Once again five BIGGA members from Great Britain and a GCSAI member from Ireland will be enjoying the opportunity of a lifetime when they join the golf course maintenance team at the legendary TPC Sawgrass venue in Florida for the 2016 Players Championship, courtesy of John Deere.
The TPC Sawgrass winning greenkeepers at BTME last week with John Deere's Turf Division Sales Manager, Chris Meacock front left and Antony Scott and Nick Ashman also from John Deere
The greenkeepers won their place on the trip by registering their interest on the respective association websites, before recording a short video about themselves and their career aspirations. The winners then made it through their regional interviews, conducted by a panel of representatives from BIGGA/GCSAI and John Deere.
The 2016 Players Championship on the PGA Tour - the unofficial 'fifth major' - takes place in May.
A member of last year's first ever UK & Ireland greenkeeping delegation, Joe Dormer of West Sussex Golf Club in Pulborough, said of his experience last year, "A phenomenal 12 days unlike anything I have ever experienced before - flawless organisation and unrivalled passion and motivation."
The winning delegates joining the 2016 John Deere TPC Sawgrass volunteer programme are:
BIGGA
Pete Corrick, assistant greenkeeper, Remedy Oak Golf Club, Wimborne, Dorset:
Pete started out at Vivary Park Golf Club and then took an unpaid role at Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club to further his greenkeeping experience. His next job was at Weymouth Golf Club and he completed his Level 3 qualification before joining Remedy Oak Golf Club, where he helped the team complete a recent greens rebuilding programme. He has also been a volunteer at Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship.
Graeme Davidson, first assistant greenkeeper, Murrayfield Golf Club, Edinburgh:
Graeme began his greenkeeping career as an apprentice at Glencorse Golf Club before moving on to Mortonhall Golf Club. During a period travelling the world with his wife, he secured a six month internship at Pacific Golf Club in Australia and then accepted his current role at Murrayfield. Graeme was part of the BIGGA support team at the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Stuart Imeson - head greenkeeper, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course, Embleton, Northumberland:
Stuart started out as an assistant greenkeeper at this links course aged 16, and he became head greenkeeper at just 18 years old. He is in charge of a youthful team and has overseen various construction projects on the course. Stuart has joined the BIGGA support teams at The Open and the BMW PGA Championship, and is also a member of BIGGA's Young Greenkeeper Committee.
Nicholas Roberts - deputy course manager, South Essex Golf & Country Club, Brentwood:
Nicholas began his career at Essendon Country Club, then moved on to The Hertfordshire Golf Club where he was promoted to first assistant greenkeeper. Now at South Essex, he was part of the BIGGA support team at the BMW PGA Championship and the British Masters at Woburn. He is a three handicap golfer hoping to eventually play off scratch.
Chris Sharp - course manager, Hampstead Golf Club, London:
Chris discovered his love for greenkeeping during work experience at Mountain Lakes Golf Club in mid Glamorgan, and then gained a position at Cottrell Park Golf Resort. He moved to Celtic Manor and was part of the greenkeeping team for the 2010 Ryder Cup, before joining the team at Harewood Downs Golf Club. He became course manager at Hampstead in 2015.
GCSAI
Lenny O'Callaghan, assistant greenkeeper, Westmanstown Golf Club, Dublin:
Lenny started his greenkeeping career working on the Colin Montgomerie designed inland links course at Carton House Golf Club, which hosted the Irish Amateur Open in 2005, before moving to Westmanstown Golf Club. Since then he has completed his advanced certificate in Greenkeeping FETAC Level 6 and is now studying online for an HNC in golf course management from SRUC Elmwood College in Scotland.
