Time is winding down for assistant superintendents to register for this year's Green Start Academy.
For nearly 20 years, the Green Start Academy has helped prepare hundreds of future golf course superintendents for the next phase of their careers. But time is running out for assistant superintendents to register for this year's conference that is sponsored by John Deere, Envu and Rain Bird.
Aug. 1 is the application deadline for the 19th annual professional development and peer networking event scheduled for Dec. 11-13 at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.
"I think the Green Start (Academy) gives you a lot of tools to deal with the people aspect of the business," Country Club of Detroit assistant Tim Matty said in a Green Start promo video. "And that is vitally important as you do make the step from assistant to superintendent."
The three-day education and networking experience is open to 50 assistant golf course superintendents and provides attendees with the opportunity to become immersed in lectures and roundtable discussions conducted by the golf industry leaders. According to the GSA website, the program is designed to provide "the best environment for assistant superintendents to impart essential knowledge and facilitate the sharing of industry best practices, with a clear focus on professional development."
"In our industry, we're experts with agronomics, but we're not experts when it comes to networking and the business behind what we do," said Matthew Legg, assistant at Weston Golf Club". I think this is something that the Green Start Academy excels as is teaching assistants the bigger picture when it comes to golf course management."
This year marks the fourth consecutive appearance for Green Start at Pinehurst, site of this year's U.S. Open Championship.
The goal of the Green Start program is to drive personal and professional success by providing the tools and training needed by today's golf course superintendents while also giving attendees the chance to build relationships with peers and industry leaders.
Previous Green Start Academy participants are not eligible, with the exception of the 2020 virtual class, who may reapply for consideration in this year's or a future in-person program. Applicants selected for this year's academy will be notified by Aug. 30.
Click here to apply.