A passion for golf ….ever considered a career as a greenkeeper?

St Andrews Links is internationally recognised the world over as the ‘Home of Golf’. The most renown golfing landscape in the world, it’s the place where the game began and has been developed and nurtured for over six centuries.

The Open Championship is scheduled to take place on the Old Course, St Andrews Links from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th July 2010 at which the world's greatest golfers will battle for the famous Claret Jug. It will also see the famous 17th ‘Road Hole’, possibly the most famous hole in golf, lengthened for the first time in over 100 years. Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries represents the horticulture, landscaping and sports turf industry, and helps ensure that Scotland has the right skills to keep our golf courses in tip-top condition. Willie Fergusson, National Director for Scotland said: “Greenkeepers play a vital role in golf course maintenance and management, and carry out a range of tasks to make sure the course is maintained to the highest possible standard. Golf course maintenance is essential to any golf programme or club, that’s why it’s important to make sure that the people caring for these courses for the right skills.” Gordon McKie, Course Manager, Old Course, St Andrew’s Links said: “The greenkeeping industry has grown over the years and it is essential that we continue to produce high quality training for the younger members of the industry, so we maintain the high standards that are being achieved at this moment. All of my staff have been through some form of training qualification over the years and it certainly makes my job easier when the staff are trained to high standards. With The Open Championship coming up it is reassuring that we have highly competent and professional staff, who are able to deal with the pressures of hosting the most famous golfing tournament in the world.“ A new Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 5) in horticulture is now available; this qualification is a great platform for developing a career in horticulture, encompassing parks and green space, historic and botanic gardens, landscaping, sports turf and production horticulture. With training courses and qualifications available at all levels to allow ambitious and enthusiastic individuals work towards becoming a greenkeeper, there’s something for everybody. Willie continued: “If the environment is your love, conservation and ecology are at the heart of a greenkeeper’s role. Flora and fauna are to be found on golf courses, and as a greenkeeper you will be a custodian of the natural environment. There has never been a better time for a career in the sports turf industry. With approximately 550 golf clubs across Scotland, most employing between 5 and 10 greenkeepers, there are always openings for new staff. It’s a rewarding career with a healthy lifestyle, which could also take you across the world.” To find out more about greenkeeping contact David Golding, Greenkeepers’ Training Committee on 01347 838640 or the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA) on 01347 833800. Specific information regarding careers in the environmental and land-based sector can be found at www.afuturein.com and relevant course information at www.lantraonestopshop.co.uk. Alternatively you can call 0845 707 8007 for further assistance. ENDS ISSUED BY: Lantra Press Office - Paula Smyth, Marketing, Communications and Project Co-ordinator, Tel: 028 7963 1304 or email ni.media@lantra.co.uk. CREDIT FOR PHOTO: St Andrew’s Golf Course EDITORS NOTES: • Lantra is an employer-led organisation which is licensed by the UK government to drive forward the skills, training and business development agenda for the 17 industries in the sector. The industries represented are: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; environmental conservation; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; land-based engineering; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing.

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