Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards

YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE

Toro Student Greenkeeper Awards 2024

 

Fantastic opportunities for you and your club

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards offer students of all ages, backgrounds and experience a chance to excel. As long as you're studying, you have the chance to further your career and network with industry leaders.

Entering is easy and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities await the winning greenkeepers.

The finals of the awards will take place this September at Oulton Hall in Leeds. 


Prizes

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

The winner will receive:

  •  Enrolment in an internationally recognised 10-week turf management remote study course at the University of Massachusetts' Winter School 
  • A one-week work placement at a UK or overseas golf course
  • An all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing

The runner-up will receive:

  • A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including four days of education, five nights' accommodation, travel and £125 expenses
  • An all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing
  • A Toro training course voucher

The endorser of the winner will receive:

  • A trip to BTME with a two-day conference pass and a night in a Harrogate hotel
  • An invitation to the BIGGA Celebration to recognise the achievements of members throughout the year, followed by a valuable networking event with Reesink Turfcare and Toro
  • A profile in Greenkeeper International

Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year

The winner will receive:

  • An all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing
  • A one-week work experience at a UK or overseas golf course
  • A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including four days of education, five nights' accommodation, travel and £125 expenses
  • A Toro training course voucher

The runner-up will receive:

  • A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including two days of education, three nights' accommodation, travel and £75 expenses
  • A Toro training course voucher

The endorser of the winner will receive:

  • A trip to BTME with a two-day conference pass and a night in a Harrogate hotel
  • An invitation to the BIGGA Celebration to recognise the achievements of members throughout the year, followed by a valuable networking event with Reesink Turfcare and Toro
  • A profile in Greenkeeper International
Michael Russell icon.jpg

The rewards that are part of the event and just the networking opportunties are brilliant in themselves, let alone winning!

Michael Russell

Student Award Winner 2023

 
Why apply?
  • Acknowledged as a highlight in the student greenkeeper's year
  • Expand experience by meeting and competing with the best of your peers and network with influential industry leaders
  • Increase skills and knowledge to enhance professional development
  • Build lasting relationships in the greenkeeping community
  • Once-in-a-lifetime prizes for both winners and endorsers
  • The opportunity for the main award winner to study with one of the world's most innovative universities
  • An all-expenses paid trip to America

Who can apply?

Any greenkeeping student who is undertaking one of the listed qualifications below (at the time of application) and has been a greenkeeper for a minimum of 12 months:

Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper apprenticeship/SVQ Level 2

Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper apprenticeship/SVQ Level 3

Young Award students must be aged 21 or under and studying for a Level 2 award at the time of application


Important dates

Entry dates: 1 March-12 April 2024

Interviews: 13-17 and 20-24 May 2024

National final: 2-3 September 2024


Students can put themselves forward for the Awards with college tutors, assessors or employers endorsing their application. Please note, all applications must be submitted online.

How to apply

When applying, please provide the name of the individual who will endorse the application and email a passport-style photo of the nominee to [email protected]

Applications can be endorsed by college tutors, college assessors, head greenkeepers/course managers or golf club managers.

Young Award students must be studying for a Level 2 qualification and be aged 21 years or under at the time of application.

Your application can be endorsed by your college tutor, college assessor, head greenkeeper/course manager or golf club manager.

For more information contact:

Deb Burnett, Learning & Development Manager

Tel: 01347 666 580 Email: [email protected]


Dan Martin.png

It's a really good recognition of all the work that you have put into your career

Dan Martin

Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2023


 

Terms & conditions

1. Applications are welcomed from all student greenkeeper candidates actively working towards their qualification at the time of application. Eligible qualifications are:

  • Level 2 Work-based Diploma - Greenkeeper/SVQ Level 2 Sports Turf
  • Level 3 Work-based Diploma - Greenkeeper/SVQ Level 3 Sports Turf Management

2. All applications must be made through the online application facility.

3. All applicants must provide contact details of their nominated person endorsing their application.

4. Applicants must be student greenkeepers working as a golf greenkeeper.

5. Applicants must be employed or resident in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.

6. If you are studying for your Level 2 qualification and are 21 years or younger at the time of the closing date, you will be considered for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.

7. Any applicant who was a national finalist in the Toro Student Greenkeeper or Young Greenkeeper of the Year Award 2023 may not be eligible to enter the 2024 awards.

8. Any applicant who has entered the award for two consecutive years and has not been selected for the national final is not eligible to enter the 2024 awards.

9. Candidates who have taken part in the finals are no longer eligible to apply for the same award. Candidates who have taken part in the finals for the Young award are eligible to apply for the main award once they are over 21 years of age.

10. The deadline for entries is Friday 12 April 2024.

11. Each application will be judged on its own merits, regardless of membership status, position or place of work.

12. A shortlist will be drawn up and those applicants will be invited to attend an interview held via Zoom which will be held held in May 2024.  Regional interviews will not take place outside of these dates so please ensure you will be available.

13. Selected finalists will be invited to attend the national final to be held Monday 2-Tuesday 3 September 2024 at Oulton Hall in Leeds, with all expenses met by the sponsors.

14. One winner and one runner-up will be selected for each of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards.

15. Winning students will be expected to attend or complete all aspects of the prizes. Failure to attend educational classes may result in the students golf club being invoiced for the cost of the education.

16. Prizes must be taken in the timescales given by the award sponsors and may not be deferred or delayed.

Data use

The data collected from your application form will be used for administrating the current awards. Your details and information will be viewed by the event organisers and sponsors: BIGGA, Reesink Turfcare and The Toro Company.

Your name and photograph will be published online and in promotional materials if you are a finalist in the awards and if you are the winner or runner up.

If you did not make it to the finals, your data will will be disposed of after six months.

Notification

Please confirm!