FTMI FTMI
The 2017 AGCSA Future Turf Managers’ Initiative comprised 20 aspiring superintendents from Australia and New Zealand
Future proof ATM looks back at the second AGCSA Future Turf Managers’ Initiative, presented in partnership with Jacobsen, which was held during the recent 33rd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition.
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ollowing on from the success of the inaugural programme in 2016, the AGCSA’s Future Turf Managers’ Initiative returned for a second year at the 33rd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition held in June on the Sunshine Coast. Founded originally in the UK five years ago by AGCSA Gold Partner Jacobsen, the FTMI is aimed at up-and-coming golf course maintenance staff who are focused on making the career leap to superintendent or course manager. To date, more than 160 greenkeepers from around the globe have passed through the programme with a further 20 from Australia and New Zealand joining them following the Twin Waters conference. Last year in Melbourne 13 candidates went through the inaugural programme and after being overwhelmed by the high calibre of applications in 2017, the AGCSA and Jacobsen decided to increase the number of successful candidates to 15. In addition, with the conference heading across to New Zealand in 2018, five New Zealand-based FTMI
The FTMI Class of 2017. This was the second year the AGCSA has conducted the FTMI and the first that included candidates from the NZGCSA 52
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candidates were also flown across to take part in the two-day programme. The AGCSA FTMI Class of 2017 comprised: Luke Nowlan (Ipswich Golf Club, Qld), Mathew Soles (Roseville Golf Club, NSW), Thomas Bickerdike (Commonwealth Golf Club, Vic), Brittney Goldsworthy (Sea View Golf Club, WA), Ryan Pantic (RACV Royal Pines Resort, Qld), Brenton Clarke (Box Hill GC), Tim Hoskinson (Paradise Palms Country Club, Qld), Simon Work (Mt Osmond Golf Club, SA), Jason Berkhout (Thurgoona Country Club Resort, NSW), Jacob Burridge (Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club, Vic), Rob Arestia (Spring Valley Golf Club, Vic), Matt Pollock (The Dunes, Vic), Danny Adams (Riversdale Golf Club, Vic), Nick Launer (Metropolitan Golf Club, Vic), Garry Kunz (Byron Bay Golf Club, NSW), George Flynn (Pukekohe Golf Club, NZ), Alex Yates (Royal Wellington Golf Club, NZ), Connor Scott (Titirangi Golf Club, NZ), Kiel Stechman (Manawatu Golf Club, NZ) and Lance Morrin (Pakuranga Golf Club, NZ). Focusing on personal and professional development, the FTMI uses the expertise of respected course managers, cross-industry training specialists and industry experts to mentor and educate the next generation of industry leaders. This year’s event involved presentations on budgeting, an insight into the Australian job market, resume and cover letter writing and interview techniques. Speakers included Stewart Fenton (chief executive of Royal South Yarra Tennis Club and president of Golf Management Australia), Lee Strutt (course manager Royal Automobile Club, UK), Jeff Blunden (Golf Business Advisory Services) and HR management professional Susanne Macphee. The FTMI candidates also had the support of four superintendent mentors. Mentoring at FTMI for the first time were Leon Hennessey (Cromer