If there is a noticeable improvement in turf maintenance at Tanah Merah Country Club’s world-famous Garden course, put it also down to the professional work of Grace Lim.
The woman responsible for horticulture and landscaping work at TMCC’s two courses, Garden and Tampines, is ready to apply what she has learnt from an exhaustive, elaborate course that lasted over almost the past year.
After completing her course in March this year, Grace has begun work at the Garden course which has staged some of the world’s best tournaments – such as HSBC Women’s Champions, Johnnie Walker Skins, Lexus Cup and Queen Sirikit Cup in the past.
The 32-year-old has been with TMCC for two years and is enjoying her work at the club with support from a forward-looking management and co-operative staff and members.
She said: “The club sent me on the course, conducted by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF). The trainers came from the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute.
“The entire course lasted one year and my batch consisted of 22 students, of whom I was among the 17 who successfully completed the course.”
And the confirmation course was held from March 4 to 6 at the Forest City Golf Resort in Johor Bahru.
To obtain the certificate, students needed to complete 13 assignments after the introductory course and 21 assessments after the progression course within a given timeframe to be eligible for entry into the confirmation course.
The confirmation course is hectic with students having to complete 11 written assessments, 5 practical assessments and deliver a presentation on a given project topic related to turf management skills practised over the past 12 months.
To obtain a pass, a minimum score of 60 per cent across all assessments and presentation was required.
Grace, who has been working 12 years in the horticulture and landscaping field, added: “The certificate has opened doors for me in the turf management career field. Prior to this course, I had no experience in turf maintenance despite working in the horticulture and landscaping field.
“It provided me with core skills and knowledge essential for efficient and safe operation as a greenkeeper on a golf course, safeguarding the turf, reputation of the course, and improving productivity.”
Topics during the course included Golf Course Ecology, Lead Greenkeeping Staff, Surface Management on the Golf Course, Rootzone and Soil Water Management on the Golf Course, and Managing Golf Course Pests and Diseases.
Said Grace: “With this knowledge, I aim to better anticipate potential issues more effectively and implement preventive measures proactively. Also, to collaborate more effectively with the team to develop maintenance programmes aimed at enhancing the overall standards of the golf course and overall experiences of the golfers.”
Armed with some fresh, worthwhile and educational knowledge, Grace’s next step is to apply the knowledge and skills gained into improving the golf course standards.
“Additionally, I intend to seek out further courses to expand my understanding of agronomy and turf management. Furthermore, I will also dedicate more time to working closely with my mentor to gain more practical experience under his guidance,” she added.
When asked what fuels her passion for the industry, Grace said: My passion is fuelled by my profound connection to nature and its positive impact.
“I find immense satisfaction in transforming barren spaces into thriving gardens or neglected areas into inviting sanctuaries. Blending my artistry with ecological responsibility, creating beauty while promoting biodiversity, and witnessing this positive change fuels my creativity and sense of accomplishment.
“The industry is ever evolving, offering endless opportunities to learn, experiment with new plants and techniques, and collaborate with clients to bring their visions to life. There’s always a new challenge to explore, which keeps me constantly engaged.”.
