In today’s competitive landscape for talent, golf clubs and their leaders are on a mission to attract and retain top performers, including greenkeepers, while fueling organic growth and boosting employee productivity.
By introducing innovative perks and creating flexible work environments, golf clubs are demonstrating a powerful commitment to optimizing the workplace.
Yet, in the quest for fresh ideas and approaches, they might overlook one of the simplest yet most impactful strategies: recognizing and celebrating their employees.
From a very early age, we seek recognition from those around us, like parents and teachers. Our desire for positive affirmation is so powerful, especially during our formative years, that even a neutral response can feel discouraging.
Embracing this need can inspire us to support and uplift one another on our journeys of growth.
Employee recognition can significantly benefit organizations in three primary areas:
- Retain top talent.
- Increase employee engagement.
- Encourage high performance.
BetterUP Study – on the benefits of employee recognition
Recent findings from BetterUp‘s study underscore the substantial benefits of cultivating a sense of belonging in the workplace.
Specifically, organizations can expect to see a remarkable 56% boost in job performance, a 50% decrease in turnover risk, and a striking 75% reduction in employee sick days.
These insights underscore the importance of cultivating an inclusive environment that fosters employee well-being and productivity.
Do you utilize AI-powered employee recognition platforms? E.g. Applauz
Alongside all these considerations, it is vital to appreciate the remarkable contributions of our golf club employees. This appreciation highlights their inherent value, underscoring their worth as both colleagues and individuals.
By expanding our focus beyond mere recognition, we can seize numerous opportunities to support and deeply connect with our golf club employees.
2025 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year
The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), alongside co-founders and sponsors Toro and Reesink UK, has just unveiled the spectacular lineup for the 2025 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards!
This prestigious event, celebrating outstanding talent since 1989, promises to be an unforgettable showcase of the next generation of greenkeeping stars.
The upcoming event at Rudding Park in Harrogate, from September 9 to 11, promises to be an exciting opportunity for finalists to showcase their skills.
Participants will engage in a variety of challenges that aim to evaluate their technical expertise and enthusiasm for the greenkeeping profession.
The culmination of this competition will see the announcement of the winners in the prestigious categories of Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.
The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:
- Jamie Beattie, assistant greenkeeper at Royal Liverpool and student at Myerscough College
- Ruth Etches, assistant greenkeeper at Trentham Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
- Oliver Pate, deputy head greenkeeper at Worksop Golf Club and student at Askham Bryan College
- Chris Szoradi, first assistant greenkeeper at Manchester Golf Club and student at Askham Bryan College
- Brad Taylor, assistant greenkeeper at Beau Desert Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:
- Oliver Badger, apprentice greenkeeper at Parkstone Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
- Andrew Semple, apprentice greenkeeper at Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club and student at SRUC Elmwood
- Matthew Strutt Donnelly, apprentice greenkeeper at Stoneham Golf Club and student at Berkshire College of Agriculture (Windsor Forest Campus)
To be eligible for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must have been
- A greenkeeper for a minimum of 12 months and
- be studying towards the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper or Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper qualifications.