Tizayi Sithole wants to know more about greens

FORMER secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Golf Course Superintendents Association, Tizayi Tundu Sithole, has decided to take his career a step further by studying towards attaining an Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series.

The Assistant Superintendent Certificate which the decorated Sithole is undertaking is for further field advancement and is offered by the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GSCAA).

Sithole is already a member of the GSCAA and is furthering his studies in golf course conditions. He is presently the assistant superintendent at Oak Hills Park Golf Course.

The GSCAA is the professional association for Golf Superintendents and offers members education, resource sharing opportunities, science and golf maintenance guidance. The organisation has over 20 000 professionals in more than 78 countries and Sithole is set to join the long list.

The four-part certification process that Sithole intends to complete covers key competency areas in agronomy, business, leadership/ communications and environmental stewardship. The test can be rigorous, up to three hours long for each competency, providing great knowledge for the golfing professional.Sithole has already completed half of his studies.

“We are happy to report that Tiz is halfway through this certification process, so way to go Tiz! So, the next time you are on the course wondering why the conditions are so good, you can thank Jim Schell (Oak Hills Park Golf Course Superintendent), Tiz and team. Both of their tireless study about golf course conditions make Oak Hills Park the very best it can be. We congratulate Tiz again on completing half of this journey,” wrote Oak Hills Park Golf Course on their website.

Some of the things that Sithole will be studying include understanding plant biology, managing fertilisation, understanding different turf grass practices, incorporating pest management and managing equipment among other things.

Sithole holds various golf course management qualifications, including a certificate from Ohio State University, Golf Course Management from Scotland Rural University College and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, specialising in Crop Science from the University of Zimbabwe.

Boasting a wealth of experience as a greenskeeper, Sithole worked as a project manager for Landscape Solutions, where his responsibilities included maintenance of a golf course, rugby pitch, softball pitch and bowling green.

He also worked at Leopard Rock Golf Resort & Hotel. Sithole interned at the Hyde Park Golf and Country Club in Cincinnati and Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando.

Studying for the Assistant Superintendent Certificate is a testament to Sithole’s dedication to greenkeeping which remains unwavering.

He has begun the steps towards his ultimate goal of becoming a superintendent. — @brandon_malvin.