The search for the UK’s brightest emerging talent in the golf greenkeeping industry is now on. The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), American manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment, Toro and Reesink Turfcare, Toro’s UK distributor, has joined forces to launch their annual competition.
The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awardsare a nationwide competition to uncover the best student greenkeepers from among the ranks of BIGGA members.
Application forms are available on the BIGGA website and the deadline for applications is 24 May 2019. Regional interviews will take place from 1 – 12 July 2019 and the national final will take place at BIGGA’s HQ in York from
9 -10 September 2019.
Two awards are up for grabs, with the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award entering its 31styear and open to all greenkeeping students studying for eligible qualifications. The other award is the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year, available to greenkeeping students aged 20 and under.
Scholarship to US up for grabs
The winner of the main award will head to the University of Massachusetts for a six-week scholarship to study winter turf management, while the winner of the Young Student award will earn a two-week work experience placement at the exclusive Vidaubin Club in the South of France, in addition to a Continue to Learn package at BIGGA’s annual turf management exhibition each January.
Prizes are also up for grabs for the runners-up in each category, while those who nominate or endorse the applications of the winning students– who can be course managers, head greenkeepers or college tutors – also receive a major prize.
Apply via BIGGA website
Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year, 2018 Daniel Ashelby of The Mere Golf Resort says: “Right up until the announcement, I just felt very calm, but then when they read my name, my heart just started going crazy!
“I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived for the final and I thought I’d be walking into a room with six Master Greenkeepers. But you meet people who are at the same level as you and they are just very passionate, dedicated people. Its a fantastic experience and Id recommend it to anyone!”
Winner of the won the Young award, 2018 Danny Patten says: “I applied for the competition through the BIGGA website and was nominated by my course manager, Jon McMullen. The reason I applied for the awards was to see where I was, compared to other greenkeepers of a similar age and qualifications.
“If I had one bit of advice for any young greenkeepers who are looking to give their career a big boost or to get recognised for their work, I would say you won’t get a better chance than the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards.”
David Cole, Managing Director of awards sponsor Reesink Turfcare, adds: “The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award has stood the test of time and is as relevant today, over 30 years since its inception, in a world now filled with sponsored awards.
“The introduction of the ‘Young’ category, entering its fourth year, helped reinvigorate the original intentions of this pioneering programme. Whichever award they enter, this is the start of an exciting journey for our 2019 nominees.”
For more information about Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year or to enter the awards, visit https://www.bigga.org.uk/education/toro-student-greenkeeper-of-the-year.html
Image: 2018 winners Daniel Patten and Daniel Ashelby. Credit: Jonathan Pow/jp@jonathanpow.com