This month, Matt Strutt Donnelly was named the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year at the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) Awards Evening.
Matt, who is studying for his apprenticeship with us at BCA whilst working at Stoneham Golf Club in Hampshire, won the prestigious award after beating tough competition. He impressed the judges in a series of challenging assessments that tested nominees’ knowledge, skill, and passion for greenkeeping – and came out on top!
We spoke to Matt after his success, to find out a little bit more about his journey so far.
How does it feel to win the award?
It feels absolutely awesome to win this award! For me it’s proof that if I put in the work and effort, I’m able to do things that I didn’t think I’d be able to do. It’s definitely given me a boost in confidence to push myself further and put myself out there more.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
How satisfying everything about the job is. I love being able to look back on what I’ve done in the day and visually see that I’ve made the course look better. It’s the continuous small improvements every day that bring me a lot of satisfaction.
How long have you been doing your apprenticeship?
I’ve been doing my Level 2 for just over a year and a half now. I started in February 2024 and I’m hoping to finish in November/December.
Why did you choose to do greenkeeping?
Originally, I chose to get into greenkeeping to get out of a bad spot. I was going to university in Bristol to study Civil Engineering but really struggled to enjoy my time there. I couldn’t find accommodation near the university, so I ended up staying with family who were a two-hour bus journey away. After a couple of months I realised I wasn’t very happy, so I left university and moved in with my girlfriend in Southampton. At the same time Stoneham Golf Club were looking for more staff, so I applied and have been there ever since!
What’s the most satisfying project you’ve worked on so far?
The most satisfying project so far was when I was volunteering in Canada, building a USGA green at Cabot Cape Breton. I got to learn so much about the whole process and it was there that I discovered my love for operating the big machines. Seeing photos of the green now is very satisfying.
What’s your career plan for the next few years?
For the next couple of years, I want to keep building my experience and learning as much as I can – I’ll go wherever it takes me. I like the idea of doing more work abroad as I find it quite fascinating the different ways things are done in different places, because of the different climates and varied cultural practices. I’d also like to spend the time attending more events, and doing more volunteering to expend my network and meet new people!
Best advice you’ve been given so far?
The best advice that I’ve been given was from my Dad. He told me that “you can teach skills, but you can’t teach attitude.” This taught me to always be open to new things and be willing to learn, ns it’s also given me a lot of confidence in myself. It’s helped me realise that it’s okay to not know everything, and to ask as many questions as you can. People will always want to teach you if you’re willing to listen and take it in.
What would you say to someone thinking about doing the apprenticeship?
To anyone who likes the look of greenkeeping and wants to get into it, your Level 2 is a great first step into beginning your career in the industry. It’s a great way to learn the fundamentals of greenkeeping and build a good foundation to work from for the rest of your career. The support system in place around the apprenticeship is second to none, you have lots of people around who want you to do well and are happy to help whenever you need it. If you’re wanting to get into greenkeeping then I would definitely recommend it.
If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship, head to the Greenkeeping and Sports Turf Management page for more information.
