Greenkeeper wins US learning trip

A Young greenkeeper has won a trip to America to hone his skills.

Mat Wormald, of Luffenham Heath Golf Club, has been named as the top young greenkeeper in the country after just two years in the job.

The 24-year-old was nominated for the Toro Young Greenkeeper of the Year Award and has now clinched a a six-week study trip to the University of Massachusetts before heading off to the Toro factory and the Golf Industry Show in New Orleans.

Mat, of North Luffenham, said: "I'm just passionate about grass. No one really understands how much work goes into greenkeeping and I'm looking forward to learning much more about it during the course."

His trip will condense two years of learning into six weeks and teach Mat valuable lessons which he hopes will benefit his work at Luffenham when he returns.

Mat said: "I really want to use this award and the trip to open people's eyes about what goes on. It's an awesome job and I would recommend it to anyone."

The former Uppingham Community College and Rutland College student wasn't looking for a career in this field but fell into it as a part-time job after studying business and marketing at university. He now has big ambitions to become head greenkeeper at a golf course used for the British Open.

Mat said: "If you like being outdoors and playing on machinery every day, this is the perfect job. There is always something different."

Mat leaves for America on January 5.

Source:-Rutland & Stamford Mercury