Five greenkeepers selected for Ryder Cup

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Jacobsen and BIGGA have chosen a team of Future Turf Manager Initiative (FTMI) graduates to join the course maintenance team for the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France.

One delegate from each FTMI in the past five years has been selected to volunteer at the event, with one more person due to be chosen from the FTMI class of 2018.

The chosen BIGGA members are:

1. Leigh Powell, Windlesham Golf Club (class of 2013)
2. Peter Moore, The Wentworth Club (2014)
3. Gavin Neill, St Andrews Links Trust (2015)
4. Richard Johnstone, Nairn Dunbar Golf Links (2016)
5. Adrian McCullough, JCB (2017).

Jacobsen and BIGGA have worked closely with Alejandro Reyes (pictured), golf courses and estates manager at Le Golf National, to provide this potentially career-defining opportunity for BIGGA members for the very first time.

Next year’s delegates were recently announced, and the 20 BIGGA members selected to take part will attend the three-day event at Jacobsen’s HQ in Ipswich from March 6 to 8, 2018.

Aimed at up and coming greenkeepers who want to make the leap to course manager, FTMI focuses on personal and professional development. The programme utilises the expertise of leading course managers, dynamic trainers and industry experts.

Alejandro and his team of approximately 30 greenkeepers have completed extensive renovation work in the lead up to hosting the event. This includes a brand-new drainage system capable of draining 90mm of surface water within three hours on all playable surfaces, and fibre optics have been installed for on-course connectivity and many holes have been completely renovated.

During the tournament 140 volunteers will be manicuring the golf course to ensure that the playing surfaces are in pristine condition.