Training & Development “
Fleetwood Town FC Chairman Andy Pilley with Head Groundsman Dale Frith
Gwynn Davies, Golf Course Manager, The Mere Golf Resort
be the best programme for my needs. My time at Myerscough College gave me all the essential building blocks I needed to pave a career path within the industry. The college has extensive industry links and supports you to gain real industry experience throughout your programme of study. I am fortunate enough to have experienced periods of work across a range of sports including golf, tennis and now football. I also spent time in the USA as part of the Ohio State University Turfgrass program, which allowed me time to put the theory into practice. I am passionate about my craft and always aspire to be the best I can be.”
“If I am being honest my initial interest was within Horticulture in general, but having seen the facilities and programmes at Myerscough College I quickly decided to go down the Sportsturf route. This is not something that is extensively known about in schools and certainly not something that I was ever advised to explore. I don’t regret this decision for a single minute.”
“My advice to anyone looking for a career within the industry is to go for it, gain some experience either through work placements or volunteering and then seek to train to the highest level you can achieve. Groundsmanship is a relatively small close knit profession; good
dependable people are soon spotted, and opportunities will present themselves.”
Another Myerscough College Sportsturf Science graduate is Gwynn Davies, Golf Course Manager at The Mere Golf Resort based in Knutsford, Cheshire. Originally from Malawi, Gwynn previously achieved a degree in Agriculture and worked (as a consultant) in Agriculture/Farm Management. Following a downturn in the industry around the time of the Foot and Mouth outbreak, Gwynn decided on a different career path eventually turning to Sportsturf.
Gwynn reflects on his career history saying; “I do think my studies in Agriculture and crop sciences gave me a range of transferrable knowledge and skills I could apply to Sportsturf. Originally I looked at Horticulture/Landscape design but, having visited a Myerscough College open morning in early 2003, and being blown away by the facilities, I decided to follow the Sportsturf route and completed the BSc (Hons) in Sportsturf Science and have never looked back. I also spent time in the USA during 2004/5 as part of the Ohio State University Turfgrass program, which certainly galvanized my calling into the profession.”
“In 2007, following graduation, I took up a post at The Mere as an Assistant
My advice to anyone looking for a career within the industry is to go for it, gain some experience either through work placements or volunteering and then seek to train to the highest level you can achieve
Greenkeeper, and then spent a year or so at the STRI as an Agronomy Advisor before returning to The Mere as Course Manager during 2011. I really do think that the industry is a way of life, a true profession and certainly not a traditional 9-5 career. You are at the mercy of the elements and working in a very fast paced reactive environment. Even so, and despite the constant hard work, the rewards are fantastic.“
“I have been privileged to have spent time at some of the world’s best courses, and to have rubbed shoulders with some of the top professionals in the industry. My advice to young people thinking of Greenkeeping as a career choice is simple; Be prepared to work hard, listen and seek the highest levels of training you can achieve. If you apply yourself, the opportunities and rewards are fantastic.”
As well as Sportsturf, many of our ex-learners have gone onto great things within Horticulture. Recently, a former Horticulture student John Everris achieved
Myerscough lab - 1976
RHS Chelsea Flower Show - “Reachout” show garden PC JUNE/JULY 2014 I 139
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