Steve Thorne, Deputy Course Manager at Rushmore Golf Club, has been crowned Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2015.

He wins the fabulous first prize of a Toro Scholarship. This life-changing, all expenses paid eight-week trip includes a residential turf management study course at the University of Massachusetts, USA early next year. There will also be visits to the Toro Company HQ and the Golf Industry Show in San Diego, California.


Steve Thorn, centre, with the other finalists

Two runners up - Sam Sweetzer, Assistant Greenkeeper at West Hill Golf Club and Susan Reeve, First Assistant Greenkeeper at Castle Royle Golf & Country Club - will be invited to attend the superb Continue to Learn programme at BTME 2016.

The other finalists – Stefan Carter, Assistant Greenkeeper at The Wentworth Club, Jon-Jo Pitts, Deputy Course Manager at Royston Golf Club and David Stewart, Greenkeeper at Walmley Golf Club - will be given BIGGA membership for one year following on from the expiry date of their current membership.

The final followed the same format as last year’s updated competition. It began with an animated discussion group chaired by BIGGA Chairman Les Howkins MG, Course Manager at The Richmond Golf Club, where the finalists debated various agronomic and industry issues.

Day two began with the final six completing a 30-minute multiple choice quiz on a huge variety of subjects ranging from health and safety to CPD.

They were then given an essay question to complete focusing on their career aspirations, then interviewed individually by an industry panel.

BIGGA’s Head of Member Development Sami Strutt, BIGGA Past Chairman and Course Manager at Chippenham Golf Club Chris Sealey, Lely's UK Sales Manager Jeff Anguige and Golf Course Consultant Bruce Jamieson all questioned the six before making their decision on who would succeed last year’s winner Kevin O’Neill.

Winner Steve said: “It’s such an honour to win, I know I was up against some tough competition. It’s been a great experience from start to finish, and I feel I’ve also made some friends. All six of us have got on really well.

“America is going to be amazing, I’m looking forward to the turf management course, the GIS and seeing the scale of the Toro HQ.

“I’d like to thank Rushmore Course Manager Jaime Acton, the General Manager Declan Healy and the whole team for their fantastic support. Also, thank you to Nick Lush, my tutor at Myerscough College, my wife Rachael for her constant encouragement, the sponsors Toro and everyone at BIGGA House for making me so welcome. BIGGA’s South West & South Wales Regional Administrator Tracey Walker was also instrumental in setting up the public speaking and presentation course at Hockley Golf Club I attended recently which was a great confidence booster heading into the final.”