Myerscough student greenkeepers named on national award shortlist

The annual event celebrates the best student greenkeepers in the country, and they now go through to the final in September. All of the Myerscough finalists are studying while working at golf clubs across the country.

They are:

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists:

Jamie Beattie, assistant greenkeeper at Royal Liverpool

Ruth Etches, assistant greenkeeper at Trentham Golf Club

Brad Taylor, assistant greenkeeper at Beau Desert Golf Club

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalist:

Oliver Badger, apprentice greenkeeper at Parkstone Golf Club

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and co-founders and sponsors Toro and Reesink UK have revealed the line-up for the 2025 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards.

Now in its 36th year, the awards have helped unearth some of the brightest talents within the turf management industry and laid the foundations for decades of professional success.

Held at Rudding Park in Harrogate on 9-11 September, the finalists will compete in a series of challenges that are designed to test their technical knowledge and passion for the greenkeeping profession.

Winners will then be crowned in the categories of Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.

Meet the Myerscough finalists:

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

Jamie Beattie

"Greenkeeping is in my blood. My biggest inspiration is my grandad who retired at Royal County Down – he taught me many things before I even really understood what it was he was teaching. One thing I definitely knew was his hate for craneflies! 

''My Mum and Dad are also in the greenkeeping industry, having first met at Myerscough College, where I am now studying for my Level 3 qualification."  

Ruth Etches

"It's a privilege and honour to be named one of the finalists. I like pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and love learning and meeting new people. 

‘’I have a law degree and want to utilise my education to its fullest potential by driving the industry towards positive and sustainable growth. I love research so maybe that's a future avenue.

‘’For the time being I'm focusing on my greenkeeping and aiming to be the best I can be at it." 

Brad Taylor

"The best piece of advice I've ever been given is, 'Do a job you love, and you'll never work a day in your life'. No day is the same out on the course, I love the variety that comes with the job and working in nature.

‘’This industry is fantastic and the opportunities available are endless. I've been lucky to work on some of the best courses on the DP World Tour circuit and travel the world while doing it. I wish I'd have started younger, but I wouldn't change a thing." 

Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year

Oliver Badger

"I'm looking forward to meeting other likeminded people throughout both categories. I believe that networking is a very important thing in the industry so I will be looking to gain new connections and most definitely new knowledge. 

‘’I aspire to create a name for myself and to work at many courses around the world through things like tournament support. Places like Augusta National, TPC Sawgrass and any Ryder Cup or Open venues are on my bucket list." 

BIGGA Learning and Development Manager Deb Burnett said: “Whether joining the industry fresh from full-time education or opting to switch after a career elsewhere, our finalists are all excellent and they demonstrate the extraordinary talent that is present in today’s golf greenkeeping industry.

‘’The degree of knowledge they possess is testament to the quality of training they receive, both at work and with their training providers, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them all to the finals in Harrogate in September for what stands to be an exciting couple of days.”

To be eligible for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must have been a greenkeeper for a minimum of 12 months and be studying towards the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper or Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper qualifications.

To be eligible for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must be aged 21 or under and studying towards the Level 2 award at the time of application.