News Three new Master Greenkeepers
Florida Course Superintendent overcomes personal tragedy to achieve BIGGA’s Master Greenkeeper status
Three top greenkeepers are celebrating after achieving BIGGA’s Master Greenkeeper status, one of the most prestigious accreditations within the golf course management industry.
The latest successful candidates are Stuart Ferguson from Dundas Parks Golf Club in Scotland, Matthew Wharton from Carolina Golf Club in North Carolina and Erin Stevens from Emerald Dunes Club in Florida.
For Erin, the award has come after suffering a family tragedy last year. His wife, Ana, passed away, leading him to withdrawing from the round of exams in October.
Erin said he almost withdrew again in April - when the latest set of exams took place - but eventually decided to go ahead with the assessment. He said: “I am glad that I continued in the programme after the passing of my wife, Ana. She was my biggest supporter and wanted to see me achieve this accomplishment.”
“It was a very challenging process and I am grateful to have passed and joined the small ranks of fellow Master Greenkeepers. I would like to thank all my family and friends for their support, as well as all of the staff at BIGGA who were a tremendous help throughout this process.”
“I highly recommend this process to all our peers and I know I will become a better manager for having gone through the Master Greenkeeper certification process.”
To achieve the certificate, BIGGA members must have been within the greenkeeping industry for more than a decade.
With the success of the latest trio, the worldwide total of Master Greenkeepers has risen to just 70.
Stuart Ferguson, from Dundas Parks, Edinburgh, said: “Prior to enrolling, I did some research and obtained feedback from current Master Greenkeepers. The feedback was consistent in that the process was very demanding
High on Power Low on Co2
...
and challenging, however rewarding at the same time.”
“I felt that, as a course manager, you should always try to improve your skill set. This accolade is one of the highest in the industry and, at this stage in my career, I wanted to challenge myself professionally and personally.”
“I am fortunate to enjoy the continuous support of the club, management, members and greenkeeping crew. It’s a fabulous, progressive place to work and my team, past and present, should be proud of their efforts as this accolade includes them.”
The Master Greenkeeper certificate is popular with superintendents of courses in North America as it has such a prestigious reputation within the industry.
Matthew Wharton, of Carolina Golf Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, said he was delighted to receive the call saying he had been successful. He added: “I had no
Also available... Brushcutters
Handheld Blowers
One Battery, Multiple Options
Stuart Green, Head of Member Learning
idea how I had done in the exams as they were very challenging. My wife and I have been checking the mailbox everyday for the past week to see if the results had been sent through.”
Stuart Green, BIGGA’s head of member learning, said: “Congratulations to Stuart, Matthew and Erin. Our Master Greenkeeper certificate is now in its 26th year and attracts golf course managers and superintendents from all over the world. Master Greenkeeper is a learning experience and I would recommend any golf course manager, who aspires to the highest standards, to give it a go.”
Hedge Trimmers
Pole Saws
Chainsaws
Pruners
They are extremely lightweight with low noise and vibration levels.
“ Seeing is believing
Pellenc ticks all of our boxes. Peter Anderson, Machinery Maintenance Engineer at RHS Wisley
The Ultra Lithium Battery provides constant power and an operating range display, which indicates the remaining power level in real time. This provides between half a day and a full day of work depending on the type of tool used.
Tel: 01295 680120 • email:
sales@etesia.co.uk www.etesia.co.uk
Etesia UK @EtesiaUK EtesiaUK
” PC JUNE/JULY 2016 I 9
Pellenc Tools now available with a
Warranty 3Year
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156