National Apprentice Week 2025: Scott Aitchison

To complete our series of Q&As, we have Deputy Course Manager at Royal Dornoch, Scott Aitchison, who has gone from the apprentice to assessor. 

Where and when did you do your apprenticeship in turfcare?

I served my apprenticeship at Prestwick St Nicholas golf club as a block release student through Elmwood college in Fife, starting in 1992 finishing college in 1995 with another year on the job after that before I was a fully qualified Greenkeeper.

How much did you learn during this time?

I learned a lot! Although I had been a seasonal Greenkeeper through 1991 the step up was what I wanted and learning the theory at college with the practical through my day-to-day work was a good balance for me.

Did the apprenticeship help you shape your career in turfcare?

I’d say it did because it’s the foundation for everything that comes after. My boss saw me taking it seriously so when it came to asking for my level 3, he knew it wasn’t going to be a waste of money which would have been a substantial chunk of a budget back then.

Would you recommend an apprenticeship in turfcare to others?

Not only would I recommend it, but I also help with it. My boss Eoin and I are both assessors and so I’ve helped many green staff progress through their apprenticeship and it gives me immense pleasure to see them progress and grow within the industry. My son Ruben has also followed me into greenkeeping and is currently working at pebble beach in California.

Can you give us a brief summary of the role you are in now?

I’m now the Deputy Course Manager at Royal Dornoch, a small members club in the Highlands with a worldwide reputation. Eoin has plenty to be getting on with in his day, so he leaves me to look after the team of green staff. My thoughts are that when you sign up to be a member of the Dornoch squad you are signing up to be brilliant at what you do in order to match the expectation. I make sure the team are given the best chance to perform to that standard so we can present our courses the way the golfer would expect a classic links course to look and play.