Joe Simpson wins BIGGA photography competition

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Joe Simpson wins BIGGA photography competition: An ethereal image of life at Ipswich Golf Club has seen talented amateur photographer and greenkeeper Joe Simpson announced as the winner of the annual BIGGA Photographic Competition for the third time.

Joe’s image was chosen by the judging panel as the overall winner with the results of social media voting also taken into account. The stunning shot shows greenkeeper Pete Dunnett mowing the 5th fairway of the Purdis Heath Course as the autumn sun breaks through the morning fog.

Joe Simpson wins BIGGA photography competition

Joe Simpson wins BIGGA photography competition

Joe, who took up photography 10 years ago and also won the competition in 2020 and 2022, said: “I honestly can’t believe that I’ve won the competition three times. The standard of the photo entries grow year-on-year, so it’s become incredibly competitive, which makes winning for a third time even more special.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt when it comes to photography is that you don’t always need the perfect weather conditions to get your best shot. For this reason, I take photos throughout all four seasons at various times of the day, so I have a diverse selection to choose from for the competition.”

Sponsored by Syngenta, BIGGA’s annual photographic competition is a celebration of the wonderful golfing landscape and the role greenkeepers play in shaping it for golfers and the wider public to enjoy. Twelve images have been selected for the annual BIGGA calendar and winners also chosen in the categories of Greenkeeping, Landscape and Wildlife.

  • Landscape: Kevin Irving, greenkeeper, Carlisle Golf Club
  • Greenkeeping: David Ball, greenkeeper, Thetford Golf Club
  • Wildlife: Craig Sinclair, greenkeeper, Camberley Heath Golf Club

You can view all 12 images selected to form the BIGGA Calendar 2025 on the BIGGA website.

As overall competition winner, Joe has won a DJI Mini 2 SE Drone and a framed print of his image, to be presented at the BIGGA Celebration on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January 2025.

Each of the category winners receives a £150 Love2Shop voucher.

Karl Hansell, BIGGA Head of Communications and Content, said: “As the days darken and the year draws to a close, our annual photographic competition is a stunning reminder of the beautiful environment that greenkeepers are privileged to work in every day. Joe Simpson is an exceptional photographer and his winning image sparks the imagination with its rays of sunlight coming down from the heavens onto a greenkeeper who is hard at work, preparing the course for another morning’s play.

“Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who voted on social media. Thanks also to our valued sponsors at Syngenta.”

Sarah Hughes, Syngenta Business Manager, said: “The BIGGA Photographic Competition entries have once again captured the incredible hard work that greenkeeping teams put into producing immaculate playing conditions, as well as the amazing biodiversity and wildlife that thrives around well-managed golf course environments.

“It’s rewarding to see the amazing pictures published in the calendar, along with associated seasonal tips and agronomy advice. Congratulations to all who entered and the category winners.”

BIGGA’s Annual Photographic Competition will return next year and the competition is already open for entries. Head to the BIGGA website to find out more and get involved.

Registration for BTME 2025 including the Continue to Learn education programme is open. The event takes place from 19 to 23 January 2025 and you can find out more by heading to the BTME website, www.btme.org.uk

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Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

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Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to announce that Jayne Leyland, Portfolio Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, has been inducted into the prestigious GMA Hall of Fame. 

As part of the GMA’s 90th anniversary celebrations, this honor recognises Jayne’s outstanding contributions and long-standing dedication to advancing the turfcare industry.

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

Jayne Leyland inducted into Hall of Fame

With over three decades in the sector, Jayne Leyland is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and influential grass seed specialists in the field. She has become a trusted resource for countless groundskeepers and turf professionals, who have come to rely on her expertise. Her work has helped shape turf management practices across the UK and beyond.

Born in Cheshire, Jayne began her journey at Reaseheath College, where she earned a Higher National Diploma in Horticulture (Golf Course Management). She first stepped into greenkeeping in 1993 at East Sussex National Golf Club and later held a role as assistant course manager at Chart Hills in Kent.

She transitioned into advisory roles by joining Barenbrug as an area manager, where she provided expert technical support and helped launch several landmark grass seed products, including RTF, SOS, and RPR.

Currently with Origin Amenity Solutions, Jayne continues to make significant contributions to turf management education, working closely with clients such as St Andrews Links Trust and Manchester City. She remains an active member of the BSPB Amenity Crop Group, overseeing turfgrass seed trials at STRI in Bingley and serving multiple times as chair.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association Chief Executive Officer said: “Jayne’s dedication to advancing turf management through her research and product development has had a profound and lasting impact on our industry. Her work has not only enhanced the quality of our green spaces but also inspired those around her to strive for the same high standards. Jayne’s award exemplifies the expertise that the GMA Hall of Fame celebrates, and we are genuinely honoured to recognise her achievements and contributions as part of our 90th anniversary celebrations. We look forward to seeing her continue to shape the future of turfcare for years to come.”

Jayne Leyland, Hall of Fame Inductee, said: “I’m truly overwhelmed and deeply honoured to receive this recognition. I never set out for awards – I’m just doing a job! A job I love in an industry that’s meant everything to me. It feels strange to be celebrated for something that has always been a passion and a privilege. I hope this inspires others to find joy and purpose in what they do, just as I have over the years. I’m grateful to be part of this community and share in something so special.”

To find out more about the Grounds Management Association Hall of Fame, please visit: www.thegma.org.uk/who/hall-of-fame

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Indigrow New Appointment

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Indigrow New Appointment: Indigrow are delighted to announce the appointment of Stuart Green as an area sales manager, helping us expand and enhance our areas of operation within the UK.

Stuart joins Indigrow with a wide range of experiences from the turf management sector. From leading sports turf apprenticeships at a leading higher education establishment, through heading up member learning at one of the world’s largest greenkeeper associations, to offering turf nutrition advice in a role as a technical advisor, Stuart has a great number of skills to offer our customer base as part of our dedication to excellent customer service.

Indigrow New Appointment

Indigrow New Appointment

Stuart will be responsible for Yorkshire and Lancashire and the surrounding areas. His knowledge and expertise from the world of sports turf and agronomy are priceless to us and invaluable to our customers. If you wish to contact Stuart, his new details are as follows:

Stuart Green 07443 320831 sgreen@indigrow.co.uk

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Reesink’s new Area Sales Manager appointed

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Reesink’s new Area Sales Manager appointed: Nick Gardener is delighted to join the Reesink team as the new Area Sales Manager for Shropshire and Staffordshire, bringing invaluable experience from the greenkeeping world.

Before answering Reesink’s call, Nick, a former tour player, earned his certifications as an apprentice greenkeeper at Broadway Golf Club in 2015, worked as Area Sales Manager with Tallis Amos and became Head Greenkeeper at the Heythrop Park Golf Club. 

Reesink's new Area Sales Manager appointed

Reesink’s new Area Sales Manager appointed

“What attracted me to this industry as an ex-greenkeeper was meeting the people who use our tools on the ground every day,” Nick explains. “It allows me to learn from them and help them further enhance their golf course, sports or commercial business for the future, especially with premium products and solutions like Toro.” 

Mentioning his passion for the brand he continues: “When I first started as a greenkeeper we had Toro products and I used to go to Reesink for training, so it feels a bit like I’ve gone full circle, in a good way. It’s a dream come true, really.”

Beginning his new role, Nick is eager to support turfcare professionals and strengthen Reesink’s presence in Shropshire and Staffordshire – and through this appointment, the company now offers full service and training for Toro machines in the area. 

“By going to customers directly, we can guarantee a great standard of care, giving precise and straightforward answers whenever a client needs our advice. Being the sole distributor of Toro commercial and grounds products in the UK, we can provide access to experienced product specialists and genuine Toro parts right on your doorstep. At the end of the day, it’s about first-class service.”

As a former Head Greenkeeper, Nick will also be looking to develop existing and new relationships in the area through open days where turfcare professionals can see new Toro machines up close and freely discuss future plans. 

Among many priorities, Nick looks forward to helping sports, commercial and turf managers deliver more value, improve efficiency and gain more time for planning their turfcare programme. For instance, he believes automated mowers and sprayer technologies can empower turfcare professionals to achieve more with less: “I think automation is going to be a very good thing, enabling course managers to get off mowers and refine their broader turfcare health strategy.”

“This way, we can close the gap between the standards of British and American golf courses, which on average have higher budgets and more manpower,” Nick continues. “With enhanced greenkeeping knowledge, automated power and more reliable equipment, we can narrow that gap and take the quality of our golf courses to an even higher level.” 

Nick is only a phone call away and he’s happy to drop by to have a conversation in person about your turfcare needs. You can find him at 07425 757 386 or nicholas.gardener@reesinkuk.co.uk.

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Thomas Tomlinson Joins ICL

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Thomas Tomlinson Joins ICL: ICL is delighted to announce the appointment of Thomas Tomlinson as the new North East Technical Area Sales Manager.

Thomas joins ICL from his role as Course Manager at Ravensworth Golf Club, where he oversaw course management and introduced sustainable practices to enhance the club’s environmental standing. He began his career in greenkeeping at a young age, completing an apprenticeship at South Moor Golf Club before progressing to Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Boldon Golf Club. Throughout his career, Thomas has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and sustainability, gaining extensive experience in course performance and member communication.

Thomas Tomlinson Joins ICL

Thomas Tomlinson Joins ICL

Thomas’s dedication to continuous learning is evident through his selection as an ICL Scholar at BTME’s Continue to Learn programme in 2020.

Phil Collinson, Sales & Business Development Manager – UK North, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Thomas to the ICL team. His wealth of greenkeeping experience, coupled with his dedication to learning and growth, makes him the perfect fit for this role. We are confident that he will make a significant impact in the North East and contribute to the continued success of our business.”

In his new role, Thomas will collaborate closely with distributors and end users to strengthen ICL’s presence in the North East. His proactive attitude and commitment to professional development were key factors in his appointment, and we are excited to see how he will contribute to the team.

Outside of work, Thomas enjoys kayaking, hiking, and playing golf, maintaining an impressive handicap of 5.1.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk and www.icl-growingsolutions.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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