A former IT recruiter, a hotel doorman, a county cricketer and a heavy metal guitarist are just some of the finalists in the BIGGA 2024 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards, sponsored by Toro and Reesink UK.

2023 and 2022 winners

Now in its 35th year, organisers say the awards have helped unearth some of the brightest talents within the turf management industry and laid the foundations for decades of professional success.
 
Held at Oulton Hall in Leeds on 2-4 September, the finalists will compete in a series of challenges that are designed to test their technical knowledge and passion for the greenkeeping profession. Winners will then be crowned in the categories of Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.
 
BIGGA Learning and Development manager, Deb Burnett. said, “Whether joining the industry fresh from full-time education or opting to switch after a career elsewhere, our finalists are a diverse group, but they demonstrate the extraordinary talent that is present in today’s golf greenkeeping industry. The degree of knowledge they possess is testament to the quality of training they receive, both at work and with their training providers, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them all to the finals in Leeds in September for what stands to be an exciting couple of days.”

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

• Patrick Brown, greenkeeper at Wentworth Club and student at Berkshire College of Agriculture
• Jack Chapman, apprentice greenkeeper at The Grove and student at Capel Manor College
• Matt McCreadie, greenkeeper at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
• Jack Vowell, greenkeeper at Farrington Park Golf Club and student at Bridgwater & Taunton College
• Jack Wellings, greenkeeper at JCB Golf & Country Club and student at Myerscough College

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

• Morgan Bowen, greenkeeper at Nevill Golf Club and student at North Kent College
• Alex Fox, apprentice greenkeeper at Woodhall Spa Golf Club and student at Bishop Burton College
• William Moore, apprentice greenkeeper at Kilworth Springs Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
• Daniel Parker, greenkeeper at Knighton Heath Golf Club and Sparsholt College
• Cameron Redden, apprentice greenkeeper at Strathmore Golf Centre and SRUC Elmwood College

To be eligible for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must have been a greenkeeper for a minimum of 12 months and be studying towards the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper or Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper qualifications.
 
To be eligible for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must be aged 21 or under and studying towards the Level 2 award at the time of application.