In 1913, Olds College was established in Central Alberta. Since opening their doors Olds College has created a vision to become the leading comprehensive applied agricultural, horticulture, agribusiness, land and environmental management learning facility in Canada. Olds College provides three levels of credentials to students; certificate, diploma and applied degree. Over the decades the college has developed a strong reputation with years of success as it continues to provide quality education and training for students. I enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (BASc), majoring in Golf Course Management in 2011. The third year of the degree program consists of an academic curriculum that builds on my Golf Course Technician Diploma and includes subjects in; Environmental Management for Golf Courses, Golf Course Master Planning, Ethics & Integrated Pest Management, Plant Environment Systems, Project Management Principles, Small Business Planning & Management, Human Resource Management, Research Methods, Integrated Project, and Self Directed Learning. The fourth year of the BASc Degree is a Directed Field Study (DFS). The DFS offers a unique opportunity for the student to personally develop specific competency based learning objectives. It is currently the only applied degree program in North America designed in this way. I made the decision to complete the BASc in Golf Course Management at Olds College because I believe it provides students with the business leadership qualities needed to obtain a management position in the golf course industry and separate myself from other employee candidates in this highly competitive industry. The Toronto Golf Club (TGC) is the third oldest Golf Club in North America, founded in 1876. It is a private Club. There are two courses, totalling 27-holes, on the property; the 18-hole course was designed by English born Harry Colt, and the 9-hole course was designed by Howard Watson. The practice of greenskeeping has been carried out on the current property for 100 years. The Toronto Golf Club has been instrumental in the development of golf in Canada and the industries professional golf organizations as we know them today. Al Schwemler has been the Property Manager at the TGC since 1999. Al has his Degrees in Geology from the University of Winsor, and a BSC Agriculture from the University of Guelph. Al started his career as a greenskeeper in 1978. has been the Assistant Property Manager at TGC since 2005. Bill has both an Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management from the University of Guelph, and The Golf Course Turfgrass Management Professional Certificate from the world renowned Penn State University. Bill started his career as a greenskeeper in 1998. Bill has been an invaluable mentor since my decision to pursue a career in turf; he will play the instrumental role of primary mentor while I complete my DFS. For the 2012 golf season I will be employed as a Turfgrass Technician at the Toronto Golf Club. The role requires me to manage and monitor cultural management inputs associated with the operation of a golf course property. The opportunity to complete my Directed Field Study at one of Canada s most historic Clubs while being mentored by individuals who are highly educated, experienced, and at the top of their field will assist me in developing the skills necessary to become a Superintendent in the future.
The position of Turfgrass Technician will provide me the opportunity to be able to: 1. Maintain an irrigation system to ensure system efficiency and system longevity. a. Monitor the irrigation system operation to ensure proper function i. Inspect turf daily for signs of drought stress ii. Observe irrigation head rotation and coverage on greens, tees, and fairways iii. Record issues or deficiencies b. Investigate system malfunctions and make repairs as needed i. Identify the system problem ii. Determine the steps to correct the problem iii. Fix malfunction, replace or repair parts as needed iv. Verify proper operation v. Document malfunctions and repairs in Excel c. Winterization of the irrigation system to ensure proper function for the next spring i. Meet with supervisor(s) to determine end of season goals ii. Identify steps to successfully complete irrigation system winterization by reviewing manual, speaking to supervisors, and irrigation foreman iii. Perform blowout of the irrigation system Journal entries Photos of repairs Meeting notes Excel spreadsheets
2. Develop training procedure documentation to improve Human Resource Management. a. Determine required contents of documentation i. Discuss with management document objective ii. Gather information on specific training procedures to be included iii. Identify if similar documentation templates can be found b. Develop documentation for staff to sign-off on i. Identify if documentation will be paper based or electronic (or both) ii. Prepare/build documentation and procedures c. Evaluate documentation i. Select an Evaluation Team ii. Establish evaluation goals iii. Identify key questions iv. Answer key questions v. Interpret and report findings in relation to goals Journal Documentation examples Evaluation feedback, notes, and goals
3. Develop project management skills in a golf course renovation project. a. Plan and schedule rebuild of nursery green in Excel i. Decide the size of nursery green ii. Compile a list of materials needed to complete build iii. Identify off site materials required and order iv. Determine labour needed for project v. Discuss and agree to timeline for completion b. Budget costs associated with project i. Calculate labour costs in Excel ii. Determine materials cost in Excel c. Define Toronto Golf Club s 2012 Capital projects i. Identify project needs and the selection process ii. Classify the source of work iii. Determine how the project will be expensed Project plan Photos of rebuild and projects Documentation of Capital projects Mentors: Al Schwemler
4. Develop communication skills to promote working satisfaction and high morale. a. Assist in departmental communication to the organization about activities i. Aid in the communication process by writing or editing messages ii. Create an information board in the lunchroom iii. Address and answer questions from membership while on the property b. Organize yearend celebration to build team unity and moral i. Determine date of event ii. Identify number of staff attending iii. Organize food and drink iv. Gather prizes c. Improve interaction and communications with staff and members i. Diarize and comment on subjects of member communication weekly ii. Record and reflect on staff communication specific to training and development iii. Seek mentor feedback iv. Make an action plan to address behavioral change Copy of communication Developed plan from Yearend event Journal entries
5. Obtain Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Accreted to develop Professional Credentials. a. Complete provincial examination i. Register to take complete certification through The University of Guelph ii. Study required materials iii. Write examination b. Develop fertility program to increase plant and soil health i. Compare nutrient requirements to actual levels ii. Determine fertility options and application frequency iii. Convey rates and calculations in Excel iv. Discuss amendments that aid in fertility efficiency c. Create a fungicide program to aid plant health in Excel i. Determine diseases and period of threat ii. Select chemicals that are successful against overlapping diseases iii. Schedule application dates Confirmation of examination completion Fertility program Excel Fungicide program Excel
6. Ensure the completion of all requirements of my Directed Field Study in order to complete my Bachelor of Applied Science in Golf Course Management. a. Complete the eight month DFS b. Utilize the Student Learning Plan to ensure competencies are achieved i. Contrast learning plan to performed work ii. Evaluate learning plan for accuracy throughout work period iii. Revise learning plan according to responsibilities c. Analyze and reflect upon my learning and skills and report upon the success of my learning plan i. Use journals throughout the work period to evaluate progression and aid in reflection ii. Collect validations to document support for work activity iii. Ensure both strengths and weakness are supported with analysis iv. Ensure conclusion demonstrates SLP concept Journal DFS Written Repots DFS Validations Validation Letter from employer Examples of completed work activity Student: Andrew Krek