Turfgrass Management Diploma at Olds College

What can you expect from our program?

Olds College offers a Turfgrass Management Diploma for students who have already completed the Turfgrass Management Certificate. Building on the concepts from the certificate you will get to experience hands on learning in our impressive facilities. The unique Bank of Montreal Landscape Construction Pavilion will ensure you experience hands-on bunker or irrigation construction irrespective of the weather. The computer controlled greenhouses and living labs enable applied turfgrass research with the support of industry partners who supply the latest service equipment.  

What will you learn?

Students will be on campus from January to May and will be studying one subject at a time in a three week schedule that allows for a deeper integration of each subject. In May, students will go back into the industry where they will participate in a minimum six month field school/internship. This is where the program will really separate itself from traditional educational offerings. You will be paid employees in the industry, performing duties at the golf course while also completing courses. While enrolled in the field school/internship, you will work in collaborative groups with your fellow students and will draw on the experience and knowledge of many of the golf course superintendents to complete their course work.

Along with completing three field schools, you will learn about:

• Managing Agronomic Environments
• Procuring Pesticide Certification
• Implementing Environmental Systems for Golf Courses
• Evaluating Irrigation Environmental Efficiencies
• Applying Golf Course Construction Techniques
• Evaluating Professional Standards
• Managing Golf Course Soils

Your Future

Job opportunities include: superintendent at a smaller operation/property, second assistant at a larger operation/property and a foreman in a municipality or Parks and Recreation operation/property.