Tyler Bloom gets a little emotional when he talks about giving back to his profession.
A former superintendent-turned consultant and recruiter and founder of Bloom Golf Partners, Bloom (right) has helped match many job-seeking superintendents with their dream position and educate would-be greenkeepers through an apprenticeship program.
His most recent venture is the establishment of a scholarship program to help train tomorrow's golf course superintendents. The scholarship program, which will total $11,000 in three separate gifts next year, is Bloom's way of giving back to a profession that, he says, has given him so much.
"I just think of one of my mentors who's not in this industry uses a quote all the time, 'you're best positioned to serve the person you once were,' " Bloom said.
"And I think about that. I think I've reflected on that a lot throughout my career, but definitely where our company's at right now and think about all those different people that helped just move the needle a little bit for me."
The scholarship is for students and emerging professionals who are committed to advancing their education, sharpening their skills and building long‑term careers in turfgrass management and awards assistance to recipients in three levels:
- Winner: $6,000 scholarship and a $2,000 stipend for the 2027 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.
- Runner-up: $2,000 scholarship.
- 2nd Runner-up: $1,000 scholarship.
Recipients must be working toward a certificate, two-year or four-year degree and must be employed on a golf course to be eligible. Jan. 31 is the deadline to enter for the inaugural scholarship year.
It was Mitch Rupert, who works in recruitment and operations for Bloom Golf Partners, who initially voiced the idea of starting a scholarship program.
"He was like 'I kinda feel bad that I'm volunteering your money or the company's money towards something . . . but I feel really passionate about this. (W)hat are your thoughts on creating a scholarship?' " Bloom said.
"I said, you know, it's funny you say that. I said, I've thought about this."
Indeed, the funding of the scholarship program comes entirely out of the company's coffers. When his wife asked if he thought that was a good idea, Bloom was quick to answer.
"I don't know. Why wouldn't I?" he said. "I mean, it is exactly what . . . we started our company on, and I think again, it pays respect to those people who really dug for me and went to bat for Tyler Bloom. I just, I don't forget that."
The scholarship is the latest in Bloom's work to help prepare the next generation of superintendent. Recently, Bloom started an apprenticeship program and is a supporter of the Super-Scratch Foundation that raises funds to provide scholarships for aspiring superintendents.
"And we're going to continue to support that by the way," Bloom said. "This isn't like, oh, we do this and now we can't do that. I just think that this is something that makes sense. It's the right time.
"This is giving back to those employers that invested in me."
