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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

July 24, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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 […]

Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

July 24, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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 […]

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

July 24, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

July 24, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

July 24, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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

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

July 24, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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

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

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 announces the FTMI Class of 2025

Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

Gristwood & Toms prioritise cleaner power

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.

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