Inspiring future greenkeepers at Carnoustie

There are days in this role that remind me exactly why programmes like First Green matter so much, and why I’m proud to work in this industry.

 A recent morning at Carnoustie Golf Links with students from Carnoustie High School was one of those moments, as the team opened up their course, shared their knowledge and inspired young people to explore careers in greenkeeping.

Carnoustie is known around the world for championship golf, but on this occasion the focus was something just as important. Opening the doors to young people and showing them what a career in greenkeeping can really look like. A group of 22 students from Carnoustie High School joined the greenkeeping team for the morning, and from the moment they arrived it was clear how much thought and care had gone into planning the event.

One of the things that stood out most was the connection the team had already built with the school. The week prior to the event, the team had invited a group of female students to the course for a Girls’ Greenkeeping Apprenticeship Open Day. That experience gave the team added confidence going into the First Green event and helped strengthen the relationship with the school. It was also great to see some of the girls who attended the open day returning for the First Green session.

The morning began with an introduction to greenkeeping from Links Superintendent Kevin Stott before students headed to the putting green for a demonstration with PGA Professional Keir McNicoll. After being split into groups, the students rotated around a series of practical stations across the course led by members of the greenkeeping team. Stations included demonstrations of sprayer technology and irrigation systems, a look at electric machinery including the John Deere 2775 and roller, and a chance to learn how holes are changed on the greens. Students were also introduced to course performance tools including the USGA Stimpmeter and moisture meter used to measure green speed and moisture levels.

 

For Kevin, one of the most rewarding parts of the day was engaging the students in conversations about the profession he loves.

“What I enjoyed most was speaking with the students about how greenkeeping can be a rewarding career where your work really makes a difference,” he said. “We use scientific data to help make decisions about how we present and manage the course, which shows how skilled and technical the role has become.”

Greenkeeping Operations Lead Gill Andrews was impressed by how enthusiastic the students were about the experience.

“I was surprised with how quickly the session went, as there can be a bit of build-up in nerves, but you relax into it and see just how invested the students can be,” she said. “It was a privilege to see the girls and boys really get absorbed into the greenkeeping tasks and see the results of their efforts.”

Events like this show exactly what First Green is designed to achieve by connecting classroom learning with real experiences on a golf course.

Carnoustie has clearly embraced the opportunity, building strong links with Carnoustie High School and creating genuine pathways for young people to explore the profession. One student is already joining the team every Friday for work experience, while the Greenkeeping Apprenticeships at Carnoustie Golf Links, supported by John Deere, continue to help develop the next generation of greenkeepers. GI

Top tips for hosting

The team at Carnoustie Golf Links share their top tips for hosting a First Green Event.

Preparation is key
Plan ahead and build relationships with the school. Spending time with the headteacher and meeting some students in advance helped create a gateway of communication and meant the team felt more confident on the day.

Be open to stepping outside your comfort zone
Delivering sessions to young people may not come naturally at first, but sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm helps keep students engaged.

Keep it interactive and don't overload the students with information
Focus on practical demonstrations and the technology used in modern greenkeeping. Linking activities to subjects like science and problem solving makes the experience more relatable.