Christopher Fogg, Turf Equipment Manager at The Richmond Golf Club in Southwest London started walking dogs and ended up at a golf course working on equipment. He spent 10 years as a greenkeeper before coming into the shop. Hear from one of the Melrose Equipment Management Experience recipients.
Transcript
Trent Manning: 0:05
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 this episode are real turf techs on golf course industries Superintendent radio network is presented by Foley county a strong supporter of equipment technicians and golf course maintenance departments everywhere Foley county offers a proven solution for above and below the turf for turf professionals To learn more about Foley company’s line of real grinders bed knife grinders and the air to G2 family of products or to find a distributor visit www dot Foley C o.com Foley Ready for play Welcome to the Reel turf Techs podcast, episode 90 today, we’re talking to Christopher Fogg. Turf equipment manager at the Richmond golf club and Southwest London. The Richmond golf club is an 18 hole, 6,086 yard par 70. Formed in 1891 on the side of Sunnybrook matching. The mansion was built in 1723. By the second duke of Argyle. That was used as a holiday home, a hotel at a hospital. Until 1893. When it became the golf club house. The club is the home of the famous world war II. Rules of golf. If you hadn’t seen them. It’s worth a Google. Christopher has 95% deer, 5% Toro. Let’s talk to Christopher. Welcome Christopher to the Real Turf Text podcast. How you doing today?
Christopher Fogg: 2:00
I’m good. Thanks, Trent. just like to say it’s a pleasure for you to, uh, invite me onto your podcast. I’m looking forward to having this discussion
Trent Manning: 2:09
Now it is gonna be fun. I tell everybody, it’s so much, I mean, honestly, this is my favorite part. The editing and producing and all that stuff, not my favorite part, but I really enjoy getting to know other people and to help share their story on how they got into the turf industry and picking up little tips and tricks along the way cuz we’re all doing the same thing. We all do it just a little bit different. So thank you so much for being here. and just for the listeners, So 5:00 PM here and it’s 10:00 PM there, we’re not gonna keep you up past your bedtime. Tell us how you got into the turf industry.
Christopher Fogg: 2:52
Well, my story is I try and keep it short and short and sweet and simple. so I actually started using, doing dog walks for this woman and, when I started doing these dog walks, she needed me to do some sort of gardening work in, in her garden. I said, okay. So I, I ended up going over there inspecting what, what needs to be doing, and this is just as I’ve finished. and I did that for, a couple of weeks, maybe a month or two. And then she asked me to do some gardening at a friend’s, friend’s house. So it’s led from doing a dog walking to then doing gardening and then a job application came up, for an apprentice screen keep. And in my head I’m thinking, okay, this is, some sort of gardening work that could be around, you know, around the clubhouse and just the odd bit flower, flower pots here and there. And, uh, it, it actually ended up me getting the job as an apprentice green keep. So it’s going from walking a dog to all of a sudden I’m doing this, uh, apprentice, uh, green keeping thing. not in my mind, would I imagine the work that goes into, being a green keep. So when I first started, I was being told, uh, this is how we raked bunkers. And I was like, whoa, what’s, uh, what’s a bunker? I’m, you know, raking sand and mowing grass. What? Why am I sitting on the mower and I’m like, Jay? It was kind of like being broken into obviously a green keep. So for me to start on that side is where it all began. And, as the time’s gone on, I’ve obviously developed through, through the career, as a green keep moved on into a, a senior role as a green keep. And, uh, that was for, uh, 10 years.
Trent Manning: 4:48
Okay.
Christopher Fogg: 4:48
then for the,
Trent Manning: 4:49
So 10 years you were on the green Keep side
Christopher Fogg: 4:52
yeah, so I got. Fully into the green keeping position after achieving the apprentice position. So they gave me the full-time work and then sort of did training through, through those 10 years, uh, progressed to be, uh, a senior green keep within the, the seven years after, sorry. So it was 10 years as a green keep, and then after that it was senior green keep, uh, mechanic.
Trent Manning: 5:20
Okay. Yeah. So how did you kinda get in the mechanic role?
Christopher Fogg: 5:24
So where I was a green keep my, my old boss, Paul Brown, who’s now uh, ha Manor, he actually did like a, he, he was very good at what he. And he also made us as the green staff actually do the, uh, the quality of cut while we was out on the machines. So he would set, he would literally give us a, a 16 mill spanner. Uh, there’d be, you know, all of us out buzzing around cutting the grass and he would say, you know, just, you know, it’s your machine. You make sure that things are, are cut in the way they should be and take care of your mother. Cuz it wasn’t just doing the quality of cut. You do it. It’d also help you, to understand how to repair a machine in, in the basic ways of fixing just to get you out of trouble so that you are able to get your mow are still running whilst you’re out on a golf course, and then get it back to the sheds when you finished your job.
Trent Manning: 6:26
No, that’s cool. That’s cool. That’s, that’s cool. And definitely I think different, I mean, from what I’ve seen over here in the States anyway not that no courses would do that, but uh, usually they just have the one mechanic and that’s his job, and he keeps everything sharp and going.
Christopher Fogg: 6:45
Yeah, we, at the time we didn’t have a mechanic, uh, equipment manager of any sort. He was, uh, the coach, manager or superintendent who would be the, the guy with the knowledge to train us to, to do this kind of work. And, you know, it, it, it was a good thing because if it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be where I am now in my career because it is, it’s what it drove me to do this. And I enjoyed doing that part of the role as well as being a green keep. And the only reason why I got the, uh, mechanic role was that there was me and this other guy who had to decide between us both who was going to be the spray technician and who was going to be the equipment manager. Uh, we had a little discussion and I said to him, well, I kind of had this background of fixing mowers when I need to, putting them on cart. And he just kind of liked of, you know, doing what he needed to do with that role. And off we both went. And there I was just plot ploting along and, and, and, and doing the, the training courses that the, the golf club put me through. And, uh, now at, at the Richmond Golf Club where I’ve been for the last eight months as a, a full-time golf course mechanic. So I sort of moved. Into doing a, a full-time role and, working on that side of things, for the last eight months.
Trent Manning: 8:16
No, that’s awesome. So what kinda training or schooling did they put you through? you said something about some classes or something.
Christopher Fogg: 8:25
so I I got put through to, uh, riddle University College, and that was a training course that was a, to do with agricultural machinery,
Trent Manning: 8:36
Okay.
Christopher Fogg: 8:37
how to,
Trent Manning: 8:38
Was it focused more on golf course stuff or more agricultural.
Christopher Fogg: 8:43
it was a bit of both. It was breakdowns of a cutter unit was involved, so you had to do, you know, a whole cutting unit was in pieces and then you had to put it all back together, stuff like that. And then there was, doing, diagnostic repair. On, on, on tractors. So that was interesting. Uh, there was welding involved, so it was being shown how to do, arc welding and MG welding, so that was really good. So this was all things that were practical work, but there was probably around 10% of it was written examination
Trent Manning: 9:18
okay.
Christopher Fogg: 9:19
and you had to pass this. It wasn’t just a training session, it was actually, you’ve been examined after your training at this, this university. So it was really helpful. That was a, a 14 day course at the club? Uh,
Trent Manning: 9:34
Oh, wow.
Christopher Fogg: 9:34
yeah, it was a 14 day course. So it, it’s like once a week that you went to, you did your training in examination after. Uh, and I did quite a lot of training through Toro. So we’ve got Toro Precinct Turf Care, uh, here in the uk. and they, they provide, uh, the training for hydraulics and electrical systems. So they’re really, really good.
Trent Manning: 9:57
Oh, that’s
Christopher Fogg: 9:58
Yeah, it is. There’s, there’s not much really here as such for the training for equipment managers, so we kind of have to dig around a little bit to see who’s doing what and maybe the manufacturers sort of pop up with, with these sort of training courses that we need. And it’s nice to see Tara doing it. And then I think, uh, I’m not sure if John Deere do as much training as Toro, but it would be nice to sort of hear if there was anything coming in the future.
Trent Manning: 10:31
Yeah. And even here in the States, I mean, the training is, I mean, minimal. I mean, you lucky enough, you were at, uh, conference and trade show, and we’ll talk more about that later and what all you learned. But you know, I mean, that’s a big training opportunity for a lot of us, and there is some. training at the dealer level. So like our Toro dealer, they might have a class in the wintertime. Then our, uh, well here in Georgia and a lot of other, uh, local chapters of G C S A will have, you know, a one day training thing. But it’s not really super in depth. Like it sounds like what you went through with it being 14 days. And you said that was once a week, so it was over 14 weeks you were doing that
Christopher Fogg: 11:24
Yeah, so it was, it was 14 weeks. Uh, It was quite intense. It was quite intense that the, what I, what I, uh, discussed with is, is, is just roughly of what we did. So obviously with the, the welding and everything that was going on the PSI pressures in, in tires, removing a tire correctly when it’s jacked up. There’s just all sorts of things that, you know, some of the stuff I even forgotten about because there was so much involved that I only concentrated on the things that actually meant something to me at the time.
Trent Manning: 11:58
Right.
Christopher Fogg: 11:59
you know, when you’ve got so many things that you’re learning and your brain sort of only processes a certain amount of, of knowledge that you’ve, you know, developed from, from those training courses and you’ve come away and you think, oh yeah, that’s really good. But then when people start asking you about the, the training that you did, you kind of forget. Most of the stuff, uh, but you, but you store the stuff in, in your, in, in your memory of what it is that you all need, need to use during your time in the workshop or you know, out in a course or what, whatever it is that you’re doing.
Trent Manning: 12:32
No, that’s, I mean, it’s a lot to take in and I, I mean, I feel guilty like. Right now I got a younger guy that just started with me. He’s actually worked on the course for several years and he just came in the shop. And when I’m talking about cutting units, I can kind of see his eyes glaze over cuz I mean, it’s a lot of information, you know, that you’re throwing at somebody. So all we can do is hope that they pick up a little piece here and then next week they pick up another piece cuz it’s, it’s a lot to take in at one time for sure.
Christopher Fogg: 13:08
uh, I have that issue sometimes where it does take me a little bit longer to, to learn something, but I’ve found that my, my strengths is all practical. So if you was to show me something, you know, I’ll pick that up straight away. Uh, and I’ll take that on board and then use that, that skill, continuously throughout of my, my career as, as equipment manager. But if you was to put a piece of paper in front of me and ask me to read something, I would’ve to read that sentence probably, you know, well over 10 times and I would end up confusing myself of what I’m actually reading on paper.
Trent Manning: 13:46
Yeah, no, I, I, I can totally relate to you and I’ll give you a funny story. And it was when I was working for, uh, Jerry Pay the de Toro distributor down here in the southeast of the us and I was at a customer’s course, and I don’t remember exactly what it was, but I was putting some kind of kit on, like a Toro sprayer, and it was a one page instruction thing. And I’m reading through it and the superintendent’s standing there and he said, he said, you’re kinda a slow reader. I said no, I can read as fast as anybody else. It’s the comprehension part that really slows me down cuz I’m the same way. I gotta kinda read it several times and make it make sense in my head before I can actually do it. So I can totally relate to you
Christopher Fogg: 14:35
Okay. That’s good. As long as I just see like as me just being a bit slow.
Trent Manning: 14:40
no, and yeah, I don’t, I mean we’re all, we all are different and we learn different and I think most mechanics we do learn hands on. And I think it’s, uh, it’s something that’s really special too because you and I, we can look at, uh, mechanical mechanism and say, okay, this does this, this does that, this does this. Where other people can look at that same. Mechanical process and they can’t look at it that way. They’re like, uh, that, uh, my mind’s blown. I don’t know why this thing does that,
Christopher Fogg: 15:18
And you have a quick solution as well cuz we, when you’re stand there and you’ve got a machine issue with someone supporting the machine back, you’re kinda like, you are on board straight away. You are almost, you know, you’re ready for this and you know, you gotta find a, you know, the solutions, get this machine up and running, get it back out on a golf course as quick as possible, but, Again, if it’s something where you’d have to read or you know, the instructions about something, it then becomes a challenge
Trent Manning: 15:47
yes. Yep, for
Christopher Fogg: 15:48
Yeah.
Trent Manning: 15:49
Yep. No, that, that’s good stuff. Do you relief, grind.
Christopher Fogg: 15:55
I do, I do relief crime and, you know, sometimes I don’t, I kind of pick between the two if I’m honest,
Trent Manning: 16:02
Well, yeah. No, I appreciate your honesty and so tell me sometimes, or why would you, relief, grind, why would you not? Relief, grind.
Christopher Fogg: 16:11
but for myself, uh, you know, I like to Relief Graham for mostly with, with green units and
Trent Manning: 16:19
Okay.
Christopher Fogg: 16:20
because for those it’s, it’s more of a fine cut that I find with having a bit of relief on the cylinder.
Trent Manning: 16:26
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 16:27
I found that it gives it a better click rate and a clean cut and actually disperses the clipping. a lot better out from the cutting unit into the box.
Trent Manning: 16:39
Gotcha.
Christopher Fogg: 16:40
I found in, in, in that sort of context of, of having relief. I also find it pretty handy on the teasing the approaches, but I don’t really, I don’t really like it as, as much on that. I recently put a post up about me relief, grinding the teasing aprons units and only doing a 1.5 landing era on the cylinder because I do get a bit funny with, uh, debris sitting on a tease. Or even, you know, the approaches, it can do a lot of damage to the, to the relief. So if you was to damage that area on the cylinder, you’d have to grind it all off. You all of a sudden you’ve lost a loader life from the cylinder and then you put the relief back in if you do want to, if something happens.
Trent Manning: 17:24
Right. So are you thinking or saying if the land width is less than one and a half, you’ve seen more issues with hit and debris?
Christopher Fogg: 17:36
Yeah, so we’re pretty much all John Deere and specifications for those is basically one millimeter are on, on the landing era. And even that can be quite fine on areas where there’s, uh, a lot of debris sitting around. And, uh, it doesn’t take much for that to be, to be damaged. Uh, when it is damaged, you’re having to grind that away and then if you grind away too much, you didn’t have to put more relief on onto that cylinder. So there’s a lot of, negatives about the relief grinding, but I. I’m also still with it because it also reduces the grinding time. You’ve got less area to grind you can quickly zap. Is that the, is that the units in the, in the grinders, uh, pull ’em back out, getting straight back in the machine. And they’re up and running. I don’t like to back lap as often neither. So
Trent Manning: 18:34
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 18:35
having that relief, obviously it’s less area. Uh, I heard this, these, these things where the bat lap pace gets stuck on the back of the cylinder. So sort of sticks in there. I, I’m, I’m in no debate with anything. I’m just happy of how things work for me.
Trent Manning: 18:52
uh, yeah.
Christopher Fogg: 18:52
is, it’s like I hear, I hear everyone out. I hear their story and I, I hear what they gotta say about relief and what they don’t like about relief and not having relief. You know, I’m, I’m with it. I’m with everyone. I’m not against anyone and I’m willing to take any sort of ideas or, or things that may prevent me from wanting to relief. You know, it’s, it’s good. It’s, it’s cool. I’m, I’m happy with it, you know, it’s, if you’re gonna tell me something and, and, and, and I agree with it, I’m gonna do it at, you know, so is it’s, for me, I, I’m happy with the relief. These are the benefits for me and if it works for me, I’m, I’m, you know, it’s, it’s good. I’m, I’m happy with, with it, but, you know, I’m happy with without relief too, you know, it’s all got a change, you know, I like to have no relief on, on a fairway unit. It’s just, it’s just more powerful. Uh, it’s just to get through for the grass blades nicely. And yeah. It’s just, it’s just, it’s a lot stronger I see as a.
Trent Manning: 19:50
Right. No, I know. I’m totally with you. And I’ve had this conversation, actually, what was end of last week with another technician. He called me and we were just talking about it and, you know, relief, not relief and a lot of other stuff too. And it’s, it’s kind of funny that, or ironic, I don’t know, that we are all doing the same thing. know, maintaining a cutting unit for to mow quality turf grass on a golf course. And we all do it different, and we all have good results. So, you know, there’s several different philosophies and there’s some that say, oh, you got a relief grind. Some say you got a relief grind, you got a back lap. And then you got the other philosophy of you only spin grind. And I’ve seen all these different processes produce really good playing conditions. And at the end of the day, that’s all it matters is the playing condition. So if you’re having a good plant condition with the process you’re using, like the old adage, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Just keep on keeping on.
Christopher Fogg: 21:03
Yeah, I, I’m, I’m pretty sure, uh, if it got, I don’t know, some sort of heated discussion about something and you end up having a, a mower that had relief and a mower that didn’t have relief and you went and cut a green, two greens and then got someone to come in and pick which green was cut with a. A relief ground cylinder and one that we didn’t have, I’m pretty certain that we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. You know, you, you, you, you are going by the fact that, uh, it’s all discussion about saving fuel. Cause obviously there’s, there’s less, you know, contact on the, on the bed knife to cylinders. Obviously it saves fuel, but we’re talking minimum, minimal, you know, fuel saving, you know, you’re gonna have to do, you know, this is just people obviously thinking out the box too much for, for my liking. And I, and I, again, I’m happy to hear it and I’m not against it, but just don’t be against people that have their decisions and their choices about doing relief and not doing the relief,
Trent Manning: 22:03
Uh, right, right, right. Yep. No, I’m, I’m totally, I’m totally with you. And I wasn’t telling you that story to say that I don’t agree with you. I I don’t remember who says it, but, uh, a lot of people say it, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. And that’s, but basically what this boils down to. So, yeah, you just have to, and that’s what I told the guy I was talking to, uh, on the phone last week, is you just have to find out what works for you. And like you’re saying, it’s, it is good to be open to all these different ideas and concepts of how we could do something, but at the end of the day, you just have to find out what works best for your operation.
Christopher Fogg: 22:41
And the thing is, it’s
Trent Manning: 22:42
it.
Christopher Fogg: 22:43
everyone’s gotta remember that you know, regardless of what, what, what’s going on and what you decide to do. End of the day, we all work for a business, and the business is there is to make money. And the money’s coming from the members. So they’re not gonna care that, you know, you, you’re doing a relief grind or you’re not doing a relief grind. All they care about is turning up, hitting egg golf balls, patting on a ice green that that’s, that’s performing well. You know, they’re not worried about what’s going on in a workshop.
Trent Manning: 23:12
That’s exactly right. Well, tell us something you’ve fabricated lately.
Christopher Fogg: 23:17
I don’t fabricate a lot. Uh, it’s, yeah, like at, at the, at the moment, I’m, uh, got a, a bench plate, which I’m trying to find a home for. So I’ve actually had a load of scrap metal that was given to me, and I’m looking into doing my own, uh, frame with a trolley that would actually mount with the bench plate. So I’ve gotta do a lot of welding fabricating on how I want this to be, because I want it to be sitting next to the grinder. At a moment. It’s just sort of sitting on hydraulic platform. but we, we don’t get much fabrication. Here because we don’t have the same tools as what you guys have over in the us So you got your, you got your like your Miller machines and, and things like that. We, we just buy things here. So this, this, the skills had this discussion with my superintendent, uh, course manager. And I said to him about getting a Lathan machine. Cause I saw someone doing the, the, the shoe under, you know, the underneath, skimming it off. And I said to him, I’d like to bring one of those in to do this sort of sort of work. And he was like, you know, we don’t do that sort of thing here because we, we, we, we just go and buy a new thing. He goes, I totally agree with you that the skill here in the UK is, is kind of like lost. We, we rely on things to be brought in now. Do you know what I mean?
Trent Manning: 24:47
you.
Christopher Fogg: 24:47
So it’s, it’s.
Trent Manning: 24:48
Well, and I mean, I
Christopher Fogg: 24:49
skillsets sort of lost, been lost a little bit slightly with, with this sort of demand of it’s a lot cheaper to go and buy a bolt for a couple of PEs than to have a machine to produce one. And the time that it’ll take for me to make that bolt, it’s easier just to go online and order one.
Trent Manning: 25:08
No, I agree. And it’s not the norm to have a lathe and a mill machine in your shop in the us not the norm. But we’re fortunate that some, some of the people do have that machinery, but just like you’re saying is how long does it take you to fabricate that bolt? You know, is it really worth it now? Honestly, you know, there’s definitely some really good uses for it. That’s kind of a whole different, uh, skillset too. You gotta know how to be a machinist and how to work a lathe and how to work a mill machine. And yeah, it’s a whole nother, uh, skillset. And I think most of the people that do have a lathe are a mill machine, or both probably had a machine in background earlier in their career. So, you know, if I bought a mill machine and had it at my shop, it would be a huge learning curve just to be able to use that piece of equipment for a job that may come down the road or into the workshop.
Christopher Fogg: 26:23
Yeah. Yeah,
Trent Manning: 26:24
Tell us what your favorite tool is.
Christopher Fogg: 26:27
And my favorite, I’ve actually got two, which I rely on a lot. So I, I I, I like to use the, the microscope and the prism.
Trent Manning: 26:37
Okay. Yep.
Christopher Fogg: 26:38
the both two tools that I love the most and I rely on, on the most.
Trent Manning: 26:43
That’s awesome. I love it. So on the microscope, have you tried any of the ones that go on your cell phone?
Christopher Fogg: 26:53
no, I actually saw this, uh, at the, the trade show when I was in the, the conference. there was a little discussion about that.
Trent Manning: 27:04
Yeah, I’ve not actually tried one either. And like you’re saying, I’ve heard some people discuss it and I don’t know if it’s worth it or not, or I think they’re pretty cheap on Amazon to get one. But the quality and what you’re seeing in the turf crafts, I don’t know how good that is.
Christopher Fogg: 27:22
Yeah, I like what I’ll be interested,
Trent Manning: 27:25
What do you think about the prism? like on a green, how, how easy is it to tell what your actual, how to cut is
Christopher Fogg: 27:34
I find it pretty, pretty. Okay. You have the odd,
Trent Manning: 27:37
pretty okay.
Christopher Fogg: 27:39
you get the few, uh, snaggles as you call ’em, sort of standing up and,
Trent Manning: 27:44
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 27:45
other than that, I’ll find it pretty okay. You know, you just sort of put it on the ground, just move it around a little bit so it settles in and then you can get, uh, a nice good.
Trent Manning: 27:56
Gotcha. That’s something I need, I need to work with. You know, I don’t, I just, I think there, it is too subjective sometimes when you’re setting it down there and it’s kind of like, who’s reading it? When you’re talking about that, fine, a height, some people might say your effective is, you know, 70 thousandths and maybe it’s 90 thousandths if somebody else looks at it. I don’t know. I, I almost wish there was a little bit better way of measuring the actual height of cut on, uh, put grained. Just my personal opinion.
Christopher Fogg: 28:30
I dunno if they’re based in different, because here in the UK we have ’em all in millimeters, so it’s a, I haven’t seen one
Trent Manning: 28:38
Maybe, maybe that’s our problem. May maybe I just need to be looking at millimeters and it’d be a whole
Christopher Fogg: 28:43
Yeah, because it is pretty cool, you know, you can, you can see everything and, and it, and it’s good to check this sort of thing. you know, it’s good to see what your, your cutting units are doing with the microscope. You know, it’s good to see what it’s doing to the plant cuz you’re not just there to repair machines. You’re there to, to take care of the course. Uh, and it also involves you know, the plain surfaces, making sure it’s, you know, what you are doing is, is healthy, healthy for the course.
Trent Manning: 29:10
No, I love it. That’s good stuff. It really,
Christopher Fogg: 29:13
Maybe that just plays a role from me being a green keep. And I, and I’ve, I’ve brought that with me into my, uh, mechanical side.
Trent Manning: 29:21
yeah, I definitely think that’s probably the case. And I think it’s a really good thing too though. And I do think anybody that’s, uh, been a green keep or even worked on, the crew as a, a crew person or whatever your title is, and then you become a mechanic, I definitely think that, uh, makes you a better mechanic knowing that other side for sure. what do you do to relax or find your balance?
Christopher Fogg: 29:52
Uh, I listen to music, I’m being honest,
Trent Manning: 29:56
Okay.
Christopher Fogg: 29:56
and it, it all depends.
Trent Manning: 29:58
what kind of music?
Christopher Fogg: 29:59
It can be anything. So I love my playlist. So I come, come in first thing on, uh, on Monday morning. Uh, I love my coffee. Uh, just sort of feel, feel like what, what I’m gonna be doing today. So I play a bit of music, uh, in the office for a little bit on my phone. And then I go out and transfer it onto the soundbar, into the workshop. And then when the guys come in, it’s always the deputy. So it’s, it’s the stands in, he’s like, oh, I can tell it’s a Monday today because it’s like a, it’s like a slow music. So sort of, you know, Monday morning sort of trying to pick your feet up and, uh, it’ll reflects on, on my mood on that day. Yeah. So,
Trent Manning: 30:42
you. Yeah. Yeah. That’s
Christopher Fogg: 30:43
then as the, as the days come, come on. So as the week goes through, the music tempo picks up and you can tell it’s coming up to Friday cuz the upbeats getting quicker and, uh, the mo you know, just everything’s up and running. And he actually come up to me and he said, okay, I’m starting to recognize on your, on your moods because, you know, I can tell when you’re having a good day and you’re having a bad day just by listening to the sound of your music. So yeah. So it’s all, it’s all my kind of balance is all with, with with the music that I. I’ll play out if I’m honest.
Trent Manning: 31:17
Yeah, no, that’s good. Good, good stuff. What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen at the golf course?
Christopher Fogg: 31:23
So I’ve had, I’ve had two instances, uh, at my old place. So I came in one morning and, and I found that my, my coffee mug was smashed on the floor and, uh, the spill pod bag was somehow on the floor and thought, what’s, what’s going on here? And yeah, checked CCTV and it sat there for, for a good three years. This, this, this pod on top of a shelf, and you just, you just watch it on the cctv, it just decides to hop and, and, and fall. uh, yeah, yeah, you actually see it. Uh, cause I was gobsmack when I actually went and checked the Cttv. Cause there was a camera literally just above, uh, my desk. And you can see it, it just, it hops and then it falls forward and then it lands on the floor. And if it, and as it fell, it hit, hit the cup. So I was thinking, oh, this is a bit freaky. Because, because what, you know, it’s just odd to see that basically at work. And the second one was where a tire just blew on its own. As I came in one morning, uh, we had a, a fairway mo LM two, 700, just sitting on its own. One of the lads called me over first thing in the morning and said, uh, we’ve got a puncher. So I went and checked her and, and the hole, no, it was the size of my hand that was exploded from, from, from the tire. So again, I went and checked the CCTV to see what was going on. You can see the machine sitting there perfectly fine doing its own thing. And then, uh, I think it was uh, the day before we all went home, it was only about an hour after and you can actually see the machine and it just explodes. You see the whole tire just sort of pop fully in the air. Uh, bits and pieces fly here and there and he just figured, you know, what was the cause of that to happen. And, and I sat there and I started blaming them I actually started blaming the grease stuff. I said, someone’s obviously put too much air in this tire. I dunno, cuz it could have been a hot day. I think it was a hot day and well there was too much air being pumped into that tire. It’s obviously got hit, you know, there was heat that built, built up in that tire and then off it went and blew on its own when it obviously got a bit too warm maybe. But that’s just me trying to pinpoint on what happened. So,
Trent Manning: 33:43
Yeah. No, that’s crazy. Maybe you have a
Christopher Fogg: 33:45
That’s what I was thinking, but then I didn’t wanna think too
Trent Manning: 33:48
that’s what I’m wondering. Yeah. Yeah. Don’t want to think too much about that one. what’s one of your pet peeves around the shop?
Christopher Fogg: 33:55
Oh, it’s gotta be people borrowing my tools. And then I’m finding them sitting around the workshop waiting for me to be put, put them back. Uh, that’s what I hate the most, as well as where the, the workbench gets used and
Trent Manning: 34:15
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 34:16
it’s things that people do, which I’m perfectly happily with, but, uh, they don’t clean up after themselves with any sort of material that’s left on the floor, you know, sort of cutting or, you know, borrowing of screwdrivers. It just, they use it and then it’s just, it sits,
Trent Manning: 34:33
Yeah,
Christopher Fogg: 34:33
yeah, it’s not, it’s not difficult to, to sort of find the location. of where you got these tools from to begin with is it’s, yeah. My big hate.
Trent Manning: 34:45
Yep. No, I, I understand that completely, totally relate. What would be your dream job or opportunity? I.
Christopher Fogg: 34:53
So my, I I actually, I have this, uh, big thing about performance cars. So I’ve always had this thing with, you know, performance cars and I’d like to do like high performance rebuilds because it’s something that I’ve always had a passion towards. So yeah, I, I, for me it’s just sort of working around performance vehicles, uh, driving the vehicles, testing them and getting a feel of it. Rebuilding engines. You. Performance parts and exhausts, knowing how, you know, getting into turbos and Yeah, it’s just a, for me it’s just
Trent Manning: 35:31
Yeah. No, that’s cool. Very cool, fun stuff for sure. What technician would you like to work with for a day?
Christopher Fogg: 35:39
so you’re probably gonna laugh now, technician, but I would really class with technician. So I’ll be discussed about you know, a particular job of working with performance cars. And like for me, it left to be the guy Ryan from West Coast Customs.
Trent Manning: 35:58
Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’d be awesome.
Christopher Fogg: 36:01
it wouldn’t happen, but. It would be cool because I’ve, I’ve seen these programs and, you know, I’ve always, like I said, been into performance vehicles, rebuilds and everything else. And it would, it would be great to spend a day in that shop and checking over all the fabrications that they do with the, the seats and, and rebuilds, the, the paints, the, just everything, the detail that they put into the vehicles is, is something that, that I have a bit of passion and love for and to actually do That would be so cool. It really
Trent Manning: 36:36
yeah. That would be, that would be awesome. Yeah. And I mean, imagine what all you would learn and you know about that whole process and how, how those things work. That’d be
Christopher Fogg: 36:46
Yeah. It’s a lot different obviously from, uh, equipment manager’s side of things on a golf course.
Trent Manning: 36:52
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Christopher Fogg: 36:54
just something that’s always.
Trent Manning: 36:56
Yeah. No, that’s awesome. So what are some tips and tricks you would like to share with.
Christopher Fogg: 37:05
I don’t have any personal tips and tricks. Uh, I, I do do things around the workshop that I do to help me. Find like, like a solution to things without me knowing, but I, I, I tend to forget what I’ve just done or, or may have done. I just get, get on with my day. Uh, and I’m not one of these that sort of, if I find something, it is, I, I can’t remember to put it out on social media or do you know. It is, it’s one of those things where I, I get a bit hesitant if it, if I do have a trick. But I have seen the tips and tricks from when I was at the show with Hector. He had a,
Trent Manning: 37:43
Oh,
Christopher Fogg: 37:43
he had a 3D printer that he had on the stand, and that’s something that I have taken on board and I’m actually having this discussion with, uh, my superintendent to agree a purchase of a 3d. So that’s, that, that’s a, that’s a, you know, a tip that I’ve taken away from the trade show, and I’d be interested to use this, uh, on, on where your imagination can, can take you to, to do these sort of little bits
Trent Manning: 38:10
I don’t, do you have anything, uh, in mind for the 3D printer? Like soon, as soon as you get it? What, what, what’s the first thing you’re making?
Christopher Fogg: 38:19
well, I, I, I’d like to make the, the little screws that go on, like lawn mowers and things. I, I had this crazy idea about making plastic hole cups on the golf
Trent Manning: 38:31
Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah,
Christopher Fogg: 38:33
it, it, it was something to probably be the, that I could, uh, produce to the superintendent to say, look, this is why I’d be a good benefit to get the 3D printer just to get it in. You know, you see. But it, it would be a very big thing you know, sort of moving in time. And I think it was a, Tip from Hector, sort of to bring in that it’s not really much going on with it, but for me to make little, little knobs and screws and things that can, can be broken that you can just sort of fix within 30 minutes. So that was pretty, pretty much my idea. And there was only other one was the, the oil pans. The, the tip where, uh, the empty of the, the oil pans that got, sort of got put into a tower and they’ll drain through each one into a, uh,
Trent Manning: 39:20
Uh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Christopher Fogg: 39:22
they’re, they’re only sort of tips that I’ve, I’ve taken on board and they’re ones that I’m, I’m actually gonna gonna do so.
Trent Manning: 39:29
No, that’s good. That’s good. Well, let’s talk about your experience at 2023 Conference and Trade show. And you were a Melrose recipient, correct? That’s awesome. Oh, and a little birdie told me that you passed your level one
Christopher Fogg: 39:48
Yes. Yes, they are. That was, uh, I’ve had a bit of a struggle with this, this, uh, em c p, uh, level one.
Trent Manning: 39:56
Well, congratulations. That’s awesome. That’s
Christopher Fogg: 39:59
Yeah, I, I, I needed a bit more time with the, uh, engine technology and hydraulics. There’s a little bit of a, uh, a little bit of terminology in there. Uh, sort of, sort of had to read things over, but as also my knowledge needed refreshing and up updating. Uh, and thankfully it, it was the magazines that, that the G C S A a sort of supplied for me to learn and read through to help me through, through these courses.
Trent Manning: 40:27
Uh, the study
Christopher Fogg: 40:28
Yeah. The study.
Trent Manning: 40:29
Yeah. Awesome. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Awesome. No, that, that’s so good. So tell me about your whole experience at conference and trade
Christopher Fogg: 40:38
Oh, it was amazing. Absolutely amazing. You know, I, I can’t thank the G C S A enough because it was an experience where it was all paid for you, that the flight was paid for to, to get there, which was a, you know, a really big deal. A big, big thank you to Katie for being really great and, and helping, helping me out, getting all these information sorted out and the way she was for us at the, at the conference. Uh, but when I arrived yeah, it was just a complete new experience for me. Uh, I got to meet some, some new, some new faces of other equipment managers. Uh, so we all started off on, on the. We actually got, uh, a sit down with re Evans to have a, a morning breakfast to start our week. So that was really nice. Uh, we all got to introduce ourselves, so we all kind of, there was quite a few of us in there. and we all said hello expressed, you know, how we got into the industry and where we were. And then as we,
Trent Manning: 41:39
how big a, how big a group was it? Was it 10 of
Christopher Fogg: 41:43
uh, so there was, there was 12.
Trent Manning: 41:45
12? Okay.
Christopher Fogg: 41:46
But there was two, two other guys, uh, from the equipment managers that couldn’t make it, uh, last year, but they joined us this year.
Trent Manning: 41:55
Yeah, I know. Uh, Chris Whitaker was one of those, and it was because of still the COVID or the pandemic thing. He couldn’t fly from Canada
Christopher Fogg: 42:06
Yeah.
Trent Manning: 42:07
so I, I know that’s why he missed last year.
Christopher Fogg: 42:10
but overall it
Trent Manning: 42:11
Yeah. No, that’s,
Christopher Fogg: 42:12
Yeah, it was, it was so cool. Uh, we, we all sort of met at the, the evening, so we had that, uh, what was that scenery thing that we had? I’m trying to think of what that, that was now. It was just basically like a meet and greet in the evening. Tropical themed meet and greet. Uh, so we all said hello.
Trent Manning: 42:32
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. It was, uh, yeah, the opening
Christopher Fogg: 42:36
Yeah. So that,
Trent Manning: 42:36
at Aquatica,
Christopher Fogg: 42:37
that was it. Yeah. So it was really nice to do that sort of thing. Cause this, these are the things that I, you know, this is the first time I’ve had this kind of experience. Uh, and, and all the, all the sessions were, were really cool. You know, again, Katie sort of organized what, what we wanted to. So we was able to, to do all these conferences and, you know, we, we all learned a lot and we made good friends and we all, we all sticking together. We actually made a little group, group chat for ourselves. Uh, yeah, just, just, just to keep in touch. So we called it, uh, the Melrose Mayhem.
Trent Manning: 43:15
Oh, okay.
Christopher Fogg: 43:16
So we all kind of keep in touch, but, uh, you know, I, I have to say that anyone that’s gonna go and do this, uh, this Melrose experience, you know, you really need to do it because it’s such a big experience and, and it, and it’s a big bonus for yourself because you have your Em c p level one I is paid for. And,
Trent Manning: 43:40
Oh,
Christopher Fogg: 43:41
and your E em c P level two is paid for. And you get unlimited attempts. So instead of having to pay the, the $60, it’s uh, you know, unlimited amount. So if you, if you fail, at least you can try again. And then hopefully, you know, you get the pass. It’s, it’s not easy, but,
Trent Manning: 43:59
No, that’s awesome.
Christopher Fogg: 44:01
yeah, it’s, it’s a really cool experience. And obviously the, the gcsa look after you and the, the way they organize everything, it’s just, it’s, it’s, it’s really well put out and I can’t,
Trent Manning: 44:13
they, uh, don’t they keep you pretty busy too? Don’t they? Like moving around and going here and going
Christopher Fogg: 44:19
Yeah. You, you’ll find that your grand have, uh, some mornings you’ll have a breakfast with, with, uh, certain people and then you’ll go off and do, do your conference and you’re literally flat out until until. but you’re still within your group, so you don’t actually go off anywhere and, and, and do anything as such. You, the lunch is there, paid for you or, or, or given to you on most, most breaks. And then all of a sudden you’re starting your session again. So you’re pretty much flat out. So the moment you come out of your hotel room, you don’t actually see your hotel room until like five or six in the evening, and then you get invited to, to go and have some food or, or drinks with, with people or even within your, your actual own group, which was really cool.
Trent Manning: 45:08
Yeah. Yeah. No, that’s so awesome. So good. What about, uh, the actual trade show? What did y’all do Wednesday, Thursday?
Christopher Fogg: 45:17
So on, on Wednesday we all kind of, we all met up at the front there where they cut the ribbon and
Trent Manning: 45:24
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 45:25
yeah, we, we sort of bolted around and, and had a look around. I looked at the, the John. John Deere stands. So I’m obviously in a full John Deere at, uh, at my golf club. And it’s good to see what it is that they’re, that they’re bringing out for, for John Deere. It’s good to see, see that and all the other stands. And it was, in general, it was just nice to be around the group where I was, I was kind of following them because they’ve experienced this sort of thing. So for me to sort of come in from, from somewhere, uh, obviously from the UK to, to come to Orlando, I was always being shown around, everywhere I went on what I did, I was asking people, you know, what, you know, what can we do? And I was just following the guys around and letting them lead, lead the way. Uh,
Trent Manning: 46:17
not so good though. Very cool. What about on, uh, Thursday? Kind of the same thing, just walking around the trade show
Christopher Fogg: 46:27
Yeah, so we had a bit more time on, on Thursday. Uh, we had a little session on on Thursday morning, and then we kind of got given the rest of the afternoon to, to have a, a good look around.
Trent Manning: 46:39
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 46:40
yeah, it was just what you would, you would find here. So we have like b t e here in the United Kingdom. Uh, but it’s just like a, a massive version of that. It’s like absolutely mind blowing and you’ve gotta have a map in your hand to walk around and, and actually see what’s there because you can miss a lot of stands.
Trent Manning: 47:01
Oh yeah.
Christopher Fogg: 47:02
I just, I made sure I got a few goody bags. I’ve got quite a few hats and I, I learnt a few things here or there. Obviously got to see a lot of new faces that I haven’t. Haven’t seen before. It’s just all, all people that I’ve, I’ve read on Twitter, all social media
Trent Manning: 47:18
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 47:19
and it’s actually nice to sit down with people and have a nice actual discussion and just talk and get ideas. And, you know, the show wasn’t just about looking at what was on the standards, it was just communicating and, and socializing and networking. There was a massive network.
Trent Manning: 47:37
Yes. Yeah, I mean, I honestly think that’s probably the best part about it. I mean, not that none of the other stuff is bad, but the networking is definitely my favorite and. I mean, I talked to Mike Rawlins the other day about it. It would almost be nice if we had another day there, cuz there’s just not enough time to get around and see everybody that you wanna see and see all the boosts you wanna see. Just not enough time in the
Christopher Fogg: 48:07
Yeah.
Trent Manning: 48:08
And I, I felt, you know, I, I was rude to people. I didn’t mean to be rude and I felt bad about being rude, but I’m like, okay, I gotta keep moving. I gotta get to this, you know, booth to talk to this person or to look at this piece of equipment and, uh, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s so much fun and I’m so glad you got to experience that. That’s awesome.
Christopher Fogg: 48:31
Yeah. No, it was, it was really good. There was, like I said, there, there was more to it though. I’d, I’d just kind of forget sometimes and I’d, and I’d find that I would, I would remember what I did probably tomorrow morning when after we’ve had this discussion. It’s just that because it, because it was so much to take in, it was just really cool. It, it’s something that I will not.
Trent Manning: 48:52
Awesome. Now. So good for you. So happy for you and all the other Melrose recipients and that’s a, a great thing that G C S A does and hopefully it continues for many, many years. You ready to do some rapid fire questions?
Christopher Fogg: 49:14
Yeah. Yeah. I feel I’ve got, yeah, I’ve got the, my answers here, so it’s nothing major
Trent Manning: 49:21
What’s your favorite movie?
Christopher Fogg: 49:23
now. It’s gotta be dumb and dumber
Trent Manning: 49:25
Okay. It’s hard to beat. It’s hard to beat.
Christopher Fogg: 49:28
Yeah. Yeah. It’s a good film.
Trent Manning: 49:31
What would be your last meal?
Christopher Fogg: 49:33
Ah, it’s gotta be steak chips.
Trent Manning: 49:35
Steak and chips and, okay, because I’m a redneck from down South Chips. Is that french fries Yeah.
Christopher Fogg: 49:42
That’s french fries us. Yeah. I had this, I had a lot of discussions with, with people about how we word. but I, I
Trent Manning: 49:50
oh, I’m sure. Yeah.
Christopher Fogg: 49:51
it, it’ll take more time.
Trent Manning: 49:53
Okay. what are you most proud of?
Christopher Fogg: 49:57
I, I, I’m, I’m most proud of being a, a father. I know we talk about, we talk about the, you know, the, the golf industry and what we do, but for me that, that’s been most proud is, is, is being a father. And as a, you know, taking care of my daughter is, is obviously a major, major thing for me. And just being a dad in itself is a really proud thing to, to have and, and do. And,
Trent Manning: 50:25
No, for sure. How old’s your daughter?
Christopher Fogg: 50:27
oh, she’s eight. She’s
Trent Manning: 50:28
eight I love it, man.
Christopher Fogg: 50:30
Yeah.
Trent Manning: 50:30
and enjoy it while
Christopher Fogg: 50:32
That’s it. It’s, it’s all
Trent Manning: 50:33
My young, my youngest is 15 and she’s not as much fun anymore. Don’t get me wrong. I love her and she’s fun, but not, uh, that, yeah, from five to 10, those are some really good years there to be a dad. And dad’s still really cool when they get to be 15. Dad isn’t as cool as he used to be.
Christopher Fogg: 50:53
Uh, probably in an embarrassing way, but it’s,
Trent Manning: 50:57
Yeah. Ho ho. Hopefully you don’t, hopefully you don’t get to experience that, but that’s, that’s been my experience anyway. But more power to you girl, dad. That’s so awesome. And you just have the one daughter.
Christopher Fogg: 51:09
a wonder. Yeah.
Trent Manning: 51:10
All right. Awesome. Very cool.
Christopher Fogg: 51:13
I dunno why. It’s just, I feel, for me, personally, to be proud of, and I’ve got the whole of the, you know, the golf industry to sort of think about and what I do as an equipment manager, but in my heart it’s just always gonna be, you know, being proud for, for what? For what you do.
Trent Manning: 51:30
Oh, yeah, yeah. No, that’s, that’s, that’s why you’re doing what you’re doing is, uh, to make money and support your kid and be there for your kid, and that’s, that’s awesome. Good on you for that. Anything else you wanna talk about?
Christopher Fogg: 51:45
Uh, only quickly, so obviously I’ll put down self-appreciation.
Trent Manning: 51:51
Yeah, that’s a good one.
Christopher Fogg: 51:52
So I’ll put self-appreciation because I don’t see as, as equipment managers, you don’t what is it? Uh, you, you basically, you do get noticed, but you don’t get noticed for the work that you do. So you kind of have to take a step back and appreciate the work that you do. Do as in know, you, you find a, a solution to something or you fix something in such a quick time. the machinery goes straight out after you found that solution. And then you kind of take a step back and I know it’s your job, but you go back into the workshop when you carry on doing what you was doing originally because you get pulled away from what you was doing to start with to help others out. And it’s such a big deal that you are the heart of, of the workshop. You know, he, without the equipment manager, it’s what makes the, makes the, the place tick from what,
Trent Manning: 52:47
Yeah, you’re right,
Christopher Fogg: 52:48
And if the machines ain’t running, there’s no one sitting on the machines. And I’m not saying that we all should have like a full thing of like, you know, oh, we need to clap your hands every time we, we, we actually fix something. But for me it’s just appreciate yourself for what you do during these times. And yeah, I’ll just say just. How, how you actually work as well put down. So just appreciate yourself.
Trent Manning: 53:14
No, that’s, yeah, no, I think that’s very, very important. And I don’t think most of us do that because it’s, it’s so hard. You’re, you know, you’re in, in the heat battle, if you will, and yeah, you find a solution and you fix this machine and like you said, you got pulled away from something else you were working on, so you jumped right back on it. So, yeah, can we take a minute, two minutes out of our day and just reflect a little bit and say, that was pretty cool that I was able to do this, or I was able to do that. And I think that would go a long way for all of us in our, uh, mental health.
Christopher Fogg: 53:56
Because it is, this is why I like to post things on social media as a, as another way of self-appreciation because, I like to express the good things that I’m doing in the workplace, and it’s nice for everyone else to see what you’re doing as well as for me to see what everyone else is doing and what they’re achieving and what they’re creating and what they’re covering up with. All the tips and tricks that they’re doing is what’s feeding all of us. You know, for, for myself with new ideas, cuz I don’t have many, and if it weren’t for social media, you know, it’s just this, you know, most of the, the tips and tricks that I pick up on, I wouldn’t have.
Trent Manning: 54:36
Mm-hmm.
Christopher Fogg: 54:37
And it’s,
Trent Manning: 54:38
Well, I mean, I’m, I’m the same way and I even, uh, I done a class at conference and trade show with Austin Wright, and one of the first things I said, it was a tips and tricks class. And, uh, that was the first thing I said is, you know, 98% of these tips and tricks I stole off the internet or from somebody else. I know, you know, there’s very few original ideas and if you do have an original idea, more power to you. But thank everyone for sharing their stuff on social media and, you know, we’re not throwing tips and tricks out on social media to brag or boast about ourself. We share that, so hopefully it helps somebody else. So keep sharing. Well thank you very much, Chris. This has been a pleasure and I guess I’ll let you get to bed.
Christopher Fogg: 55:33
No, don’t worry, don’t worry about it. I, I’m, I’m just grateful that, that you, uh, that got me on onto the, the real turf text and yeah. Thank you so much.
Trent Manning: 55:41
No, I, I’m so glad I, I got, yeah, I got to meet you at a conference and trade show and like I said, we didn’t spend enough time together cuz it’s busy and you’re running around and everything else. But it was nice to, to meet you in person and put a face with a Twitter handle. And thank you so much for, uh, being on the podcast. I’ve really
Christopher Fogg: 56:04
Oh, thank you. And again, congratulations to the for the Edward Budding Award. So
Trent Manning: 56:10
Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.
Christopher Fogg: 56:12
Congratulations, so,
Trent Manning: 56:14
Thank you.. 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.