Getting Personal with Richard Johnstone

Who are you? Richard Johnstone, Course Manager at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club.

Family status? Engaged to Jade Duffus for six months.

Who's your hero and why? Derek Roy, managed a golf course to the highest of standards for forty-nine years.

What would you change about yourself? Be more confident about my ability.

What's your guilty pleasure? Queen and Freddie Mercury music.

What's been the highlight of your career so far? BIGGA Patrons award winner 2014 and becoming Course Manager at my home club here at Nairn Dunbar.

Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? Jean Claude van Damme, Freddie Mercury and Billy Connolly.

What do you do in your spare time? Play golf.

Favourite record, and why? Psycho Killer by Talking Heads; it's just a quality track.

If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why? Gordon Moir - to experience managing the most famous golf course in the world.

Do you have any bad habits? Biting my finger nails.

... or any good ones? Always smiling.

Do you go to bed worrying about the next day's workload? No.

What are you reading at the moment? The Anatomy of a Golf Course: The Art of Golf Architecture by Tom Doak.

What are your pet peeves? Smoking, and people who tell lies.

If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be? Florida.

What's your favourite smell? Sunday roast.

What's the best part of your job? Working outside, preparing the course to the highest of standards on a daily basis and being
creative.

… and the worst? Cleaning ditches or trimming sprinkler heads.

Do you have a lifetime ambition? To become a course manager at a world class championship venue holding tournaments on a regular basis.

Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? My fiancé Jade - love her.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Travel round the world with my fiancé.

If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? A saxophone, as I am outgoing.

What's the best advice you have ever been given? Be your own man.

What's the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? "Is the course open?" - when under a foot of snow

What's your favourite piece of kit? Toro ProCore 648.

What three words would you use to describe yourself? Hard working, creative, team player.

What talent would you like to have? To play the guitar.

What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? Greenkeepers minimum salary to become mandatory.