Any greenkeeping student who is undertaking one of the listed qualifications below (at the time of application):

Level 2 – Work-based Diploma – Greenkeeper / SVQ

Level 2 – Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping

Level 3 – Work-based Diploma – Greenkeeper / SVQ

Level 2 – Diploma / National Certificate (NC)

Level 3 – Subsidiary / Extended Diploma

If you are 22 or over at the time of application you will need to apply in the main award category. If you are 21 or under at the time of application you will need to apply for the young award.

After you apply for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards, there’s a multi-stage process that follows — and it’s designed to assess your skills, knowledge and potential as a turf professional before the final awards are decided. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Application review and shortlisting

• Once you submit your online application (including your endorser’s details and a photo), the organisers review it to check you meet the eligibility criteria (e.g., student status, qualification level, experience). From all applicants, a shortlist is created for the next assessment stage.

2. Initial interview stage

• Shortlisted candidates are invited to interviews, often conducted remotely via Zoom or regionally in person. These interviews help judges understand your motivation, industry knowledge and professional approach before progressing you further.

3. Selection of National Finalists

• Based on performance in the interview stage, a group of national finalists is chosen. This selection is competitive and reflects the strongest entries in both the main Student and Young Student categories.

4. Final assessment event

• Finalists are invited to attend a multi-day finals event. During the finals you participate in a range of practical and theoretical challenges. These tasks are designed to test your technical ability, problem-solving, communication and industry enthusiasm and include:
  • Grass and seed identification
  • Agronomy and technical exams
  • Course walks with discussion with judges
  • Presentations about projects or plans
  • Personal and professional interviews

5. Awards ceremony and recognition

• After the finals are completed, winners and runners-up are announced at a formal awards ceremony.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive: enrolment in an internationally recognised 10-week turf management remote study course at the University of Massachusetts’ Winter Turf School. A one-week work experience placement at a UK or overseas golf course. An all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year runner-up will receive: a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including four days of education, five nights’ accommodation, travel and £125 expenses. A Toro training course voucher.

Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award winner will receive: an all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing. A one-week work experience placement at a UK or overseas golf course. A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including four days of education, five nights’ accommodation, travel and £125 expenses. A Toro training course voucher.

Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year runner-up will receive: a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including two days of education, three nights’ accommodation, travel and £75 expenses. A Toro training course voucher.

Yes! Endorsers for both the main and young winners will receive: a trip to BTME with a two day conference pass and a night in a Harrogate hotel, an invitation to the BIGGA Celebration to recognise achievements of members throughout the year, followed by a valuable networking event with Reesink Turfcare and Toro and a profile in Greenkeeper International.

The brainchild of The Toro Company (the turfcare machinery and irrigation manufacturer) and Reesink Turfcare, the exclusive distributor in the UK for Toro products and equipment, the two companies also sponsor the event. It is organised by the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).

A panel of industry experts judges both the main Student and Young Student categories — typically made up of experienced professionals from sponsor Reesink Turfcare and BIGGA including the current President and other respected turfgrass and golf maintenance specialists.

Deb Burnett, Learning and Development Manager at BIGGA, is instrumental in the organisation of the awards. She will guide you through the process, even setting up WhatsApp groups with your fellow finalists, starting the community early. She can be contacted on tel: 01347 666 580 or email: deb@bigga.co.uk