Sustainability and Benchmarking - GTC-R&A Workshops rated 'a great success'

The planned seven workshops have now been completed with excellent feedback from the delegates.  57 staff from GTC Approved Centres all involved in delivering turf education attended the workshops.

The aims and objectives of the workshops were met with all delegates from the GTC Approved Centres agreeing to promote the Sustainable Golf Course programme and the R&A Benchmarking Service to all levels of greenkeeping students.

The Learning Materials developed by the GTC were circulated and will now be integrated into the appropriate chapters of the learning materials.  These are available to purchase from the GTC website Learning Materials.

Steve Isaac presented at three of the workshops along with two other members of the R&A Golf Course Committee, Dr Keith Duff presenting at three and Paul Seago at one workshop.  The presentations used by the R&A representatives are now available on the GTC website and have been circulated to those delegates requesting it for use with students.

Steve had prepared two presentations, one for England and one for the Scottish event, the only difference being the slides showing the Benchmarking Service, which now includes the EGU and SGU logos respectivley.

A feature of the workshops was the course walk with the Course Managers featured during the day and adding a real practical aspect which the Centre staff fully appreciated.

There is a clear indication from Steve Isaac that the R&A see greenkeeper education and Course Managers as the main avenue into more golf clubs engaging in both the sustainable golf course programme and using the benchmarking service.

The GTC and its Approved Centres have a major role to play in ensuring qualifications and the education courses for all levels include the sustainable golf course programme and benchmarking service.

In summary all turf staff from the GTC Approved Centres were 100% behind the programme and appreciated the day hosted by the GTC.

Many delegates also stated that they appreciated the opportunity to have an update from the GTC on the work to review qualifications, the apprenticeship framework and other related matters to greenkeeper education, training and qualifications.

Report by David F Golding, Education Director
July 2009