Who won the 2nd Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year competition?


By: September 8, 2021


I found an interesting study from O.C. Tanner. They found the most important driver (37%) of great work is “Recognize me”. To have a successful culture of recognition, you need to consider these 5 factors:

  • Be specific & relevant;
  • Be timely;
  • Everyone has his own style & preference of receiving & giving recognitions;
  • Connect to the big picture –> how employees’ success contribute to the golf club’s success.
  • Little things like handwritten notes or everyday thank yous can also make employees happy.

By recognizing your golf club employees, you will be able to:

  • retain your best employees;
  • increase employee engagement;
  • encourage high performance.

Needless to say, this should be part of your golf club’s employee experience strategy.

The finalists of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2021-resized

2nd Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year competition

A greenkeeper from Rudding Park Golf Club was celebrating for the 2nd Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year competition in a row as Matthew Milligan secured the prestigious award at grand finals hosted at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Myerscough College student Matthew, 26, is First Assistant at Rudding Park, the same venue that Jason Norwood was employed at when he won the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award in 2019.

Joining Matthew in celebrating at the event was Rhian Barton, 22, of The Wisley Golf Club, who became the first woman to win the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Award since its inception in 2016.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards were introduced in 1989, with an additional ‘Young’ category introduced in 2016. The awards did not take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the reintroduction in 2021 enabled David Cole to participate one final time ahead of his retirement as managing director of Reesink Turfcare in spring 2022.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winners Rhian Barton and Matthew Milligan

Winners of the main award receive a Toro Scholarship that includes a turf management study course at the University of Massachusetts, a trip to the Golf Industry Show, and a visit to the Toro factory. Should coronavirus restrictions prevent this, an alternative prize of equal standing will be organized.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France, plus a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME.

Prizes are also given to the winners’ endorsers and the runners-up in each category, with Craig Woodman of Broadstone Golf Club and Will Pallister of Cleckheaton & District Golf Club coming second in their respective categories.

For Craig it was the second time he had finished as runner-up at the awards, having also done so in the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category in 2017.