Meet the Jones boy
In the first of a new series, Robert Jones explains how he managed to get a place on the OSU turf programme
Hi, my name is Robert Jones. I am 20 years old and I am just about to embark on the Ohio State University programme for Greenkeepers that you have just been reading about. I will be out in America for twelve months.
When I left school at 16 I did the usual thing of following my friends to six form college but, after being there for a year, I realised it wasn’t for me. I needed to look for something that would suit me knowing that, whatever I chose, I would probably end up doing for the rest of my life.
With my love of the outdoors, sport and gardening I looked into careers that were available in these fields (excuse the pun). My careers officer gave me some college info to plough through and this is when I discovered greenkeeping. As soon as I saw it I new this was the job for me.
I studied at Reaseheath College in Nantwich for two years doing a full time National Diploma where I achieved a Distinction with Merit. I really enjoyed the whole course from start to finish. During this course I had to find work experience and I was lucky enough to get a placement at the De Vere Belfry working under the then Estates Manager, Bevan Tatterstall. I given the opportunity to work on all three courses. This gave me a basic understanding of the working life of a greenkeeper. If I hadn’t been bitten by the GK bug I certainly was after my time at the Belfry.
Once the work experience had ended, and I was due back in college, I asked to be transferred to De Vere Carden Park as it was closer to home and college. Here I was given the opportunity to work during a tournament. Even though the hours were long the praise given to us by the golfers gave us all such pride. I continued to work at Carden Park on a part time basis throughtout the remainder of my college course.
On finishing my National Diploma I applied for a job closer to home. I needed the knowledge to push myself that bit further and found the Ohio State programme on the Internet. I discussed the whole idea with my parents and they just said ‘go for it!’ They have been very supportive and now I intend to give it my best shot.
At BTME Harrogate I met Mike O’Keeffe, who is the manager of the OSU programme. He gave me an application form to complete. One part of this application was to write an
essay about myself and my experiences.
I faxed my application form back to Mike and, later that same evening, he phoned me to offer me a position at Double Eagle Golf Club in Ohio. While talking on the phone he said how much he enjoyed reading through my essay and told me a bit about Double Eagles. It is rated number 8 in the top 100 golf courses in America and is privately owned. To be able to play is by invitation only and Mike mentioned that some golfers fly in by helicopter. He painted a fantastic picture and it just blew me away to be offered such an opportunity.
The costs involved to undertake the course are very high and, without help from my parents, I don’t think I would have been able to take up the position. These include 12 months insurance, the initial fees to the college and the cost of my flights. But all this has made me even more determined to get as much from this opportunity as I can.
The Ohio State University programme management have given me excellent support and made the whole process as easy as possible. They have stayed in contact with me, arranged to meet me at the airport and have also introduced me to the Course Superintendent at Double Eagles. He has assured me that he will help me through any home sickness I might have and outlined all the positive aspects of working and training at his course.
Apparently, I will move around America. I will spend six months in Ohio then I am going to a conference in California for a week and then on to another part of America for their summer. At the same time I will be doing my foundation degree online course at Myerscough College. They have made it easy for me to access it all the way from America. All the contacts I have made in my short time in this career have given me so much encouragement.
I just hope that, in the months to come, I will be able to send you my experiences and photographs. I also hope that you will be part of my adventure and enjoy reading about my experiences.
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