BIGGA Professional Leadership Programme to Launch

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BIGGA Professional Leadership Programme to Launch: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has announced that its new Professional Leadership Programme will be ready for delivery from September 2026, marking a significant step forward in the association’s commitment to developing confident, capable leaders across the golf and turf management sector.

Mapped at Level 4, the Professional Leadership Programme has been specifically designed to bridge the gap between Level 3 supervisory and technical, and Level 5 management and agronomic qualifications . It provides a vital progression route for those who have moved beyond technical competence and are beginning to take on leadership, supervisory and management responsibilities, but who may not yet be ready for, or yet suited to, a full Level 5 apprenticeship or equivalent.

BIGGA Professional Leadership Programme to Launch

BIGGA Professional Leadership Programme to Launch

Developed in collaboration with St Andrews Management Centre and Epic Ltd, the programme is tailored to the realities of golf course and club operations. Rather than traditional classroom-based learning, it focuses on applied leadership, real-world management scenarios, reflective practice and practical activities that are directly relevant to participants’ day-to-day roles.

The programme is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), ensuring it meets nationally recognised standards for leadership and management excellence. On successful completion, graduates will achieve Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) status, providing formal professional recognition and a strong platform for future progression to higher-level study or apprenticeships.

The Professional Leadership Programme is pitched at current and aspiring supervisors, team leaders, deputy head greenkeepers, first assistants and those transitioning into management roles, as well as experienced practitioners who have developed leadership responsibility organically but are seeking structured development and professional recognition.

Commenting on the announcement, Rob Phillips, BIGGA’s Learning & Development Manager (Technical), said:
“The Professional Leadership Programme represents a significant step forward in how we support the development of leaders within greenkeeping and golf club operations. By working closely with St Andrews Management Centre and Epic Ltd, and securing recognition from the Chartered Management Institute, we have created a programme that is practical, credible, and genuinely relevant to the realities of our industry. This is about equipping people with the confidence, skills, and professional recognition they need to lead teams, manage change, and shape the future of golf.”

Rick Bond, Director of St Andrews Management Centre said:

“The St Andrews Management Centre is delighted to be working with BIGGA and Epic Ltd in delivering the Professional Leadership Programme which is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).  The skills and knowledge that the programme modules bring to the greenkeeping sector, will be immensely valuable to the individuals, and will allow the post nominal of Foundation Charter Manager (fCMgr) to be awarded on completion of the programme. This is a key milestone on the journey to full Chartered Manager (CMgr) status.”

Peter Deakin, Associate Head of Partnerships at The Chartered Management Institute, added:

“The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is proud to support BIGGA’s Professional Leadership Programme, appreciating it as a vital step in the continued professionalisation of the golf greenkeeping sector. By benchmarking the programme to CMI’s professional standards framework in conjunction with the St Andrews Management Centre, BIGGA demonstrates its commitment to management, essential leadership and strategic skills for greenkeepers and the importance of treating leadership as a core professional standard within greenkeeping. Programme delegates will receive access to resources, tools and services and become part of the 240,000-pan sector community of managers and leaders and we hope many will have ambition to become a Chartered Manager in the future.”

The launch of the Professional Leadership Programme reinforces BIGGA’s wider ambition to provide clear, high-quality education and development pathways for its members, supporting both individual career progression and the long-term sustainability of golf clubs and facilities across the UK and internationally.

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INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ brands reacquired by original founder

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INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ brands reacquired by original founder: Original founder John Coleman is pleased to announce the acquisition of Advanced Turf Technology (ATT) from Stanley Black & Decker, reuniting the company and its portfolio of brands – including the INFINICUT® brand of professional pedestrian mowers and TMSystem™ cassette range – with its original ownership and founding vision.

The acquisition, completed in early February 2026, brings INFINICUT® back to its roots and the core philosophy that established it as a pioneer in the turf care sector. As the original electric mower in the professional marketplace, the INFINICUT® redefined expectations around sustainability, performance and innovation with customers around the world long before electric solutions became mainstream.

INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ brands reacquired by original founder

INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ brands reacquired by original founder

“The INFINICUT® mower range was designed and developed to challenge convention and placed the focus firmly on innovation – pairing industry-leading cut quality with the very best in battery technology” explains John Coleman, Managing Director of Advanced Turf Technology. “Bringing the brand back allows us to fully focus on those principles, enabling us to be reactive to changing market requirements and accelerating the next phase of its evolution.”

As part of this renewed commitment, ATT will be moving to new, dedicated manufacturing premises supporting product development and putting a renewed focus on innovation. With full autonomy over design, manufacturing and future strategy, John and the team are well placed to reaffirm the INFINICUT’s position as a leading force in the global mower market.

ATT also confirmed that the INFINICUT® name will remain unchanged, with the performance, specification and iconic yellow livery which has become synonymous with the brand continuing as customers would expect. Aftersales support will also remain in place, with comprehensive parts, service and technical advice continuing through current and new dealerships across the country.

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Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division

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Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division: Replay Maintenance has announced the launch of a new Natural Turf division, marking a significant expansion of the company’s service offering and reinforcing its long-term commitment to supporting grassroots and community sport.

The move is supported by the appointment of Ben Sadler as Head of Natural Turf, bringing more than 25 years of hands-on and strategic experience in sports turf management to the business.

Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division

Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division

Best known as a nationwide provider of synthetic surface maintenance and refurbishment, Replay Maintenance has spent the last two decades working closely with clubs, local authorities and governing bodies.

The introduction of a Natural Turf division enables the company to offer a more comprehensive, joined-up service for sites operating both synthetic and natural grass pitches.

Ben’s career spans golf, sports turf contracting and grassroots football, combining practical expertise with a deep understanding of funding, education and long-term pitch improvement. He began his career working on a local golf course in the Midlands before moving into a fast-growing lawn care business, where he played a key role in scaling the operation from a start-up into a medium-sized company.

“I fell in love with the industry early on, but I was keen to understand the business side as well as the practical side,” said Ben. “Being involved in everything from marketing and sales through to training and operations gave me a really solid foundation.”

More recently, Ben held a technical role focused on grassroots football pitches across Leicestershire, working closely with County FA partners and the Football Foundation. During this time, he supported between 200 and 300 pitches across 40–50 sites, guiding clubs through funding applications, developing schedules of work and delivering on-the-ground improvements.

“There was a lot of education involved, helping clubs understand why certain practices mattered and how they could create a better environment for people to play football,” he explained.

Ben said the opportunity to join Replay Maintenance and build a new division from the ground up was one he couldn’t ignore. “It’s a really exciting opportunity to come in with almost a blank page and work alongside people with so much experience. The ambition is to grow initially across the East Midlands and then expand further as the offer develops.”

As Head of Natural Turf, Ben will lead a programme focused on core maintenance services such as aeration, seeding, fertilising, weed control and top dressing. While the initial emphasis will be on grassroots football, the division will also support rugby, cricket outfields and other natural turf facilities.

“For clubs that don’t have the time, equipment or expertise, we can take that burden away,” said Ben. “For Replay, it means becoming a genuine one-stop shop – looking after both synthetic surfaces and natural turf on the same site.”

Matt Bartle, Group Head of Commercial Strategy at Replay Maintenance, said the launch of the division was a natural progression for the business.

“We’re already a nationwide service provider on the synthetic side, and when the opportunity arose to bring someone of Ben’s calibre into the organisation, it made complete sense to look at natural turf,” said Matt. “It allows us to better support our existing partners and improve footfall and performance across all their pitches.”

Matt added that Ben’s background was a key factor in the decision. “You have to invest in the foundations if you want to get the offer right. Ben came highly recommended, and it quickly became clear that he was the right person to lead this.”

Initially, the Natural Turf division will focus on Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. However, Matt confirmed that longer-term ambitions are firmly nationwide.

“We’ll spend the next 12 months refining the offer, learning and working closely with partners,” he said. “We’ve built a strong reputation in the industry, and by bringing the right people in, we’re confident this division will grow to meet demand in the years ahead.”

For more information, visit www.replaymaintenance.co.uk

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Tubex Launches Biodegradable Nature Easysleeve

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Tubex Launches Biodegradable Nature Easysleeve: Tubex, a brand of Magnera, has launched Nature Easysleeve, a new addition to its biodegradable tree protection portfolio, developed specifically for hedge planting and small-scale landscaping schemes where collection at end of life may be difficult or impractical.

Designed to provide cost effective early-stage protection while naturally biodegrading in situ, Tubex Nature Easysleeve offers a lightweight, practical solution for slender plants used in hedgerows and similar planting environments. The shelters are expected to perform for up to three years, supporting survival and establishment during the most vulnerable early stages of growth.

Tubex Launches Biodegradable Nature Easysleeve

Tubex Launches Biodegradable Nature Easysleeve

Nature Easysleeve is manufactured from a bio-based material blend derived from plant and vegetable sources. The material has been independently tested to demonstrate biodegradability both on soil and in soil at ambient temperatures, breaking down over time through a natural microbiological process. The product has also been tested against OECD 207 and 208, and it is non-toxic, supporting its use in environmentally sensitive planting schemes.

If you need any further information or have any questions, please e-mail me at alice.blackwell@nmpr.co.uk.

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Ecorobotix steps strongly into sustainable golf

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Ecorobotix steps strongly into sustainable golf: Swiss company Ecorobotix has added to its exciting entry into golf with the announcement of a multi-year collaboration with longstanding sustainability partner to the industry – GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation.

The move compliments the company’s global launch of ALBA – the new, ultra-high precision turfgrass application equipment, which is currently being profiled at back to back BIGGA and GCSAA industry events in Europe and the US. Ecorobotix is a certified B Corp and a UK signatory to the UN Global Compact.

Ecorobotix steps strongly into sustainable golf

Ecorobotix steps strongly into sustainable golf

Ecorobotix joins a diverse range of other leading industry stakeholders, including national and international associations, tours, companies, clubs, developments, tournaments and players that are already connected through the Foundation’s collaborative work and non-profit resources.

Speaking about the relationship Claude Juriens, CRO of Ecorobotix said – “2026 is a very exciting year for us.  It sees us enter the global golf market with brand new technology that combines custom software and hardware to reduce inputs into turfgrass by as much as 90%. This is technology with a well proven track record across agriculture, now fully adapted for fine turf.

“As a demonstration of our commitment to the importance of sustainability to golf, we are delighted to also collaborate with GEO Foundation. Over the last 20 years they have helped build an important collaborative platform of partners, resources and expertise that is helping to advance golf’s collective action and its stewardship.”

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation said:  “Sustainability at scale takes a full team effort – involving leadership, innovation and collaboration from many diverse stakeholders. Ecorobotix bring all of those things to the industry.  Their support is a great boost in our missions to help more parts of golf get engaged, accelerate their efforts and promote their results. It’s a movement that continues to be so important to the future of golf and communities around the world.”

A specific focus of joint activities will be the promotion of the science of ‘ultra-high precision’ applications to turf.  Focussing on how improved targeting at scale can lead to significant further reductions in chemical use and associated water and fertiliser inputs.

More can be found out at https://turf.ecorobotix.com/ and sustainable.golf

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