Getting to know... Chris Gardner

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Chris Gardner, golf manager at Bentham Golf Course, based in High Bentham, near Lancaster, talks about what drew him to the fairways, the joy - and challenges - of working in the Yorkshire Dales and time spent representing his county and the North of England at clay pigeon shooting...

We know you as the golf manager at Bentham Golf Course, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

For most of my school years, I probably struggled to find inspiration for what I wanted to do career-wise.

That all changed when I was 17, when I came across the highly frustrating sport of golf.

I’m naturally competitive, but mostly with myself, and golf really brought that out of me.

After a few years of playing, I completely fell in love with the sport and knew I wanted to build a career in golf.

Did you always want to work in golf?

Not always, but once I found it, there was no turning back.

After finishing sixth form at Ripley St Thomas’s, in Lancaster, I enrolled on a foundation degree in golf coaching through UCLan, based at Myerscough College.

After completing the two-year foundation degree, I stayed on for a third year and graduated with a BSc (Hons) in 2014.

Even then, I didn’t have a clear plan, but that same year a role as a golf shop assistant came up at Bentham Golf Course, and that’s where everything really started.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part is definitely the environment.

I’m lucky to work in a beautiful part of the world, with a great team around me and fantastic owners in the Marshall family.

No two days are ever quite the same, and there’s a real sense of pride in seeing the course and the business continue to grow.

If I had to pick a downside, it would be the weather.

Being in the Yorkshire Dales, you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get, and that can make for some quiet winter days.

That said, it does give us time to prepare for the season ahead, so there’s always a silver lining.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

I’m a very proud dad, but I’d probably say my greatest personal achievement is building our family home.

My family has lived on the same property for more than 100 years, and my son is now the seventh generation to call it home.

Building the house during COVID-19 was stressful at times, but we managed to complete it within two years and moved in during 2021.

It’s still a work in progress, but I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created and very grateful to the family and friends who helped us along the way.

How do you relax outside of work?

Most of my time outside work revolves around family life, fitness and golf.

One of the first things we included when designing the house was a home gym, which has been a great investment.

I’m in there around five times a week, mainly weight training, and it’s a good way to switch off.

Golf still plays a big part too, although these days it’s more when time and weather allow.

I’ll get out when I can during the summer, but in winter I’m more than happy staying indoors in the golf studio with the heater on.

What makes Bentham Golf Course such a great place to work?

It’s the balance we’ve created.

Bentham offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere alongside a really high-quality golf experience.

The course itself has come on massively in recent years, thanks in no small part to our head greenkeeper Shaun Conway.

We’ve also worked hard to develop the wider offering and find new ways to bring the club to life for members and visitors.

The Three Peaks Golf Festival has been a huge part of that.

It’s given us the opportunity to showcase not just Bentham, but the wider area and the brilliant golf on our doorstep.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

Before golf took over, I was heavily involved in clay pigeon shooting.

My family runs a shooting ground that’s been going for more than 40 years, and I competed from a young age.

I represented the North of England at the British Open at Bisley in 2009, and also shot for Lancashire on several occasions.

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