Greenkeeping & Sports Turf Management

Description

This course has been designed to meet the increasing demand for high quality turf surfaces in golf and field sports nationally and internationally. Students carry out practical work on the colleges’ sports pitches which include a natural soccer pitch, natural GAA/Rugby pitch and synthetic soccer pitch. Field trips to other sports turf facilities and golf courses are central to the course. On successful completion of the course students will have gained the knowledge and skills required to maintain golf courses and sports turf facilities.

Graduates of this program are equipped to work or indeed continue their study at limitless turfgrass maintenance facilities worldwide.

Tramore Road Campus also has strong links with the Ohio State internship programme which gives graduates the opportunity to complete a 12-month internship at one of the top golf courses in the USA.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

•    Leaving Certificate, L.C.A. or equivalent, with some practical experience in Greenkeeping or Sportsturf Maintenance is desirable.

•    Mature students without formal qualifications are welcome to apply for places on this course.

•    All applicants are interviewed, and places are awarded on suitability.

DURATION:

This is a one-year course.

CERTIFICATION:

•    QQI Level 6 in Golf & Sports Turf Management (6M4330).

COURSE CONTENT:

The following subjects may be offered:

Sports Turf Mechanisation - 6N3629

Examines the use of machinery and equipment in the sports turf area, including; selection, set-up, routine maintenance, correct use, storage etc.

Sports Turf Science & Maintenance - 6N3622

Sports Turf Facilities - 6N3628

Ecology & Environment - 6N3645

Tree & Shrub Management - 6N3624

Finance - 6N4165

Communications - 6N1950

EDUCATION PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES:

Excellent progressions opportunities including:

•    Elmwood College, Scotland: HNC/HND Golf Course Management.

•    Myerscough College, England: BSc Hons Sports Turf Science and Management.

•    The Ohio State Internship Program.

•    MTU: BSc Horticulture (CR011).

•    UCD: BAgrSc Hons Horticulture, Landscape and Sports Turf Management (DN272).

•    SETU/Kildalton College: BSc Horticulture (WD096).

•    SETU/National Botanic Gardens: BSc Horticulture (WD097).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

Greenkeeper, Golf Course Superintendent, Groundsman, Sports Turf Contractor. Graduates have gone on to work or study at Cranfield University, Mississippi State University, Ohio State University, Myerscough College, Elmwood College, Augusta National, Bethpage Park, Winged Foot, Fota Island, Ballybunion and Mount Juliet.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Students will complete six months work placement at a golf course or sports turf facility under the supervision of a qualified golf course superintendent. This work placement takes place on a one-day per week basis during the academic year and on a full-time basis during the summer.