Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

November 13, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and The R&A have selected 10 ambitious and talented greenkeepers to provide support during five of the biggest championships in 2026. Following an extensive application process, the BIGGA members chosen as the second cohort for The R&A Championship Agronomy […]

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days

November 12, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), the exclusive Rain Bird Golf distributor for the UK, recently hosted two successful golf irrigation training days, providing delegates with a comprehensive understanding of their irrigation systems and how to optimise their performance. The first session took place at Luffenham Heath Golf Club, Stamford, […]

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

November 13, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days

November 12, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

November 13, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and The R&A have selected 10 ambitious and talented greenkeepers to provide support during five of the biggest championships in 2026.

Following an extensive application process, the BIGGA members chosen as the second cohort for The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme will join the home greenkeeping teams for the hosting of next year’s Championships, including The 154^th Open at Royal Birkdale and the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

The greenkeepers, who hail from across the UK and beyond, will gain experience in elite championship preparation, working alongside the host teams and The R&A’s Championship Agronomy Team.

The volunteers will be on site at:

The 154^th Open at Royal Birkdale
The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes
The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
The Women’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield
The Walker Cup at Lahinch

Each member is selected to participate at one of the championships, where they will be fully embedded in championship preparations. The entire group will also assemble at BTME in January, attend an education session at Royal Liverpool Golf Club and will be invited to attend The Open, where they will learn about course preparation and the staging of a major championship.

The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme is the latest opportunity for BIGGA members, building on a range of initiatives designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and professional development of greenkeepers.

Adam Newton, Sustainable Championship Agronomy Lead at The R&A, said: “Following on from the great success of the inaugural programme in 2025, we are delighted to welcome another fantastic cohort of delegates for 2026.

“They will gain a truly unique educational experience and a fascinating insight into championship agronomy and greenkeeping at the highest level and at some of the most historic and prestigious championships in the world.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “This year’s inaugural programme clearly demonstrated the incredible value of this initiative, both for those who took part and for the wider profession.

“I’d like to congratulate the 2026 cohort on being selected to continue that legacy. Their involvement represents an outstanding professional development opportunity and a chance to gain unique, first-hand experience at the very highest level of championship preparation.

“BIGGA’s partnership with The R&A reflects our shared commitment to education, collaboration and excellence in golf course management, and to ensuring that greenkeepers remain central to the future of the game.”

BIGGA members selected for 2026

Scott Allen, greenkeeper, The Mid Ocean Club — The 154th Open, Royal Birkdale
Brent Downs CGCS MG, director of agronomy, Otter Creek — The Amateur Championship, Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
Jonathan Fisher, head greenkeeper, Ruddington Grange — The AIG Women’s Open, Royal Lytham & St Annes
Paul Fowkes, course manager, Kilworth Springs — The Walker Cup, Lahinch
Scott Fraser, greenkeeper, Trump International — The 154th Open Royal Birkdale
Harry Glover, greenkeeper, Lee Park — The Amateur Championship, Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
Tom Jennings, course manager, Calcot Park — The Women’s Amateur Championship, Muirfield
Kate Stillwell, course manager, Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær — The AIG Women’s Open, Royal Lytham & St Annes
Jethro Wilson, head greenkeeper, Bradford Moor — The Women’s Amateur Championship, Muirfield
Dominic Wright, greenkeeper, Fulford — The 154th Open, Royal Birkdale

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days

November 12, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), the exclusive Rain Bird Golf distributor for the UK, recently hosted two successful golf irrigation training days, providing delegates with a comprehensive understanding of their irrigation systems and how to optimise their performance.

The first session took place at Luffenham Heath Golf Club, Stamford, on Thursday 30 October, where a new Rain Bird irrigation system has recently been installed. The second event was held at Ashby Decoy Golf Club, Scunthorpe, on Wednesday 5 November.

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days

Both events were well attended, attracting course managers, greenkeepers and irrigation technicians keen to enhance their technical knowledge. BIGGA CPD points were available to attendees, reinforcing the educational value of the sessions.

The training gave delegates an in-depth understanding of irrigation hydraulics on their own courses, exploring how to make existing irrigation systems operate more uniformly and how to combat dry patch to achieve better results without significant capital investment. The sessions also included an introduction to Rain Bird’s CirrusPRO™ control system, with discussion around how central control technology can help make irrigation more uniform and effective.

The days were hosted by Peter Robin, OAS Irrigation Product Manager, and Angus Finlayson, OAS Irrigation & Digital Solutions Lead, who shared their expertise and practical experience throughout.

Peter Robin commented, “It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic delegates keen to deepen their understanding of irrigation technology. We aimed to help them get the best out of their systems, and the feedback has been really positive. The engagement and questions throughout both days showed a genuine interest in making irrigation more efficient and effective on the golf course.”

Angus Finlayson added, “Both events were a great success. We focused on broader irrigation principles rather than system-specific demonstrations and the level of participation was excellent. It was rewarding to see delegates leave with more confidence in operating and improving their irrigation systems, regardless of the brand.”

For information on upcoming events and training opportunities, visit www.originamenity.com.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and The R&A have selected 10 ambitious and talented greenkeepers to provide support during five of the biggest championships in 2026.

Origin hosts successful golf irrigation training days

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT