Dr Paul Miller, lecturer in greenkeeping and course management at SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, has returned from the first ever African R&A green keeping workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Miller caught up with former students and joined over 150 delegates from across Africa representing clubs in Kenya, Burundi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
The lecturer made a presentation on green keeping education and said: “We really hope to gain a foothold and deliver on-the-ground training in East Africa. The possibility of delivering green keeping education in this region is very exciting. The city of Nairobi and the surrounding areas are just fascinating.”
Every year, since 2004, the R&A has identified the most deserving students enrolled in turf management higher education to receive scholarships. Beyond the direct financial assistance, candidates also gain access to opportunities for networking and professional development which helps employment opportunities.
SRUC’s Elmwood campus, based at Cupar in Fife, is one of two UK education providers the R&A work with. Former Elmwood student and R&A scholar Derek Daly, director of education at the Silver Lakes Academy in South Africa contributed to the sessions, using equipment like the stamp meter to measure green speed.
Another scholar and former Elmwood student, Neville Wenhold, is currently preparing his course – the Gary Player Country Club – for the Nedbank Challenge.
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