THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOREWORD
A key pillar of The R&A strategy is to preserve and sustain the game for future generations. Our investments into the game are increasingly linked to the provision of affordable facilities on which to play. The current climate of growing economic and environmental challenges demands that golf courses be developed and managed in a sustainable manner. For this to happen, the industry needs well qualified greenkeepers which, in turn, is dependent on continued investment in education and training. The R&A has operated its Greenkeeping Scholarship Programme since 2004, during which time we have supported over 272 scholars from 27 different countries. We continue to be both impressed and delighted with the calibre of individuals coming through the programme and, furthermore, we believe that the standard of employment being secured by R&A greenkeeping scholars is testament to the value of our ongoing support.
Martin Slumbers Chief Executive, The R&A
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 3 THE PROGRAMME
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2004 TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO HIGH ACHIEVING STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PROFESSIONAL TURF MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS.
Through close co-operation with selected educational establishments and via a rigorous selection process, The R&A has been able to continually identify the most deserving students to receive scholarships each year.
Beyond the direct financial assistance which is available, Scholars also gain access to a number of exclusive networking and continuing professional development opportunities which further enhance industry exposure and employability.
Since the programme’s inception, 272 scholars from 27 different countries have been supported, equating to an investment by The R&A of over £0.7 million.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 5 NEVILLE MY STORY WENHOLD
2008/09 Mooinooi Golf Club, SOUTH AFRICA South Africa Student Greenkeeper FOUNDATION DEGREE,
2009/12 NC and HNC, SPORTSTURF Elmwood College R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLAR 2009-2013 2009/10 Awarded R&A Greenkeeping Scholarship and International Student of the Year
2010 St Andrews Links Trust CURRENT POSITION: GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT, Student Greenkeeper LEOPARD CREEK COUNTRY CLUB, MALELANE, SOUTH AFRICA
2010/11 Awarded International In 2009 moved from South Africa to The R&A gave me the opportunity to Student of the Year Scotland and enrolled in a course at volunteer at the 2014 HSBC Ladies Elmwood College. Receiving an R&A Championship in Sentosa golf club, 2011 The Gary Player Country Greenkeeping Scholarship early into my Singapore. I was thrilled after the same Club, South Africa programme of study helped enormously year to be awarded a Gold-badge from Assistant Greenkeeper with the cost of studying overseas. I the R&A. return to South Africa in 2011 and Sun 2012 Lost City Golf Course, City resort, during my time at Sun City I In 2016 I return to South Africa and take South Africa was privileged to grow into Golf course on the role as golf course Superintendent Course Manager Receiving an R&A Greenkeeping manger positions both at the Lost City at Leopard Creek country club. A and Gary Player courses. The time a championship course often rated in the 2013 Foundation Degree world’s top 100 courses and the best in SA. Scholarship helped enormously in Sportsturf Science, Sun City was amazing, I gained valuable Myerscough College Tournament experience by hosting with the cost of studying overseas various events including the Nedbank The opportunity given to me by The R&A over the past 8 years has really meant a 2013/14 The Gary Player Country Golf Challenge. I have been delighted and also provided tremendous Club, South Africa to continue my education, and my R&A lot, enabling me to network globally with Golf Course Manager Greenkeeping Scholarship, through the specialists in the industry, while also helping opportunities for professional online Foundation Degree in Sportsturf me to successfully secure my current position at one of South Africa’s best 2014 The Desert Group, Dubai at Myerscough College. networking. Company Agronomist golf courses. Being an R&A greenkeeping In 2014 I took up the role as scholar has made it possible for me to live my dream of becoming turf specialist in 2016 Leopard Creek Country Club, Agronomist with the Desert Group in South Africa Dubai (UAE). South Africa.” Golf Course Superintendant
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 7 RICHARD MY STORY ALLISON
2004 BSc Environmental Science, SCOTLAND University of Stirling HND, GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 2008/09 Kasturi College, Malaysia I wouldn’t be English Lecturer R&A GREENKEEPING Teaching English as SCHOLAR 2010-2012 in this position a foreign language without the 2009/10 Higher National Diploma, The R&A. Elmwood College CURRENT POSITION: CERTIFICATION MANAGER - FACILITIES 2010/11 Awarded R&A GOLF ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION, SCOTLAND Greenkeeping Scholarship “Before beginning to study for a The opportunities and networking
2010 Merchiston Castle qualification in golf course management available from being an R&A scholar and School, Edinburgh at SRUC Elmwood, the College told the confidence this instils is completely Seasonal Groundsman me about the The R&A Greenkeeping invaluable. It’s something you can lean on Scholarship Programme and I applied for the rest of your career and wherever immediately. As I only had about 6 you may end up in the world there 2010 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Kingsbarns months experience in turf management will probably be another R&A scholar Greenkeeping Team at the time, I didn’t think I stood a somewhere close by. chance. Being successfully selected just went to show that the programme really I now work for the Golf Environment 2011 The Golf House Club, Elie is open to anyone and that there are no Organization, helping clubs all over the Seasonal Greenkeeper barriers if you are motivated to achieve. world bring sustainability to their daily management and become recognised as I know for sure that the scholarship positive environmental and community 2012 Golf Environment Organization, provided me with the inspiration to assets. I wouldn’t be in this position Certification Manager - continue studying to HND level. without the help of The R&A.” Facilities
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 9 WHAT DOES A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP OFFER?
UPON SUCCESSFULLY BEING AWARDED WITH AN R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP, CANDIDATES BECOME ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A NUMBER OF UNIQUE BENEFITS INCLUDING:
A direct financial contribution towards education fees The chance to take part in a special study visit to Askernish Golf Club on the Isle of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland The opportunity to assist the greenkeeping team in the run up to, and during, The Open Championship A behind the scenes tour on-site at The Open Championship The opportunity to assist the greenkeeping teams at various European Tour events An annual professional networking event at BTME Harrogate Access to dedicated digital communications platforms shared by current and past R&A greenkeeping scholars around the globe
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 11 ASKERNISH STUDY VISIT Quite unlike anything I’ve EACH YEAR A GROUP OF R&A ever experienced GREENKEEPING SCHOLARS ARE SELECTED TO TAKE PART before! IN A WEEK LONG STUDY VISIT TO ASKERNISH WHERE INDUSTRY EXPERTS LEAD FOCUS SESSIONS ON GREENKEEPING, COURSE ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.
Located on the south west coast of the Isle of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, and originally designed by Old Tom Morris in 1891, Askernish golf course has a past steeped in history and tradition. Situated within one of Europe’s rarest and most sensitive types of natural habitat known as ‘machair’, the golf course is a living example of how golf and the environment can exist in harmony with one another.
As a unique opportunity to experience golf course management in its purest and original form, many past scholars have noted how influential the visit has been on shaping their own attitudes and ideas about their work.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 13 DIANA MY STORY BANGO
2002 Universidad Politécnica, SPAIN Madrid, Spain Technical Agricultural HNC, GOLF COURSE Engineering Degree MANAGEMENT
R&A GREENKEEPING 2015 E.A.D.E. Estudios Universitarios SCHOLAR 2016-2017 Málaga, Spain Master Degree in Head Greenkeeper This was an opportunity
2015/16 Centro Nacional Golf Course in my career, not only for Spanish Royal Golf Federation CURRENT POSITION: SEASONAL GREENKEEPER, the economic help for Greenkeeper ST ANDREWS LINKS TRUST, ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND
my studies, but also for 2016 SRUC Elmwood Campus “ In 2015, I started my Greenkeeping During the HNC course I applied for HNC Golf Course studies by doing a Masters Degree an R&A Scholarship, which was granted giving me the possibility Management in Head Greenkeeper at EADE, to me. This was an opportunity in Universidad de Málaga, Spain. At the my career, not only for the economic same time I had the opportunity to help for my studies, but also for giving for my professional 2016 Kingsbarns Golf Links Voluntary Greenkeeper develop my practical skills at The me the possibility for my professional development. Alfred Dunhill Championship Spanish Federation of Golf (RFEG) in development in the different the National Center of Golf in Madrid. championships existing around the The RFEG offered me the opportunity world and to participate in the annual 2016 Awarded R&A to continue my training at SRUC congress of BIGGA in Harrogate Greenkeeping Scholarship Elmwood Campus in Scotland, which enhancing my learning in a very broad was a great challenge for me, and and global way.”
2016 St Andrews Links which I accepted immediately. Voluntary Greenkeeper From August 2016 to April 2017 I was a full-time student at Elmwood HNC, 2017 St Andrews Links having the opportunity to volunteer at Seasonal Greenkeeper the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship within the team at Kingsbarns with greenkeepers from around the world.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 15 ADAM MY STORY NEWTON
2002/03 Assistant Professional ENGLAND York Golf Club BSC HONS TURFGRASS SCIENCE 2003/08 Assistant Greenkeeper at Fulford Golf Club R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLAR 2011-2014
2008/12 1st Assistant Greenkeeper at Fulford Golf Club
2012/17 Turfgrass Agronomist, CURRENT POSITION: TURFGRASS AGRONOMIST, STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) SPORTS TURF RESEARCH INSTITUTE, ENGLAND
“ I started playing golf at 9 years old In 2012, I became a Turfgrass Agronomist 2008/11 FdSc Sports Turf Science and immediately loved the game. at STRI and now advise at golf clubs across I became an assistant professional the UK and am part of the agronomy before taking a job greenkeeping at team at The Open and at other R&A 2011 Awarded R&A Fulford Golf Club and was fascinated events. I also occasionally work overseas Greenkeeping Scholarship by the intricacies of managing turf. I and in other sports, such as the 2014 FIFA soon became intrigued by the science World Cup in Brazil.
I am hugely proud of 2012 February – R&A Scholars involved in greenkeeping and started trip to St Andrews a foundation degree and subsequently I am hugely proud of being an R&A being an R&A Scholar. gained a 1st class honours degree in Scholar and very thankful to the R&A. July – R&A Scholars trip to turfgrass science. It has provided me with some fantastic, The Open at Royal Lytham unique opportunities which have helped It has provided me with St Annes During my studies I was lucky extend my knowledge, progress my career September – R&A Scholars enough to receive an R&A scholarship. and meet some great people.” some fantastic, unique trip to Askernish I attended scholar’s trips to St Andrews, opportunities which The Open and Askernish GC which were fantastic experiences and 2011/13 BSc Hons Degree in have helped extend my Turfgrass Science I learnt many valuable lessons about sustainable and traditional knowledge and progress greenkeeping. 2013 Awarded Martyn Jones award my career.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 17 WORKING AT THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP A true once-in-a-lifetime AS GOLF’S OLDEST MAJOR, THE OPEN experience. CHAMPIONSHIP IS THE R&A’S FLAGSHIP EVENT WHICH DRAWS THE BEST PLAYERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO COMPETE FOR GOLF’S MOST COVETED PRIZE; THE CLARET JUG.
Watched by millions of fans around the world and recognised as the truest test of links golf, the courses which host the Championship are always prepared and presented by adhering rigorously to the principles of best practice management. This is made possible through the continued commitment and professionalism of the greenkeeping team at each year’s Open venue.
A small group of R&A greenkeeping scholars are provided with the unique opportunity to work with the greenkeeping team in both the run up to and throughout the Championship, in what many have called a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many past scholars have also subsequently noted the interest from employers that has been generated from having this involvement with The Open Championship on their CV.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 19 WORKING AT EUROPEAN TOUR EVENTS
THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH THE EUROPEAN TOUR, A SELECT NUMBER OF R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARS ARE ALSO OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AT VARIOUS EVENTS, INCLUDING:
SMBC Singapore Open, Sentosa Club, Singapore
The BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth Club, England
The Alstom Open de France, Le Golf National, Paris, France
RICOH British Women’s Open, Kingsbarns, Scotland
Rolex Series Nedbank Golf Challenge, Sun City, South Africa
With the greenkeeping industry increasingly expanding across a global market, past scholars have emphasised the enormous value that can be derived from gaining work experience overseas. Being able to combine foreign travel with some of the highest profile events in the competition calendar adds further excitement to the opportunities available to scholars.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 21 KRISTEL MY STORY MULLE-VAIK
2004/09 Niitvälja Golf Course, ESTONIA Estonia Seasonal Greenkeeper HNC, GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
2009/14 Niitvälja Golf Course, R&A GREENKEEPING Estonia SCHOLAR 2014-2015 Deputy Head Greenkeeper
2012 SRUC Elmwood Campus HNC Golf Course Management CURRENT POSITION: COURSE MANAGER, NIITVÄLJA GOLF COURSE, ESTONIA 2014 Awarded R&A The support and Greenkeeping Scholarship “In 2004, after studying tourism and My responsibilities in Niitvälja Golf cover networking is priceless. greenkeeping in Finland, I started work all aspects of greenkeeping, ensuring that 2014 Estonian Greenkeepers at Niitvälja Golf course, Estonia which the course is always in the best possible I would have never met Association is the oldest course in the Baltic States, condition for play. Over the years I have General Manager as a seasonal greenkeeper, becoming learned many aspects of greenkeeping Deputy Head Greenkeeper in 2009. and what it takes to have a good team as many people without by your side to manage the golf course. 2014 RICOH Women´s In 2012 I started studying online Golf being an R&A scholar. British Open Royal Birkdale Volunteer Greenkeeper Course Management with SRUC I can´t stress enough how proud I am Elmwood, graduating three years later. to be a part of the R&A Scholars family. The support and networking is priceless. 2014 Niitvälja Golf Course, 2014 was a revolutionary year for me I would have never met as many people Estonia when I became a Course Manager and without being a Scholar and there´s Course Manager was awarded an R&A Greenkeeping always the opportunity to ask advice or Scholarship. Also in 2014 I was a share ideas.” founding member of the Estonian Greenkeepers Association which I now manage.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 23 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
AS THE GLOBAL GOVERNING BODY FOR GOLF OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, THE R&A IS AN ORGANISATION WHICH HOLDS A VERY SPECIAL POSITION IN THE GAME, BEING ABLE TO TRACE BACK OVER 250 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS HISTORY.
Being awarded an R&A Greenkeeping Scholarship is a special privilege which marks the recipient as an ambassador of The R&A and an exemplar of what the scholarship programme represents. The selection process for the programme is rigorous and is targeted at identifying those students with a strong commitment to academic excellence. This must be coupled with a passion for learning and a desire to develop both personally and professionally through the opportunities which being a scholar provides.
As the golf course management industry faces growing global challenges, being able to identify and support the next generation of greenkeeping professionals who have both the capability and enthusiasm to drive positive future change remains a priority for The R&A.
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 25 HOW DO I BECOME AN R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLAR?
THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE PROGRAMME TAKES PLACE ANNUALLY, CONSISTING OF A STAGGERED PROCESS OF APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW. THE DECISION TO AWARD A SCHOLARSHIP IS BASED ON A NUMBER OF CRITERIA INCLUDING:
Academic performance
Career aspirations
Extra-curricular industry involvement
Individual situation
Tutor recommendation and support
There are various levels of support available depending upon individual circumstances. To enquire about your eligibility to apply for an R&A Greenkeeping Scholarship, please contact [email protected]
THE R&A GREENKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME | 27 The R&A, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 9JD telephone: +44 (0)1334 460 000 fax: +44 (0)1334 460 001 [email protected] RandA.org TheOpen.com