BIGGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said, “There are many talented people joining our industry, choosing greenkeeping as a career and investing in education to do so. The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year process is a brilliant way of recognising the individuals who will shape this industry for years to come."

Last year’s winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award was Jimmy Heritage, of Maylands in Essex. He said: “My life has been changed by the whole Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year process. I’ve met some incredible people, done some incredible things and gained a mass of knowledge and confidence along the way. There hasn’t been a day since returning that I haven’t used something I gained from it all.”

The Toro Student Greenkeeper finalists are:

• Chloe Gallagher, Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club, Durham
• Graham Hastie, Stoneham Golf Club, Southampton
• Levi Pethick, Stoneham Golf Club, Southampton
• Matthew Kitson, Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club, Richmond
• Michael Budd, Westerham Golf Club, Kent
• Nick Machin, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Kent

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper finalists are:

• Angus Roberts, Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course, Scottish Borders
• Joe Spadaccini, Scraptoft Golf Club, Leicester
• Callum Done, Trump International Golf Links Scotland, Aberdeen
• Christopher Clark, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Kent
• Craig Woodman, Bramshaw Golf Club, Hampshire
• Matthew Bowles, Kings Hill Golf Club, Kent

The final will begin on Monday 11 September, where candidates will join an industry discussion group hosted by BIGGA Chairman Les Howkins.

The finalists of the two awards will then undertake a variety of tasks, culminating in the awards presentation, which will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 12 September.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive an eight-week all expenses paid scholarship, including a six-week residential turf management study course at the University of Massachusetts, a trip to the Golf Industry Show and a visit to the Toro factory.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year, won last year by Dan Waring of Ashbourne, will receive a two-week all expenses paid work experience placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in the South of France. They will also receive a trip to Continue to Learn at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate next January and enjoy a five-night package that includes hotel, four days of education, travel and £125 expenses, plus a Toro training voucher.

The runners-up of each award will also receive a training package for BTME 2018.