In Memoriam of Jari Laitinen

Jari Laitinen, Vice-president of the Finnish Greenkeepers’ Association, passed away at the age of 48 on 23 May, 2016. Jari was a longstanding member of the board of the FGA and worked as Head Greenkeeper at Tuusula Golf Club in southern Finland for 13 years. He was passionate about developing the greenkeeping industry in Finland and actively participated in renewing the curriculum and qualifications together with the Finnish National Board of Education.

Greenkeeping, education, and professionalism were always very close to Jari’s heart, leading him to qualify as a greenkeeping examiner on the national level. His ambition to develop his own expertise led him to participate in many educational opportunities both in Finland and abroad. BTMIHarrogate, FEGGA conferences and national seminars were all of interest to Jari. During the winter months Jari wanted to develop his professional skills and network with other greenkeeping professionals by travelling abroad to volunteer on greenkeeping or construction teams on golf courses in the UK and France. Jari’s sudden and untimely death is a great loss to the Finnish greenkeeping industry. His family, the FGA, and many friends throughout Europe will miss his great and open-minded personality. May he rest in peace.

NewsAug 10th, 20160 comments