Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

August 4, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is proud to announce the return of the Golf Environment Awards in 2027 following an agreement with STRI Group. Nominations are now open for the refreshed Golf Environment Awards supported by BIGGA and STRI. Entries for the five […]

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

August 4, 2026/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board As part of the ongoing Meet the Board series, Tom Arnold, Director of the Amenity Forum, Founder and CEO of TopGrass and Chair of the UK Lawn Care Association, speaks about his passion for the amenity industry and his commitment to helping move it forward. Tom […]

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

August 4, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

August 4, 2026/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

August 4, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is proud to announce the return of the Golf Environment Awards in 2027 following an agreement with STRI Group.

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

Nominations are now open for the refreshed Golf Environment Awards supported by BIGGA and STRI. Entries for the five categories will be accepted until October, with the winners announced at the ceremony on 19 March 2027 at Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club.

The awards will be decided by a panel of four expert judges. This panel comprises two highly respected industry figures, ecologist James Hutchinson and sustainability expert Craig Boath, along with two experienced BIGGA staff members, Education Director Rob Phillips and Membership Director Scott Reeves.

In a return to the former process, a member of the panel will personally visit each short-listed venue and speak to the key individuals involved.

Established in 1995, The Golf Environment Awards supported by BIGGA and STRI recognise, reward and promote individuals and golf facilities for their work to protect and enhance their surroundings.

BIGGA has supported the awards for many years and will now oversee their next chapter, ensuring environmental stewardship continues to be recognised as a core component of modern course management.

The association will build on the strong reputation established by STRI Group while seeking to maintain a programme that is relevant, credible and accessible to clubs and individuals in the UK and further afield.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “Golf courses across the country and beyond are home to outstanding environmental work, much of it led by greenkeepers whose expertise and commitment can too easily go unseen.

“It is important that this contribution is properly recognised, both to celebrate those setting high standards and to demonstrate the positive role golf can play in protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

“The Golf Environment Awards supported by BIGGA and STRI provide a valuable platform for that recognition, shining a light on excellent practice and giving those responsible the credit they deserve for the difference they make daily”.

“We are grateful to STRI Group for its excellent work developing the awards over the years, and we will continue to build on that strong legacy.”

The refreshed programme for The Golf Environment Awards supported by BIGGA and STRI will feature five categories:

The Conservation Champion Award will recognise an individual whose contribution has played a significant role in the success of a club’s environmental and ecological management, creating a positive impact on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity.

The Positive Impact Award will celebrate a golf club that has implemented an ecological or sustainability initiative delivering meaningful environmental benefits, supported by clear objectives, measurable targets and evidence of continued success.

The Operation Pollinator Award will recognise golf clubs that consistently deliver outstanding ecological habitat creation and management.

The International Environmental Golf Club of the Year and UK Environmental Golf Club of the Yearawards will recognise facilities demonstrating efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.

Nominations will open in August and remain open until October. Nominations will be submitted through the Golf Environment Award website using a written application form and supporting images and video/s.

Nominations will be assessed against the relevant criteria between October and December, with visits conducted as part of the process. A final judging day will take place during BTME in January before the awards ceremony at Forest of Arden Golf Club in March.

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

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

August 4, 2026/in News, People, Press Release/by Admin

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

As part of the ongoing Meet the Board series, Tom Arnold, Director of the Amenity Forum, Founder and CEO of TopGrass and Chair of the UK Lawn Care Association, speaks about his passion for the amenity industry and his commitment to helping move it forward.

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

Tom has spent more than 40 years working in the amenity sector and is widely recognised as a strong advocate for professional standards, training and the promotion of best practice. Over the course of his career, he has spent approximately half that time working with manufacturers of amenity fertiliser and plant protection products, and the other half building and leading his own lawn care business. Today, TopGrass is recognised as the largest independent lawn care company in the UK

As the industry responds to changing environmental expectations, increasing demand for sustainable landscape management and a growing focus on professional competence, Tom brings valuable practical experience and insight to the Amenity Forum Board.

We spoke to Tom about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, the importance of collaboration and the role of natural turf in creating healthy, sustainable and attractive green spaces.

Q&A: Tom Arnold

What attracted you to the Amenity Forum and the opportunity to join its Board?

I have always believed that the amenity sector is stronger when organisations work together. The Amenity Forum provides a unique platform for bringing together different parts of the industry, including contractors, suppliers, professional bodies, local authorities and regulators.

The Forum has an important role in promoting best practice, encouraging professional standards and ensuring the sector has a collective voice on issues that affect us all. Joining the Board provided an opportunity to contribute to that work and help support the future development of the sector.

Why is the work of the Amenity Forum important?

The amenity sector is incredibly diverse, but many of the challenges we face are shared. Whether you are managing lawns, sports turf, parks, public spaces or wider landscapes, there is a common need for professional competence, responsible management and effective communication.

The Forum provides an opportunity to share knowledge and experience across sectors, whilst helping to ensure that decision-makers understand the practical realities of managing amenity spaces.

It also plays an important role in promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), supporting professional competence and helping organisations adopt practical, sustainable approaches to managing pests, weeds and diseases.

What are the biggest challenges facing the lawn care and turf management sector?

One of the biggest challenges is balancing increasing expectations with available resources. Customers want high-quality, healthy and attractive green spaces, but organisations are also being asked to deliver environmental benefits, improve biodiversity and reduce inputs.

At the same time, the range of management tools available continues to evolve, making professional knowledge and evidence-based decision making more important than ever.

How is the sector responding to changing environmental expectations?

The sector has made significant progress in recent years. There is growing interest in IPM, improved soil health, sustainable turf management and approaches that reduce environmental impact whilst maintaining high standards.

Many organisations are also looking at how they can support biodiversity and make their landscapes more resilient to changing weather patterns and environmental pressures.

What role does natural turf play in modern landscapes?

Natural turf delivers a wide range of benefits that are often overlooked. It contributes to cooling, carbon capture, water management, biodiversity and wellbeing, whilst providing attractive and functional spaces for communities, sport and recreation.

As discussions continue around sustainability and environmental performance, it is important that the benefits of well-managed natural turf are recognised and understood.

What do you hope to achieve as a Director of the Amenity Forum?

I would like to see the Forum continue to strengthen its role as a trusted and respected voice for the amenity sector. There is a real opportunity to bring people together, encourage collaboration and help ensure that policy, regulation and best practice are informed by practical experience.

I am particularly passionate about raising standards across the sector through high-quality training, professional development and the promotion of a common quality standard that gives confidence to customers, practitioners and policymakers alike.

I would also like to see greater recognition of the environmental value of natural green spaces. The increasing use of artificial grass in domestic properties is a worrying trend, as it can represent a permanent loss for nature, biodiversity and the many benefits that living landscapes provide.

The challenges facing the sector will continue to evolve, but by working together we can help ensure that those responsible for managing amenity spaces have access to the knowledge, support and professional networks they need to succeed.

The Board of Directors comprises representatives from a broad range of organisations and disciplines, reflecting the diversity of the amenity sector. Further profiles of Board members will be published over the coming months.

For further information about the Amenity Forum, visit: www.amenityforum.net

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 to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

BIGGA to lead next chapter of Golf Environment Awards

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

Meet Tom Arnold, Director on the Amenity Forum Board

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT