Tag Archive for: Awards

Awards galore for Carnoustie Golf Links

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Awards galore for Carnoustie Golf Links: The Championship Course at Carnoustie Golf Links, ‘Golf’s Greatest Test’ and host of The 147th Open in 2018, was named best golf course in Scotland at the 2023 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards.

Carnoustie Golf Links was successful in the Best Golf Course over £150 category for the third time in recent years and the awards didn’t end there as Carnoustie pipped the competition to take home the ‘Best Pro Shop’ Award for the second time in as many years.

Awards galore for Carnoustie Golf Links

Awards galore for Carnoustie Golf Links

The Championship Course at Carnoustie was up against a shortlist which included Castle Stuart, the King’s Course at Gleneagles and North Berwick.

Links Superintendent, Kevin Stott, said “This award recognises the hard work and effort that our whole team put in to looking after our world class golf courses and facilities every day. We are extremely proud to present the courses at Carnoustie in an outstanding condition to our local, national and international guests”

Rebecca Tully, Head of Merchandise, said: “Our Professional Shop has grown from strength to strength over the years. We picked up this same award in 2022 and couldn’t be more delighted to be awarded it again this year. We are committed to providing the very best offering and experience at Carnoustie, and this award is testament to the efforts that we put in every single day.”

Carnoustie Golf Links also picked up the Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality Award at The Courier Business Awards in late 2022. The last 12 months have seen a number of other successes at Carnoustie, including the launch of their research hub in collaboration with Abertay University and the launch of its brand-new High Performance Junior Programme. History was made at Carnoustie in August 2022 when they hosted the Boy’s and Girl’s Amateur Championships – where the finals were played alongside each other for the first time ever and late 2022 saw the near completion of the Seagreen development project stage at Carnoustie which will provide Scotland, and the wider UK, with critical green infrastructure and will become Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, helping to meet Scotland’s net-zero targets and tackle climate change.

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Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

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Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME: Baroness dealer awards were presented at the recent BTME exhibition in Harrogate.

George Browns Ltd

WE’VE WON! Baroness – Highest Overall UK Sales.  Pictured here is Tim Mason, Group Sales Manager (Groundcare), collecting the award from Stuart Gray from Baroness UK. We’d like to thank all our customers for trusting in us and we hope we can continue into 2023 for another positive year.

Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

Lister Wilder

This week our sales team have been attending the #BTME show in Harrogate, where David Gray collected the Sales & Service award on behalf of the team presented by Luke Collins from Baroness UK.

Phill Hughes (Sales Director) commented – “It’s always an honour to receive awards, it shows the huge efforts put in by our Sales, Parts and Service departments to ensure that we deliver great customer service across our core franchises. Baroness mowers are now widely accepted as offering the best cut in the business, and providing low cost of ownership with proven reliability – they are a pleasure to work with and a manufacturer that has a clear vision for the future”

Gibbons Garden Machinery (GGM)

Awarded at the 2023 BTME show, The GGM team were awarded the Rising Star Award presented by Andy Darley from Baroness U.K.

The Rising star Award is presented to the fastest growing dealer for sales performance, and we’re very pleased that the continued hard effort put in by the team is being recognised & awarded by a manufacturer as prestigious as Baroness.

The whole team here at GGM is looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2023!

Adam Butler Director Baroness U.K. adds: The Baroness Dealer Awards provide a superb stage on which we can showcase the hard work and dedication our multi branch dealers continue to produce year on year. We are extremely proud of all our dealers and especially the 2022 winners. We produce world leading machinery in which we require world leading backup. That’s what we have and that’s what we will continue to do. A big thank you from TEAM Baroness goes out to all our dealers and customers alike for their continued support.

More info on the Baroness range visit: www.baronessuk.com

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BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists

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BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists: An innovative project to restore the historic links that hosted the first Open Championship, a club that hosted its first ever professional golf event and a team that battled Scottish snowfall to construct a new hole have been revealed as the finalists of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) Awards 2023.

Each year BIGGA invites nominations from across the golfing industry to recognise the achievements of its members, who play a vital role in the ongoing success of the sport.

BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists

BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists

The BIGGA Awards are divided into three categories, with the winners revealed at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration with Origin Amenity Solutions, taking place on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) in January 2023.

BTME is the largest annual gathering of greenkeeping professionals outside America and is held at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire alongside the Continue to Learn education programme. Together the events are considered among the most influential in the golfing calendar given the professional development opportunities presented to golf greenkeepers, helping them produce fantastic playing surfaces at every level of the sport.

With incredible prizes up for grabs, the BIGGA Awards recognise that high standards of quality and dedication are vital to the success of any golf course or championship. They reward the innovation of BIGGA members who are at the cutting edge of the profession and any BIGGA member within the UK, regardless of their golf facility’s size, age or reputation, can enter. The awards provide golf clubs with an opportunity to showcase their greenkeeping team’s talents and celebrate their achievements.

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Bernhard and Company

This award isn’t just restricted to those clubs who host majors or DP World Tour events. A team may have done incredible work to get the course fit for professional or amateur events, including national or important local championships.

The finalists in this category for 2023 are:

  • Abridge Golf Club in Essex for hosting the club’s first EuroPro Tour event, the PDC Championship, from 29 June to 1 July 2022
  • Minchinhampton Golf Club in Gloucestershire for hosting South West Week and Open Championship – Regional Qualifying in June 2022
  • St Annes Old Links for the hosting of Open Championship – Final Qualifying and The R&A’s Amateur Championship in June 2022

Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Sports Turf Data Solutions

This award recognises those greenkeeping teams who have undertaken a specific project, completed within the past year. However, projects can be long term and include course construction, renovation or rebuild – the possibilities are endless.

The finalists in this category for 2023 are:

  • Astbury Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Andy Brougham, for their bunker renovation project
  • Prestwick Golf Club, led by Golf Course Superintendent David Edmondson, for the recreation of the original 12-hole Open layout used for the first Open Championship
  • Strathaven Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Stephen Hunter, for the redesign and reshaping of two holes to fit in with safety concerns

Outstanding Contribution of the Year sponsored by Baroness

This award is presented to a BIGGA member or members who has made an outstanding contribution above and beyond their normal working life. This can be for charity, for the betterment of the greenkeeping profession or association or generally for society. The winner of this award will be revealed at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration at BTME 2023.

More information about each of the finalists can be found on the BTME website.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “Around Christmas each year I get the tremendous pleasure of revealing which of our incredible members have been selected as finalists of the BIGGA Awards, with the winners to be announced at our fantastic BIGGA Welcome Celebration at BTME. I never fail to be impressed by what our members are able to achieve, despite the sometimes immense challenges put in front of them. Whether it be a project to improve their facility or preparing for and delivering an important championship at their venue, their skill, talent and commitment knows no bounds.

“Congratulations to our finalists and thanks as always to our wonderful sponsors for supporting BIGGA members every step of the way.” 

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Finalists of GEA awards announced

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Finalists of GEA awards announced: Since STRI Group launched the Golf Environment Awards (GEAs) in 1995, the aim has been to recognise, reward and promote outstanding individuals and golf courses, no matter how big or small, for the time and effort they put into protecting and preserving their unique surroundings.

With the ever-increasing spotlight on environmental matters, it is fundamentally important for golf courses worldwide to assess what they can do to achieve environmental sustainability, protecting and encouraging habitats and biodiversity, while continuing to maximise the enjoyment of golf.

Finalists of GEA awards announced

Finalists of GEA awards announced

Following a recent judging day, the finalists and winners for the GEAs were decided. The judging panel were given a list of anonymous applications and an accompanying list of positive environmental practices from the clubs, which were then given a numerical score across a range of categories. The judges were representatives from STRI Ltd, The R&A, Aquatrols, BIGGA, Syngenta, Tillers Turf, and Textron.

The categories, criteria and finalists are as follows:

Operation Pollinator Award

Golf clubs who consistently deliver outstanding ecological habitat creation and management for pollinators.

  • Huntercombe
  • Goring and Streatley
  • Corhampton
  • Bamburgh Castle

Ecological Project of the Year

Golf clubs who have implemented a successful ecological project, with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a better environment, and are making sound progress in fulfilling the goals of the project.

  • Cirencester
  • Clitheroe
  • Pannal
  • Andrews

Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year

Outstanding individuals who make significant contributions to the success of environmental and ecological management making a positive impact on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity.

  • Garmouth and Kingston
  • Newquay
  • Sleaford
  • Warren (Devon)

Sustainable Project of the Year

Golf clubs who have implemented a successful sustainable project with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a more sustainable environment.

  • Hever Castle
  • Pannal
  • Royal Mid-Surrey
  • Andrews

International Environmental Golf Course

Golf clubs outside of the UK that brilliantly demonstrate efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.

  • AFRIYEA (Uganda)
  • Al Mouj (Oman)
  • Finca Cortesin (Spain)
  • Sentosa (Singapore)

UK Environmental Golf Course of the Year

Golf clubs in the UK that are leading the way in sustainability across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.

  • Anne’s Old Links
  • Nairn Dunbar
  • Gog Magog
  • Elmwood

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Harrogate on 25 January 2023. All winners are rewarded with a grant to help fund further ecological and environmental projects at their clubs and entry to the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture Course.

Entry to the awards is completely free with the aim of encouraging every eco-conscious golf club to have their efforts rewarded, and also to educate the industry on simple practices that can have a hugely positive impact.

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GMA announce judges for industry awards

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GMA announce judges for industry awards: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is delighted to announce the names of this year’s panel of judges who will be recognising talent from across the grounds care industry by selecting the winners of the 2022 GMA Industry Awards.

The thirteen judges represent a variety of sectors operating in the grounds care industry, and together, will collectively select a winner for each of the nineteen award categories.

GMA announce judges for industry awards

GMA announce judges for industry awards

Listed alphabetically, the judging panel includes:

  1. Adrian Kay, Head Groundsman at York Racecourse
  2. Anthony Facey, Area Sales Manager at Tuckwell Group
  3. Cheryl Hill, Groundswoman at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club
  4. David Roberts, Director at Training Unlimited
  5. Derek Walder, Operations Manager at Saltex
  6. Jackie Evans, Head of Grounds at Wellington College
  7. John Wright, Head of Grounds at Southampton Football Club
  8. Lee Marshallsay, Grounds Manager at Eton College
  9. Lee Metcalfe, Senior Grounds Manager at Manchester City Football Club
  10. Nasa Hussain, Head Groundsman and Facilities Manager at Bradford Park Avenue
  11. Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
  12. Stuart Kerrison, Head Groundsman at Essex County Cricket Club

Grounds Management Association CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“The GMA Industry Awards dinner has always recognised all parts of our varied sector by celebrating those who work hard to keep green spaces accessible and make sport possible.

“We are grateful to all of our judges for giving their time to help us recognise the achievements of individuals and teams who are making a real difference in communities, clubs and educational settings across the regions. The GMA Awards are uniquely determined by fellow grounds staff and people who have wide and diverse experience, making the GMA Industry Awards a truly authentic and peer-to-peer-led event.

I would also like to thank our sponsors, Origin Amenity Solutions, Kubota UK, Redexim, Infinicut, AMS Robotics and SGL, whose support is what makes events like this possible.

“We’re really looking forward to the GMA Awards making its post-pandemic return after two challenging years and we’re delighted to see the nomination entries continuing to flow in. The evening will provide a great opportunity to socialise and celebrate colleagues and peers and I would encourage all in sports turf and grounds care to save the date.”

Full details of the award categories and how to nominate is listed on the GMA website. Nominations must be submitted before 17.00 on Friday 29 July 2022.

The GMA Industry Awards dinner is taking place at The Vox, NEC Birmingham, on the evening of Wednesday 2 November, the evening of the first day of SALTEX.

Tickets to attend the awards will be released on Friday 1 July. To find out more about the purchase of tickets, please email vnewton@thegma.org.uk. To discuss sponsorship packages, please email scunningham@thegma.org.uk.

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