Former R&A greenkeeping scholar, Katie Walls, who gained a first-class honours degree in Turfgrass Science, has taken up a teaching post at Myerscough College. Walls is now lecturing the next generation of scholars at the college only a few years after she graduated.

 

“Katie is an excellent example of the programme’s potential,” said The R&A’s Director of Golf Course Management, Steve Isaac. “The fact that there are young graduates who are committed to safeguarding the future of the game as it adapts to changing circumstances bodes extremely well indeed.”

 

Her dissertation, a comprehensive 139-page document entitled ‘Issues of Sustainability on Golf Courses in the UK and Ireland’, has become a valuable reference tool for The R&A’s Golf Course Management Department and Committee and has contributed much to debate on the subject.

 

“I’m glad to have the opportunity to pass on my research to the next group of greenkeeping students at Myerscough,” explained Walls. “Golf course sustainability is sure to become increasingly important as we attempt to deal with today’s environmental threats and, therefore, it is imperative that tomorrow’s greenkeepers are aware of their responsibilities to the sustainability of the game.”

 

Myerscough College recently brought a group of students up to St Andrews to meet and develop relationships with their counterparts from Elmwood College. It was an international affair with students from South Africa, Spain, China, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Slovenia all enjoying tours of both the Old Course and the Castle Course, before contesting a golf match which, it is hoped, will become an annual fixture.