This year we were not granted our H2B visas so we had to look other places for employees.
Inside the clubhouse the J1 Visa route has been successful and we had to act quick back in the spring to try that route on the golf course.
I have used the J1 visa program at two other properties in the past with great success. This visa is a student visa, not a strict labor visa. They come to America to work in a field closely related to their course of study.
This year we welcomed Lenny (Kenya), Viane (Uganda) and Sinh & Nam (Vietnam). Lenny & Viane both studied agriculture in their home country. Lenny has really taken to golf as he spent the summer learning and playing the game.
They have all been great additions to the staff. Unfortunately, unlike the H2B visa program, they can only be with us for one year. Viane has completed his season and is off traveling the country before heading home. Lenny enjoys the game so much that he wanted to fulfill his full year term in the US. Since the weather is not conducive for him learning much this time of year we wanted to look for something else.
We are very excited that Lenny is now working at Augusta Country Club in their golf maintenance department in Georgia. We are exploring southern courses to send a J1 students in the winter months. Lenny is part of our pilot program to see if this option can be a long term solution.
Nam and Sinh will be with us into May. They are spending the winter months helping with tasks around the course and spending time on equipment maintenance. These two gentlemen had some golf experience prior to coming to Pinehurst. When they go home, they want to continue their career in golf maintenance and we hope this experience gives them the tools to succeed.
We are already working on the process for new students for 2020. We aim to have four more students focused on golf course management.
Inside the clubhouse the J1 Visa route has been successful and we had to act quick back in the spring to try that route on the golf course.
 |
| Chandler, Steve, Lenny, Kyle & Jack wishing Lenny well before he travels to Georgia. |
This year we welcomed Lenny (Kenya), Viane (Uganda) and Sinh & Nam (Vietnam). Lenny & Viane both studied agriculture in their home country. Lenny has really taken to golf as he spent the summer learning and playing the game.
They have all been great additions to the staff. Unfortunately, unlike the H2B visa program, they can only be with us for one year. Viane has completed his season and is off traveling the country before heading home. Lenny enjoys the game so much that he wanted to fulfill his full year term in the US. Since the weather is not conducive for him learning much this time of year we wanted to look for something else.
 |
| Viane operates a tractor seeing the driving range tee |
Nam and Sinh will be with us into May. They are spending the winter months helping with tasks around the course and spending time on equipment maintenance. These two gentlemen had some golf experience prior to coming to Pinehurst. When they go home, they want to continue their career in golf maintenance and we hope this experience gives them the tools to succeed.
We are already working on the process for new students for 2020. We aim to have four more students focused on golf course management.
Comments
Post a Comment