Tag Archive for: Agronomy

Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience

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Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and The R&A have selected 10 ambitious and talented greenkeepers to provide tournament support during five of this year’s biggest championships.

Ten BIGGA members will join the home greenkeeping teams for the hosting of this summer’s R&A championships, including The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush and the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl. The greenkeepers will gain experience in elite championship preparation, working alongside the home greenkeeping teams and The R&A’s Championship Agronomy Team.

Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience

Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience

The volunteers will be on site at:

  • The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush
  • The Senior Open at Sunningdale
  • The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl
  • The Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s and Royal Cinque Ports
  • The Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn

Each member is selected to participate at one of the championships, where they will be fully embedded into the home greenkeeping team. The entire group will also assemble at Royal Birkdale in April for an education session and will be invited to attend The Open at Royal Portrush, where they will learn about course preparation and the staging of a major championship.

The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme is the latest exclusive offering for members of BIGGA, building on the existing programme of exciting member initiatives, each intended to further the ability and skill of greenkeeping professionals.

The successful BIGGA members selected for 2025 are:

  • Ethan Walker, Enville Golf Club
  • Steven Connolly, Ansty Golf Centre
  • Duncan Sieling, The Richmond Golf Club
  • Kyle Gauld, Whitecraigs Golf Club
  • Geoffrey Seath, Broadstone Golf Club
  • Christopher Szoradi, The Manchester Golf Club
  • Adam Matthews, Minchinhampton Golf Club
  • Jack Hall, Kilworth Springs Golf Club
  • Dean Baily, Heswall Golf Club
  • Bradley Taylor, Beau Desert Golf Club

Adam Newton, Sustainable Championship Agronomy Lead at The R&A, said: “After an extensive application process, we have selected 10 impressive candidates who will gain a great insight into championship agronomy and greenkeeping at some of our most prestigious R&A Championships and a unique educational experience that will support them in their future careers.

“We look forward to developing the programme with BIGGA over future years and ensuring that it represents an aspirational learning experience for its members.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “BIGGA members have access to an incredible range of exclusive career-development opportunities and I’m convinced that the R&A Championship Agronomy Programme will soon be held among the upper echelons of those. Our collaboration with The R&A is a real vote of confidence that highlights how well thought-of our members are by the wider industry.

“My congratulations go to the 10 members selected to participate in this first cohort. The emphasis is now on them to make the most of the opportunity and represent our profession and association to the highest standard.

“My thanks also go to The R&A and greenkeeping teams at each of the host venues for the enthusiasm that has brought this programme to fruition.”

For more information about BIGGA and its various activities including how to become a member, visit www.bigga.org.uk

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has agreed a strategic partnership with SURTEC – a multi-disciplinary agronomy team offering consultancy across the maintenance and development of golf courses – to expand its operations in Europe, with Spain and Portugal regions now benefiting from its expertise.

The new partnership will offer knowledge and experience to facilities in the continental European market, providing support in relation to sustainable agronomic practices to golf clubs.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

“The development of The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and Sustainable Championship Agronomy is supported by our Research and Education initiatives, which are the foundations of our work” said Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainability at The R&A.

“The partnership with SURTEC allows us to expand our operation into Europe alongside a team which has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the market, our goals and golf course agronomy. We look forward to bringing our collective expertise and guidance to European golf clubs and resorts together with local insight to help educate, support, and encourage their commitment to a more sustainable future for the game of golf.”

SURTEC, based in Seville, consists of a team with over 15 years of independent experience within the industry in Spain, Portugal and further afield. Its team provides golf course agronomy consultancy to over 30 clubs, offering a broad range of services for golf courses covering consultancy, project engineering, irrigation, and project management.

Pablo Munoz, co-founder of SURTEC, commented, “Collaborating with The R&A undoubtedly represents our most significant step forward since the foundation of SURTEC. We believe that with the knowledge and support of The R&A’s qualified and experienced agronomists and with the help of the latest technology, we can reach more clubs and people within the industry, share our know-how, broadcast our message for sustainable agronomy widely, and truly fulfil our commitment to the golf industry in our region. This commitment is based on responsible use of resources and the conservation and enhancement of the environment.

“Our mission alongside The R&A, is to achieve the best playing surfaces with minimal labour and sustainable use of material and water resources.”

Whilst this partnership first sees the offering expand into Spanish and Portuguese territories, it marks the start of the continental European operation for The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service.

To find out more about the Sustainable Agronomy Service, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org or head to https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/agronomy

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Services to tackle golf’s water security issues

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Services to tackle golf’s water security issues: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service team has announced a collaboration with The Environment Partnership (TEP), extending their service offering to golf facilities in the UK and Ireland.

The partnership will see The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and TEP collaborate to offer clubs consultancy on specific environmental concerns pertaining to water security, water sourcing and site water management.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Services to tackle golf’s water security issues

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Services to tackle golf’s water security issues

The partnership underlines The R&A’s commitment to providing the most comprehensive sustainable agronomy solutions using best practice management to safeguard water security and surface performance.

“Joining forces with TEP will give R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service customers the opportunity to gain detailed insight from industry experts into the key issue of water security.  Clients can have the confidence that The R&A will be on-hand to provide additional support and to ensure integration with best practice agronomy plans,” comments Alistair Beggs, Head of Agronomy at The R&A.

Paul Woodham, from The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, adds: “Golf courses will need support when assessing the future implication of the changing climate and the anticipated constraints which will reduce access to water sources commonly used today.  Golf needs to work proactively with water companies and agencies which safeguard the environment.”

TEP will develop an initial water security feasibility study in collaboration with the golf facility.  This includes a review of existing water sources, how water is used across the site and current drainage infrastructure.  This feasibility study then explores water sourcing and storage opportunities across the site, bringing these together into an initial masterplan that can be used as the basis for future integrated facility planning.  The process includes input and support from The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service team; ensuring clients have the opportunity to digest and understand the recommendations compatible with their facility.

The partnership combines leading water management proficiency with in-depth agronomic awareness, resulting in a long-term vision for sustainable golf.

“The opportunity to work with the sustainable agronomic expertise at The R&A, allows TEP to tailor water security advice so it is targeted to the specific needs of the golf industry.  We are very excited about working alongside The R&A as partners on the vital issue of long-term water security of the sector”, comments Nicola Hancock, Director at TEP.

To enquire about these services e-mail sustainableagronomy@randa.org

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R&A’s Agronomy Team to headline at BTME

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R&A’s Agronomy Team to headline at BTME: With the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) and Continue to Learn taking place in a month, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has confirmed its headline speakers for the education conference.

BTME is the annual trade show and networking event for those working in the golf greenkeeping and wider sportsturf industry and takes place in Harrogate. Traditionally the event is held in January each year but was postponed in 2021 due to coronavirus and this year was delayed until March due to uncertainties relating to the pandemic.

R&A’s Agronomy Team to headline at BTME

R&A’s Agronomy Team to headline at BTME

Continue to Learn is BIGGA’s world-leading education programme and runs alongside the conference. Considered among the most influential events in the golf industry calendar, Continue to Learn features hundreds of hours of learning for sports turf professionals on a wide variety of topics.

The three-day Continue to Learn: Conference will be hosted by former BBC Sports editor Gareth Jones. Headlining that element of the programme will be The R&A’s Championship Agronomy team, which is responsible for presenting host venues each year for The R&A’s championships, including The Open.

Members of The R&A Agronomy team will reveal how they work, the preparation and data collection processes involved with championship preparation, the interactions with the host greenkeeping team and give an insight into the modern requirements for the delivery of golf’s greatest championship. Joining The R&A team of Alistair Beggs, Richard Windows and Adam Newton at Continue to Learn will be Paul Larsen, course manager at Royal St George’s Golf Club, host venue for The 149th Open in 2021.

Alistair Beggs, Head of Agronomy at The R&A, said: “It is a privilege for The R&A Agronomy Team to work with the host venue for The Open and its staff to help deliver the stage on which it is played each year. In 2021 Royal St George’s hosted The Open and despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it developed into a great championship.

“This session provides the opportunity to learn a little more about Royal St George’s journey to being a championship venue, both from the perspective of The R&A and Royal St George’s own links manager, Paul Larsen. This will include the years building up to 2021, playing surface and rough preparation, environmental management and delivery of the championship itself.

“We are incredibly excited to be attending BTME and are thankful to BIGGA for giving us the opportunity to share our experiences of The Open in this way.”

Also revealed to be taking part in the Continue to Learn: Conference schedule is Linda Moir, who led the Spectator Services team at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, where 15,000 volunteer Games makers hosted 9 million spectators. Prior to that, Linda accepted the challenge from Sir Richard Branson to join Virgin Atlantic and ‘make flying fun’. As director of In Flight Services she was responsible for the airline’s award winning on-board service.

Continue to Learn is the sports turf industry’s largest single education event, providing hundreds of hours of education for greenkeepers and groundsmen everywhere. The programme runs alongside the BTME and will be held 20 to 23 March 2022 at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Bookings are open and more information can be found at www.btme.org.uk

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