Four years ago, Cody Learmonth was at a crossroads.
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He knew staying in school was not the best option for him, but he was also unsure what he wanted to do as a career.
At about the same time, the Deniliquin Golf Club was seeking an apprentice greenskeeper.
He decided to take a shot at the job, and it lit a fire in Learmonth that this week sees him leave for the United States to further his career and knowledge in the industry.
The now 21 year-old will participate in a 12 month greenskeeper internship through the University of Ohio.
He will be based at the prestigious California Golf Club in San Francisco for the first six months.
His base for the final six months is yet to be confirmed, but Cody hopes it will be a similarly renowned course in the Florida area.
“The program is second to none, and it will give some great experience on some of the best golf courses in the world,” Cody said.
“As part of the program, I am given the opportunity to study at Ohio State University as well, but for me, it’s more about the practical experience.
“I do want to travel more and work at prestigious clubs, so this could potentially open up a lot of doors for me.
“My goal one day is to work at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, which is a PGA tournament course.”
Cody is one of only three Australians selected for the internship this year, and he said that landing California as his starting point was quite exciting.
“I could have ended up anywhere, and I was actually planning I might be somewhere on the East Coast,” he said.
“I was ecstatic when I was told I would be on the West Coast.
“The second in charge of that course is actually from Perth (Western Australia) and did the same program as I’m doing four years ago. He then went back and worked his way up, so it will be great to learn from him.
“The California Golf Club does not host PGA tournaments, but it is one of Donald Trump’s courses and has 350 exclusive members.”
Cody first applied for the internship 10 months ago, and heads off having just completed a four year apprenticeship with the Deniliquin Golf Club.
“I have been working under Terry Howe and Ben Danckert for the last two years, and you couldn’t ask for two better blokes to mentor you. They have taught me a lot.
“I had never even played golf before I started the apprenticeship, but I have loved how much there is to learn.
“It’s not all just mowing grass - which is what I thought when I first started too. I’ve also been taught about irrigation, trimming trees, fertilising, spraying, course maintenance and course set-up, among other things.
“We got down to the nitty and gritty of everything.”
As well as learning from his mentors at the golf club, Cody learned his trade through the Certificate III in Sports and Turf Recreation course at Wodonga TAFE.
And helping him along the way was the Deniliquin Business Chamber.
Cody was the recipient of the 2022 Deniliquin Business Chamber Riggall Fellowship.
It provides up to $2000 to support training, study or professional development.
“It helped with fuel, accommodation and meals while I was attending my training sessions,” Cody said.
“It also opened up a lot of contacts for me, and so many people were coming up to me to congratulate me on receiving the fellowship.
“I would definitely encourage people to apply for the fellowship; the whole process was a great experience.”
The Chamber Riggall Fellowship is jointly funded by the Deniliquin Business Chamber and the Riggall Family in honour of Gaye Riggall.
She was a passionate advocate for giving back to the community and was known as a matriarch and community champion.
Mrs Riggall, who passed away in 2013, was the first female councillor on the former Conargo Shire Council, and eventually became its first mayor.
She was also editor of the Pastoral Times before founding the Deniliquin Independent and was the inaugural director of the Peppin Heritage Centre between 1989 and 1994.
Mrs Riggall’s daughter, Justine Keech, has kept her mother’s passion for the community, working with the chamber to set up this fellowship.
A 2024 recipient will be announced at this year’s Deniliquin Business Chamber Business Excellence Awards.
Details about nominating are expected to be released in the coming months.
Cody’s friends and family held a farewell for him at the Deniliquin Golf Club on Friday night, and he leaves for the US later this week.
He said it is bittersweet, having found an amazing community and great friends at the Deniliquin Golf Club.
Senior journalist