Tag Archive for: Become

Bernhard become signatories of The R&A Women in Golf Charter

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Bernhard become signatories of The R&A Women in Golf Charter: Bernhard and Company and the Bernhard Academy have become signatories of The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, underlining their commitment to supporting greater diversity and creating more opportunities for women within the golf and turf management industries.

The Women in Golf Charter, launched by The R&A, encourages organisations across the sport to take positive action to increase the number of women and girls playing golf and working within the industry.

Bernhard become signatories of The R&A Women in Golf Charter

Bernhard become signatories of The R&A Women in Golf Charter

The move is particularly significant within the turf maintenance profession, which has historically been a male-dominated sector. By signing the Charter, Bernhard and Company and the Bernhard Academy are sending a clear signal of their commitment to encouraging greater female participation and progression within the profession.

As part of their pledge, the organisations will advocate for the Charter across the professional turf industry globally, including promoting women in the profession through all available channels, while supporting initiatives designed to encourage more women and girls to consider careers in golf course and equipment management.

Their commitments include promoting the profile of female turf professionals, supporting the recruitment and development of women within the business, providing education and training opportunities through the Bernhard Academy, and helping golf facilities around the world create more welcoming and inclusive environments. Additional initiatives include providing opportunities to attend key industry events and exhibitions to build professional networks and advocating for greater opportunities for women in governance at all levels of golf.

Steven Nixon, Managing Director of Bernhard and Company, said: “Turf management has traditionally been a male-dominated profession, but that is changing and it’s important that our industry continues to evolve. By becoming signatories of The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, we want to demonstrate our commitment to supporting greater diversity and encouraging more women to see turf management as an exciting and rewarding career. Through the Bernhard Academy and our global network, we are proud to support initiatives that help open the doors for the next generation of professionals.”

Jackie Davidson, Director – Golf Education, The R&A, added: “We are delighted to welcome Bernhard and Company and the Bernhard Academy as signatories of the Women in Golf Charter. Their commitment to encouraging more women to pursue careers within turf management and supporting professional development across the sector is an important step in helping the golf industry become more inclusive and representative.”

Through their pledge, Bernhard and Company and the Bernhard Academy will also continue supporting initiatives that strengthen professional networks, raise awareness of turf management careers among women and girls, and encourage greater female representation across the sport.

To find out more about Bernhard and Company, visit: www.bernhard.co.uk

To learn more about the Bernhard Academy and its educational offering, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

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GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel: ‘Your environment, our responsibility’ is not just the strapline of contractors GVA – it’s very much a motto the company embody everyday in their operations with National Highways, utility providers, countryside managers and other leading land agencies throughout the UK.

Longstanding users of Aspen 2 and Aspen 4 across their machinery fleet, their confidence in the environmental and operator benefits of alkylate fuel has moved from being simply their fuel of choice to a core element of their brand new GVA Training school.

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

GVA become the preachers of benefits of Aspen Fuel

Already familiar with the firm from over 20 years’ experience in the arboricultural industry, Andrew Fletcher joined GVA in September 2024 to become their new Corporate Training Instructor and Coordinator. He came with a clear vision – to build a training centre that reflects best practice across the industry and just a few short months later, and with LANTRA qualifications to teach across 10 specialist disciplines under his belt, that vision became a reality in the form of GVA Training.

“It’s been incredibly exciting – to develop this new project within such an established and well-respected business” Andrew explains. “Because of GVA’s growth, we see a steady stream of new recruits so it made complete sense to develop a training model to run alongside our operations which supports our clients and demonstrates our commitment to continual professional development and high safety standards.”

Courses are open to anyone, and include a dedicated segment on fuelling – focussed on the science, environmental and operator health benefits and practical advantages of Aspen Fuel over regular petrol. “We see it in our day-to-day business – the reduction in smoke/haze, the lack of strong odour, the benefits it brings to engine life and equipment performance. It’s now about informing the next generation, many of whom have heard about Aspen but some who only experience it hands-on for the first time when they come and learn with us. They notice the difference straight away” he adds.

“During the morning maintenance session, trainees get the chance to inspect machines from GVA’s own fleet which is where they can clearly see Aspen’s cleaner burn and reduced carbon deposits. Come the afternoon, its outdoor training using both battery tools and conventional equipment fuelled exclusively with Aspen.” This combination of theory and practice, Andrew says, helps to overcome any perceived barriers some of the attendees sometimes have. “Cost always comes up, but when you factor in that Aspen is pre-mixed with 2-stroke oil, the reduction in machinery maintenance, downtime, not to mention the health benefits, it pays for itself. We’re fully converted which makes it easy to present with confidence.”

With support from their local Aspen distributor Stuart Taylors International, GVA Training has welcomed over 100 students since the scheme launched in April 2025 and with demand steadily increasing, they expect numbers to grow rapidly over the coming year. “We use Aspen because it works. Now it’s brilliant that we can teach so many others why!”

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John Wells to become BIGGA president

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John Wells to become BIGGA president: A Master Greenkeeper with more than four decades of experience across the world has accepted the nomination to become President of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) in 2026.

John Wells, 66, has immediately stepped into the role of BIGGA President Elect, supporting current President Ronnie Myles for the remainder of his term. He will be formally appointed BIGGA President at the association’s Annual General Meeting, taking place online in January.

John Wells to become BIGGA president

John Wells to become BIGGA president

As BIGGA President, John will act as an ambassador for the association, representing BIGGA at events across the UK and overseas. He will also join the Board of Management, using his extensive experience to help guide the association in its mission to support and develop greenkeepers and turf professionals.

John was so surprised to be offered the presidency that he was initially in disbelief. He said: “I was quite taken aback when I received the call from Ronnie Myles to ask if I’d consider the position. At first, I thought it might be a wind-up from some mates! But once I realised it was genuine, I was over the moon. I’ve been on Cloud Nine ever since.

“It’s a tremendous honour and I am delighted to have the opportunity to give back to an industry that has given so much to me. I’m a firm believer in education and that is something I am keen to champion during my spell as President,” he said.

John’s greenkeeping journey started at Welwyn Garden City, where his early promise was recognised as he ascended to the role of Head Greenkeeper at just 20 years of age. He spent 16 years there before moving to Brocket Hall, where he oversaw major course developments.

He achieved Master Greenkeeper status in 1995 and left Brocket Hall in 2010, with John’s 18 years there having also seen him posted to Cyprus, Russia, France and beyond to oversee projects. His final port of call was South Herts Golf Club, where he retired in 2023.

“We are delighted that John has accepted the Board’s invitation to serve as President for 2026,” said BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton. “John has had a lengthy and storied career in greenkeeping and has always been a highly engaged member of BIGGA.

“As only the 10th member at the time to earn the Master Greenkeeper designation, he exemplified high standards, and his knowledge and expertise are still in strong demand after his retirement from full-time course management.

“I am looking forward to spending time with John throughout his presidency year at the various events we attend and within the boardroom, where his experience and wise counsel will be an undoubted asset.”

Throughout his career, John has been a passionate advocate for education and mentoring. Many of the team members he trained have gone on to become course managers themselves, while others now work around the world. He continues to support and advise greenkeepers through consultancy work and his close involvement with BIGGA.

“Education has always been at the heart of BIGGA, and that’s something I care deeply about,” he said. “When I started out, there were very few training opportunities. The development of structured education within the association has transformed the profession, and I’m proud to have seen that evolution firsthand.”

Although retired from full-time course management, John remains heavily involved in the sport. He consults at a 36-hole course near his Hertfordshire home, looks after two cricket squares, and travels regularly to visit his son, Harry, who is Golf Course Superintendent at Dubai Creek Golf Club.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work in some incredible places, but what I’ve always enjoyed most is helping others succeed,” he said. “To be invited to serve as BIGGA President is a huge honour, and I’ll do my utmost to represent the association and its members to the best of my ability.”

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Weedingtech become members of British Water

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Weedingtech become members of British Water: Weedingtech, founders of the world’s leading commercial herbicide-free weed control solution Foamstream, are pleased to announce they have become members of British Water.

Using the combination of hot water and a specially formulated organic foam, Foamstream is proven to effectively combat unwanted vegetation in a range of situations and is fully approved for safe use within the wastewater sector.

Weedingtech become members of British Water

Weedingtech become members of British Water

Weeds that are left to accumulate can pose a serious risk to successful sanitation, specifically in and around water filter beds. If allowed to grow, vegetation can interfere with the rotation of the machinery, impacting air flow and making the cleaning process inefficient. Together with inhibiting drainage through the filter bed, weeds can also damage the media that fills the filter bed or pass through the bed entirely and contaminate the watercourse.

Currently, many in the wastewater industry rely on manual weeding. The time-consuming nature of hand-weeding frequently means that operations are not conducted frequently enough to be considered effective, while also proving unpleasant and unproductive for the operatives. However, companies including Severn Trent, South West Water, Wessex Water and Anglian Water have already made the switch to Foamstream.

Being 100% organic, Foamstream is approved for use on water filter beds – treating weeds, together with seeds, spores and roots to reduce re-growth and the number of treatment cycles required per year. Together with a reduction in treatments, Foamstream also presents a significant saving in labour treating a 600m2 waterbed in as little as four hours, which would otherwise take a team of four people five days to manually weed*.

“Weedingtech becoming members of British Water is a pledge to promoting best practice and working alongside others to find and provide solutions to challenges facing the sector” comments Foamstream Co-Founder Leo de Montaignac. “We’re delighted to already be trusted by a number of leading water firms and are well placed to provide advice and support to others who may be looking for an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional weed control methods.”

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Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms

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Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) are collaborating to have BIGGA exclusively present GCSAA’s First Green STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education programme in the UK.

Founded in 1997, First Green is the only STEM education and environmental outreach programme using golf courses as learning labs.

Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms

Golf clubs to become STEM classrooms

The First Green curriculum helps students apply their classroom knowledge in an outdoor setting. Using STEM concepts connected to golf course management and conservation, students find new inspiration in their schoolwork and learn about the possibility of a career in golf or a STEM-related field. Since its inception, First Green has reached students in the United States and Canada through learning labs that bring the classroom to life on the golf course. First Green also gives students a first-hand look at the important role greenkeepers (or superintendents as they are known in the US) play in their communities.

As part of the multi-year agreement, GCSAA will provide branding, training, insight and curriculum advice to assist BIGGA with establishing First Green in the UK. The two associations will share best practices and updates to ensure students will be part of programmes offering the best possible experience and learning.

This initiative was announced as part of the 2023 BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) in a joint event attended by representatives of GCSAA and BIGGA. Initial planning is underway and a schedule of First Green events presented exclusively in the UK by BIGGA will be available when they are announced at www.bigga.org.uk.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “First Green is a brilliant tool with all the assets, lesson plans and resources that any golf course needs to host an event. We’re thankful to the GCSAA for the incredible work they have done to develop the programme and also for enabling us to bring it to the UK, where I am confident it will be a huge success.”

Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO, said: “STEM education opens the door to a wide variety of career paths including golf-related careers. While our number one goal for First Green is to support the education growth of students, we also contribute to golf’s sustainability by showcasing golf facilities’ focus on preserving the environment and creating interest in a golf-related career. Over the years we have collaborated on many initiatives with BIGGA and created a strong working relationship. This long-term and successful relationship enabled our two associations to seamlessly bring the GCSAA’s First Green programme to the UK.”

For more information about First Green in the United States, visit thefirstgreen.org

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