14th Annual Green Start Academy

October 23 - 25, 2019

Green Start Academy — world-class training for assistant superintendents

Green Start Academy is a leadership and development program co-hosted by Bayer and John Deere. The event will be held at the Bayer and John Deere facilities in North Carolina, October 23 – 25, 2019.

Since 2006, the goal for this program has been to help assistant superintendents build a strong foundation for their careers, as well as to support the future of golf courses and the entire industry.

Attendees have the unique opportunity to network with peers and receive valuable insights from industry leaders. With topics from career development to budgeting to labor management, the Green Start Academy provides attendees with the education, networking and career insights they need to excel as superintendents and lead our industry into the next decade and beyond.

Assistant Superintendent at Green Start Academy

We're looking for the top 50 assistant superintendents.

Are you one of them?

Applications for the 2019 Green Start Academy open, June 1, 2019. To apply, please submit an application, résumé, cover letter, letter of recommendation and an essay describing the top three things that will drive change in the golf course maintenance industry over the next 10 years (minimum 600 words). The 2019 advisory panel will evaluate and select the 50 highest-ranked applicants to attend the October event.

The program is open to assistant superintendents in the U.S. and Canada only. Although we’d love to see Academy alumni, previous Green Start Academy participants are not eligible for future academies. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm ESDT Friday, June 28, 2019.

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Program Timeline

Application period: June 1 – June 28, 2019
Panelist evaluation period: July 1 – July 27, 2019
Selection notification: Week of August 5
Registration/book travel: August 20 – Sept 21, 2019
Program: October 23 – 25, 2019
Accommodations: StateView Hotel, Raleigh, NC

Academy Alumni

We're proud to say we have over 600 graduates from across the U.S. and Canada.

That's 13 years of recruiting the best in the industry! If you’re an Academy alum and know of a great candidate, please share our page to get the word out about this exciting opportunity.

David Delsandro,
Ground Superintendent,
Oakmont Country Club

"Attending the inaugural Green Start Academy in 2006 was a defining moment in my professional development. Interacting with and listening to the distinguished panel of contributors was a great opportunity. The ability to network with similar, driven assistant superintendents only provided greater motivation in my daily work. John Deere and Bayer provided a first-class, fantastic experience that proved to be very beneficial. I recommend applying to Green Start Academy to our current assistant superintendents on an annual basis."

2019 Advisory Panel

Billy Weeks

Golf Course Superintendent
Houston Country Club // Houston, Texas

Bob Farren, CGCS

Director of Golf Courses & Grounds
Pinehurst Resort // Pinehurst, North Carolina

Michael Stevens

Regional Director of Agronomy // Southeast Region
Billy Casper Golf // St. Augustine, FL

Grant Murphy

Associate Golf Course Superintendent
The National Golf Club of Canada // Woodbridge, Ontario

Carlos Arraya

Golf Course Superintendent
Bellerive Country Club // St. Louis, MO

Lukus Harvey

Director of Agronomy
Atlanta Athletic Club // Johns Creek, Georgia

Pat Finlen

General Manager
Winchester Country Club // Meadow Vista, CA