Surveying and golfing. The parallels and the parable…

The British sporting calendar has always been something to behold. The richness, the variance and the history. Like so many my love of football dominates my sporting year. However, in my eyes the British sporting calendar really comes into its own post FA Cup and into the summer months. Henley, Ascot, Wimbledon, Test Cricket, Golf Open.

Days like today, especially with two major events being held on our doorstep here in the North West (151st Open Golf Championship at The Royal Liverpool, Hoylake and the 4th Ashes Test, Old Trafford, Manchester) it’s hard, even for the non-sports fans not to get drawn into the atmosphere and exciting it brings to our respective cities. Sprinkle in some global events, like the Tour de France, Formula 1, Women’s Football World Cup and the feast of sport engulfs.

For me, these sports provide the less frequent opportunity to immerse myself in the game and fully enjoy the competition. None more so than the British Golf Open here in Merseyside. Watching leading professionals battle the crater bunkers on Hoylake’s 18th hole with varying results, exposed how much it really is a sport where you are out there on your own. The mental, professional aptitude along with skills required is perhaps like no other.

I recall a piece of advice from my old university tutor ahead of my surveying final exams; “build your strengths and forget your weaknesses”. Something I took onboard with revision, and to select the right exam questions, and in the right order to ensure I scored points to get a decent degree, which at the time was essential to land any chance of getting a graduate surveying job.  Looking at this advice in a sporting context, it can be applied to many sporting roles and, my point here, surveying roles and career progression. Not however for golf, where an all-round game is essential. Tee shots, drives, long-game irons, short-game irons, bunkers shots and putting all carrying equal importance. I know for one Justin Thomas would have liked to have “outsourced” his bunker shots yesterday!

Within the property world and the surveying profession in particular, our RICS training aligns to golf where you have to attain all-round skills to achieve professional status. Even if you are stating to forge a sector specialism, the Institution requires core competencies and a broad grounding. Once at this level of experience and qualification, your outlook can revert to the ‘play to your strengths’ principle, or perhaps more pertinently ‘play to your interests’ outlook.

At present, several candidates I am working with are seeking counsel in this very area. How can I start to form a specialism? How can I edge away from some duties in my discipline I enjoy less? Do I need to keep practicing my putting when I really want to be on the driving range! Property with its range of roles, property types, and employer types really can afford the opportunities.

If you are seeking similar advice and guidance as a property professional, or an employer seeking resource to enhance you team feel free to draw upon my knowledge…just not for your golf game!

I look forward to discussing all things property and sports with you.

Christian Lawrence, MRICS

Director | Property & Construction at Resourcery Group

Tel:     07553 062 007

Email: christian.lawrence@resourcerygroup.com