We as a club have had many successes over the years both on and off the course. I believe staff development is something we wanted to address when I first joined the club and one that has been fully supported by Adrian, the Greens Commitee and Board.
We wanted to be known as a Greenkeeping training club. One which develops its staff to the highest level. This in turn will attract greenkeepers in the future who want to develop and ones who are passionate about their careers.
The staff we have in our greenshed are every bit that. There have been awards, personal achievements, specialist training in certain areas not only to develop them but to add value to the club budgets. I am very proud of the team we have and this year that pride went to a whole new level.
Kevin O'Neill our deputy, (someone who has played a major role in the above) was firstly awarded a scholarship towards his training, then completed his college course in record time and to such a high quality that the college lecturer Andy Wight told me he "had never seen work so good" (I would also like to add that work on the notes on the college website are already from our very own Lee Brady).
Kev was then nominated by the college for the Regional Finals. This award is one of the highest you can achieve in Greenkeeping as a student, if not the highest. Former winners have included Murray Long at Sunningdale and Euan Grant from Turnberry. Kev being nominated meant he was already the best out of the 150 students at Oaklands!
The regional interviews took place in Hemel Hempstead. This was an interview based round. Kev was nervous but enjoyed this and a week later received the letter saying he won and was in the National Final. A first in Muswell Hills history.
The National finial comprised of six greenkeepers from all over the United Kingdom Including guys from Purdis Heath and St Andrews to name a few. They spent two days at BIGGA (greenkeepers HQ), they had open discussions on Greenkeeping 'hot' topics and then a interview with a PowerPoint presentation ( kev gave a practice run to our staff before leaving and I must say it was superb). This was followed by an essay. There was some socialising in the evenings to help lighten the mood and the winner was announced on the Tuesday evening.
The winner is normally announced around 5pm ish. I found myself staring at my phone for what felt like hours waiting for Kev to let me know his fate!!
Then a text came through saying "And the winner is ....me!"
HE WON!!!!!!!! Legend!!
Pictures started to appear on social media within minutes and then he called for a quick chat. He was very humble but he deserved this for such a long time and I m so happy for him.
Kev will head to America next year for a six-week study course at the University of Massachusetts and will also visit the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio all courtesy of Toro. He will also get the chance to explore Toro’s Californian base. This year's final had a celebratory air as a special event was held to mark 25 years of the competition.
That day I received over 100 e mails plus texts and tweets with a lot more since to congratulate kev from greenkeepers all over the country, just showing how big this award is!
Following the final the finalists, judges and BIGGA Commitee went out for a celebratory meal but for 'our Kev' it all seemed to catch up on him :-)
Kev will leave us for the states in January and return back in March. This may leave us short staffed but it's a once in a lifetime achievement and we support him all the way (we could be under snow at that point, let's hope not). He will return with new ideas and I am looking forward to hearing these and seeing how we can implement some.
In the coming months many magazines will do articles. I will place these in the clubhouse.
Below is the link to the press realase :-
http://www.bigga.org.uk/about-us/news/kevin-oneillhe-year-2014/00595.html
To finish I would just like to say, congratulations Kev, enjoy it and I told you... Class is permanent!
Matt
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