This National Apprenticeship Week (9–15 February 2026), China Fleet Country Club is proud to celebrate the remarkable journey of 17-year-old Oban Webber, an Apprentice Greenkeeper whose dedication to his craft and passion for golf has earned him a life-changing scholarship in the United States.
Oban joined the team at China Fleet Country Club in 2024 after completing his GCSEs, having discovered the opportunity through word of mouth. While working on the Championship 18-hole golf course, Oban has balanced the rigorous demands of professional turf management with a promising career as a competitive golfer. A talented player who competes nationwide and has represented his county, Oban has utilised the Club’s facilities, including the high-tech Toptracer Driving Range and free membership, to hone his skills five times a week.
The apprenticeship has served as a vital bridge between education and professional opportunity. Oban’s growth at the Club has now culminated in a dream come true: securing a prestigious golf scholarship in Mississippi, USA.
“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 has a long-standing reputation for supporting young talent and providing a platform for career development within the hospitality and leisure industry. As a premier golf and leisure club on the Devon and Cornwall border, the Club continues to invest in its people as heavily as its facilities.
“We are incredibly proud of Oban and the hard work he does,” said Nathan O’Sullivan – Golf course Manager at China Fleet Country Club. “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.”
