Green Start Academy 2025 Application Window Begins June 12th

Green Start Academy (GSA) is honored to announce the opening of its application window for the 20th consecutive year, welcoming aspiring assistant superintendents to join its esteemed leadership and development program. Now entering its fifth year at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, GSA will once again partner with industry leaders John Deere, Envu and Rain Bird. For two decades, this program has continued to enhance and sharpen the skills of assistant superintendents, equipping them with essential knowledge to advance their careers. GSA remains committed to empowering these professionals to unlock their potential and succeed in the dynamic world of golf course management.

The success of Green Start Academy alumni continues to speak for itself, and we’re proud to carry on this tradition with a new class of assistant superintendents,” said Kim Ehasz, global manager of market development & strategy at John Deere. “We’re excited to welcome the 2025 class and play a role in shaping their journeys through the outstanding educational and networking opportunities this program offers.”

This year, GSA is set to host  the finest assistant superintendents from throughout North America, offering a unique education and networking experience. Participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in lectures and roundtable discussions conducted by the golf industry’s most respected figures. This program is designed to provide the best environment for assistant superintendents to impart essential knowledge and facilitate the sharing of industry best practices, with a clear focus on professional development. GSA is committed to equipping each participant with the essential tools and insights to thrive in their respective careers.

“Envu is proud to support the Green Start Academy as it celebrates 20 years of advancing excellence in the golf course maintenance profession,” said Mark Schneid, head of North America commercial operations at Envu. “This program plays a vital role in helping to develop the next generation of talented superintendents by providing them with the knowledge, mentorship, and network they need to grow. We believe in investing in the future of our industry, and Green Start Academy continues to be a cornerstone in shaping that future.”

The GSA program offers a distinctive platform designed to guide participants toward both personal and professional growth by equipping them with the essential tools and training for success. It also fosters meaningful connections and helps strengthen bonds among industry leaders.

“This is one of my favorite weeks of the year” said Tony Whelan, National Sales Manager at Rain Bird.  “Spending time with the mentors, our friends at John Deere and ENVU at Pinehurst, the Home of American Golf.  What could be better?  Developing a program that helps prepare assistant superintendents from across the US and Canada for their next role and seeing them building a network of peers and mentors.  I know the Golf Course Community’s future is bright and in good hands with the graduates of this program”.

The program is currently accepting applications through August 1. Those interested can apply for a spot in this year’s class on the Green Start Academy website.

About John Deere

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never driven a tractor, mowed a lawn, or operated a dozer. With John Deere’s role in helping produce food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure, we work for every single person on the planet. It all started nearly 200 years ago with a steel plow. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems, and more.

For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at https://www.deere.com.

About Envu

Envu was founded in 2022, a new company built on years of experience, for the sole purpose of advancing healthy environments for everyone, everywhere. Envu offers dedicated services in: Professional Pest Management, Forestry, Ornamentals, Golf, Industrial Vegetation Management, Lawn & Landscape, Mosquito Management, and Range & Pasture. Across each of its lines of business, Envu collaborates with customers to design innovative solutions that meet their requirements today and well into the future. Envu’s portfolio consists of over 180 trusted and well-known brands. The company employs nearly 900 people and operates in more than 100 countries with four global innovation hubs. For additional information, visit the Envu website.

About Rain Bird

Rain Bird Corporation – Golf Division provides complete irrigation solutions to golf courses across the globe. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leading-edge products including pump stations, rotors, field controllers, map-based and mobile central control systems, decoders, swing joints, filtration systems, valves and irrigation accessories.  Central controls and pump stations are serviced and supported by a comprehensive Global Service Plan (GSP). Rain Bird products and services are sold worldwide through an extensive distribution network. For more information, please contact 1-800-RAINBIRD or visit www.rainbird.com/golf.