Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards



Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2023 Finals

Win a once-in-a-lifetime Toro Scholarship with the Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2023.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards are committed to offering greenkeepers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels a chance to excel. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities await the winning greenkeepers to further their career and network with influential industry leaders.

Being part of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards allows ambitious BIGGA members to meet and compete with the best greenkeeping students in the UK. 

The finals of the awards will take place this September at Carden Park Golf Resort in Cheshire.

Student Award Prize

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive: enrolment in an internationally recognised 10-week turf management remote study course, The Winter Turf School (University of Massachusetts); a two-week work placement at a prestigious European golf course; an all-expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show (USA); and a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year runner-up will receive: a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including four days of education, five nights' hotel accommodation, travel and £125 expenses, plus a Toro training course voucher.

Endorser of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year will receive: a trip to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in the USA including flights, hotel, education and show accreditation.

Young Award Prize

Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive: a two-week all expenses paid work experience placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in the south of France, plus a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME and a Toro training voucher for a course of their choice.

Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year runner-up will receive a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME including two days of education, three nights' hotel accommodation, travel and £75 expenses, plus a Toro training voucher for a course of their choice.

Endorser of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year will receive a trip to Vidauban Golf Club at the end of their student's placement, including flights and hotel.

 

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"You can always underestimate yourself, seeing those around you and how much experience they have and their passion for the industry"

Michael Russell
Greenkeeper
Ormskirk Golf Club
Student Award Winner 2023

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

Daniel Martin
First assistant
Farleigh Golf Club
Young Student Award Winner 2023

 
Why apply?
  • Acknowledged as the highlight of the student greenkeeper's year, the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards provide the opportunity to expand upon their experience by meeting and competing with their peers.
  • Students can win a 10-week scholarship turf management study course with the Winter Turf School (University of Massachusetts), a trip to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and a visit to Toro's factory in Minnesota
  • Both categories can win two-week work experience placements at a prestigious European golf course
  • All awards finalists will be given BIGGA membership for one year (following on from the expiry date of their current membership)
  • Candidates will increase their skills and knowledge to enhance their professional development
  • The opportunity to network with peers and build lasting relationships.
Who can apply?

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award is available to all greenkeeping students who are studying towards the eligible qualifications (details below)

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award is for greenkeeping students aged 21 years and under at the time of application.

  • Greenkeeping students can nominate themselves for the awards
  • College tutor, assessor or employer can endorse applications
  • Entirely online and free-to-enter application process

Eligible qualifications:

  • Level 2 Work-based Diploma - Greenkeeper/SVQ
  • Level 2 Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping
  • Level 3 Work-based Diploma - Greenkeeper/SVQ
  • Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper / Advanced Sports Turf Technician
  • Level 2 Diploma/National Certificate (NC)
  • Level 3 Subsidiary/Extended Diploma
Important dates

Closing date for entries: 14 April 2023

Interviews: 9-12 and 15-19 May 2023

National final: 4-6 September 2023

Applications are now CLOSED for 2023

When applying, please provide the name of the individual who will endorse your application, attach a passport style photograph of yourself to the application form. If you have any queries contact the BIGGA office on 01347 833 800 or email [email protected] 

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

What happens next?

Those invited to interview will be tested on their knowledge, not only of greenkeeping tasks, skills and health and safety, but also an understanding of the job role, personal development, wider industry awareness, Toro and BIGGA and their career aspirations.

The highly coveted awards enables greenkeeping students to drive their ambition for a successful career in the sportsturf industry.

SGOTY 2023 leaflet.pdf

 

More Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year News

What can I win?

  • The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive:  
    • enrolment in an internationally recognised 10-week turf management remote study course, The Winter Turf School (University of Massachusetts)
    • a two-week expenses-paid work placement at a prestigious European golf course
    • an all expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference & Show (USA)
    • a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin
  • The endorser of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year will receive:  a trip to the GCSAA Conference & Show in the USA, including flights, hotel, education and show accreditation
  • The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year runner up will receive:  a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME including four days of education, five nights' hotel accommodation, travel and £125 expenses, plus a Toro training voucher
  • Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award winner will receive:
    • A two week work placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in the South of France
    • A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME for a five night package including hotel, four days of education, travel and £125 expenses
    • A gift voucher for Toro Training
  • Endorser of the Young Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year will receive:  A trip to Vidauban Golf Club for the last two days of their student's placement, including flights and hotel
  • Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year runner up will receive:  A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME - three night package including hotel, education, travel and £75 expenses plus a gift voucher for Toro training

Who can apply?

Any greenkeeping student who is undertaking one of the listed qualifications (at the time of application):

• Level 2 Work-based Diploma - Greenkeeper / SVQ Level 2 Sports Turf / Level 2 Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping

• Level 2  Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping

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

• Level 2 Diploma / National Certificate (NC)

• Level 3 Subsidary Diploma (SD)

How do I apply?

1. Complete the online application form using the button below or on the right hand side of this web page.

2. Attach a passport style photograph to the student application form

3. Provide the name of the individual who will endorse your application

Who can endorse your application?

  • Your college tutor
  • Your college assessor
  • Your head greenkeeper/course manager
  • Your golf club manager

 

What are the 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 2  Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping

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

·  Level 2 Diploma/National Certificate (NC)

·  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (SD)

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 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 2022 may not be eligible to enter the 2023 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 2023 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 21 years of age.

10. The deadline for entries is 31 March 2023.

11. Each application will be judged on its own merits, regardless of membership status, position or place of work. All candidates have an equal chance of success.

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 2023.  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 4 - Wednesday 6 September 2023 at Carden Park Golf Resort in Cheshire, with all expenses met by the sponsors.

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

What will my data be used for?

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!