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The only internationally accredited turf grass management academy in Africa
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Situated at the Silver Lakes Golf Academy facility, African Turf Academy is ideally situated to offer premium greenkeeping solutions.
African Turf Academy’s high performance golf programme specifically targets young aspiring professional golfers who are keen on understanding the management of the golf course.
African Turf Academy provides the only internationally recognised greenkeeping qualifications in Africa and our full time academy programme is designed for aspiring young professional golfers who are passionate about the understanding of managing a golf course while pursuing their dreams of playing on the professional golf tours.
OUR PARTNERS
Silver Lakes Golf Estate
Situated in the east of Pretoria in South Africa’s Gauteng province, Silver Lakes derives its name from the numerous lakes around which the course was built, with the most beautiful ‘silver’ sunsets over the water. With a signature 18-hole Peter Matkovich designed golf course, the Estate offers a tranquil lifestyle to its residents which includes fishing opportunities in our numerous natural dams, two tennis courts, two squash courts, a game reserve filled with local buck and small animals, nature hiking trails & other fun activities.
Umhlali Country Club and Golf Estate
Umhlali Country Club and Golf Estate is one of the best courses on the North Coast and known as the ‘Gem of the North Coast’. It has a 18-hole Peter Matkovich-designed course that is green all year round, a full driving range with a chipping green, practice putting green and a bunker to practice sandy shots. Umhlali Country Club and Golf Estate strives to provide members, guests and visitors with an affordable and beautiful ecofriendly club with a top-rated golf course, sporting and recreational facilities which offers an enjoyable experience.
The P.G.A. of South Africa
The Professional Golfers Association is a body of qualified professionals that have the expertise and passion to encourage golfers to improve, thereby creating added enjoyment and increased participation leading to more rounds of golf, more memorable moments and more golfers.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
The creation of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) took place in 2012 by merging SAC (the Scottish Agricultural College) with three respected partners (Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges). SRUC exists to deliver comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland’s land-based industries, founded on world class and sector-leading research, education and consultancy. The integration of these three complementary ‘knowledge exchange’ services is of significant value to all with an interest in land-based activities – be they learners, businesses, communities or policy-makers.
The R&A
The R&A organises The Open, golf’s oldest Major, along with a number of other amateur and junior events, some of which are sanctioned by other golfing bodies. In addition, The R&A assumes responsibility for the administration of the Rules of Golf with the consent of 152 organisations from the amateur and professional game, and on behalf of over 30 million golfers in 138 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The R&A also provides best practice guidance on all aspects of golf course management, to help grow golf throughout the world in a commercially and environmentally sustainable way.
John Deere
John Deere was established in 1837 and was primarily focused on producing heavy machinery for the agricultural sector in the early days. These days John Deere is one of the market leaders in machine manufacturing for various different sectors including but not limited to agriculture. construction, landscaping, forestry and sports turf and golf. John Deere leads the way in innovation and sustainability and we at African Turf Academy is proud to be associated with a company who's core values are growth through sustainability and inspiring others towards a sustainable future.
Bernhard and Company Limited
Bernhard and Company Limited are the leaders in the sharpening systems market and one of the world’s most influential forces in the presentation and quality of turf grass. In the USA they are in 75 of the top 100 golf courses, and over 65% of the World Top 100 golf courses. Bernhard continue to support and develop research and education programmes, and understand better than most the relationship between sustainability, conservation and a keenly run maintenance department. They achieve this fine balance by their continued support and partnership with professional greenkeeping / superintendent associations, and other professional bodies.
Titleist
With a pedigree going back 80 years, Titleist is one of the most respected brands in golf, providing tournament class balls, clubs, bags and accessories to professional and amateur golfers across the globe. Utilizing advanced equipment fitting methods, detailed swing analysis, and science-based player conditioning, Titleist is our preferred fitting partner.
The South African Golf Association
The South African Golf Association is the governing body for male amateur golf in South Africa.
Andrew McKenna
With over 25 years' experience in managing and optimising golf management solutions, Andrew's core focus has always been driving growth and clearly-defined business strategies in the golf industry with phenomenal success. He is the CEO and founder of the McKenna Academies, which includes the world-renowned African Turf Academy and the McKenna Performance Academy.
Nikki Curtayne
Director of Education Nikki is the Director of Education at African Turf Academy. He has 20 years’ experience as Superintendent/ Golf Course Manager at several clubs locally and abroad. Nikki enjoys the outdoors and utilises the golf course as his classroom for the students.
Nicholas Powell
African Turf Academy Umhlali Campus Manager Nicholas joined the African Turf Academy as a student after a career as an educator. After finding his passion for the sports turf industry and graduating from the academy he entered the golf industry as a greenkeeper. “I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities the African Turf Academy have provided for me with their vast network in the golf industry. And I am extremely excited to be involved with the academy as a lecturer and golf coach providing the pathway for the next generation of students into the industry I love so much.”
