15 October 2009

Dr David Patterson, Senior Lecturer, Horticulture CAFRE

CAFRE held its  second  Awards Ceremony for Amenity Horticulture students at Greenmount campus.  The event was attended by past students,  guests and employers from across Ireland.  These day-release courses include NVQ level 2 and level 3 awards in Landscaping, as well as the NVQ level 2 in Greenkeeping and the Advanced National Certificate in Sportsturf. To complete such courses students have to demonstrate competence in a wide range of practical, technical, supervisory and business skills.

CAFRE have provided high quality training over the years for many of the golf courses across Ireland and are keen to expand this further, having recently opened the new Greenkeeping & Golf Academy at Greenmount campus working in close partnership with the Ulster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI)

Michael Loughran, the President of the Golf Course Superintendants Association of Ireland (GCSAI) was the guest speaker at the ceremony. Michael is the first president of the association from Northern Ireland and comes from a strong family background in greenkeeping and golf.

In his address Michael said  “As greenkeeping students you have now successfully achieved your level 2 or level 3 qualification, but you must keep developing your skills and competences. There are many opportunities both locally and internationally for those keen to take on new challenges and develop their careers”.  He concluded by congratulating all  the landscaping and sportsturf students and their assessors for all of the hard work and effort and wished them well in their future careers.

For further information on horticulture and other courses contact CAFRE on 028 944 6700.

John Fay, CAFRE director (extreme left), Dr Michael Mullan Head of Higher Education Branch (extreme right), and Michael Loughran president of the GCSAI (centre) with prize winners Graham Swann and Adrian Moore at the Sportsturf and Landscaping Awards Ceremony Greenmount Campus.

Geoff Connell, Evergreen Lawns, Greysteel presenting the Evergreen trophy to Graham Swann from Dunmurray for first overall NVQ 2 Sportsturf student.