FEGGA, The Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations, has joined the Gleneagles Excellence in Golf Award Scheme (GEGAS), a 12-month educational and practical training programme for young greenkeepers from around the globe.
Sponsored by Textron Golf, Turf and Specialty Products, the course is based at the prestigious Gleneagles Hotel and runs from 1 September until 31 August. It is open to highly motivated students who are looking beyond a basic greenkeeping career and wish to develop their skills to become golf course managers or superintendents. The scheme can accommodate a maximum of eight students, who will be selected from colleges and educational facilities in the UK and now, with FEGGA as a partner, from across Europe.
The scheme was established in 1994 and has grown year on year providing students with all the necessary greenkeeping skills together with a unique opportunity for personal development during the year-long work placement.
The students will become part of a team of over 600 enthusiastic and highly motivated staff, who all work together towards the vision of Gleneagles becoming the most desirable resort hotel in the world.
“One of the main objectives for the students during the year at Gleneagles is to experience the alternative styles of maintenance required for soil and sand based greens,” said Dean Cleaver, FEGGA Secretary. “Every student will work on the three courses at Gleneagles for eight months of the placement and then decide which style of maintenance they wish to develop further and join their preferred greenkeeping team for the remaining four months. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring together students from all over Europe to train and gain experience at one of Europe’s finest golfing resorts.”
Jimmy Kidd, Director of Turfgrass Management at Gleneagles added, “I am particularly delighted that FEGGA have joined us and added their support for this scheme. Over the coming year we will be hosting three national and European Tour events and the successful applicants will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the many different aspects of course maintenance and preparation at the highest level. The students will also be responsible for forming the first student chapter of BIGGA and this will require them to organise their own meetings and invite other students and educational organisations to join them. They can also call on BIGGA for assistance and will have access to their extensive library and video collection and receive advice and support through their training and education departments.”
Applications are invited from students in greenkeeping and related subjects and should include a typed CV with personal details, experience, qualifications and other interests, together with a covering letter from their head tutor.
They should be sent to: Jimmy Kidd at Gleneagles – see www.gleneagles.com for details – or Dean Cleaver, Secretary, FEGGA, 3 Riddell Close, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6QP. The closing date for applications is Monday 28th May 2001.