MGCA honors Boyne Golf staff for maintenance apprenticeship program

The Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA) honored Michael Flatt and Russell Smascz, members of the Boyne Golf maintenance staff, for their participation last year in a landmark golf course maintenance registered apprenticeship program. The program was held at Harbor Springs (Mich.) Resort.

Scott Jedele (left) and Josh Richter. (Photo: Boyne Golf)

The MGCA, in coordination with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Department of Labor, created and implemented the new Golf Course Maintenance Technician Registered Apprenticeship program. Through the program, interested candidates can further their agronomy education, work alongside field experts to gain on-the-job learning and gain a national occupation credential.

Josh Richter, the senior vice-president of golf operations for Boyne Golf, accepted the certificates of completion for Flatt and Smascz during the recent MGCA Awards Banquet that was part of the 2023 Michigan Golf Business Conference and Vendor Fair.

Scott Jedele, state administrative manager for apprenticeship expansion at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, attended the banquet and honored the MGCA with the “Race to Talent with Registered Apprenticeship” Champion Award. This award is given by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to recognize organizations that grow critically needed talent across the state using the Registered Apprenticeship Program training model.

“Workforce issues are significant in the golf industry and part of a solution is helping people see the variety of opportunities that exist within the Michigan golf industry,” said Jada Paisley, executive director of the MGCSA. “We have 800 courses in Michigan and with opportunities like this there are opportunities to present to young people the range of possible careers in the agronomic, restaurant, lodging, hospitality and tourism parts of our industry.”