|
Graduates of the National Certificate in Sports Turf Management programme offered by the Otago Polytechnic are being snapped up by the turf industry. This is the only full time programme offered in New Zealand and complements the apprenticeship programme by offering students the opportunity to study fulltime and complete their qualification in 2 years.
In 1999 the Central Otago campus of the Otago Polytechnic introduced this course which includes practical experience at a 4 hectare Turf Research Training Centre and work experience at a range of turf venues. The course appeals to school-leavers and adults who have a passion for sports and the outdoor lifestyle or want to increase their skills.
There is an even mix of theory and practical work, including work experience at sports facilities and field trips to other areas. Within the 2 year programme, the students develop the full range of skills required for the turf management industry, including turf botany, soils, irrigation, pest and disease control, fertilising, use of machinery, equipment repairs and maintenance, surveying, turf construction and maintenance, and staff supervision.
On the Polytechnic’s site students develop their practical skills. They have designed and built a par 3 golf hole, golf driving range, tennis and volleyball courts, cricket blocks, cotula bowling green, and a commercial turf nursery. Students are also given the opportunity to help with major work in the area, like installing new irrigation systems or preparing for a major tournament.
Work experience includes international sporting venues such as Millbrook G.C, Kelvin Heights G.C, The Hills G.C , Cromwell G.C , Wanaka G.C and the Queenstown Event Centre which holds international cricket. Blocks of work experience also take place at venues throughout New Zealand.
Students also attend national and international conferences. This year, they will attend the Australian Sports Turf Conference in Melbourne, and increase their knowledge by visiting the many top sporting venues Melbourne offers.
The programme is run in Cromwell, situated among the mountains of Central Otago and on the doorstep of Queenstown and Wanaka, ski and adventure centres of New Zealand. Central Otago also offers wonderful summer weather which is conducive to boating, fishing, and mountain biking, and helps produce great wine and fruit.
Ian Douglas, Golf Course Superintendent at The Hills, Arrowtown “I have been associated with the turf management course at the Otago Polytechnic since its inception. Students leave the Sports Turf Management course with a strong academic footing and enough practical experience to be able to slot into roles that save them several years on the road to a management position.
I believe having the course at Cromwell gives the students plenty of opportunity to concentrate on the course and also to be able to enjoy themselves by interacting with a small community and to be able to enjoy some of the lifestyle benefits that the Central Otago area offers.”
20 students have graduated since 1999. All of the graduates have obtained full time positions in the industry. They are working in top sporting venues throughout New Zealand, including Kauri Cliffs Golf Club, Clear Water Golf Club, The Hills Golf Club, the Queenstown Events Centre, and the Otago University Cricket Oval.
There will be 10 students graduating in 2004
Programme Manager Gary Smith says the highlights of his work include students’ graduation and seeing students taking up fulltime positions at great sporting venues throughout New Zealand.
|
