Matt Ridings Named 2019 Roger Null Intern
Ridings Will Serve as First Roger Null Intern
St. Louis, MO – The collaboration effort between the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association (MAGA) and the Mississippi Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association (MVGCSA) to offer an internship opportunity to a turf student was announced in 2017. MAGA and the MVGCSA are both excited to announce that Matt Ridings has been chosen as our first Roger Null Intern.
Ridings, a Pattonville High School graduate, is a Junior at Southeast Missouri State University pursuing a degree in Agribusiness: Horticulture. His ultimate goal is to one day work in turfgrass management as a superintendent of a golf course.
As the Roger Null Intern, Ridings will work with the maintenance departments of Old Warson Country Club, Algonquin Golf Club and The Quarry at Crystal Springs in 2019 to gain a vast spectrum of experience at both the private and public club level. His time will be concentrated on very specific tasks at crucial times of the year at each of these facilities.
Additionally, Ridings will spend time during his 3 months with the MAGA staff in conducting MAGA championships. Seeing and working with the maintenance departments to understand what MAGA asks of our member clubs in preparing a golf course to conduct a successful championship.
“MAGA and the MVGCSA have a very close working relationship and we feel the Roger Null Internship program is going to give this young man, and many in the future, a unique opportunity to work with a range of facilities in one summer” commented MAGA Executive Director Curt Rohe. “Add in the time spent with MAGA in conducting our championships, this experience is going to be extremely valuable!”
Roger Null was born in Le Mars, IA in a golfing family. He attended Iowa State University, after which he completed stints as Golf Course Superintendent at The Arsenal Club (Rock Island, IL), Cedar Rapids CC (Cedar Rapids, IA), Old Warson CC (St. Louis, MO and Norwood Hills CC (St. Louis, MO). Roger has performed consulting work for many golf courses in St. Louis and the Midwest, including Boone Valley GC near St. Louis, where he also served as General Manager.
“The Roger Null Internship program is a tremendous opportunity to any student aspiring for a career in the golf industry”, stated Chuck Gast, MVGCSA Director of Operations. “The MVGCSA is proud to partner with MAGA in providing this ‘hands-on’ program where the intern will experience numerous aspects of specific, day-to-day golf course operations at select, premium golf courses in the St. Louis area maintained by some of the top Superintendents in the entire industry”.
The Mississippi Valley GCSA (MVGCSA) was established in 1945 to promote and maintain the highest professional standards of service, commitment and conduct among the members of the turfgrass industry. The MVGCSA offers a strong fellowship among all members, as well as a great deal of assistance in resolving problems that may arise at a member’s golf course. There are numerous educational opportunities within the association to help us maintain our goal, “Dedicated to Better Turf.” Visit www.mvgcsa.com for information.
The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association conducts ten (10) championships, ten (10) USGA qualifying rounds and its Amateur Series of events each season. MAGA provides the USGA GHIN Handicap Service to 140 member clubs across the St. Louis region, Central and Southern Illinois. Additionally, MAGA is the regional authority on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. For more information, visit www.metga.org.
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