Meet our Scholarship Hosts

With applications closing soon for the VGCSA - JOHN DEERE NZ Scholarship, we ask VGCSA Superintendents to?share this information to?their course staff with encouragement?to apply ASAP.

The?VGCSA John Deere NZ scholarship is a?great professional development opportunity for aspiring?turf managers. READ MORE?for Scholarship information?and details on how to apply.

THE VGCSA - JOHN DEERE NZ SCHOLARSHIP HOSTS

TARA ITI GOLF CLUB - Course Superintendent?Brian Palmer

I started out working for my father in Central New York State. He was a Superintendent at a municipal course. Naturally, my brother and I would go to work with him on weekends doing odd jobs like driving carts out of the cart barn and getting trash out of the bins on the course. At the time, the course felt like a big backyard and think I was drawn to that. As Superintendents we take ownership in courses and can treat them as if they are ours. As a kid, I felt like it was ours and took ownership. For whatever reason, that was appealing too.

Once I started working full-time during the summers in high school, I thought about doing it professionally. After university, some great internships and helping with a grow-in on Long Island, I ended up in Philadelphia at Merion Golf Club. It was at Merion where I learned about championship conditioning, management, history, and golf course architecture. Working there was an invaluable experience.?

Here at Tara Iti, we currently have 19 staff all year round and over the summer months, we have 22. The staff includes myself, two assistants, a mechanic, an irrigation technician and two horticulturists.

The course is unique in that it is a modern links course with no rough. The vast fescue surfaces blend seamlessly into the dunes. If you took the flagsticks out of the greens, you would have a hard time believing it was a golf course. It is very hot and dry in the summer months and the property can be akin to a desert. Everyone thinks of lush and green when they think of New Zealand, but this is far from it. A few of my favourite locations are standing atop the dune by the ninth green and taking a walk to the back tees. There are some phenomenal views from the tips.?

I was fortunate to work for a Superintendent who was an exceptional mentor to so many Superintendents. I have really tried to emulate him because he made everyone around him better. Having the opportunity to work with aspiring Superintendents and watching them grow and develop is extremely rewarding.?

I have grown tremendously in every way imaginable in my ten years as a Superintendent. Even after several years as an assistant, I found that I did not know nearly as much as I thought I did. Early on, I was hesitant to relinquish control and struggled to delegate. After I gained confidence, I began delegating to those around me. It is the only way to be successful, in my opinion. It also allows others to grow, whether it is their goal to become a Superintendent or just be better at whatever their role is on the team.?

As for turf practices, I really focus on playability. It is a links course after all, so it should play fast from tee to green. We keep it very dry and rely on the deep, dense fescue roots to get us through the long summer season.?

What professional development activities will take place over the Scholarship residency??Travel and experiences are so crucial in the development of any young turfgrass professional. Conversations with greenkeepers both young and old, volunteering at tournaments, and golfing/walking courses in your travels is so important. The opportunity to spend a few days with us will be valuable because you will get to work with fescue greens, a diverse and experienced team, and visit a beautiful part of the world. Tasks will include course set up, hand mowing, moisture management, and the opportunity to operate anything in our fleet. A cheeky 18 is probably in order too.

For me, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and wish that something like it was available to me when I was developing my skillset and working towards my goals as an assistant.

SEDDON PARK & FMG STADIUM WAIKATO - Turf Manager?Karl Johnson

I started as an Apprentice Greenkeeper back in 1987!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 1987 – 1990??Christchurch Golf Club (Christchurch, NZ) Apprentice Greenkeeper
• 1991 – 1993??Akaroa Golf Club (Canterbury, NZ) Head Greenkeeper
• 1993 – 1998??Lincoln Golf Club (Canterbury, NZ) Course Superintendent
• 1998 – 2003??New Zealand Cricket (Christchurch, NZ) Turf Manager
• 2003 –??H3 (Hamilton City Council) (Hamilton, NZ) Turf Manager –?Seddon Park and FMG Stadium Waikato

I have a Trade Certificate in Golf Course Greenkeeping (Level IV) and a Diploma in Sports Turf Management (Level VI).?As for major events?I’ve worked on,?WOW there are quite a few!?

FMG Stadium Waikato / Seddon Park Turf management staff

Turf Manager - Assistant Turf Manager - 2x Lead Groundsperson - 3x Groundsperson - 2x Apprentice Groundsperson - 2x Summer Casual Groundsperson. Plus with the increase workload of the FIFA Women World Cup we will be taking on two more casual Groundspersons.

FMG Stadium Waikato: We are fortunate to have the latest Hybrid Turf System (Desso) to prepare and maintain. This system has been fantastic and revolutionised the way we present our pitch for any event. Every two years, we remove approximately 20mm of the surface and reseed. This process means we are stripping back the turf to the top?of our stitching, and therefore we aren’t burying the hybrid product.

Next year is a massive year for us due to hosting in February the FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier tournament and then in July/ August, games in the Tournament itself.?

Seddon Park: Is a dedicated cricket oval hosting international and domestic cricket. With ten strips on the block, we have a lot of cricket played throughout any given summer. Patumahoe clay is used on the block, and a sand slit / sand carpet for the outfield. Due to our cooler temperatures, ryegrass is used across all the playing surfaces.

Given my many years in the turf industry, I have seen a lot of changes along the way. Within the Stadium world we used to have periods in the calendar where we had a few good breaks. That’s changed a lot now to no breaks whatsoever. Our stadium world has meant we chase as many events as we can to fill our year up. This has meant many staff are required to meet all the expectations put on us. So, back in 1991 when I was working on my own at the Akaroa Golf Club to now running a team of 13, that’s a massive change. The world we work in now means we are working in a ‘fishbowl’ due to most events being televised all around the globe! These means extra pressures and expectations are increasing all the time!

I’ve been very fortunate to have had many staff work for me who have gone on to brighter and better things! I take pride in giving people opportunity and then see them flourish and climb the ladder in their own careers. This is the biggest thing I take the most pride in.

I have also been very fortunate to work in many different countries, on various projects. The turf industry has given me a vehicle to travel and meet some amazing people. I have plenty of very fond memories of these. Countries where I have worked include: Dubai (12-month contract), India, Fiji, Samoa, Japan, Kuwait and America.

What professional development?activities will take place over the Scholarship residency? Working with us in our stadiums will highlight the differences from working on a golf course, in respect to our surfaces. Things such as cutting heights; different species to maintain; different diseases; renovation practices and the differences each of our codes / customers require. Most or a lot of our events are televised, so understanding we are under the microscope pretty much every second weekend is something that in our environment is a driver to ensuring we are world class every day.

I’m a big believer in growing great relationships because there isn’t anybody who knows it all. I’m still learning a lot about turf, yet I’ve been around for a rodeo or two! So, for the recipients to spend some time with our wonderful crew at our venues is a great opportunity to grow some relationships.?Good people look after good people!

Less than two weeks to go until the closing date!?Applications strictly close?5pm, Monday 17 October.?Late entries will not be accepted.?Please read the?Scholarship Terms & Conditions?before submitting your application.?