oh, right, right. Yeah. I mean, I've got like, say good connections that I can always ring if I need bits of advice, and I'll never be afraid to pick up that phone. Yeah. Yeah. I mean. If you don't ask questions, you never progress. There's some great people in the industry and they're always willing to help. So, you know, use them. Use them wisely. But you know, I always try and kind of do things myself and get to a point where if I need to, I will. Yeah. No, and I think that's a good point too about use people wisely and not that you can't pick up the phone and call, you know, whoever you want to call. But I have a, he ended up being a good friend, but when I was working for the to distributor and I first met this gentleman, all his of equipment was on a lease package. And it was a year old. So if anything happened, he would call me. Yeah. And I got to the point, you know, we learn each other enough and I mean, he's really busy doing, you know, other things, whatever. And I get that. But he would call and he says, this machine won't start. Okay. And I would say, is the battery good? Well, I hadn't checked. Well, could you at least check and see if the battery's good before I drive four hours to your place and you need a battery? Yeah. You know, I'll set, yeah, you slide. I'm happy to warranty whatever you need, but I don't want to spend the time driving over there for some really simple thing. Yeah. I think like batteries and when it comes to like the basic fundamentals. I think that should be just the first things that you do. Check the fundamentals are basics. Yeah. Yeah. And I guess not everybody has that, but it is easy to pick up the phone and ask. But if you can guide someone on the phone then it kind of helps'em out a little bit. But then if you have to progress. To go and visit him and help him out, then do so. But I am a big believer of try and solve things yourself and really learn from it. And that's how I've gone about my career. Yeah. You know, self-talk kind of then going into the qualifications that I've gotten now and yeah. I'm always learning. But but yeah, it's it's a funny old industry because, you know, you always find people that do want to help. And you always find the odd one or two that are really secretive about kind of wanting to help you. But yeah, it's it's really panned out well for myself. That's one thing that, I mean, obviously I really love about the industry is how helpful everybody is. Oh, a hundred percent. I mean, it is pretty rare that you meet somebody that won help you. That's it. I mean, yeah. It's rare. It is rare. I have probably come across a few people that have. Very wary. Kind of don't want to give you the answers that you need. But yeah, you kind of soon work people out and see who want, who wants to be there, and who you want to play in your group really. And you kind of build around that group then, because these connections become long time friends as well. Oh yeah, for sure. And become, they can be their whole career for you, you know? Helping each other out, and that's what it's about, helping each other. I really find that, you know, you get into a certain group of people and the communities that can be built are really super kind of positive. And you know, that positive thinking goes a long way between a good group of people. Yeah. And I think it is important to surround yourself by the right people. Oh, a hundred percent. Yeah. But the whole positivity thing and the. Inspirational kind of side of the industry really needs to be pushed more. I think because there is times when it is difficult and you do need the right people around you to kind of progress. Yeah. Yeah. And I, yeah, just trying to keep it positive. Yeah.'cause most of the information we get on a daily basis is negative. This machine is broke, that machine's broke, or I did this, I did that. Whatever. It's Oh, I agree. I mean. The whole point of being a mechanic is you are there to fix these problems. And they are negative things, but if you look at it in a positive way, that you are the person fixing it and there's always a solution to fixing that machine. The world can be a better place in a positive mind. Oh yeah. You know, keep a positive mindset and just keep moving forward. And that's, I think, one of the greatest things that I've learned. Is just to keep positive, keep my head down, just keep doing what I do. That's good stuff. And do it to my best ability. And that's, you know, it's an honor to be here at Oakmont. And that's kind of a praise to myself, I guess.'Cause that's what's got me here, my dedication to what I do, my inspiration and motivation. Right, right. That's what I love. And I hope I can finally pass that on to the next guys behind me. Oh yeah. You know? Yeah. That's back to going back a little bit about just giving the answer. So the guys I got working in the shop for me, when they asked me a question, I try to make them think about the answer Yes. Instead of just giving them the answer. Yeah. You know, because you don't learn anything. No, you don't. If somebody just gives you the answer. Exactly. I mean. Somebody could give you the answer, but if you help'em work it out, yeah. Give them a little bit of guidance to get to the right point, but let them do the work. Yeah. Yeah. I think that is kind of the best way to teach someone who is kind of coming up in the industry, be like a, be a guidance to'em, but don't give them too much in the answers. Yeah. Just let'em work it out, but always be there and surround them with. You know, the right tools, the right positivity. So, you know, make him think that they're part of the team thing. Oh yeah. You know, for sure. So the guy that helps me in the shop he was texting me this week. We got a fairway mower that wouldn't start and he thinks maybe it's a battery, he thinks maybe it's a connection. But he's hearing the starter click and then. And he does some more testing and the starter had stopped clicking and he is doing more electrical testing trying to figure this out. Yeah. And I'm trying to help him through it. And the fuse is blown at the starter. So he takes a fuse from another machine. Puts it in solenoid's clicking again. And anyway, it gets me thinking. I'm like, where was the machine when it stopped working? It was on the wash pad. Yeah. I said, what did the operator say? Oh, it was sitting there running and I was washing it off and it just turned off. And I said, will the engine turn over? You take a wrench and turn it back and forth. And he tried that won't budge. Okay. I said, okay. I'm pretty sure that he sprayed water in the intake. Yeah. And the engine is locked up. That's it. And that is why it will not start. Yeah, definitely. But anyway, this young man, he spent two days troubleshooting this thing and he probably learned some valuable lessons. Oh, a hundred percent. Yeah. You know, going through that. Yep. Uhhuh and sometimes that's how it. How you learn the most. You know, these little mistakes that you make take you a long way in actually finding the answers. I think, you know, and yeah, you're progressing and you don't learn by not making mistakes. I think it's a critical Oh yeah. Critical part of actually. Progressing in his career. I definitely think that is the way we learn. Yeah. So the next time he hears the OID click, that's And the engine not turn over. Yeah. He's gonna see if the engine will turn over by hand. That's a hundred percent. Yeah, I agree with that before he goes any further. That's it. So no, I mean it's good and I definitely love trying to help train the next generation Yeah. Of technicians coming up. And that's one of the most, you know, in my position. And as long as I've been in the industry, that is one of the most rewarding things. Is trying to teach these younger guys. Yeah. Some of the stuff, knowledge that was passed on to me from my mentors. Yeah, exactly. And that's a big part of what we do. And I think without that we're kind of delving ourselves into a declining or even a more declining career.

James Breeze: 32:47

If we don't actually put out the word of, this is a great career to be in and you could actually progress to be at some of the best clubs in the world or whatever kind of indu industry dealerships or clubs you are at it. This is kind of a great part of the industry to be in.'cause without mechanics, you haven't got the golf clubs, the football clubs, the sports clubs. You need mechanics. Oh yeah. You know. But yeah, it's it's definitely something that we need to push more in this industry. And my aim is to kind of bring the, well advise, I guess, bring through the next generation the best I can. Because I, I guess I learned the hard way, but I want to pass what I've learned and what I am learning onto the next guy.

33:40

Even if it's through what I'm doing with Bernard's Academy or if it's kind of through myself, I always try and inspire. That's kind of how I work. Yeah. Yeah. No, that's great. It is. Yeah. Really good stuff.

Trent Manning: 33:53

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34:26

What would be your dream job or opportunity? Oh wow. I think staying in the golf industry, but at one of the top hundred golf clubs in the world, I guess. Yeah. Yeah. That's kind of a dream. To be at the re of golf clubs. Yeah. Somewhere in the world, wherever that will take me. But yeah, I want to I want to progress over time and just take it steady and just be the best that I can. Yeah. And I know the ability's there, I just need to kind of get there. However that ever will work for me, I guess. When I think, I'm not gonna say it's easy. But if you have a strong work ethic and you're willing to learn Yeah. And you do some volunteering, you get outta your comfort zone, you do some networking. Yeah. You can literally go anywhere in the world you want to go. Yeah. In this industry. I agree. I mean, volunteering is a massive part of what we do to gain experience. For example, working here this week, we're surrounding ourselves with some of the bests in the world. Yeah. And there's been some names and people come through this workshop from the top 50 in the world. Oh yeah. Yeah. You know, so it's kind of surrounding yourself with those people picking their brains. Gaining contacts, you know, making friends. Yeah. It's kind of always there. And that is the one way you progress. Yeah. And I've learned a lot in the. In the two weeks that I've been here and I am still learning while I am still here. And it's an opportunity that I'll never forget, it's a life changing opportunity, which I will progress on. Do you have a technician you would like to work with for a day? I have many technicians in mind. There's a lot of my friends who I kind of connect with every day, but yeah. If I ever had the chance, I'd come back to the US and maybe work with you, you know? Oh, yeah. You know, actually surround myself with what you do day in, day out, because I always follow what you do and it is a little bit, kind of a different way of how we work. Maybe in the European side of mechanic, the US seems to have a broader kind of spectrum when it comes to. Organization workshop design. The size of workshops and the kind of respect that mechanics get in the us it, it seems to be like we need a mechanic at our golf club, where in the UK it can be very hard to convince clubs that a mechanic is needed. Yeah. But yeah, I mean yourself, you definitely kind of someone who I'd love to. Come and spend some time with and actually work with. Oh, well, yes. Thank you. And you are welcome. Anytime. Oh yeah you get over here. And that goes for anybody else listening, if you're in into the Atlanta area, hit me up and you are happy to come by my shop. And depending on how long you wanna stay, we can go buy some other shops. Oh yeah, definitely. That'll be awesome. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That will be, yeah. Really awesome.'cause we are fortunate in the Atlanta market, there's or Atlanta Metro. There's some really is that word? Famous? Famous James. Really nice. Close world, globally. Famous James. Yes. Yes it is. I've heard all about it. It is, rumor has it on social media that he's like the best. He is the best. The best. I am the best. Yeah. How you boys doing? We're good, man. You go out and see any golf? No, it's a. Madhouse. Is it madhouse out there? I don't ever wanna go out there again. Okay. It's crazy. It's crazy. Yeah. It's funny. He out and about. Is he awake? I don't know. His cracks are there. Okay. His cracks are there. That's funny. Well, that's totally derailed us. Let's see. What do you know now you wish you'd done on day one? Ooh. Yeah, I've kind of jumped in it without knowing anything, I guess. And I've kind of learned from the bottom up to where I'm now. So a lot of things kind of stand out. Just I wish I'd kind of had a mentor, I guess. Originally who would've been there to just guide me because when you're doing it on your own, it's kind of a little bit difficult at times. Until you get to know people. So I wish I had that one person originally there just to guide me, but I kind of made it happen myself. Yeah. Yeah. Just a little things like that. I guess Uhhuh I think it's important to have that one person that you can trust. But I didn't have that when I originally started, so it kind of, yeah, I've learned the hard way. But I've made it work and this is where I am. Hey, you made it. Yeah. You made it to, I made it. You literally made it to the US Open, made it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Which is incredible. Yeah. Yeah. Such a cool experience.

Trent Manning: 39:37

Get ready for tips and tricks

39:39

What kind of tips and tricks you got, you wanna share? Can it be grinding? I mean, I grinding could be anything. Yeah, it could be, yeah. These little things that I've picked up with the grinding and it's just like, you know, fundamentals have set up. It's just really simple little things. Just be organized, you know, settings having written down so you can kind of jog back through your notes. I write everything down now, so I write all my angles down. I kind of write. All my bed knives to my angles, so I don't get confused to where I am. If it's John Deere Toro, I hand write everything, so I know that it's there in print. Yeah. But yeah, I just make lots of notes. I think making notes is one of the most important things we can do.'cause those notes can be with you forever. Oh yeah. Yeah. That's kind of something that I really work by. So that's the main kind of thing that I want to pass on. Really nail down, organize yourself and be around a tidy workshop. Because if you're not, it can get really out of hand and you become very unorganized in your workflow, your routines, and you end up kind of losing track with a lot of. Yeah. But but yeah. Yeah. If you spend five minutes looking for a wrench, that should be in the toolbox. That's it. And that, that can production adds to be in an hour, you know? Right. And you're just looking for tools all the time. So I'm big into organization. Kind of, I like a nice tidy tool chest. I like tools organized and Mark, so I know where exactly where they are. Yep. Little things like that. But yeah, it's it's more organization and just make sure you've got notes. I think that's the the way I kinda work and that's how I've always learned. No, I think that's, yeah. Excellent. Tip for anybody, whether you've been doing it a long time or you are they're starting out. It's and I think John Patterson says it, it doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Yeah. Oh, a hundred percent. Yeah. Pay attention and kind of never be afraid to. To say, you know, to jump in with questions. I always like being asked questions because if you're around people that are new to the industry, it really shows interest and commitment that, you know, you can teach them. They're asking questions and then you know that they're willing to learn. Yeah, and I think that's really important to kind of say that if you surround yourself with, you know, new people that are in the industry that are willing. And dedicated, that can go a long way. And we need a lot more people in this industry like that to come through and pass the information that we all have locked away. Really? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And pass it on. You know, there's some great people out there which have years and years of knowledge, and once they're gone and they, you know, that knowledge is gone. So it is, now we need to start passing it on. Yeah. Yeah. You know, it's it's a crazy old world when you've got these mechanics around the world and you know, these top world class guys, and if you haven't got anything to pass it on to anybody, to take that knowledge away, just lost. Yeah. We really need to pass it on. That's a major factor of why I want to inspire new guys and actually pass what I've learned on. And if you don't ask the question. They don't know to give you the answer. No, exactly. Yeah. No agree. They don't know what you knew. That's it. And for some of us, we don't want to just, you know. Yeah. Tell everything you know, and bore people. You, if you already know this information, you might not want to hear it again. Oh, a hundred percent. And I like to think that the people that want to learn and be around you will be around you for a long time. Really want to pick your brain. And I'm one of those people that really wants to pass in information on, and I always look at people and I always try and work people out before I do that because I don't want to be kind of taking the wrong people under my wing. Yeah. And kind of passing the information on, which is never gonna go anywhere, you know? Right. But sometimes guys that come through and you think, if we're not dedicated or, you know, there's sometimes complications in them wanting to do it because if they haven't made their mind up, you know? Just, I'm very committed and I'm willing to help, but I also need the right person to take on my wing to do so, and I need to see that they're dedicated and, you know, want to learn and progress like I have. If you don't have a willingness to learn, it is hard to teach somebody. Oh, I, yeah, exactly. That's the kind of theory that I work by. Yeah. It's really difficult to kind of work with someone who hasn't got the same mindset as yourself and willingness to learn. So that's how I kind of, I've always looked at how I want to go about teaching what I know. Right, right. Any other tips or tricks? I learned electric's pretty, pretty late into my mechanical kind of career. And I am self-taught in the meca in the electrical mechanical side. Then I did my qualifications, but a little tip that I found is always mark your wise up with colored tie wraps. It's simple, but when you've done your kind of wires and you fit new looms, just indicate your wires. Use color tire wraps. It always works. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Sense. It kind stops the confusion of stripping something down and then, oh boy, you know, I'm stuck. I don't know where wires go. Just put color tire wraps on. You'll be fine. I like that color. Yeah. Tire wraps. I do have different color electrical tape that I've used, but I really like the tie wrap. Yeah. Because that's quick and easy. I think I have tried the tape and it kind of. Of gets a little bit bulky, I guess, when you are working with fine ways. Right? Right. So I have some, I have all different sizes from small to large colored tie wraps. And I just mark my colors and write it down and yeah. It's never failed me, so that's good. No, that's a good idea. It's a good tip to pass on to the guys who are learning electrics, uhhuh. That is a really good one. Let's talk about the academy and how you got here. A little bit. Yeah, just like, walk me through that process. Yeah. So the opportunity came along with Bernard Academy in association with like group. Okay. So the group has been running a couple years now, and it's a group that was built by Chris Minton. James Wilkinson and Matthew Axton. Yep. Three incredible guys in themselves. And they've just created this community on WhatsApp, which has brought a lot of guys into the kind of learning part of the industry. Guys that probably couldn't have access to knowledge without it. Guys who probably don't have mechanics at times and be trying to help themselves and fix things. But yeah. Came through the T two group and it came through Burnout Academy. So the process was application, then the video application, then kind of the interview process was video interview, then. What applications to be kind of accepted, I guess. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, then I got through to the final three and then that's how I progressed. That's awesome. Yeah. It came along pretty quick and I kind of had to grab it with both hands. It was something that I wanted to use for myself. To progress. You know, it's a weird thing that if you, if I hadn't then I would've probably regretted it to be fair. Yeah. Because I wouldn't be here today. Right, right. So yeah, I had to I had to grab it and actually show my commitment and when I want to be in the industry. Yeah. So what, what else has happened since you. You're here. Yeah. Do you, will you have other responsibilities after this or yeah, so there is the aftermath of actually being at the US Open. So there's gonna be talks happening and kind of interviews and the whole Okay. Promotional kind of side of it. But yeah, there is talks and talks that. It shows and that kind of thing in the, well, the real Tex is really on the cutting edge here because we're interviewing you before you're being interviewed. Yeah, that's it. Exactly. So it is actually nice to kind of, be interviewed by yourself and just put out, but there is some talks gonna be happening. No, that's cool. Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. Which actually is the first one is made be made by Burnout Academy. At the Burnout Factory. Okay. So that's a brilliant start. And that's, yeah. The perfect place for me to actually make my debut as you know, a talker and see how it goes. That's awesome. And progress from that to the big shows. So yeah, I don't, are you comfortable talking in front of a group? Yeah. It's kind of a new adventure for me, so it's going to be a, I guess, a challenge. Well, a good challenge, which I'm, I've kind of accepted. Yeah. And I will just. Keep my head down and do the best that I can. Yeah. I'm passionate about what I do, and you put yourself around the right kind of mechanical minded people who want to listen. Yeah. I think you'll all go fine. Oh yeah. You know. No, that'll be fine. Yeah. Yeah. We're all in it. I guess we're all in it together in this industry and the guys, I guess that will be there or wanting to learn, and I've got a, I've got a big story to tell Jerome myself. Coming into the industry and the whole lot month US open, Uhhuh, you know, I've got a lot to give. So, yeah. That's awesome. Looking forward to what comes in the future. Yeah, no, that's, it's gonna be good things for you. Yeah. Good things are gonna come. That's for James. That's awesome. Yeah, that, that's that's how I kind of, I never dreamt it, but I knew it would happen, I guess, at one day, and I'm living it, so Yeah. That's awesome. Living the dream. I'm sorry. I'm living the dream. Yeah, you are. That is so good. Yeah, it's it's been a real good pro like process. I've made good progression and I know where I want to be and I'm at that level now where I can get there. So it's just time will tell. That's awesome. Well, this is gonna be a little different. We're gonna do some rapid fire and I'm gonna be curious to what your answers are. So what's your favorite movie? My favorite movie, eh, it's gotta be the Fast and Furious series. Okay. All just All right. I'm familiar with that. A car Fantic. I do like my car. Yep. Yep. Fast and Furious. Okay. Awesome. Yeah. What would be your last meal? Oh, it's gotta be York Pudding, onions and gravy. Yeah. See, this is where I have no idea. Like, what is Yorkshire Traditional food? What is Yorkshire Pudding? A Yorkshire pudding is a Yorkshire pudding. It's very hard to describe what else in this Yorkshire pudding. It's a flowery based kind of puffed up pudding. Okay. With, I could give you the recipe if you want, but So is it like gravy? Yeah. No. So we experience, you have a gravy in it. It's like a dish. You may come into this bowl shaped kind of puffed pudding. Okay. You know, beautiful Yorkshire traditional food. All right. Well, I from the hearts of England, if I get over, I'm definitely gonna try this out for sure. I think we could definitely go out and go to a pub and have a proper meal. Okay. Some proper Oxford food. Okay. What are you most proud of besides your family? My achievements in life. Yeah. I think my achievements in life are kind of some of the proudest times and some of the, you know, ha heartwarming times I've had because, you know, it's kind of, you never put yourself in the forward thinking time at times in the. You kind of forget about yourself a little bit at times. But what I've achieved is a massive kind of part of my life, my career. Yeah. And where I want to be. That's, yeah. It's yeah. Trying to give myself a little bit of pride and just, you know, you deserve a pat on the back for sure. Exactly. Yeah. That's set. That is awesome. So, so good. Anything else you wanna talk about? Well. We're at the US Open. So, yeah. It's been an credible kind of time meeting yourself and the other guys, and I think that just keep on pushing, you know, pushing forward and Yeah. I guess just, yeah, be yourself. Keep levelheaded and just be yourself. I would say get outta your comfort zone. Yeah. Push yourself outta your comfort zone. Yeah. Yeah. And you get outta your comfort zone. And some good things can happen and challenges are always there, but there's always answers to a challenge, so Yeah. Yeah, for sure. There's always solutions. Well, thank you so much for setting down with me. It's been a pleasure doing this. Yeah, no, it's been fun. For me, this is obviously my favorite part Yeah. Is this interview and it's so much better to do it in person. Yeah. Versus on the computer and all those things. Well, that's it. I mean, we've tried doing this, I think before Christmas we tried to do the first interview and then, you know, time and work. Yeah. Busy kind of work routines. Kind of got in the way and then we finally met for the first time and we're finally doing it. Yeah. So, yeah, it's been an honor. Awesome. It's been an honor talking to you. Well, thanks so much. Oh yeah. Thank you, Trent.

Trent Manning: 54:18

thank you so much for listening to the Reel turf techs podcast. I hope you learned something today. Don't forget to subscribe. If you have any topics you'd like to discuss, or you'd like to be a guest, find us on Twitter at Reel turf techs.