BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Jacobsen announce the delegates of the FTMI 2025 Future Turf Managers Initiative, a training programme to help talented greenkeeper candidates progress towards head greenkeeper and course manager roles.

FTMI is a hybrid programme of online and in-person education and mentoring. The 2025/2026 schedule begins with face-to-face training at Jacobsen HQ in Ipswich this September, followed by further sessions online during October, November and December. The course concludes with two and a half days of learning at BTME in Harrogate in January 2026.

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

The initiative is designed to give the participants an insight into management skills that they will need as they progress through the ranks in their careers. Topics covered include presentation skills, communication, time management, interview skills, CV writing, stress awareness, budgeting and leadership.

The FTMI Class of 2025 includes the following greenkeepers:

Callum Atkinson – first assistant greenkeeper, The Wilmslow Golf Club

Tod Bannerman – senior greenkeeper, Taymouth Castle Golf Club

Patrick Brown – senior greenkeeper and spray technician, Fulwell Golf Club

George Edwards – deputy head greenkeeper, Walton Heath Golf Club

Alistair Hogg – senior greenkeeper, A&M Fife Golf Club

Alex Hudson – assistant greenkeeper, Sharpley Golf Club

Chris Keeler – deputy course manager, Prestbury Golf Club

Ronan Latham – senior greenkeeper, JCB Golf & Country Club

Toby Long – first assistant greenkeeper, Broadstone Golf Club

Carl Moore – deputy head greenkeeper, Kings Norton Golf Club

William Moore – assistant course manager, Kilworth Springs Golf Club

Euan Polson – first assistant greenkeeper, Royal Aberdeen Golf Club

Phillip Shields – first assistant greenkeeper, The Blackwood Golf Club

Greg Smith – first assistant greenkeeper, The Berkshire Golf Club

John Thornton – irrigation technician, Copt Heath Golf Club

Delegates are assigned to mentor groups throughout the programme. The mentors for this year are all previous FTMI graduates and are course managers Leigh Powell (Windlesham), James Parker (Machrihanish Dunes) and Ben Williams (Royal Cinque Ports).

BIGGA CEO, Jim Croxton, said: “It’s always a thrill to learn of the successful delegates for the Future Turf Managers Initiative as the developmental opportunities they receive and the chance to become an FTMI graduate can turbo-charge careers. I look forward keenly to seeing how the Class of 2025 develop and to meeting them all at Jacobsen HQ in September.

We remain hugely grateful to Textron for supporting this amazing initiative for BIGGA members”.

Nicole Burn, Brand Marketing Director at Jacobsen, said: “We’re proud to support the Future Turf Managers Initiative in partnership with BIGGA. Investing in the development of future leaders in turf management is essential to the growth and sustainability of our industry, and we’re honoured to play a role in that journey”.

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Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

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Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power: As one of the UK’s leading arboricultural businesses, Gristwood & Toms (G&T) rely on a vast and varied fleet of high-performance 2-stroke equipment to deliver consistent reliability on jobs around the country.

Powering that operation for the last seven years has been Aspen Fuel, enhancing the longevity of their equipment and improving the health and safety for operators of today and tomorrow – with the benefits of Aspen alkylate petrol forming an important part of training on the G&T apprenticeship programme.

Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

Aspen 2 is used exclusively across the full range of 2-stroke machinery, with the longevity of the partnership testament to the transformative impact the fuel has had on Gristwood & Toms business. “Through using Aspen Fuel we have seen a huge reduction in machinery breakdowns and repairs” explains G&T Managing Director Andrew Brightman. “Without all of the nasties in traditional unleaded, we’re achieving better reliability on site and extending the lifespan of our equipment – both of which has positive financial implications.”

“Another major advantage is Aspen 2’s pre-mixed formulation, which eliminates the need for operatives to mix fuel on-site, removing the risk of incorrect fuel mixtures and ensuring consistency on every job” he adds.

For Andrew and their sizeable workforce, the benefits of Aspen extends way beyond equipment performance – it’s the healthier environment it creates for the operators and their customers. “It’s not just better for our machines; it gives off no smell making for a much better working environment for our people. In fact, it’s a popular choice at all levels of our business, with Aspen well received by our supply chain and end users alike. There’s no doubt that this simple commitment to sustainability and the welfare of our workforce has helped us secure numerous commercial contracts.”

Not content with improving the working conditions for the team of today, G&T are looking to steer the next generation of arboricultural specialists into more environmentally conscious decision making via the Gristwood & Toms apprenticeship programme. Andrew continues, “Understanding the options and importance of clean, consistent fuel forms a key part of our training for new arborists. We show the students the benefits of Aspen and what can go wrong if you don’t use it. It’s part of setting future professionals up for success.”

Virtually free from ethanol, benzene and many of the other aromatic hydrocarbons found in traditional petrol, Aspen Fuel presents a drastic reduction in pollutants and cleaner option for operators and equipment. To discover the benefits Aspen could bring to your business, contact Roy Narbey – Commercial Business Manager for Aspen Fuel – on roy@aaoil.co.uk

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Royal Troon tunes Toro to perfection

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Royal Troon tunes Toro to perfection: One year after The Open Championship returned to Royal Troon, the club continues to raise the bar in turfcare excellence, with the help of Toro’s technology and Reesink support.

Since the excitement of the tournament, Course Manager Billy McLachlan and his team have focused on rebuilding, recovery, and long-term improvements. With the crowds gone, infrastructure dismantled and grass beneath repaired, attention has turned to machine performance and precision.

Royal Troon tunes Toro to perfection

Royal Troon tunes Toro to perfection

“Hosting The Open again was a great experience and bigger than ever, with over 250,000 visitors,” says Billy. “I’ve got a great team, and the support from Toro and Reesink was first class.”

In the build up to the tournament, Head Mechanic, Davy Mclelland, began adjusting the club’s Toro fleet daily, testing settings like height-of-cut and cylinder speeds to achieve the best possible finish.

That attention to detail has continued since The Open, and is now part of daily practice: “Davy is a brilliant mechanic,” says Billy. “He’s measuring factors like height of cut and cylinder speed; if the speed is too fast, for instance, you’re not giving the blade enough time to make contact with the leaf.

“It all comes back to a simple question: What’s the best way of cutting and how can we do that? We’ve benchmarked data for all these settings, so we know what’s working, why it’s working, and how to adjust our cutting methods accordingly.”

As Reesink’s Product Specialist, Alastair Black, explains, this level of precision is rare: “Most clubs adjust settings a few times a season. But Troon is doing it on an almost daily basis, and the results show.

“We run training courses to help clubs like Troon get the most out of their Toro cutting units. Factory settings are a great starting point. But understanding how to tailor them to your turf can take your surfaces to another level.”

Troon’s mechanical team has also attended Reesink’s Turfcare Mechanics course, which Billy says is integral to the job: “Training is everything. We already had the machines running well, but learning from the experts took our results even further.

“To be good at this job, you’ve got to keep your eyes and ears open – and always be willing to learn,” he concludes. “That’s one thing that will always be a vital part of Troon, our team, and our success.”

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Bernhard Academy’s Professional Development Opportunities

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Bernhard Academy’s Professional Development Opportunities: Bernhard Academy is pleased to announce its series of professional development courses for Autumn 2025.

Designed to meet the evolving needs of turf equipment technicians, greenkeeping professionals, and grounds maintenance experts, the Autumn 2025 programme offers a diverse range of conferences and hands-on technical training opportunities.

Bernhard Academy's Professional Development Opportunities

Bernhard Academy’s Professional Development Opportunities

These courses aim to equip attendees with the critical skills needed to excel in the modern turfcare industry, with the course line-up consisting of:

  • 23 September 2025: Turf Equipment Technicians Conference
  • 24 September 2025: Cutting Unit Setup and Sharpening Techniques
  • 7 October 2025: Basic Machinery Maintenance
  • 8 October 2025: Cutting Unit Setup and Sharpening Techniques
  • 21-23 October 2025: Fundamentals of Turfcare Mechanics – Level 1

These courses will be held at Bernhard Academy’s state-of-the-art venues, including the Bernhard and Company manufacturing facility in Haverhill, Suffolk, and Moortown Golf Club in Leeds.

Led by instructor Barry Drennan, each course is designed to provide hands-on, practical knowledge that attendees can immediately apply in their day-to-day roles. This comprehensive training will enhance participants’ technical expertise and increase their value to their teams and organisations.

In addition to the valuable learning experience, delegates will have the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals, building connections that extend across the broader turfcare industry.

As a proud BIGGA Premium Partner, Bernhard Academy offers exclusive discounts to BIGGA members. Participants will also earn BIGGA CPD credits upon the successful completion of any event.

For more information and to register for the courses, please visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk/courses/.

To find out more about the Bernhard Academy, visit www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Transforming Grassroots Football Pitches In Wales

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Transforming Grassroots Football Pitches In Wales: Since its launch in September 2024, the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) Pitch Advisory Service Wales is already reshaping the landscape of grassroots football, one pitch at a time.

Backed by the Cymru Football Foundation and funded by the Football Association of Wales, this game-changing initiative is delivering expert pitch advice and hands-on support to clubs across the country.

Transforming Grassroots Football Pitches In Wales

Transforming Grassroots Football Pitches In Wales

With over 200 playing surfaces supported already, and growing engagement from clubs, the initiative is helping to enhance facilities and improve playing conditions. Since its launch, the programme has already facilitated over 145 individual site visits from GMA pitch experts, with over 70 Equipment Fund Grants allocated, amounting to more than £1.2m in funding.

Building on a decade of success in England, where the service has transformed over 12,500 clubs and assessed nearly 50,000 pitches, the GMA is now bringing its proven expertise to Welsh football.

The programme’s impact has been wide-reaching, not just in the number of clubs engaged, but also in the potential improvement of overall pitch quality across the region. One club already seeing a significant impact is Cardiff Corinthians AFC, a grassroots football club near the River Taff that faced severe flooding after Storm Bert in November 2024. With matches frequently called off due to waterlogging, the club struggled to maintain its pitch.

A site visit from the Pitch Advisory Service team identified key areas for improvement, leading to a better understanding and adoption of an enhanced annual maintenance plan, and the club securing over £18,000 in funding for essential maintenance equipment, including a tractor, finishing mower and a turf groomer. With expert advice from the GMA, the club can now maintain its pitch effectively, reducing cancellations and improving the playing experience for the community.

Fiona Boyle, Juniors Secretary at Cardiff Corinthians AFC, said: “Before the Pitch Advisory Service Wales, we were constantly battling against the weather, and it felt like an impossible task to maintain a pitch that could withstand the elements. The support from PAS Wales has helped us to transform our approach to pitch management.

“Thanks to the advice and funding we received, we now have the right tools and the knowledge to keep our pitch in top condition. This has not only improved the quality of the pitch but also ensured that our teams can play consistently without disruptions. It’s made a massive difference to both our players and the local community, who rely on us to provide a safe, well-maintained facility.”

The work of PAS Wales is also to support the creating of a longer-term sustainability culture within Welsh grassroots football. Clubs are encouraged to think about the future of their facilities and how to plan for ongoing maintenance. The expert support provided helps clubs develop skills and knowledge that will have a lasting impact.

Dan Bradley, GMA’s Key Account Manager for Football in South Wales, added: “With football participation in Wales on the up, particularly among women, girls, and youth, too many community clubs are still having to cancel games due to poor pitch conditions. This is a huge frustration for players, coaches, and communities.

“Cancellations result in lost opportunities to play, wasted resources, and missed moments that are integral to grassroots football. The good news is that with the right support and guidance, the issues faced by clubs can be addressed and improved upon.

“We’ve already seen first-hand how small, strategic improvements can have a significant impact. Our goal is to empower these clubs with the knowledge and skillsets they need to deliver quality fit-for-purpose pitches that not only meet today’s demands but also support the long-term growth of football and create more opportunities for players to flourish.”

Currently, only 20% of grass pitches in Wales are rated as “good” or above, against the GMA’s Grounds Management Framework. With the Pitch Advisory Service now in place, the GMA aims to raise that standard significantly.

There are free toolkits available to help volunteer grounds managers optimise their playing surface throughout the season: thegma.org.uk/toolkit.

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