Summary
The training for the National Golf Course Program was carried out between April 20 and 23, 2015, in the resort of Varadero, Cuba's main destination for sun and beach, with the Hotel and Tourism School and the Varadero Golf as scenarios. Club attended by professors from the Tourism Training System centers in different provinces of Cuba where the construction of golf courses is planned, who received training on the basic preparation of the National Golf Course Program in both theoretical and practical aspects.
Introduction
For the development of the training Basic preparation of teachers for the National Program of Golf Courses an academic program was formed that had the general objective: Prepare teachers in the new golf curriculum and carry out training that allows teachers of the National Golf Program deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge related to golf.
The competences to be developed in the participating teachers are the following:
- Familiarization with the practice of golf, the golf course and the professional profiles that will be the object of training. Application of knowledge related to golf and of the theoretical foundations that underpin the program, to the analysis of curricular designs and proposed programs.
The thematic plan of the academic program with 32 total hours, was structured in two themes:
Topic 1: Theoretical elements of golf practice, with a total of 16 hours (4 theory and 12 practices)
Topic 2: Characterization of the Golf Program. Curricular designs, with a total of 14 hours (4 theory and 10 practices) and 2 hours were allocated for the final evaluation.
The basic preparation of teachers for the National Golf Course Program is only the beginning of a set of training actions that will be developed with this team of teachers, who will act as coordinators of the program in different provinces, which includes selection and preparation. of the cloisters that will assume the training of golf workers in the different territories of the country, where the construction of the new courses is planned.
Development
Description of the activities carried out on each of the training days. Basic preparation of teachers for the National Golf Course Program.
On Monday, April 20, the enrollment of the participating teachers was carried out, later the opening of the training was carried out by the MSc. Milton González Zayas, Deputy Director of Research, Development and Innovation (R + D + I) of the Varadero School of Hospitality and Tourism, with the participation of the MSc. José E. Tovar Pineda, Director of the Varadero Golf Club, the MSc teachers. Maithé de Toro Soto, Research, Development and Innovation Methodologist and MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez, author and coordinator of the National Golf Course Program, both teachers from the aforementioned school. The work program for this day was conceived to address the theoretical aspects, through the following conferences:
Lecture 1: Theoretical elements of golf practice, which was taught by the MSc. José E. Tovar Pineda, Director of the Varadero Golf Club, with the presence of the teachers mentioned above; as well as teachers from the schools of the Tourism Training System of the country's schools. The following contents were discussed at the conference: History of golf practice, definition of golf. Golf course, construction and structure of the course. Golf practice, its label. Golf industry: customer-facing and maintenance-oriented. Golf services: customer-facing and maintenance-oriented. Public, private, resort-associated and real estate golf courses. Golf sending markets to Cuba. Golf projections in Cuba. This conference aimed to:To substantiate the importance of the theoretical elements of golf practice, as a basic support for the conformation of the National Program of Golf Courses and for the training of the teachers who will assume its later development. This conference had a great impact on the participants, as it was their first contact with the world of golf.
Lecture 2: It was about the professional golf profiles that will be the object of training; It was taught by Professor MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez, covered the following contents: Professional profiles that make up the National Golf Course Program. The objective of this conference was: To characterize the different professional profiles that make up the National Golf Course Program, as a basic support for its formation and the training of the teachers who will assume its subsequent development. Participants learned the general characteristics of the following professional profiles: Golf Course Director, Course Maintenance Manager (Greenkeeper or Golf Course Superintendent, in the language of golf), Technician in Marketing of the Tourist Product,Golf Course Technician, Master Caddy, Caddy, Starter, Marshall, Gardener, Golf Course Equipment Operator, ProShop Assistant.
Conference 3: It dealt with the specific aspects of the National Golf Program, its characterization was carried out and the curricular designs conceived for the training of golf workers were exposed, the conference was given by the MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez; The objectives of this conference were: 1. To characterize the National Golf Course Program, as a way of preparing the teachers who will undertake its subsequent development, and 2. To present the generalities of the curricular designs that make up the National Golf Course Program. The participants learned that the National Golf Course Program is made up of the Curriculum Design of 10 professional profiles, for which there are 35 subject programs and 23 work practice programs,as well as a set of tables that favor implementation.
For Tuesday, April 21, the work program was conceived to address practical aspects, through the activities carried out at the Golf Club dry dock, which are listed below:
Practical class 1: Golf course: Structure and activities that take place. Exchange with specialists and workers of different professional profiles. This practical class is related to the competition: Familiarization with the practice of golf, the golf course and the professional profiles that will be the object of training.
For the practical class, a guide was prepared that was previously delivered to the participating teachers. The practical class was conducted by the MSc. José E. Tovar Pineda, Director of the Varadero Golf Club and by Lic. Pedro Klein Rodríguez, Golf teacher, the latter is the highest technical authority of the golf game in the Varadero Golf Club, who is also the oldest linked worker to the practice of the sport from the field previous to the current one, he has participated in numerous national and international tournaments; The MSc also participated. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez author and coordinator of the program.
In the Varadero Golf Club aspects related to the field and golf practice were addressed, the activities carried out in the ProShop were presented and the process of booking tee time was verified through the computerized system, it was specified in the importance of this professional profile. The route made by the first part of the golf course, allowed the identification of the parts that make up a golf course and the structure of a hole, the demonstration and comparison of the characteristics of different design styles such as the classic, the challenger and the links, it was possible to observe the different activities of the day of field operations, related to the arrival of clients, the activities of the master caddy,The activities of the Starter were observed and the Marshall was visualized visiting the field, it was possible to verify how the golf industry is revealed for the client and for the maintenance, as well as the identification of the golf services for the customer and for maintenance, as well as added services. During the tour, field maintenance tasks related to lawn treatment and gardening were identified; Players were observed executing their pitches and compliance with the golf label was analyzed at every opportune moment. It is noteworthy how the teachers actively participated and filled in the label. The tour of the Xanadú Mansion (Club House) was carried out, with high heritage values,highlighting its use for accommodation and catering as added values to golf. Finally, the demonstration of the link between golf and the associated resort Meliá Las Américas was carried out, with a view of the course, direct access to it, facilities for golf clients and special attention for golfers.
Workshop 1 was held in the afternoon session, on the topic: Curricular designs of different professional golf profiles, with the aim of applying the knowledge related to golf and the theoretical foundations that support the program, to the analysis of Curricular designs of different training profiles. The workshop was led by the MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez. Among the curricular profiles analyzed are that of the Golf Course Director, Golf Course Maintenance Manager (Greenkeeper), Tourism Product Marketing Technician (Commercial), Gardener, Equipment Operator of Golf Courses and Commercial Clerk (Clerk of ProShop), the analysis took into account professional skills, entry and exit requirements, the field of action;the presentation of the curricular map for the face-to-face and blended version, as well as the labor component in its different stages; The exchange between the participants and the main author of the designs allowed the participants to gain clarity about the training to be implemented and the possible ways to implement it.
For Wednesday April 22, in the morning session, Practice Class 2 was planned, held at the Varadero Golf Club; It was led by Golf instructors: Lic. Pedro Klein Rodríguez, Lic. Guillermo Herrera Gegundez and Lic. Idolio Méndez Díaz, all Technicians on the Varadero Golf Club golf course (Golf instructors) participated MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez. The practical class had the Driving Range (training area) as a means of teaching the necessary equipment for the game of golf. The class begins with Lic. Pedro Klein Rodríguez who introduces the other technicians and makes a brief presentation of their careers as players and as technicians,afterwards, he makes a description of the Driving Range and the safety regulations to avoid accidents when handling the game implement in the area; Lic. Guillermo Herrera Gegundez develops the central part of the golf class, making a detailed explanation of the characteristics of the equipment for the game, which shows high preparation, mastery of the game technique and how the industry is revealed of golf facing the client; Later, it refers to the relationship between blows and clubs, the relationship between the physical and mental conditions necessary to achieve the greatest success in the game and also to avoid injury to the players, in turn, demonstrates basic elements of the game such as proper position, balance and rotation of the body, as well as grip;demonstrates all the elements discussed explained, highlights values of honesty, professionalism, modesty, among others, in addition to great affordability, use of technical language and efficient communication. At the later moment of the class where the execution is carried out by the participants, they occupy positions in the practice area to make the grip, assume the correct position for the shot, perform basic movements and execute throws, the three teachers golf courses give individual treatment to the participants and help them to correct the grip, the position and the long shot. The practical class in addition to a first approach to the practice of golf,It allowed direct exchange with the professional profile of a golf course technician (golf teacher) and corroborated the professional skills necessary for it.
In the afternoon session, Workshop 2 was held on the topic: Curricular designs of different professional golf profiles, whose objective is to apply the knowledge related to golf and the theoretical foundations that underpin the program, to the analysis of curricular designs. of different training profiles.
The workshop was led by the MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez, and was attended by the MSc Germán Fernández Methodologist of the National Subdirectorate for R + D + I, the MSc Cecilia Moleón of the Subdirectorate for Communication and Collaboration, both from the National Directorate of the Training System for the Tourism; Representatives from the Varadero Hotel and Tourism School also participated, among which are the MSc Milton González Zayas Deputy Director of R + D + I, the MSc Maithé del Toro Soto, R + D + I methodologist and the MSc. Delfina Ibarra Collaboration Communication Specialist.
The workshop focused on the analysis of the professional competences of the Technical Profile in Golf Course (Golf teacher), where the participants in a wide debate highlighted the analysis of the elements of the practical class received in the morning session., which allowed them to carry out a detailed assessment of the competences through the observed professional performance and to understand what they aspire to with the formation of this profile; Another of the competencies is related to the management of tournaments, its manifestation in practice can only be seen during the execution of the same, which derives proposals on the need to attend the tournaments, since the field operates differently in tournaments..
The age of admission for this profile was highly debated because there is an understanding that it must be at younger ages than that of general admission to our training courses, since it was evident that the most feasible age is between 20 and 25 years, because this Professional must achieve a high level of play that is only reached from earlier ages. Subsequently, the analysis of the remaining professional profiles was carried out, taking into account the professional competences, the entry and exit requirements, the field of action; the presentation of the curriculum map for the face-to-face and blended version, as well as the work component in its different stages.
In this same work session Workshop 3 was held, which was led by the MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez, with the Topic: Exchange about different subject programs and work practice, teaching materials and teaching aids, whose objective was to relate curricular designs, work component programs and the academic component of different professional profiles.
On Thursday, April 23, Practical Class 3 was held: Golf course: Structure and activities that take place. Exchange with specialists and workers of different professional profiles.
Competence related to the practical class: Familiarization with the practice of golf, the golf course and the professional profiles that will be the object of training.
For the practical class, a guide was prepared that was previously delivered to the participating teachers. The practical class was led by Lic. Pedro Klein Rodríguez and Lic. Guillermo Herrera Gegundez, both Technicians on the golf course (Golf teachers) of the Varadero Golf Club, also participated by the MSc Germán Fernández Methodologist of the R&D Subdirectorate + I, the MSc. Maithé de Toro Soto Methodologist and MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez.
In the Varadero Golf Club, a detailed explanation of the operation of the irrigation system, the presence of satellites or electrically operated stations for irrigation control, the characteristics of the water used and the reservoir of the same, using good practices, were carried out. environmental. The tour made by the second part of the golf course was carried out the demonstration and comparison of the characteristics of different styles of design such as the classic and the challenging, it was possible to observe the different activities of the day of operations of the course, it was visualized the Marshall touring the field, it was possible to verify how the golf industry is revealed for maintenance,since the visit to the maintenance workshop was carried out where the electric recharging of the golf carts, the repair of the machinery and the parking area of the machines is made; In the workshop, it was exchanged with the workers who work there, which allowed obtaining detailed information on the type of machinery, its origin, characteristics and, fundamentally, its operation in the maintenance of the field's lawn. An interview was conducted with gardeners who operate the equipment of the maintenance of the golf course turf and particularly with Engineer Wilker Matos Cobas, assistant to the greenkeeper, with vast experience in maintaining the course. During the tour, field maintenance work related to lawn treatment and gardening was observed;Players were observed executing their shots and compliance with the golf label was analyzed at every opportune moment, it is noteworthy how the teachers actively participated and completed what was reactive to the label.
Subsequently, with the guidance of Lic. Guillermo Herrera Gegundez, the explanation of the basic elements of the shots for the short shot that allows the placement of the ball in the hole was made, the demonstration was carried out and later it was practiced in the training area or Putting Green, to continue familiarizing yourself with the practice of this sport.
In the afternoon session, Workshop 4 was held with the intervention of the MSc. Alejandro Vázquez Novoa, professor at the Department of Development of Computer Resources for Learning at the University of Matanzas, who was in charge of preparing and presenting the computer platform called "National Golf Program", where the information that allows in an easy and organized way to have access to the documentation that makes up the aforementioned program; It is structured in different modules: curricular designs, subject programs, tables that facilitate implementation, thematic image gallery and bibliographic materials organized by subject.The platform included the program prepared for the training and the presentations used as teaching aids for each of the conferences and workshops developed; therefore, a particularly important tool is put in the hands of the teachers for their subsequent preparation and for the implementation of the training of the different professional profiles.
In the afternoon session, in addition, Workshop 5 was held, which constituted the final evaluation of the training, with the presence of Dr. Fernando Vázquez Deputy Director of R + D + I of the National Directorate of the Training System for Tourism and already cited MSc. Germán Fernández, MSc. Maithé de Toro and as a guest the MSc. Alejandro Vázquez Novoa, professor at the University of Matanzas; the evaluation workshop was held under the leadership of the MSc. Marta F. Martínez Rodríguez, who coordinates the training.
The purpose of the workshop is to demonstrate the level of competences reached by the teachers during the training. The competencies that are measured are those mentioned at the beginning of these notes regarding familiarization with the practice of golf, the golf course and profiles. professionals who will undergo training, as well as the application of knowledge related to golf and the theoretical foundations that underpin the program, to the analysis of curricular designs and proposed programs.
The workshop was developed by teams, formed by mutual agreement with the students, these were grouped by areas of the country; Before the workshop, the orientation of the activities to be carried out was carried out in correspondence with the competences.
The western team worked the professional profile Maintenance Manager to the Golf Course (Greenkeeper), the center team worked the professional profile Director of the Golf Course and the eastern team discussed the professional profile Technician in Golf Course (Golf teacher), the participants analyzed the characteristics of admission to the training courses for these occupational profiles, proposed suggestions on the subjects included in the curricular maps, on the need to comply with the theoretical and practical aspects planned for each Profile when it is the implementation in the territories, highlighted the importance of language skills at different levels for different professions.
The teachers' presentations were characterized by their level of cognitive independence, the application of the knowledge received, the development of creativity and the use of minimal resources for this. Therefore, it is considered that the designed competencies were achieved.
Subsequently, the PNI technique (Positive, Negative and Interesting) was applied by the MSC. Bárbara Campos Díaz, professor at the School of Hospitality and Tourism, to obtain feedback on the level of satisfaction with the training received, obtaining the following results:
Positive
- Practical activities on the golf course. Preparation and organization. Unconditional support of the Varadero Golf Club. Leaving with an added value, knowledge about golf. Having formed a work team under the tutelage of the coordinating teacher. The efforts of the teacher to start in this complex world. The link between the School of Hospitality and Tourism with the Varadero Golf Club was very valuable. That the preparation of the teachers of the territories has begun. Initiating group of the subject, complying with the Guidelines of the country's Economic and Social Policy. Materials delivered for teaching, with the use of new technologies, the platform. Technical vocabulary incorporated to teachers after training.The exchange between all the teachers present, integrating a working group to give continuity to what has been learned.
Negative
- Preparation time should be followed up shortly. We were not able to exchange with employees of all professional profiles.
Interesting:
- Position of managers and farm workers to cooperate in all training. Self-critical criteria of farm workers. Curricular design of professional profiles. Tour of the tourist destination of Varadero and the navy. Permanence of field workers with great professionalism.
Suggestions for future projections
- Establish a common strategy for the training of golf course managers. Execute the remaining training actions and propose the training of teachers on the golf course over a longer period to deepen their preparation with the different professional profiles. See how the field works during a tournament, since the field operates differently in tournaments.
Subsequently, the participation certificates were delivered to the trained teachers, by Dr Fernando Vázquez and the MSc Germán Fernández, both from the National Directorate of the Tourism Training System
The conclusions were made by Dr. Fernando Vázquez, who made the assessment of the activities carried out, stressed the importance of the preparation of the teachers to take up the golf program and the need for the continuity of the preparation and self-preparation of the participants. He also suggested that the trainees pass on the evaluations of the training to the directors of their schools.
Conclusions
The training action for teachers, for the conduct of the National Golf Course Program, for the training of golf workers in the different territories of Cuba where the new courses will be built, complied with actions planned in one of the phases of planned work.
Achieving in the participants the skills planned for training, allows them to continue delving into the topic of golf and preparing to face future training of workers.
