Why Students take the Golf Course Management Certificate

Why do students take The Ohio State University Golf Course Management Certificates?  There are several reasons given but most fall into one of the following categories.

 

1. Become a golf course superintendent
2. Further their education in golf course management
3. Looking at a career change
4. Work in the golf course industry globally.

Of the students that have taken the Golf Course Management Certificates, what do they have in common?

1. Most are employed working on a golf course and are looking to further their education in the field.
2. Given their interest many aspire to work on golf courses around the world. Some of the students come from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Australia, China, Germany, France, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil and the Caribbean to name a few.
3. They are passionate about golf and turfgrass management.
4. They value lifelong learning.

Over the past eleven years, we have had over 300 students take our Golf Course Management Certificate Program here at The Ohio State University. These unique individuals have come from all over the world and from different walks of life, but they all share one great similarity.

A passion for golf and golf course management.

A huge majority of the students who took the program shared that they desire to become a superintendent for a top 100 golf course after completion.   They are determined, driven, and hardworking people who want to further their education in the profession. Some desire to work their way up into management, while others are intrigued by the science of crafting and maintaining the perfect golf course.

These golf enthusiasts come from all over the world. Places like South Africa, England, California, China, Bulgaria, Germany, and Australia. They aspire to travel and explore the different golf courses around the world. Some of these individuals are established in their careers and others are just getting started.

Ryan Brogan, a 2008 graduate from the program has an interest in everything turfgrass. His goal was to learn about how to apply fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides. He also had an interest in repairing and maintaining mechanical equipment used on golf courses.

Ion Kingsley, a 2009 graduate was working as an assistant golf course superintendent at the time and just had such a passion for the profession.  He expressed that after completing the program he wanted to become a superintendent somewhere in the southeastern part of the United States.

Ryan McLeod, a 2010 graduate was trying to grow is knowledge by learning at his own pace.

Many of the students like David Dukelow, a 2010 graduate, were golf course interns through the Ohio International Intern Program and were working towards their degrees in golf course management. His goal was to return home to Ireland and become a superintendent.

Kelly Harrison, a 2011 graduate, has a desire to move up in the golf management career path. Her goal is to someday be a golf course superintendent.

Many students like, Jonas Friedrich, a 2011 graduate has a goal of running a high-end golf course in Germany. Terry Dewhurst, a 2011 graduate wants to travel to Australia. Guy McCone, a 2011 graduate, wants to work in New Zealand as a superintendent where he can pass his knowledge of turfgrass management to his colleagues. Jerome Leconardel, a 2011 graduate has already traveled a great distance in his career in golf. Over the course of five years, he’s been in France, Spain, and Florida. His goal is to learn and improve his knowledge about golf course management so he can become a superintendent in Europe.

Keith Murray, a 2012 graduate is an assistant in training. He’s interested in learning more about irrigation repair and maintenance, chemical and fertilizer application, and management. Later, he plans on becoming a golf course superintendent to a financially secure golf course.

David Rieck, a 2013 graduate, is from Germany and had seven years of greenkeeping experience and is very interested in the international program. He was recommended to our online class by our very own Michael O’Keeffe.

William Ogletree, a 2014 graduate, believes that a certificate from The Ohio State University in Turf Management gives him purpose. His goal after completing the program is to become a golf course superintendent.

John Paul Mathis, a 2015 graduate, has worked in the golf industry for a while now and aspires to be a superintendent once day. He’s worked as a Spray Technician.   He expresses that to be considered for an assistant superintendent position, he would need a certificate, which our program will fulfil.

Joanne Tyrrell, a 2016 graduate, has been asked to become a polo manager at the golf course where she works. Ohio State’s certificate program will give her to experience she needs to do an excellent job in this position.

Lara Arias, a 2017 graduate, has grown up in the world of golf, and as an adult, she wants to make a career out of it. Her goals were to learn as much knowledge about golf as she can, so she can be successful in whatever position she chooses.

Maggie Culver

Communications Director

The Ohio State University

Horticulture and Crop Science