The Ohio Program

For young people who are finished or finishing their greenkeeping apprenticeship and would like to broaden their horizons and careers, one way is to consider a internship through the Ohio State University Global Turf Programme (The Ohio Program - TOP), based in the United States.

Established in 1979 by Mike Chrisman, the programme offers internships for single greenkeepers between the ages of 19 and 29 with a clean drug/driving/criminal record the chance to gain hands-on practical experience at golf courses in America along with an option to take online courses through the University.

Interns are placed at some of America's (and the world’s) best golf courses. Internships run from April to October (7 months) and there is a option of a 12 month program, starting in a cool season course up north for six months ie Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and then moving down south to Florida, Georgia and other warmer States in the winter for the remaining 6 months. The University will help with obtaining the proper/legal visa, explain the taxes/health insurance and are there during the internship with advice and support.

For more information about the Ohio State University program, take a look at their website www.top.osu.edu and complete the application form www.top.osu.edu/internships/inbound-application or alternatively you can email Michael O’Keeffe at: okeeffe.1@osu.edu

If you are interested in applying for the Ohio State University program and are currently undertaking a apprenticeship with the Primary ITO it is suggested that you contact Kellie Rose kellie.rose@primaryito.ac.nz prior to applying to see how the internship will affect your qualification/training before signing up as you cannot easily leave and pick up where you left off on your return if you are mid qualification.

What is the Program Like?

The Ohio Program has provided up and coming New Zealand greenkeepers the chance to work and train at some of America's leading golf courses and those that have already completed the program have built a great reputation for Kiwi's in America.

Below is Hayden and Brad’s experiences so far as they are both currently taking part in the program. 

My Name is Hayden Coutts and I’m From Dunedin, I completed my apprenticeship at the Otago golf course. Throughout my apprenticeship I met a lot of people in the industry and heard a lot of great stories about  how the Ohio State Program www.top.osu.edu  had helped good Kiwi turfies advance their careers in spectacular ways, with the opportunities to work on some of the world’s best courses and also tournaments, so I applied, and here I am!!!

I packed my bags and flew to Columbus, Ohio where I am currently Interning at Scioto Country Club, www.sciotocc.com. The course has a rich history as it is designed by the world renowned designer Donald Ross and is also where Jack Nicholas first learned how to play golf .

The resources available are something else, for example having 30 staff at your disposal and the best equipment available it is amazing to see just how pure you can get the course to look and I am enjoying every moment of working and learning in this environment from one of the best Superintendents in American in Bob Becker and his Assistant Seth Rainier.

I was also lucky enough to volunteer at Muirfield Village Golf Club for the memorial tournament, www.mvgc.org where I got to cut approaches. It’s always been my dream to help prepare a course for the best players in the world and to see the detail that goes into preparing every last blade of grass is definitely something I will not forget.

The opportunities outside of work are just as beneficial also; I have made lots of new friends and met people from so many walks of life, played plenty of golf and checked out the local bars too. I am lucky enough to be heading down to Austin Country Club, www.austincountryclub.com next for my second course placement from October 2019 to March 2020 where I will get my second big tournament opportunity at the Dell World Golf Championship Match Play.

The experience and knowledge you gain on the program will set you up for the rest of your career and is an opportunity not to miss, I would recommend it to anyone that wants to test themselves and be tested by some of the best Superintendents in the world.

It’s a great industry and I can’t wait to see where it takes me…for more information please send an inquiry to Mike O’Keeffe along with your CV and a cleancut photo by clicking on this link below. I am more than happy to recommend the program to Kiwi’s as I see how Mike only places us at the best courses.

www.top.osu.edu/internships/inbound-application

Hayden Coutts – living the dream!

I am Brad Milne formerly of Whitford Park Golf Course in Auckland, New Zealand. Whitford Park was a great course and aided in my extensive learning in the turf Industry. Whitford is where I was able to complete my Level 4 Apprenticeship in Sports Turf Management. Throughout my three years at Whitford and learning, fellow work colleagues from other clubs and the industry had opened my eyes to a possible shift to America to work in the big time. Nearing the end of my apprenticeship started to think more about it and decided it would be the best way to progress my learning. 

After a successfully getting accepted for the program and some discussions with Mike O’Keefe I found my way over to Columbus, Ohio to meet the fellow interns for the year. Post meeting a bunch of enthused Greenkeepers, I found myself boarding another plane and making my way down to Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, Virginia where I would call home for the next 6 months. Robert Trent Jones Golf Course has hosted four Presidents Cups and the Quicken Loans Competition. Working Under Superintendent Scott Furlong has been a real eye opener, from 45 staff on a daily basis to the timing and techniques used to prepare and maintain the best possible surface year in year out. My responsibilities at RTJ include the majority of the Greens and Tees spraying, course set up and hand-watering to name a few.

The opportunity arose to be able to volunteer at the PGA Championship at Beth Page Black early on in the piece. This was an amazing experience to be able to cut greens at a Major Championship for the best players in the world, and see how they negotiated the tough terrain of Beth Page which is an experience I’ll never forget.

I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity to learn from the very best to take me further in this profession, would highly recommend it to any and all aspiring greenkeepers.