Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

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Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), Reesink Turfcare and Toro have revealed the winners of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards 2025 at a spectacular event at Rudding Park in North Yorkshire.

Two talented greenkeepers were rewarded at the 36th Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards, cementing their place among an illustrious list of past winners.

Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

Winners announced for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year

Bradley Taylor, student at Myerscough College, and Matthew Strutt Donnelly, who attends Berkshire College of Agriculture, emerged victorious after impressing judges across a series of assessments designed to test their knowledge, skill and passion for greenkeeping.

Bradley, first assistant at Beau Desert Golf Club, in Staffordshire, was awarded the main Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year prize, while Matthew, an apprentice at Stoneham Golf Club, in Hampshire, secured the Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year award.

Following regional judging earlier in the year, eight finalists were selected to compete in the finals at Rudding Park, near Harrogate.

Over two days, they undertook a range of practical and theoretical tests, from seed and grass identification to presentations and interviews, giving them a platform to showcase their expertise and enthusiasm for the industry.

Jamie Beattie, assistant greenkeeper at Royal Liverpool, was the runner-up for the main award, with fellow Myerscough College student and Parkstone apprentice Oli Badger claiming that spot in the Young category.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will return in 2026.

More information, including how to nominate a student greenkeeper and the prizes on offer, is available on the BIGGA and Reesink Turfcare websites.

You can see a list of the previous Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award winners here.

Quotes

Bradley Taylor, Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2025

“I was straight on the phone to my girlfriend. I shed a little tear when I spoke to her; it was just a moment of realisation setting in. I’d been carrying that trophy around, it’s so heavy, and I was still all tensed up. Speaking to her was like, ‘I’ve done this now, the hard work has paid off’. I was also lucky to have a few people I know up here to share it with too.”

Matthew Strutt Donnelly, Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year 2025

“The first time I went to BTME, I went to the Young Greenkeepers’ Conference and there was a segment about Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year with previous winners talking about it. I remember thinking, ‘I could do something like that, I want to put myself forward’. So I did, and here we are.”

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare and main award judge

“This year’s finalists all brought something different to the competition, making being a judge a tough job. The range of perspectives, qualities and strengths on display were of a very high standard. Bradley though had the edge. He demonstrated a wealth of talent, delivered a fantastic presentation, and showed us an in-depth knowledge of the field in his interview. It was interesting and gratifying to see how dedicated he is and his passion for the industry. Well done, Bradley!”

David Timms, National Accounts Manager for Reesink Turfcare and Young award judge

“Matthew is a deserving winner. He shone on the course walk, with his personal project and in the exam and grass identification, but what gave him the edge was his confidence. He’s hungry for it and that made all the judges really excited for his future and what he might achieve. He’s a fantastic ambassador for young greenkeepers and his club, and we’re excited to watch him progress in the industry.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO

“Congratulations to Bradley Taylor and Matthew Strutt Donnelly, two very worthy winners among an exceptionally strong list of finalists. The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards have again proven to be an inspirational occasion, and I would like to thank our friends at Reesink Turfcare and Toro for a memorable event. Seeing the calibre of the finalists fills me with optimism for the future of our industry.”

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Alastair Black appointed by Reesink UK

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Alastair Black appointed by Reesink UK: Reesink UK is pleased to announce the appointment of Alastair Black as its new Technical Support and Training Manager, taking over from Lee Rowbotham who has become the company’s new Geolink and Digital Specialist.

Alastair officially stepped into the role on June 30, bringing with him more than eight years’ experience of working at Reesink, as well as a track record of technical excellence and strong relationships across the dealer network.

Alastair Black appointed by Reesink UK

Alastair Black appointed by Reesink UK

Since joining the company in January 2017 as Technical Support for the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Alastair has been instrumental in delivering first-class assistance to dealers and customers.

His work has included close collaboration with Reesink’s direct branch business in Scotland and one of the company’s largest accounts, St Andrews Links, the Home of Golf. Alastair has also supported multiple British Open Championships, including the 2025 tournament at Royal Portrush.

Commenting on his experience, Alastair said: “I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible people, clubs and events over the years. The stakes are high in those environments, but that’s what drives you to perform at your best. You quickly learn that whether a customer buys one machine or 100, they deserve the same level of care, attention and respect.”

In his new position, Alastair will be responsible for overseeing technical training across Reesink UK’s network, ensuring both internal teams and dealer partners are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to deliver the highest levels of customer service.

He will continue to provide guidance on complex technical cases and to support his previous region until a successor is chosen, ensuring a smooth transition for customers and partners.

“What excites me most is developing the training side of the business,” he shares. “There’s such a shortage of skilled technicians in our industry, and building a dedicated training hub will give us the chance to support our dealers and customers in a way that really strengthens the whole sector.”

The appointment comes at a crucial time for Reesink as the company continues to expand its offering and invest in its support infrastructure.

Alastair Rowell, Managing Director at Reesink UK, commented: “Alastair’s deep understanding of our business, his technical expertise and his strong relationships with our customers make him the ideal fit for this role. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our values, and we’re confident he will continue to elevate our technical support and training offering.”

With this appointment, Reesink confirms its commitment to investing in people who bring knowledge and dedication to the brand, helping customers get the most from their Toro machinery and Reesink’s wider portfolio.

If you need to reach Alastair, you can contact him at Reesink Turfcare HQ in St Neots by calling 01480 226800 or emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

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Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026: Organisers of The MENA TURF SHOW are delighted to announce that registration is officially open for the 2026 event, scheduled for Friday 17 April 2026, at the prestigious Park Hyatt Dubai.

Celebrating its impact on turf, landscaping, and green space management across the Middle East and North Africa, The MENA TURF SHOW brings together industry leaders, specialists, and decision-makers for a powerful day of innovation, education, and collaboration.

Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

“We are thrilled to open registration for this year’s MENA TURF SHOW,” said Nick Brown of Campey Turf Care Systems. “The UAE region has lacked a dedicated event where professionals can meet, connect, and exchange knowledge—until now. With a perfect spring date and the iconic Park Hyatt Dubai venue, we’re focused on driving conversations around sustainability, turf science, smart irrigation, and best practices specific to our regional climate.”

2026 MENA TURF SHOW Highlights:

• Expert-led sessions bringing education that can transform how we care for sports surfaces and
landscapes in this unique environment
• Networking with top suppliers, contractors, groundskeepers, and golf/sports turf managers
• Exclusive insights on regional challenges

Secure your place now for an event not to be missed!

Venue: Hall: Creek A, Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE
Date: 17 April 2026

Register or learn more: www.themeanturfshow.com

Stay up to date—follow us on social media with #MENATurfShow2026 for insights, speaker announcements, and exhibitor reveals.

Connect. Discover. Grow. See you at The MENA TURF SHOW in Dubai on 17 April 2026.

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Howardson Group appoints Scott Reynolds

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Howardson Group appoints Scott Reynolds: Howardson Group has appointed Scott Reynolds as Key Account Manager, bringing over a decade of experience in the turfcare industry and an extensive knowledge of professional grounds maintenance products.

Scott began his career in turfcare nearly twelve years ago at RT Machinery Ltd, progressing through roles including Area Sales Representative, Area Sales Manager, Sales Manager and most recently General Manager. During the pandemic he also managed the after-sales and parts department, gaining valuable operational insight to complement his strong background in sales, demonstrations and customer support across leading turfcare brands, including Dennis and SISIS.

Howardson Group appoints Scott Reynolds

Howardson Group appoints Scott Reynolds

Commenting on his appointment, Scott said:

“Dennis mowers are best in class for pedestrian cylinder mowers. I take huge pride in supplying these products to a wide variety of customers, from grassroots sports clubs and schools to local authorities, contractors and professional sports grounds. The brand is strong, demand is high and with new electric mowers and other innovations coming through, it’s a very exciting time to be joining the business.”

As Key Account Manager, Scott will work closely with colleagues, dealers and end-users to drive sales across the Group’s three leading brands: Dennis, SISIS (including Syn-Pro) and Hunter Grinders. His focus will be on strengthening dealer relationships and supporting sales growth across the diverse customer base of sports facilities, contractors and local authorities.

“The role at Howardson Group was the logical next step in my career,” Scott added. “I’m looking forward to building on the great work already achieved and to helping the business and dealer network achieve even greater success.”

Scott brings with him long-standing industry relationships, having represented Dennis and SISIS for more than a decade. Joining ahead of the busy show season, he is eager to meet customers and dealers and plan for the future.

Outside of work, Scott is a dedicated family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and young son. Actively involved in sport, he manages a non-league football club and plays cricket, giving him a personal as well as professional connection with the sports facilities sector.

“I am very proud to be joining such a well-established British manufacturer,” Scott concluded. “Howardson Group has an excellent reputation and I look forward to contributing to its continued growth and success.”

David Williamson, Commercial Director at Howardson Group, said:

“We’re thrilled to welcome Scott to the team. His extensive experience, combined with strong relationships with dealers and customers, makes him a perfect fit for the Key Account Manager role. Scott’s expertise and passion for our brands will be invaluable as we continue to grow our presence and support customers across Dennis, SISIS and Hunter Grinders.”

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All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range

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All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range: The recent expansion of the Kubota zero-turn mower range has made the line-up one of the most comprehensive in the market – and one of many highlights in the Kubota groundcare portfolio. Responding to market demand, the range has increased from two to seven models offering a variety of working widths, discharge options and fuel types to suit all domestic and commercial applications.

Kubota’s zero-turn offering combines unbeatable manoeuvrability with accurate, quality cut performance making them a popular choice for local authorities and professional landscapers as well as residential users. With the addition of five new models in recent years, the range now offers more versatility than ever before.

All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range

All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range

Highlights of the established petrol models are the Z1-421 and Z2-481, which feature a 42” and 48” side discharge cutting deck respectively, with optional mulching kits available.

Launched in summer 2024 is the Z4-541 – a 54” petrol model which boasts a larger chassis to offer even greater productivity to the pro-consumer market. Hot on its heels was the rear discharge Z4-541RD model, introduced later in 2024, to meet customer requirements.

In the diesel range, the well established ZD-1211 provides comfort and fast working with excellent fuel efficiency, meeting all the needs of the professional operator.

Those looking to meet productivity requirements with a sustainable power source can find the answer in Kubota’s Ze electric zero-turn range. Offering new levels of user comfort through reduced noise and vibration during operation, the Ze-421 and larger Ze-481 are designed to exceed the expectations of environmentally conscious customers such as contractors and local authorities whilst still maintaining the performance expectations of conventional fuels.

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