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Jacobsen and AGCSA Deliver Successful Future Turf Managers’ Initiative

July 20, 2017/in Events, Machinery, News/by Ella Boyden

The AGCSA, in conjunction with Jacobsen, held another Future Turf Managers’ Initiative, after the success of the inaugural event in Australia last year. With help from the NZGCSA, delegates from New Zealand were also selected to take part in this joint venture. The FTMI took place at the 33rd Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition […]

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

July 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

79 not out as groundsman Tommy Curlett still rolling: Many of us may baulk at the idea of doing the same job for 55 years, even more at the prospect of still working at the age of 79, but Co Down man Tommy Curlett has no intention of abandoning his beloved Co Down cricket ground – […]

Jacobsen and AGCSA Deliver Successful Future Turf Managers’ Initiative

July 20, 2017/in Events, Machinery, News/by Ella Boyden

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

July 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

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Jacobsen and AGCSA Deliver Successful Future Turf Managers’ Initiative

July 20, 2017/in Events, Machinery, News/by Ella Boyden

The two-day educational event is aimed at up-and-coming course staff who are focused on making the career leap to Superintendent or Course Manager. 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.

The event involved presentations on budgeting, an insight into the Australian job market, CV and cover letter writing and interview techniques. The speakers were Stewart Fenton, CEO of Royal South Yarra Tennis club and president of Golf Management Australia (GMA), Lee Strutt, Course Manager at the Royal Automobile Club, Jeff Blunden from the Golf Business Advisory Services (GBAS), and Susanne Macphee, a human resources management professional.

The mentors were of the highest calibre and were on hand to support the groups assigned to them. Mentoring at FTMI for the first time were Leon Hennessey, Superintendent at Cromer Golf Club, NSW, and Travis Scott of Riversdale Golf Club, Vic. Mentoring for the second time was Ben Tilley of Headlands Golf Club, Qld, and for the fourth time, after being involved in the FTMI in New Zealand was John Spraggs of Royal Wellington Golf Club, NZ.

The FTMI is the only programme available to industry professionals that provides lifelong skills to both men and women wishing to pursue a managerial career within turfcare. This year, both delegates from Australia and New Zealand took part in a joint FTMI held in Australia to further broaden networking opportunities. Commenting on the success of the event, mentor Leon Hennessey said,
“It has been a privilege to be a part of this unique event in Australia. I personally found it such a fulfilling experience to mentor a group of superintendents who are so passionate about the industry and furthering their careers.

The format really worked; there was never a dull moment, and the delegates were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to network with peers from Australia and New Zealand, and have first class speakers on hand to pass on their wealth of knowledge. I would definitely urge anyone who wants to take the next step in their career to apply for the FTMI, it prepares you for everything you’ll face as a course manager.”

Speaking at the close of the event, Jacobsen’s Marketing Manager Karen Proctor, said,
“It has been another fantastic FTMI in Australia! The delegates were engaged throughout the two days, and it was touching to hear some of the positive feedback from all involved. I would like to thank the AGCSA and NZGCSA for working with us to make the event possible, it’s an initiative we are extremely proud to be a part of.

We have been given some great news that several of last year’s delegates have already been promoted to course manager since attending FTMI, and we are confident that many more will share the same success as a direct result of attending this fantastic educational event.”

Simone Staples, AGCSA Events and Education Manager added,
“We are delighted once again that Jacobsen has supported FTMI in Australia. It’s becoming the number one educational event within the industry for those wishing to make the step up to course manager, and the results are already showing. The AGCSA is pleased that there is so much enthusiasm for educational and networking opportunities within the industry, and we very much look forward to working with Jacobsen on this event again next year.”

This year’s delegates were: Luke Nowlan, Mathew Soles, Thomas Bickerdike, Brittney Goldsworthy, Ryan Pantic, Brenton Clarke, Tim Hoskinson, Simon Work, Jason Berkhout, Jacob Burridge, Rob Arestia, Matt Pollock, Danny Adams, Nick Launer, Garry Kunz, George Flynn, Alex Yates, Connor Scott, Kiel Stechman and Lance Morrin.

These delegates join a cohort of more than 160 greenkeepers from around the globe, who have graduated from the Future Turf Managers Initiative during the past five years.

For more information, visit: www.jacobsen.com/europe

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

July 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by External Source

His labour of love started in 1962 when Dundrum Cricket Club was left without a groundsman.

Tommy, just 24 at that time, was the helper, but little did he know then that 55 years later he would be doing the same job – and he says he has no intention of stopping.

Curlett is a famous name in the village, especially at the cricket club, where brothers Tommy, Jack, Bobby and Jim all played for years and years, out of the limelight, not looking for honours or headlines: but such clubs are the lifeblood of the Northern Cricket Union.

Tommy recalled: “We were playing in the East Down Cricket League and big Kenny McCammon did the ground, but I would give him a hand.

“When he left to join Downpatrick I took over, there was nothing else for it.

“They had to get somebody to do it and I have been doing it ever since.”

This week the club’s chairman of selectors Jeff Maguire organised a cricket match between club members young and old to raise funds to buy new covers, to make Tommy’s job that much easier.

“The old covers were a dead loss,” he said. “The rain kept getting underneath them so that’s why we’re trying to get new ones. It only took one night’s rain and the game that weekend was called off.”

Ironically, the day before last Sunday’s fundraising match, the game against Saintfield was called off and Mr Maguire wanted to send their opponents a picture of the waterlogged pitch, to prove it was unplayable and save them from travelling.

But proud Tommy had to make it picture perfect first.

“The pitch had been marked and rolled earlier in the week but the lines on the creases didn’t look very good, so I wanted to paint them again before we sent the picture.

“But the ground was ready for them, the rain overnight just ruined it,” he said.

Tommy loves the game so much that he even jokes he is married to it, having never tied the knot.

“Me, I never married. I’m married to cricket,” he said.

“My nephew John played cricket for Dundrum, then he went to Downpatrick, but he came back. He’s 51 now, so has quit the cricket. At that age he should be retired.”

However, Tommy does not appear inclined to take his own advice. “I started playing cricket when I was at Down High but I didn’t play again until I joined Newcastle Cricket Club in 1959,” he said. “Then, when Dundrum started up again in 1961 – they had folded for a few years – I joined them and have been here ever since. So a long time.

“I was going to stop when I was about 45, but Brian Murray, one of my team-mates, said: ‘You’re too young to quit’.

“I played my last game for the Firsts against Drumaness when I was 50 and then played for the Seconds until I was 65, although I didn’t play much the last few years as I had knee trouble – which I still have sometimes!”

His one regret in cricket is that he didn’t get to play at some of today’s major grounds.

“I was disappointed not to have had the chance to play at the big clubs. We’ve always been in junior cricket, so missed out on playing at places like Waringstown and North Down, although I did play at the old Ormeau ground in a cup match, just once.”

As Tommy was having his photograph taken for this article, four youngsters were getting out the bowling machine at the ground to give themselves some practice.

“That’s why you keep going, to make sure there is a good pitch and a club for the next generation,” he added.

To read the original article from Belfast Telegraph, click here

For the latest industry news visit turfnews.co.uk

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Jacobsen and AGCSA Deliver Successful Future Turf Managers’ Initiative

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

Jacobsen and AGCSA Deliver Successful Future Turf Managers’ Initiative

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

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Jacobsen and AGCSA Deliver Successful Future Turf Managers’ Initiative

79 Not Out As Groundsman Tommy Curlett Still Rolling

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