INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Opportunities abound for turf professionals
by TurfPro Editor, Steve Gibbs
 
Steve Gibbs

It is truly impressive how the industry of turf professionals is a genuinely worldwide community.

The skills learnt on the job in countries all around the world can be applied most anywhere, making the best in their fields employable wherever an opportunity presents itself globally. Also, there is of course a desire for these skills to be passed on and taught to industry members in other countries - meaning the life of a turf professional offers some exciting travel opportunities.

Take the news in today's Briefing for example that Dan Gonzalez from Bournemouth FC has been poached by Althletico Madrid to become head groundsman at their new Estadio Wanda Metropolitano stadium. This now means that the two Madrid clubs both benefit from British expertise - with Paul Burgess in charge at rivals Real.

Today we also hear of the international voices who'll be imparting their knowledge to UK greenkeepers at BTME's Continue To Learn in January. Included within the more than 250 hours of education are guest speakers such as Micah Woods from the Asian Turfgrass Center and Dr Mike Fidanza from Pennsylvania State University.

BTME will also of course, see some UK greenkeepers unveiled as the lucky chosen ones who'll head across the pond to ply their trade at TPC Sawgrass in Florida next year.

Before we get to that though, there's SALTEX coming up (if you're attending do say hi to the Turf Pro team on stand M030 by the way), which features some very interesting sounding seminars which will emphasise the international nature of the job. On Day 2 there's a session entitled 'Exporting Our Expertise' which will consider what are the secrets of the success of groundsmen abroad? It'll also look to address what their tips are for forging successful careers overseas.

The expert panel for this session will include Phil Sharples, director of agronomy, Gabala FC/Qarabag FC, Azjerbajan; Stuart Wilson, pitch manager, Croke Park; and Tony Stones, grounds manager, Stade de France.

Following this on Day 2 is a fascinating sounding session entitled 'Sharing turf care practices between the USA and the UK'. This will feature on the panel Pam Sherratt, turf grass specialist, from the Ohio State University; Dan Prest, head of member services, IOG and Ian Lacy, lead project advisor at Tom Irwin Advisors.

British-born Ian Lacy, former head of the Professional Services division of the IOG, now works with the US-based Tom Irwin Advisors, helping communities design sustainable green spaces. Emphasising the global nature of turf professionalism, he said, "One comes to realise that, whether a village in Africa or a small town in America, our parks and recreational spaces enhance the quality of life in our communities."

For those members of the industry for whom foreign travel appeals, opportunities for applying your skills, and indeed enhancing them, in situations worldwide are out there to be grasped.

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In this issue
EDITOR'S BLOG
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
NEWS
IOG LAUNCHES TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS SERVICE
ATHLETICO MADRID POACH BOURNEMOUTH GROUNDSMAN
CONTINUE TO LEARN PROGRAMME UNVEILED
HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
LINEMARK UK BOUGHT BY RIGBY TAYLOR OWNER
JOHN DEERE EXPANDING GATOR RANGE
HUSQVARNA LAUNCH FIRST GEN COMMERCIAL ROBOTS
STIHL EXPAND PRO BATTERY CAPABILITY
JOBS
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