“Then it hit me! I was going in
there, to take care of the President’s Green! If my friends could see me now!”
President of the United States’ personal putting green! All the general maintenance is carried out by the White House groundstaff, but any major renovation, i.e. hollow coring, top dressing or fertilising is carried out by the staff of RTJ. All the time we were so busy on the golf course I never gave a thought to the White House green until, one day, I was asked to submit all my details for a security check as I was going to the White House the following Friday! This is just one way that Ohio State Univesity make the whole experience so much more memorable for each intern. In the days leading up to the visit my
expectations were building. We were going there to hollow core, fertilise and top dress the green. As we approached the gates we were passing all the tourists looking in at the high security areas over the high fence. Then it hit me! I was going in there, to take care of the President’s Green! If my friends could see me now!
As you would expect, there were many security checks at the main gate and even more at internal gates as we approached the green. This is situated no more than twenty yards from the Oval office in one of the most secure areas of the White House. As we worked we had secret service guards wandering around the lawns keeping an eye on us. Once we had completed all the maintenance to the green we were privileged enough to get a tour of the house. We were privileged to see places that the general public will never see, let alone step foot in! The status of the place is unreal and I will never forget the experience of a lifetime.
Short Course
To top off a great summer I made the trip down to South Carolina for the Global Turfgrass weekend. This is organised by Ohio State University and involves classes and networking with all other trainees from all over the world. The 2006 Global Turfgrass Internship Shortcourse was held between October 27-29th at Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head. Over fifty international turfgrass trainees from colleges in Australia, United Kingdom, Iceland, Italy, Spain, China, Brazil and South Africa are currently on golf course internships here in the United States. The trainees come to the workshop to gain an insight into the latest turfgrass management practices from OSU professors and industry personnel. Over the three days, the
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students receive over 26 hours of instruction both in the classroom and out on the course.
Experience
The interns are a very important part of Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and, even though I worked long days and many hours, the experience has been well worth it. I was lucky enough to be selected, out of many of the staff, to receive a scholarship. This enabled me to gain even more knowledge by taking extra schooling.
During the summer an Assistant Superintendent’s position became available and, due to the commitment and hard work I had shown throughout my time here, I was offered the position. I was thrilled to be offered such a career opportunity. I have been in the position since September 2006 and am enjoying every minute of it. Being part of this golf club is an honour. My confidence level and career opportunities can only be better as a result of this experience and I would not have believed, when I stepped on the plane at Heathrow in May 2006, that I could advance this far in such a short space of time. Ever since I arrived in the United States I have never once regretted making the small step over the pond. Deciding to leave my family, my home and the only place I’ve ever known is very difficult. I am so thankful for the help of my family back home. Without the support and faith that they have in me I might never have made such a move. Being the youngest of four children it’s a wonderful feeling to speak to my parents and hear the proud tone in their voice. Their confidence in me has motivated me to continue my education and push myself further in my profession. Ohio State University has given me the opportunity to obtain invaluable experience through the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. I’ve come to realise that this isn’t just a job but more like a family I have developed over the course of the
summer. The people I have met are more than just co- workers. I was made to feel very welcome even before I arrived!
If you are sitting at
home, with an NVQ or better, and feel that you need to get an edge on the industry, but do not have the
connections, call Ohio State University. They do not really blow their own
trumpet about how much they can do for you. But, if you are dedicated, hard working and willing to trust them for
a year or eighteen months to change your life, then seriously consider this programme. I am just one of a hundred. Every other trainee has a story to write too, maybe even more of a success than mine, but I know many of them are going to be the future of this industry around the world.
Dedicated to my mother Mary McGregor and thanks to all of my family, Michael O’Keeffe and all the staff at The Ohio State University, Scott Furlong CGCS and Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. A few of my mentors: Scott Cornwell, Will Przybylek, and Steven Britton. From England: Ross Edmonds, Gary Ledbetter and Chris Hunt, Woburn Golf Club and Moulton College.
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