Awards winner Michael Russell reports on once-in-a-lifetime Toro prize

How have things changed since winning the 2023 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award?

It’s been incredibly busy and so much has changed! Shortly after winning the award, I sat down with my Course Manager and Club Secretary and a First Assistant position was created in recognition of my achievement. The change in role allowed me to work more closely with my course manager and undertake additional responsibilities, allowing me to keep building my knowledge base. 

And how are things now?

A few months down the line and a position came up as Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Poulton Park Golf Club in Warrington. Although less established than Ormskirk, having only been built in 1978, there were learning opportunities which I thought would be hugely important going forward to build my overall greenkeeping understanding. 

For example, management of sand-based greens compared to clay push ups and how maintenance/disease/pest management differs between the two; the club has a full Toro fleet with most machinery being second-hand therefore there is a major focus on preventative maintenance which is quickly building my mechanical knowledge. The club also recently invested in a set of Bernhard grinders (a skill which I was keen to develop but hadn’t had the opportunity to). 

Ben, my course manager, writes a blog every couple of months to update members regarding ongoing works. Being able to read this on the course website prior to applying, I was able to clearly see the dedication to surface refinement through greenkeeping practices like fairway scarification, rough harrowing and targeted granular feeding programme. It’s been great having such a full involvement with these during my first six months. 

And of course, the position came with additional obligations which has enabled me to be fully involved things like winter project planning, budgeting, training of staff and responsibility for the course in Ben’s absence.  

How do you think winning the Student Awards helped with this move?

One of the opportunities for winning the award is a 10-week turf management remote study course ‘The Winter Turf School’ at the University of Massachusetts. I’d completed this from January-March 2024 just prior to my interview at Poulton Park. It was an incredible learning opportunity to study with established lecturers and professors regarding topics like turf management fundamentals; soil science; turf entomology; turf pathology; weed management; turf physiology; irrigation and maintenance, and arboriculture. I was able to discuss this at interview and I think the panel were impressed and interested that I could bring all that knowledge and experience to the club to implement.

Can you tell us a bit more about the Student Awards process?

Following the application process there were the regional interviews, and those selected went on to the National Finals. The finals involved an agronomy examination, grass and seed identification, planning a major winter project, and personal and professional interviews.

And what about the rest of the prize?

As well as enrolment at Turf School, I was taken to America to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing visit (Minnesota and Wisconsin). I had knowledge of The Toro Company, but seeing the headquarters and production factories in person, and gaining understanding of the immense operation involved, was quite difficult to comprehend. It’s clear how the company is a family with each brand in line with their values. 

How was that?

Whether human or robotically controlled stations, the manufacturing, regular inspections, and stringent testing produces products that customers can be confident in and rely upon to produce the highest quality result, it was incredible to see behind the scenes. I felt fortunate to see the manufacturing process from design, development, and testing stage at Lyndale, Minnesota; to the acquirement and meticulous engineering of high specification raw material at the Shakopee plant in Minnesota; to model completion and dispatch in Tomah, Wisconsin. It also made it clear to see how, and why, Toro genuine parts, for example, maintain their quality and stand the test of time. 

Did you get a glimpse into the future? Is there anything you can share with us?

Yes! For clubs without a mechanic, like mine, it is clear to see how the advancement in technology around virtual reality and the opportunity to see a machine in real time from other locations will increase the efficiency of problem identification and lead to quicker rectification. Toro demonstrated how this is a possibility by showing us around and under a machine via VR and a headset.

Gaining an insight into the training team at The Toro Company, along with spending time with master technicians, has allowed me to tap into their knowledge and expertise and therefore view the issues they face. But I think it’s also allowed them to see the issues we face as an end user too and how a closer relationship, with the focus upon preventative maintenance, could be hugely beneficial for both.

How was the visit to Town and Country Golf Club?

From an agronomic point of view, the visit to Town and Country Golf Club capped the week off in the perfect way. The facilities provided for the team in the maintenance area, along with the relevant sections and instructions in place to properly care for the machinery, showed exactly why the golf course could be displayed how it was. Even with some major renovations ongoing, everything had its place, and everyone knew their responsibility. It was a privilege to visit and I’d love to return in the future.

It sounds fantastic! Do you have any advice for those considering applying for the Student Awards in 2025?

Don’t hesitate. Regardless of whether you win the award, simply applying shows to current and future employers your interest in continuously professionally developing. Moreover, you network with people who have the same passion and dedication to their professional development as you. This can be an inspiration and platform to progress to where you want to be.