I'm responsible for the day to day running of the course - from the upkeep of greens and fairways to purchasing machinery.

This year I've had to deal with an endless stream of people associated with this year's Open Championship, from tent suppliers from Belgium to TV companies from Japan and the USA!

How long have you been looking after golf courses?

I've been in charge at Muirfield for the last eight years. Before this I spent two years working at a club in Germany.

I went to Germany after serving my apprenticeship at Muirfield for 11 years previously.

The German experience fully prepared me for the top job that eventually became available here.

Was the German course very different?

It was an inland course rather than a links course like Muirfield.

They like wet conditions where the ball will hold up on the greens. Links courses are meant to be dry and fast-running.