Finalists revealed for Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year awards

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The following 12 student greenkeepers will contest the 29th Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and second Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year awards.

The awards enable BIGGA, turf maintenance equipment manufacturer Toro and distributor Reesink Turfcare to celebrate those talented student greenkeepers who are dedicating themselves to a career within the industry.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper finalists are:

Chloe Gallagher, Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club, Durham

Graham Hastie, Stoneham Golf Club, Southampton

Levi Pethick, Stoneham Golf Club, Southampton

Matthew Kitson, Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club, Richmond

Michael Budd, Westerham Golf Club, Kent

Nick Machin, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Kent.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper finalists are:

Angus Roberts, Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course, Scottish Borders

Joe Spadaccini, Scraptoft Golf Club, Leicester

Callum Done, Trump International Golf Links Scotland, Aberdeen

Christopher Clark, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Kent

Craig Woodman, Bramshaw Golf Club, Hampshire

Matthew Bowles, Kings Hill Golf Club, Kent.

The final will begin on Monday, September 11, where candidates will join an industry discussion group hosted by BIGGA Chairman Les Howkins.

Taken: 20th September 2016 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award presentation at BIGGA House, Aldwark, Alne, York, Photographer/Byline Dave Charnley Photography www.davecharnleyphotography.com

The finalists of the two awards will then undertake a variety of tasks, culminating in the awards presentation, which will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 12.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive an eight-week all expenses paid scholarship, including a six-week residential turf management study course at the University of Massachusetts, a trip to the Golf Industry Show and a visit to the Toro factory.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year, won last year by Dan Waring of Ashbourne, will receive a two-week all expenses paid work experience placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in the South of France. They will also receive a trip to Continue to Learn at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate next January and enjoy a five-night package that includes hotel, four days of education, travel and £125 expenses, plus a Toro training voucher.

The two winners in 2016 (Dan Waring and Jimmy Heritage)

The runners-up of each award will also receive a training package for BTME 2018.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “There are many talented people joining our industry, choosing greenkeeping as a career and investing in education to do so. The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year process is a brilliant way of recognising the individuals who will shape this industry for years to come.

“Our thanks go to Toro and Reesink Turfcare for their ongoing support of what has long been a highlight of the greenkeeping calendar for BIGGA and its members.”

Last year’s winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award was Jimmy Heritage, of Maylands in Essex. He said: “My life has been changed by the whole Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year process. I’ve met some incredible people, done some incredible things and gained a mass of knowledge and confidence along the way. There hasn’t been a day since returning that I haven’t used something I gained from it all.”