The OSS, in partnership with EKOS Consultants, have launched the second stage of research exploring the need for, and potential benefits of a greenkeeper academy in South Ayrshire.
Following an original scoping and evaluating of enthusiasm for a greenkeeper academy in the West of Scotland, the OSS identified a number of interested stakeholders keen to understand the potential of new greenkeeping centre. The stakeholders engaged by the OSS in the project include the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), Scottish Golf, South Ayrshire Council (SAC), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), University of the West of Scotland (UWS), British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC), the Ayrshire Golf Association and South Ayrshire greenkeepers.
The second phase of work will involve a high-level Feasibility Study that engages all partners in analysing innovative approaches to greenkeeping and helps to shape Scottish and global thinking on sustainability in golf. It will develop insight to what a greenkeeper academy might look like, who would be involved in its funding and management, and what benefits it would provide the various stakeholders and the Ayrshire and Scottish population. The study will also seek to identify challenges and issues to such a venture.
This short-term project will be concluded by May 2023, and will provide recommendations for the stakeholders based on the evidence of need and community support allied to the market assessment and viability of the project.
If you are interested in the research, please get in touch with OSS Research Manager Ryan Brown: ryan@oss.scot.
