Welcome to African Turf Academy Online

"I'm from a very humble family background and my experience at African Turf Academy really changed my mindset that I can help my family and I succeed in life. I would like to thank Andrew McKenna, Derek Daly and everyone at African Turf Academy, including the opportunities I had with the R&A, Sports & Recreation and the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation!"

"I learnt so much at African Turf Academy, I highly recommend it to anyone. I am now very well prepared for my role at Silver Lakes Golf Estate. My experience also gave me the confidence to apply for opportunities in the United States with one of African Turf Academy's partners."

Silver Lakes is the home of the African Turf Academy facilities and provides a wonderful setting for our students to learn. Situated in the east of Pretoria in South Africa’s Gauteng province, Silver Lakes derives its name from the numerous lakes around which the course was built, with the most beautiful ‘silver’ sunsets over the water. With a signature 18-hole Peter Matkovich designed golf course, the Estate offers a tranquil lifestyle to its residents which includes fishing opportunities in our numerous natural dams, two tennis courts, two squash courts, a game reserve filled with local buck and small animals, nature hiking trails and other fun activities.

SRUC Elmwood supports African Turf Academy with the curriculum of our full-time students. The creation of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) took place in 2012 by merging SAC (the Scottish Agricultural College) with three respected partners (Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges). SRUC exists to deliver comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland’s land-based industries, founded on world class and sector-leading research, education and consultancy. The integration of these three complementary ‘knowledge exchange’ services is of significant value to all with an interest in land-based activities – be they learners, businesses, communities or policy makers.

The R&A have been supporters of African Turf Academy for many years and provide us with financial support on an annual basis to continually improve our facilities and offerings. The R&A organises The Open, golf’s oldest Major, along with several other amateur and junior events, some of which are sanctioned by other golfing bodies. The R&A assumes responsibility for the administration of the Rules of Golf with the consent of 152 organisations from the amateur and professional game, and on behalf of over 30 million golfers in 138 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The R&A also provides best practice guidance on all aspects of golf course management, to help grow golf throughout the world in a commercially and environmentally sustainable way.

Rain Bird irrigation provide the African Turf Academy with equipment, financial and training support in the irrigation section of our learning programme. Rain Bird Corporation is a privately held company founded in 1933 during the agricultural boom in California and is the leading global manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since the beginning, Rain Bird has produced and offered the industry’s broadest range of irrigation products for golf courses, farms, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world.

John Deere was established in 1837 and was primarily focused on producing heavy machinery for the agricultural sector in the early days. These days John Deere is one of the market leaders in machine manufacturing for various different sectors including but not limited to agriculture. construction, landscaping, forestry and sports turf and golf. John Deere leads the way in innovation and sustainability and we at African Turf Academy is proud to be associated with a company who's core values are growth through sustainability and inspiring others towards a sustainable future.

Bernhard have provided the African Turf Academy with equipment for learning and will continue to assist in providing African Turf Academy students with opportunities in the industry while they study and after graduation to enter the industry. Bernhard and Company Limited are the leaders in the sharpening systems market and one of the world’s most influential forces in the presentation and quality of turf grass. Bernhard continue to support and develop research and education programmes, and understand better than most the relationship between sustainability, conservation and a keenly run maintenance department.

The Professional Golfers Association of South Africa is a body of qualified professionals that have the expertise and passion to encourage golfers to improve, thereby creating added enjoyment and increased participation leading to more rounds of golf, more memorable moments and more golfers.

Golf RSA is the governing body administering, operating and providing service to amateur golf in South Africa. Their role is to look after the interests of more than 460 golf clubs and 139 000 men, women, boy and girl club members, produce champion golfers and provide the opportunity for everyone in South Africa to experience the game of golf.

With a pedigree going back 80 years, Titleist is one of the most respected brands in golf, providing tournament class balls, clubs, bags and accessories to professional and amateur golfers across the globe. Utilising advanced equipment fitting methods, detailed swing analysis, and science-based player conditioning, Titleist is African Turf Academy's preferred fitting partner.