The grass is also greener at golf courses in the county because of the university and internships that focus on turf management. The county-owned Dairy Creek Course has been fertile ground for students learning their craft and earning some money along the way. The golf course gets a professional in training at a bargain rate.
Students work with county employees in every facet of golf course maintenance.
There have been 13 turf management students employed at Dairy Creek since summer 1996. The students have maintained the course's 30-slot driving range and practice facility since its March 1997 opening. There have been five senior projects completed at Dairy Creek, according to Krok. It's a win, win, win all the way around. There are currently Cal Poly turf management students working at BlackLake Golf Resort, Cypress Ridge, Morro Bay State Park Golf Course and the San Luis Obispo Country Club.