THE former greenkeeper of a golf club claims he has been left so traumatised by his treatment over 13 years he can no longer watch the sport.

Steve Blackwell, 61 worked at Maldon Golf Club from 2001 to 2014, progressing from assistant to head greenkeeper in 2005.

He was dismissed by the club’s management committee on August 19 for gross misconduct, stating he had become unmanageable.

Mr Blackwell had previously submitted a grievance to the club, claiming he had been put under immense pressure to maintain the course whilst having his hours and staff reduced.

He also claimed the club had not allowed him to appeal his expulsion as an honorary member, and were dismissive when he appealed his firing, and as a result of the last few years of employment had been put under great stress, anxiety and depression.

Mr Blackwell filed for unfair dismissal against Maldon Golf Club, and an employment tribunal was heard in East London in August 2015, with the judge ruling in his favour.

As part of the ruling, Mr Blackwell was awarded an undisclosed fee from the club.

This year, he reached an out of court settlement with the club over his claims of anxiety and depression caused by his working conditions, where further compensation was awarded.

Despite everything now being settled, father-of-two Mr Blackwell, of Wood Road, Heybridge, claims the process deeply affected him and his family, and he can no longer enjoy the sport.

Mr Blackwell said: “No amount of money will replace the career they ruined or the loss of playing with friends and family at the club I loved and was so passionate about.

“I can’t play, or even watch the golf anymore, if it comes onto the TV it brings it all back and I have to change the channel.

“I have my dignity in tact in knowing that I won both my tribunal for ‘Unfair dismissal’ and my ‘work related stress’ case against them.

“With the money I bought my new motorbike, had some well-deserved holidays, made some home improvements and gave my children some treats for what they had been put through as this affected my whole family.”

The Standard put Mr Blackwell’s claims and the verdict of his tribunal to Maldon Golf Club.

A spokesman responded: “Maldon Golf Club do not comment on matters relating to individual members of staff or former staff.”