National Certificate in Sports Turf Management Level 4

Kelly Rowe is one of few women greenkeepers and loves her job. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The course

The National Certificate in Sports Turf Management is the modern equivalent of an apprenticeship for people who want to work on golf courses, in parks or sports stadiums.

Most students take three years to finish the course which is put on by the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation, employers, the Sports Turf Institute and the Open Polytechnic.

Students learn on the job under the direction of a qualified turf manager, by attending three annual week-long block courses in Palmerston North and completing 14 assignments. The weekly study commitment is between two and five hours.

Students who have already had three or more years in the turf industry have other study options including a three-year, part-time correspondence course and a weeklong block course in the last year of training.

Students must prove competency to assessors in unit standards including knowledge of the sports turf industry, soil properties, the characteristics and requirements of sports-turf surfaces, turf botany and how to maintain hand tools and service small engines. Students check and drive tractors, service and repair agricultural machinery, and use sports-turf machinery and equipment.

They study ornamental plantings, surveying, draining and irrigating, monitoring and interpreting weather information, and identifying, monitoring and controlling weeds, plant pests, and turf diseases and disorders.

Students mow sports turf, plan and implement a fertiliser programme, establish and upgrade turf and study safety and handling of agrichemicals. They also supervise staff, manage computer data and do budgeting.

Graduates of the national certificate can study the National Diploma in Sports Turf Management levels 6 and 7, and the National Certificate in Business.

The course is open to people either employed, on contract to or volunteering in the sport-turf industry. The course starts throughout the year and costs $1600 over three years. Many employers pay the course fees.

Graduates work in the management of golf courses, city parks or sports stadiums or in turf-industry services including as advisers.

New graduates earn between $30,000 and $40,000 while those in top positions can get up to $80,000.

What students think

Kelly Rowe, 27
Golf-course assistant superintendent
Pakuranga
Graduated 1998

I was still at school when I was playing golf with my dad one day and I thought that I wouldn't mind being a greenkeeper. Not long after that I got an apprenticeship at the Matarangi golf course and I was there six years. I got through the assignments pretty quickly and graduated in three years, qualifying in the top six in New Zealand. I liked the whole job, doing assignments, learning techniques. I liked the block courses. It was pretty weird being the only female but they got used to it.

There are not many women greenkeepers but I had no problem getting a job. It's not physically hard. There are 50kg bags to lift but the guys struggle with those as well. You just ask for help. As long as you don't mind getting wet you're fine. Now I'm second-in-charge at Pakuranga Country Club where I've been for four years. It's really great. I do the day-to-day running of the golf course and manage staff but I still get out there, which is what I like.

I like the presentation, the variety. People think you just cut grass but there's a lot more to it - like the paths, trees, new greens. I used to play a lot of golf but I've given it up for cricket now.

I did one paper towards the diploma but it was pretty full-on being 2IC, and I'm getting married. The assignments now are more intense than when I did it. I'd recommend the course. The qualification is recognised overseas so you can travel with it.

What employers think

Peter Boyd
Golf-course superintendent
Pakuranga

I was one of the last to go through the old system of apprenticeship, starting in 1985. The new system is good and there's more judging by your peers. They are trained really, really well.

There's probably more depth to it now. I would like to see marks given rather than assessment because it can be a tad confusing for employers and apprentices know how well they've done.

People have passion in this job - not just a passion for golf - but for presentation and grooming. You have a lot of satisfaction when you leave on a Friday night and everything is looking immaculate. You're battling against nature so it's very challenging. It's a bit unique to have women in the job because, sadly, there are not a lot. In the past maybe it was considered to have a lot of heavy lifting but it's all about sharing the workload. I think women add a bit of finesse.

It's a great lifestyle, a great profession to be in and I'd like to see more people take it up.

The qualification

National Certificate in Sports Turf Management Level 4

NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation

Contact: www.nzsti.org.nz

Phone: 06 356 8090

Earning: New graduates up to $40,000; top positions $80,000