EcoBunker has announced the appointment of Paul Larsen as a technical consultant. Larsen’s varied and interesting career started as a groundsman in the East End of London before leaving to become a postman with the Royal Mail. After working his way around the world, Larsen found his true calling in golf course maintenance and management.
A member of the Kent County golf team, Larsen already had a deep grounding in the game and its strategy, he added the key educational and practical skills enabling him to progress rapidly to senior positions. Starting at Sene Valley Golf Club, then Etchinhill and Royal St George’s (RSG), Larsen took his first leadership position at Westerpark Golf Club. Larsen then returned to RSG in 2011 as a deputy head greenkeeper.
Larsen was promoted to course manager in 2012, and led the club on a journey of sward conversion. The main goal was to bring fescue and the finer grasses back to the fine links of Sandwich. During this time Larsen converted the SSSI site from ‘unfavourable’ to ‘favourable’ status in one of the quickest times recorded by the Environment Agency. The fact that Larsen rates this as one of his most important achievements demonstrates his passion for ecology and the environment. During Larsen’s tenure, RSG hosted the Vagliano Trophy, British Ladies Amateur, Simpson Cup, The Amateur, Rose Ladies event and of course The Open in 2021.
Larsen oversaw many changes to the course and worked closely with many organisations including Natural England, The Environment Agency and the R&A. The course, in the opinion of the world’s best golfers was in the finest of conditions and this was achieved sustainably, working hand in hand with nature.
“I first met Paul at BTME 2016,” said Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker Ltd. “He visited our stand with his team from Royal St George’s and showed a great interest in what EcoBunker could provide. Paul, like me, was clearly passionate about sustainability and bunker construction and he had a project on his practice area that needed to be undertaken.
“We pulled together a deal in a couple of minutes, probably the fastest one I’ve ever done in Harrogate, and I think that’s an indication that we got on well. Over the years since we’ve bumped into each other several times, often enjoying a pint or two, and when Paul recently told me that he was planning to work as a consultant to several golf courses, I had no hesitation in asking him if he would have time for a role with EcoBunker Ltd. I was very glad to find out that he did.”
Paul will represent EcoBunker Ltd in the South East of England, based from his home in Kent, but he will also be looking to travel abroad as his network extends to Europe and beyond, with some enquiries already logged in and being processed. Clients everywhere will benefit from Larsen’s experience of working on heathland and parkland courses as well as, of course, classic links land, and with his particular passion for bunkers, he will seek and find a sustainable solution to any problem.
