Lawi Njeremani was the recipient of the John and Ruth Wright Scholarship in 2023 from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation (Foundation). This $1,000 scholarship is available to two students entering their first or second year of the Diploma of Turfgrass Management (DTM) program at the University of Guelph. Candidates are chosen not only based on their transcripts, but on a short essay describing their interest and passion for the turf industry. Njeremani learned about the opportunity from a list of potential scholarships circulated by the university.

For Njeremani, it was a surprise influx of funds at a time he was struggling financially. In the future, he says he’d like to pursue further education to learn new industry best practices and wishes to work in a leadership role in the golf industry. According to Njeremani, one of the best benefits of this career path is to see: “the transformation of a golf course from winter dormancy to peak summer pristine conditions.”

Describe any early exposure you might have had to landscaping and horticulture

Back in my home country, Kenya, I led several tree planting initiatives, one of which saw more than 8,000 seedlings planted outside the International Airport in the capital city, Nairobi. On two other occasions, I led various volunteer groups, totalling 600 persons from the Scouts and Girl Guides movement, Kenya Defence Forces, Lions Clubs and top corporate companies in the petroleum distribution and hospitality industries, in planting 25,000 trees and followed this up the next year with another 17,000 trees at a water catchment area on the outskirts of the capital city. I have always had an attraction for beautiful and environmentally sound landscapes. My program of study has served to strengthen this interest.

What prompted you to pursue a career in this field?

I started playing golf about a decade ago. Along the way, I started dreaming of the potential of establishing a nine-hole, par three golf course. It was by coincidence that I heard about the DTM program at the University of Guelph when COVID-19 set in. With my previous consulting jobs on freeze, I decided to pursue this new interest and started this journey in a totally new industry and in a new country.

Who are your role models in the turfcare profession?

I look up to my golf course superintendent at Cutten Fields, Bill Green. He has been kind to me on a personal level and has also been very supportive in providing technical guidance on golf course maintenance. Further, he has been a good sounding board for my numerous ideas.

How did winning a scholarship make a difference in your life?

Winning the scholarship came as a pleasant surprise! The scholarship came at a time when I was in despair and provided a moment of calm, although as time has progressed I have not been able to raise the huge balance demanded from me and I have had to defer my final semester until I can raise the outstanding amount.

The scholarship from Landscape Ontario helped chip away at the outstanding fees. It provided mental relief. The joy I felt could be best described by my housemates, who are also my coursemates, though I can also share that it provided sunshine in a rather gloomy season.
 

 

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