The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award is one of the turfcare industry’s most coveted prizes for young professionals. And for the 2024 winner Jack Vowell it’s been more than just a career milestone, it’s opened global doors and unlocked exciting new opportunities.  

Jack completed his 10-week place at the University of Massachusetts’ Winter School for Turf Managers, an internationally recognised turf management course, in March 2025. The fully funded prize, which is sponsored by Reesink Turfcare and Toro, covers a variety of turf sports, not just golf, giving its students a holistic view of the turfcare industry.  

Students study a carefully curated curriculum of modules, covering everything from the fundamentals of turf management and soil science to turf pathology and weed management. 

“It was really interesting learning about different turf conditions around the world,” says Jack. “Since Massachusetts is a cool-season grass area in the US, there was a lot that I learned which I can now use in my current role as Deputy Course Manager at Farrington Park Golf Club. 

“I particularly enjoyed the turf pathology lessons; they were eye-opening and taught us all about the causes and contributing factors of different diseases. It was great to learn from guest lecturers about how those at the top of their game manage their teams to get the best results.” 

The course gave Jack exposure to other up-and-coming greenkeepers as well as top professionals within the field, he says: “Alongside the learning, it was an opportunity to be in the same room and talk with people from all over the world, about their goals and greenkeeping careers. One of the guest lecturers was the Head Superintendent at Oakmont Country Club in America. I never would have had the opportunity to listen to him, learn from his expertise, and ask him questions about greenkeeping.” 

Despite being a remote course, UMass encourages a strong sense of community with the students. “The university was really keen to make you feel like the class of ‘25,” explains Jack. “They put a lot of emphasis on us sharing information with our classmates and making sure we were connected. 

“I became friendly with a greenkeeper at Fenway Park in the US, which is home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. He’s left the door open for me to experience the ground there and learn about how they look after their turf. Opening international doors like this is just invaluable.” 

For those considering applying to The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award for 2025, Jack highly recommends it: “The opportunities are endless once your name’s out there. Off the back of the award, I’ve joined the BIGGA regional board as vice chair and have attended national board meetings, which is a huge step forward for my career.” 

Entries for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards for 2025 are now open. For more details and how to apply, head to reesinkturfcare.co.uk/students-awards. Entries are open from 1 March to 11 April 2025.