TRAINING & EDUCATION
Denzel Segura handles a honeycomb from Westmoor’s on-site apiary. Denzel worked at Westmoor CC as part of the Diamonds in the Rough internship programme during the summer of 2014
to celebrate the successful season, we hosted a golf outing for twenty of the Operation Dream boys on our five-hole Little Links Course. With my guidance, Antwan and Demetrius prepared a keynote presentation about their summer job experience at Westmoor, which they presented to the Operation Dream boys at the outing. Watching Antwan and Demetrius confidently explain the intricacies of mowing a green and how great it feels to be responsible for an exceptional work product was one of the most gratifying moments of my career. We have now completed three seasons of our Diamonds in the Rough internship here at Westmoor. Each year brings its own rewards and challenges, along with many opportunities to make a lasting impact in the lives of the boys we employ. In 2014, we expanded the programme to include involvement in the operation of our honey bee sanctuary. The interns are now
directly engaged with our beekeeping operations, including the maintenance of three beehives on the golf course. We’ve used beekeeping as a means of building trust and teaching the boys about the importance of honey bees in our ecosystem. It has turned out to be a terrific way to connect the boys, not only with work but also with the environment. We’ve also introduced the beehives to the other Operation Dream boys who attend our now- annual golf outing. I find it rewarding and fun to watch the boys’ eyes light up at this completely new experience as we pass around a honeycomb covered with thousands of buzzing bees. Six young men have taken part in the Diamonds in the Rough internship programme at Westmoor since 2013. Most made it successfully through the entire programme; a couple of them did not. Regardless of whether they completed the programme, my hope is that all the boys
I understand now that my skills as a golf course superintendent don’t just allow me to grow grass and improve the golf course. I can use those same skills, as we all can, to grow better people and improve the community around me
”
learned meaningful life lessons that will stay with them. After all, some lessons are harder learned than others but are nevertheless important.
Time to shine
So, where are Antwan and Demetrius now? They both completed high school, after which Antwan joined the U.S. Marine Corps and Demetrius entered a management- training programme at a local car dealership. They have told me that the hard work they invested during their summer at Westmoor helped prepare them for these career opportunities. Both are established role models and mentors for the younger generation at Operation Dream, and I could not be more proud of them. On a side note, Antwan was featured in the “It’s Aaron” video series with Green Bay Packers great Aaron Rodgers. I encourage you to watch the video in the Season 2 collection at
www.itsaaron.comto check out what Rodgers has to say about Antwan and Operation Dream.
Our interns learn a lot every summer but, in all honesty, I learn more. The boys remind me of the many things I’ve taken for granted in my own life - things that enabled me to get where I am today. I understand now that my skills as a golf course superintendent don’t just allow me to grow grass and improve the golf course. I can use those same skills, as we all can, to grow better people and improve the community around me.
Bryan Bergner is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield, Wis., where he has worked since 2005. He is a 12-year member of GCSAA and lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Danielle, and 6-year-old son, Miles.
Superintendent Bryan Bergner (right) and Diamonds in the Rough alumnus Antwan Powell at the 2014 Operation Dream holiday party
PC June/July 2019 143
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