China Fleet Country Club Apprentice Awarded US Golf Scholarship

During National Apprenticeship Week, running from 9th to 15th February 2026, China Fleet Country Club is marking the success of one of its young apprentices after a major sporting achievement.

Apprenticeship Opens the Door

Seventeen year old Oban Webber joined China Fleet Country Club in 2024 after completing his GCSEs, having heard about the opportunity through word of mouth. Since then, he has been working as an Apprentice Greenkeeper on the club’s championship 18 hole golf course while also developing his own game as a competitive golfer.

Oban competes nationwide, has represented his county, and trains regularly using the club’s facilities, including the Toptracer Driving Range. His apprenticeship also includes free membership, allowing him to practise up to five times a week while balancing the demands of professional turf management.

That combination of work and sport has now led to a golf scholarship in Mississippi, giving Oban the chance to continue his education and golf career in the United States.

📷Greenkeeper Team L-R.Oban Webber David Smith Ross Wellington David Sleat Matt Frost Nathan O'Sullivan at the front

“A Dream Come True”

“I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone; it provides so many more life skills than staying in a traditional classroom,” said Oban. “Working with such a great group of people at China Fleet Country Club has been amazing. The apprenticeship has opened up the world for me and meant I could pursue my passion for golf while gaining a qualification. It really has been a dream come true”.

China Fleet Country Club says the apprenticeship route has played a key role in helping Oban bridge the gap between education and professional opportunity.

Pride at the Club

Nathan O’Sullivan, Golf Course Manager at China Fleet Country Club, said he was proud of Oban’s progress.

“We are incredibly proud of Oban and the hard work he does,” said Nathan O’Sullivan. “His dedication to the stewardship of our championship course has been outstanding. From the meticulous hand-mowing of the greens to the technical precision required for turf health and bunker maintenance. His story is a brilliant example of why apprenticeships are so valuable; they provide a platform for young people to develop genuine professional expertise while pursuing their personal dreams. To see one of our own progress from the fairways in Saltash to a prestigious scholarship in America is a testament to his work ethic and the supportive, high-standard environment we strive to create at the Club.”

About China Fleet Country Club

China Fleet Country Club is a health, leisure and golf destination set across 180 acres of countryside in Saltash, Cornwall. Facilities include a four star hotel, an 18 hole championship golf course, gym, Barn Spa and event spaces. The club is supported by the China Fleet Trust, a military charity supporting Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families.

📷Oban Webber