A GREENKEEPER at a Newport golf course has won the trip of a lifetime to study in America after being named Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2009.

Rhys Norville, 21, won the award for his work at Newport Golf Club in Rogerstone, but he is also the youngest person ever to be given the title and the first Welsh recipient of the prestigious award.

Mr Norville beat off competition from six other finalists during the last stages of the contest at the British and International Greenkeepers’ Association in York, where judges praised him for his maturity and passion for the job.

Mr Norville, who started playing golf at the age of 16, will fly to the University of Massachusetts at the beginning of next year for a six week course in turf management.

He said: “My heart was pounding when we were waiting for the winner to be announced. I certainly didn’t expect my name to be read out. I’m really looking forward to the trip and all the experiences that it will bring.”