FTMI FTMI
Settlers Run 2IC Stewart MacFarlane is one of 13 to be picked for the inaugural AGCSA Future Turf Managers’ Initiative
Looking to the
future
ATM profiles the 13 successful applicants for the inaugural AGCSA Future Turf Managers’ Initiative, presented in partnership with Gold Partner Jacobsen, which will be held during the 32nd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Melbourne.
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n January 2016, the AGCSA announced that it was teaming up with Gold Partner Jacobsen to bring the company’s highly successful Future Turf Managers’ Initiative (FTMI) programme to Australia. The inaugural Australian FTMI will be held during the 32nd Australian Turfgrass Conference in Melbourne and will comprise an intensive two days of seminars, talks and workshops covering subjects such as communications, budgeting, team management, CV writing and interview techniques, networking and career development. Recognising the importance of preparing golf course maintenance personnel to take on the role of superintendent, course manager or assistant, Jacobsen founded the FTMI some four years ago in the UK. More than 80 young greenkeepers having since gone through the programme there with over 20 per cent of delegates going on to be promoted. Such has been its success that Jacobson has subsequently rolled out the programme in Portugal and New Zealand and along with its introduction in Australia in 2016 has plans to conduct it in Italy (2016) and Scandinavia (2017). The FTMI has been designed to provide practical tools and guidance to help assist candidates with their career aspirations through an interactive, professional development programme. Working with qualified trainers, mentors, AGCSA and Jacobsen staff, it is the aim of the FTMI programme that participants leave with a clear understanding of what the future holds and a realistic overview of the expectations that come with their climb up the course management ladder. In January, the AGCSA called for applications for the inaugural intake and was overwhelmed with the response. Originally limited to just 10 places, the calibre of this year’s applicants was such that it was decided to increase that number to 13. The AGCSA, together with Jacobsen, congratulate the
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 18.3
following successful candidates who will travel to Melbourne in June:
BROCK AGNEW SANCTUARY COVE G&CC, QLD Currently the assistant superintendent at Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club on the Gold Coast, Agnew started at the 36-hole establishment in May 2014 under then superintendent Robin Doodson. Agnew started his greenkeeping career at Old Bar Beach Bowling Club on the NSW North Coast. Finishing his apprenticeship in 2003, he moved to the Sunshine Coast and after a brief stint at Peregian Springs Golf Club moved to Hyatt Coolum. At that point Coolum played host to the Australian PGA Championships and after two years there the assistant superintendent role became available. Leaving Coolum, Agnew then ventured overseas to Ireland and worked again as an assistant at The K Club. With the European Open being hosted there, Agnew’s time at The K Club easily ranks as one of the highlights of his career to date. Upon returning to Australia, Agnew worked in course construction and also had stints as a sales representative for David Golf and Living Turf. Since joining Sanctuary Cove, Agnew has been involved in numerous ongoing works to the Pines course and in 2015 was a course volunteer at The Australian Golf Club for the Emirates Australian Open.
NATHAN ARNETT TRARALGON GC, VIC Arnett, who since July 2014 has been superintendent at Traralgon Golf Club, started his apprenticeship in 2001 as a 17-year-old at Melbourne-based Waterford Valley Golf Club during its construction. It didn’t take Arnett long to realise that he had found his perfect career and