Intern Spotlight- Tizayi Sithole

It was another great intern class this year, each of them were integral in our success with many of the challenges we faced this year on the course. Our last intern to leave this year is Tizayi Sithole. Tizz was our first intern from Africa, it was a pleasure to have him and he accomplished much during his stay. Here is a little more about his experience at HP.

My name is Tizayi Tundu Sithole, I am from Zimbabwe, Africa. I recently completed my internship at the Hyde Park Golf and Country Club through the Ohio International Intern Program. I am very passionate about golf course management and have chosen it as my life career. I have a BSc. Hon. Agriculture-crop science degree and I am currently enrolled at Elmwood Scotland Rural University College (SRUC) - (UK), working on an HNC Golf Course Management Program and I hope to graduate in 2021. I first started playing golf before having the passion of being a Golf Course Superintendent. As a player, I realized that there was a very big gap in sports turf management in my country. I enrolled for a course in golf course management to gain theoretical and practical skills in golf course and turf management. With this program I managed to attend conferences and participate at the Nedbank Golf Challenge 2019 as a volunteer greenkeeper. At the African Turf Academy Biannual conference in South Africa I met Mike O’Keffee from The Ohio State University and introduced me to this world-renowned internship program. This was my beginning of my journey to the United States and Hyde Park Golf and Country Club.

My stay here has far exceeded my expectations. It was my first time being here in America and I did not know what to expect. The standards of golf course maintenance are exceptional in America. I was a little intimidated at first but with the friendly staff, and a very welcoming reception it was easy to fit into the Hyde Park organization and the community.

I wish to thank Pat O’Brien and his entire team for giving me the opportunity to learn many skills and concepts relating to golf course management in a short space and challenging time. I was given the opportunity to attend the Grounds Committee meetings where I met many great members and learned how committees function. I learned a lot, very quickly and I have built my greenkeeping skills from when I first got here. It was a very interesting and adventurous time I have had, meeting different people with different outlooks, and learning the diverse American culture.

Each department was unique is so many ways. The kitchen staff were so amazing and accommodating in serving me my meals. I had a great experience tasting the various American dishes.

There is not a single department I did not get a chance to visit and meet the team members from, security, administration, maintenance, kitchen, Pro-shop, and tennis. All the staff at Hyde Park made my stay a worthwhile and enjoyable I thought I would get home sick, but with all these interactions I felt right at home. They say “we meet to part, and part to meet”, here is hoping we meet again in the near future after this parting.

 

Stay safe and healthy,

 

Tizayi Sithole

Turfgrass Intern 2020