Ruth Etches shines a light on the opportunities for women in greenkeeping
Recent figures from the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association show that fewer than one percent of members are women which is a situation Reesink is keen to shine a light on. The hope is that by promoting women’s experiences in the industry, it may inspire other women to join in.
Here we continue our conversation with Ruth Etches, a Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award finalist 2025. In our first article with Ruth we discussed her unconventional route into the profession and here we learn how she has found working in a traditionally male industry.
At Trentham Golf Club Ruth was treading into new territory when she joined the club in 2023. She was not only the club’s first and only female greenkeeper, but it was also the first time she’d ever been a greenkeeper! That could have felt like added pressure and while it was daunting says Ruth everyone was so welcoming.
“I have a customer services background and I think that’s helped,” she says. “As simple as it sounds, a smile and wave can break down barriers. I was worried about the physicality of the job, but once you have a baseline fitness, you find your own way of achieving the standards safely. That’s where I’ve been lucky with the team I have; they are still training me and they’re great at giving me tips and speaking up if they think I’m not doing something quite right. I love feedback, it’s how you learn and grow and challenge yourself to better. I’m also not afraid to ask a lot of questions either or ask for help. It’s important to speak up.”
In terms of encouraging more diversity within the sector, Ruth says exposure is key. “We need to keep showcasing the industry, seeing others do the job encourages people” she says.
“Gender stereotypes in jobs are changing, it’s changed in my working career alone but not enough in its entirety. It’s the big question of changing a cultural mindset. I think the availability of mentorship programmes such as The R&A Women in Golf Leadership programmes are important, but there’s room for the development of a greenkeeper specific one, to help foster inclusive training and recruitment. Education will always be important and changing the impression of the profession to be one, men or women, seek out. Exposure is key, but from the whole golf industry.”
When it comes to support outside of the workplace, Ruth confirms there are plenty of options. “There’s a ‘Women in Turfcare’ Facebook group which is a good source of support and networking for any woman within the turfcare industry. The R&A programme is a good way of diversifying your portfolio to branch across the golf industry as is attending the Women in Golf Awards. I still speak with some of the women from the awards, we follow each other’s progress on social media which is interesting and inspiring.”
Reesink is keen to help and support women in greenkeeping and we were keen to learn from Ruth how we and others like us in the industry can do more. Ruth says it’s all about time.
“Further ideas would gravitate around more opportunities to learn about machinery. For me, machinery is intimidating. Not knowing how something works, or understanding its function fuels that intimidation, so I need to push myself out of my comfort zone to do it. Maybe there could be an event or tour or time slot at BTME for women in greenkeeping to come along and see the latest technologies, listen to your experts to see how it works and why the innovations are important. But in terms of supporting women in greenkeeping, again, its visibility and helping build a profile and breakdown the gender stereotype within the profession.”
Ruth is keen to point out how big the golf industry is and how if you don’t fancy an outdoor job, there are plenty that aren’t! “The industry is vast! It ranges from: technical sales and support of machinery and equipment, maintenance, to sales and support of growing solutions and turf protection products, to agronomists, college tutors and roles within industry organisations such as BIGGA. There are many growth opportunities within a golf club too, notably that of a general manager role or club secretary. It’d be really limiting for the industry if girls and women thought the only roles are those involving 5am starts and being outdoors in all weathers – that’s definitely not the case!
If this article sparks an interest, Reesink would love to hear from you. We can help put women in touch with other women in the industry, recommend forums, apprenticeships, education options and clubs to talk to. There may even be an opening at Reesink HQ!