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Jacobsen and BIGGA have chosen a team of Future Turf Manager Initiative graduates to join the course maintenance team for the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France – including two from Scotland.
One delegate from each FTMI in the past five years has been selected to volunteer at the event, with one more person due to be chosen from the FTMI class of 2018.
Gavin Neill, St Andrews Links Trust (FTMI Class of 2015) and Richard Johnstone, Nairn Dunbar Golf Links (FTMI Class of 2016) both have been selected.
Jacobsen and BIGGA have worked closely with Alejandro Reyes, Golf Courses and Estates Manager at Le Golf National, to provide this potentially career-defining opportunity for BIGGA members for the very first time.
In 2018, the Ryder Cup will be held in Continental Europe for only the second time in its history. Le Golf National will be hosting the biennial match on its spectacular L’Albatros course.
Reyes and his team of approximately 30 greenkeepers have completed extensive renovation work in the lead-up to hosting the event. Renovation work has included a brand-new drainage system capable of draining 90mm of surface water within three hours on all playable surfaces, fibre optics have been installed for on-course connectivity and many holes have been completely renovated.
During the Ryder Cup, which takes place between 28-30 September, 180 members of staff, including 140 volunteers, will be manicuring the golf course to ensure that the playing surfaces are in pristine condition for the duration of the matches.
Commenting on the unique volunteering opportunity, director of international golf sales at Textron Golf, Andre Andrade, said: “We feel privileged to be able to offer FTMI delegates the experience of volunteering at the Ryder Cup.
“It is a huge event, and one I am sure they will remember for the rest of their lives. This opportunity is testament to the close working relationship that Jacobsen has with Le Golf National, and we thank the team there for allowing us to make this happen. Jacobsen is very proud to be an official supplier to the 2018 Ryder Cup, and we look forward to taking the lucky FTMI delegates with us to France next year.”
Three years after his reign as junior captain at Blairgowrie Golf Club, Bradley Neil was guest of honour at the annual prizegiving.
The 21-year-old former Junior Ryder Cup star and Amateur champion returned to his roots as a card-carrying member of the European Tour.
He has recharged the batteries after a hectic finale to 2017 having secured his tour passport with a top-15 finish on the second tier Challenge Tour and immediately sampled consecutive tournaments in Hong Kong, Mauritius and South Africa.
Neil, who competed in last week’s BMW SA Open, said: “It’s been a crazy few years for me. I was delighted to be asked to present the trophies to the club’s juniors and it’s hard to believe it’s just three years since I was junior captain. If I can do anything to support the young golfers I will do my best.
“It was mission accomplished for me in 2017 and I can reflect on a year which has been among the best of my career so far.”
Neil Wilkie, Blairgowrie’s junior convener, said: “Bradley is a great role model and who knows, one or two may be inspired to follow in his footsteps.”
The former Amateur champion also said he will be happy to help any youngster who asks for advice on their game if they see him practicing at the club.
Ed Hodge