GROUNDSKEEPING
Something as illustrious as the Olympics , the pantheon of sport , will shine on any resume ; but that should not detract from the breadth of Conrad ’ s CV . Following his stint at Southampton , where he continued as a matchday mower , was another fortunate first : England v Sri Lanka , 2011 . The inaugural Test Match at the then Rose Bowl , and the first Test Match ever played in Hampshire , “ a great experience doing that ”.
Two seasons was then spent at Wimbledon , before an excursion to the USA . Another opportunity courtesy of Myerscough , connecting Conrad with The Ohio Program whereby the American university land students an internship in the States , where he was able to work at Baltimore Country Club and Miami Beach ’ s La Gorce Country Club , “ which again , was amazing . I never thought I would be able to do that . I always wanted to travel , but to be part of , work and have a year somewhere was amazing .”
His favourite visit though , was the next six months spent in New Zealand :
“ That ’ s one of my favourite places . New Zealand was unbelievable . Personally , I would love to move there .”
Returning back to the UK developed his armoury even further . First , he worked on a golf course , “ which again was good because I had worked at all of these professional venues , and then I found myself at a normal golf club ”, before moving to Hurlingham .
“ There was nothing available at Wimbledon . I moved to Hurlingham Club where they have grass tennis courts and croquet , to gain that experience , so when a job did come up here , I was in a really good position .”
A vast career that has crossed cities and conquered sport : football , cricket , golf , and tennis . A Tour de Grounds , and Conrad had this advice for those starting out in their careers :
“ Youngers , definitely travel and gain experience .
“ I wish I had done this earlier ! I wish I had come out of school and did my National Diploma . I could have travelled more . As I got older it was difficult because it became harder visa-wise . Because I would have loved to go to Europe as well .”
Despite his array of industry experience , Conrad still has a bucket list that spurs him on . “ I would love to and have always wanted to , although it ’ s expensive , go to Scandinavia .”
“ I have heard people who have gone and done it , and they loved it . When I look back and see the photos of New Zealand and I see the mountains in the background . Golf courses in Norway that have forests in the background . That kind of stuff , that ’ s what I love about it .”
Wimbledon may not house hectares of forest similar to those that steal the scene in Scandinavia , but our special mix of grass courts with ivy walls and hydrangeas adjacent , are just as magical . The Championships has seen generations come and go . Each with their own momentous rivalries , triumphant feats , and heroic defeats . Historic and career-defining moments of unexpected that have taken place on the world ’ s most prestigious tennis stage .
Unimaginable to picture those moments without the two-tone lawn green customary backdrop with which Wimbledon is intrinsically linked . Our English country garden setting has been the ‘ always ’ of Wimbledon since its formation . Something Conrad is acutely aware of .
18 GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | May / June 2024