Triple nomination for Myerscough learners at national greenkeeper of year awards

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:

Matt McCreadie, greenkeeper at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club

Jack Wellings, greenkeeper at JCB Golf & Country Club

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists:

William Moore, apprentice greenkeeper at Kilworth Springs 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 2024 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards.

Now in its 35th 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 Oulton Hall in Leeds on 2-4 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.

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 a diverse group, but 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 Leeds in September for what stands to be an exciting couple of days.”

David Timms, National Accounts Manager at Reesink UK and Young award category judge, said: “We are very much looking forward to again welcoming this year’s finalists to the long list of student greenkeepers who have made it to this stage previously. The interviews this year were all of a high calibre and showcased how positive the future of the industry is. On behalf of everyone at Reesink UK and Toro, we wish all the finalists good look and will see them in September for the next part of their journey.”

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.

Meet the Myerscough finalists:

Matt McCreadie

Matt began his working life in an office without any windows and quickly realised he needed to escape. His dad had been a greenkeeper for 40 years and offered to give him some turf management training as Matt became the sole greenkeeper working at the nine-hole Daventry and District Golf Course.

Matt was a finalist at Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year in 2022 and on the journey home drove past Tadmarton Heath Golf Club. "It is a well-renowned heathland course in my area and has ambitions for being a top 100 course in the UK," said Matt. "I decided to ask if they needed any staff and luckily enough someone had left a few days earlier. A month later I started work there!"

Matt holds a degree in audio recording and technology and plays guitar and bass. He has performed with a variety of bands ranging from Johnny Cash covers to heavy metal.

Jack Wellings

A lifelong supporter and season ticket holder of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jack has worked in the sports turf industry for nearly 10 years. He was selected for FTMI in 2023 and has travelled to the USA on four occasions to volunteer at PGA Tour events. In 2022 he volunteered at Augusta National Golf Club for the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

Jack said: "I am excited for what the future holds at JCB Golf & Country Club, my home club that has given me the inspiration and platform to achieve anything I wish to achieve."

William Moore

Will enjoys cricket, football, darts and golf and has worked at Kilworth Springs for 19 months.

He said: "I hope to one day become a course manager at a top golf course. I also want to travel to lots of different golf courses and learn more along the way."