Olivia Cowan might be only a few months into her career, but the Altona based greenkeeper is already getting a taste of the big time.
The Kooringal Golf Club apprentice is this week working at the Cobram Barooga Golf Club on the Murray River as it hosts the Webex Players Series from January 30 to February 2.
Cowan is one of six young female greenkeepers from across the country chosen to work at the tournament as part of the 2025 John Deere Women in Turf Program.
Beginning in 2023 the program creates career pathways and support networks to help more women become greekeepers.
Cowan’s pathway to greenkeeping came via the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club where her father and brothers are members and where the course is looked after by volunteers.
“Dad was volunteering and he told me that one of the volunteers had pulled out of cutting greens that day,” recalled Cowan of her introduction to greenkeeping when she was 15.
“I’d seen him do it a couple times and thought it looked fun so I asked to have the day off school to help him. Dad said ‘alright, just this one time’. And I had a great time and I haven’t looked back!”
It was Cowan’s dad who also suggested she apply for the women in turf program after seeing an ad in the club newsletter.
Despite having only just started there after finishing Year 12 last year, Cowan said her colleagues at Kooringal were very supportive of her being part of the program and in general.
“I knew I was going to be the only girl working here and the guys are older than me, but when I walked in they just shook my hand straight away and were so welcoming.”
Cade Lucas.
