The Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland (ATPI) is calling on golf clubs and everyone who plays golf in Ireland to get behind International Thank A Greenkeeper Day on Tuesday 8 September, as the global campaign marks its sixth year.
The initiative, supported internationally by organisations including the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA), gives players, members and the wider public a chance to say thank you to the people who prepare and maintain the surfaces they play on.
ATPI is asking Irish golf clubs to continue their support for the day and to build it into their club calendars each year. Clubs and golfers are also encouraged to tag ATPI on social media when marking the day, so the association can help share and amplify the message across the country.
Greenkeeping and turf management have grown into highly skilled, technical professions. Beyond preparing playing surfaces, today’s turf professionals lead teams, manage substantial budgets and machinery fleets, safeguard wildlife habitats, and help their clubs and venues adapt to changing weather patterns and tightening environmental regulation.
Modern turf care increasingly draws on precision technology too, from GPS-guided machinery and soil and moisture sensors to data-led decision making, all aimed at producing better playing surfaces more sustainably.
“There’s real skill behind every course we play,” said Damien Connolly, General Manager of ATPI. “Thank A Greenkeeper Day is a chance for clubs, members and golfers to recognise that, and we’d love to see it embraced at courses right across the country.”
ATPI is encouraging clubs and venues to mark the day in whatever way suits them: introducing greenkeeping and grounds teams to members, sharing behind-the-scenes photos and videos, or simply arranging a coffee, breakfast or lunch for staff. Individuals are encouraged to pass on a personal word of thanks, in person or online, using #ThankAGreenkeeper.
Appreciation isn’t limited to one day of the year. Consistent recognition from golfers, members and clubs helps build a culture where greenkeepers feel valued for the expertise they bring to Irish golf.
Join the conversation throughout September using #ThankAGreenkeeper.
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