Head Greenkeeper Profile

If our course looks as if it's in the care of someone who really knows what he is doing, it's no coincidence.  Our Head Greenkeeper, Derek McJannet, is a man who sees a golf course through two sets of eyes.

His first perspective is that of an expert greenkeeper.  But his second appraisal is through the eyes of an expert player, being a scratch golfer who was British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) Champion Golfer of the year in 2009.

His greenkeeping expertise is one reason why our course attracts so many visiting parties and county fixtures.  It was the choice for the inaugural Derbyshire County Council Chairman's Golf Day in 2010 and in 2011hosted the Derbyshire Ladies County Championship. 

Derek learned his skills at Sherwood GC and gained an HNC in Greenkeeping and Sports Turf Management from Brackenhurst College, part of Nottingham Trent University.  He's proud that his team's efforts contribute to Matlock's popularity.

As a player, he developed his prowess in classic golfing country – Ayrshire in his native Scotland, where he played at Ballochmyle and Turnberry and was a county player.  Since moving south in the mid-80s, he has represented Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire and collected three individual county titles.  He has been a scratch or better player for 23 years, being +2 at his peak.

His 2009 BIGGA triumph was achieved against a strong field over the Somerset links of Burnham & Berrow and he has mounted credible challenges since, with a top-10 finish in 2010.  In his campaigns to reclaim his trophy, he takes with him the full support of the members at Matlock GC.  We recognise that, in Derek, we have the benefit of two experts in one!