Brent Downs, director of agriculture at Otter Creek Golf Course in Indiana, has become the 90th Big Treasurer since the certification was established by BIGGA in 1990.
In doing so, Brent, 43, is just the 36th person to hold the Master Greenkeeper and Certified Golf Course Superintendent ranks, the two highest honors available to experienced golfers on both sides of the Atlantic.
When he was told he had succeeded in achieving Master Greenkeeper status, Brent said: “It was amazing and there were so many different emotions. I know the journey there and many people have done it before me, so it was equal parts shock and gratitude. Happiness, gratitude and self-reflection came later.”
Although he hails from Indiana in the Midwest United States, Brent attributes his greatest success to his spells in Australia and the UK. Having trained at Loch Lomond Golf Club in 2007, Brent has become the fourth Green keeper to join the Argyll & Bute courses, following in the footsteps of Ken Siems, David Cole and Janne Lehto.
“Not many people get the opportunity to study in Scotland and Australia at the beginning of my career,” said Brent. That just changed my perspective and my worldview a lot. It was the first time I had heard of the Master Treasurer, because although there are only 90 of us, four of them are connected in some way with Loch Lomond Golf Club – Ken Siems and David Cole, who were my managers at the time, and now Janne Lehto and I are the custodians of the Great 89 and – 90.”
After the news of Brent's success was spread to his fellow Master Greenkeepers, he was overwhelmed with congratulations.
“I'm proud of the role I played in this, but you've never accomplished something like this on your own,” said Brent. “It takes a village and I am grateful to the Greenkeepers students who did not stretch me, trained me and calmed me down – they kept encouraging me to stick with it.
“Deb's moment [Burnett, BIGGA Learning and Development Manager] sent that email, I don't think I've ever received so many congratulations. That's when I realized what a Master Greenkeeper community or family is.”
To qualify for the Professional Stewardship Certificate, a candidate must have at least 10 years of experience working as a greenkeeper including three years as a course manager, head greenkeeper or superintendent. Certification involves the completion of a rigorous testing program covering all aspects of golf course management.
The Master Greenkeeper is a mark of distinction and highly respected in the golf industry, indicating that its owner has achieved the highest level of expertise through a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of golf course management.
You can find out more about the Master Greenkeeper on the BIGGA website, www.bigga.org.uk
Source link
