Experience that adds real value
For distributors in the turfcare industry, technical product knowledge is essential. But for companies like Reesink Turfcare, true value comes from combining that knowledge with hands-on experience on the ground.
Before joining Reesink, Rob Hogarth spent more than three decades working in golf course management, giving him extensive practical knowledge of turf maintenance and course operations. In his role as Reesink’s Dealer Development and Key Account Manager for the North, Rob provides a powerful bridge between manufacturer and customer – bringing practical insight and a deeper understanding of the everyday realities faced by greenkeeping teams.
Rob Hogarth, Reesink’s Dealer Development and Key Account Manager for the North (left) and Darren Anderson, Dealer Development and Key Account Manager for the South.
Credibility that opens conversations
In the turfcare sector, trust matters. Course managers and greenkeepers operate under constant pressure – from weather, budgets, members and staffing challenges. When they speak to someone who has been in their position, the conversation changes.
For Rob, that shared experience immediately creates a connection. “Other greenkeepers know that I understand their challenges because I’ve lived it,” he explains.
That credibility helps remove barriers. When course managers learn about his background, they often become more open about the issues they are facing – whether operational, financial or technical.
“In most cases the moment a course manager understands my background, they relax and open up with the problems they may have been experiencing,” he says. “They just like talking to one of their own.”
Greenkeeping can be an isolated role, particularly for course managers responsible for large facilities with limited teams. Having someone who understands those pressures can make discussions far more productive.
Understanding the real challenges on the course
Many of the issues faced by golf clubs today are complex and interconnected. Staffing shortages, budget limitations, pest pressures and unpredictable weather all impact course management decisions.
According to Rob, staffing shortages in particular are becoming one of the biggest operational challenges.
“Staffing, or rather the lack of it, seems to top the list,” he says, noting that robotic and autonomous equipment can help clubs maintain standards with smaller teams.
Because he has experienced these pressures himself, Rob doesn’t need long explanations to understand the situation.
“No one has to explain it to me — I get it,” he says. “I’ve lived it.”
That practical perspective allows him to approach discussions differently from a traditional sales process. Instead of focusing purely on machinery features, he focuses on the operational needs of the course and the people maintaining it.
Recommending solutions – not just selling machinery
A key advantage of having a former course manager within a distributor’s team is the ability to recommend machinery based on real-world application rather than purely technical specifications.
Rob’s approach is simple but effective: observe, listen and understand the course before making any recommendations. In many cases, that understanding comes from spending time on site with the course manager, walking the course and seeing the challenges firsthand. Once he has done that, solutions often become clear.
This practical insight can lead to solutions that might not be immediately obvious. For example, Rob recalls situations where traditional tee mowers were simply too large for smaller, historic courses with compact tee boxes.
Instead of forcing a standard solution, he suggested an alternative approach based on something that had worked during his own course management career: a greens mower fitted with a three-wheel-drive kit and grooved tyres. The result was a machine better suited to tighter turning circles and more delicate turf conditions.
Helping clubs make better long-term decisions
For golf clubs operating within tight financial constraints, machinery investment decisions carry long-term consequences. Choosing the wrong specification or underpowered equipment can create maintenance problems and shorten machine lifespan.
Rob’s experience allows him to guide clubs toward more sustainable decisions. “Buying the correct pieces of equipment with the correct spec is a start,” he explains. “If something works well in the correct space, it will operate better and smoother for longer.”
Conversely, compromising too heavily on budget can sometimes create larger costs down theline.
“If you place an underpowered machine into an environment just because it fits the budget it will struggle, then you will most likely be replacing that piece of equipment in two years rather than five.”
This kind of insight helps clubs balance performance, durability and cost — ensuring machinery investments deliver long-term value rather than short-term savings.
Bridging the gap between distributor and end user
Perhaps one of the most valuable roles played by experienced turf professionals within a distributor is their ability to understand both sides of the relationship. Having spent decades as an end user before joining the distribution side of the industry, Rob is uniquely positioned to translate customer needs into meaningful solutions.
“I can see it from both sides of the fence,” he says. “I understand the demands placed on the end user and can better communicate this to the distributor.”
This perspective strengthens relationships with golf clubs and ensures that recommendations are grounded in real operational experience.
For Reesink, having that expertise within the business reinforces its commitment to being a partner rather than simply a distributor. As Rob puts it, success in the industry ultimately comes down to trust, relationships and knowledge of how golf clubs operate.
Experience that adds real value
Technical innovation continues to transform turfcare machinery, from advanced cutting technology to autonomous equipment. But the ability to apply those innovations effectively still depends on practical understanding.
By employing experienced professionals like Rob, Reesink ensures that its advice is grounded in real-world experience — helping customers navigate operational challenges, make smarter investments and ultimately maintain better playing surfaces.
Because sometimes, the most valuable expertise isn’t found in a brochure — it’s found in someone who has spent decades walking the fairways themselves.
Whether you’re a dealer looking to grow your business or a customer seeking tailored solutions, Rob is the go-to contact for trusted advice and practical support in the North of England from Cheshire and Lincolnshire up to Northumberland, as well as Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. You can contact him through Reesink HQ on 01480 226800.