Jacobsen and local distributor support NZGCSA Future Turf Managers’ Initiative
The NZGCSA, in conjunction with Jacobsen and their distributor, Power Turf New Zealand Ltd, held their latest Future Turf Managers’ Initiative at The Royal
Wellington Golf Club.
Attending the Future Turf Managers’ Initiative were (L to R) Brendan Allen, Daniel Cawley, Stuart Baird, Wendy Horneman, Adam Dyet and John Spraggs.
This two-day educational event is aimed at up and coming greenkeepers 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.
This year’s delegates were Wendy Horneman of Pakuranga Country Club, Adam Dyet of The Kinloch Club, Daniel Cawley of Whangarei Golf Club and Stuart Baird
of Akarana Golf Club. Their mentors were of the highest calibre; Brenden Allen, Superintendent at The Hills Golf Club, home of this year’s New Zealand
Open and John Spraggs, Superintendent at the host club, Royal Wellington.
An intense couple of days saw the delegates focusing on human behaviour, identifying their own behavioural preferences, understanding leadership, developing
strategies for motivation, conflict resolution and utilising business communication techniques.
The four New Zealand delegates join a cohort of over 60 greenkeepers from around the globe, who have graduated from the Future Turf Managers Initiative
over the past three years.
Speaking at the close of the event delegate Wendy Horneman said,
“We had great sessions with Jan Alley, a business consultant from Auckland, and covered a lot of the people management skills that you don’t get taught
elsewhere. The two mentors were brilliant; they have so much knowledge of fine turf management and were happy to answer any questions we put to them.
We even had the opportunity to listen to Professor Jack Fry from Kansas State University, who Jacobsen had sponsored to deliver seminars in New Zealand,
Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.
“I would recommend anyone with ambitions to become a Superintendent to get on this programme next year. It has been invaluable to me and, although very
intense, it was fun,” Wendy concluded.
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377 total views, 1 today
