Tag Archive for: BIGGA

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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BIGGA and Bernhard Academy select America delegation

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BIGGA and Bernhard Academy select America delegation: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner Bernhard Academy have selected 10 association members to engage in one of the sports turf industry’s most prestigious learning opportunities.

A BIGGA Premium Partner, every two years Bernhard Academy invites 10 BIGGA members to attend the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America’s (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show, this year taking place in Orlando, Florida.  A spot on the delegation marks out a candidate as among the most dedicated and talented ambassadors for the golf greenkeeping sector. In the intervening years a Delegation from the USA visits BIGGA’s exhibition and conference, BTME.

BIGGA and Bernhard Academy select America delegation

BIGGA and Bernhard Academy select America delegation

With experiences designed to elevate the careers of those in attendance, the delegation is a week-long educational trip that features site visits as well as seminars, networking events and educational demonstrations. The successful delegates will also be invited to convene at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January, where they will meet former participants in the programme, many of whom have gone on to great success in their careers.

The BIGGA members selected for the 2026 BIGGA Delegation with Bernhard Academy are:

  • Andrew Gibbs, Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club
  • Michael Sage, Head Greenkeeper, Knowle Golf Club
  • John Stewart, Course Manager, Minchinhampton Golf Club
  • Dan Kendle, Head Greenkeeper, Newquay Golf Club
  • Ruth Etches, First Assistant, Trentham Golf Club
  • Jack Wellings, Deputy Course Manager, JCB Golf and Country Club
  • Ian Kirwan, Course Manager, Bramhall Golf Club
  • Michael Gibbons, Greenkeeper, The Wilmslow Golf Club
  • Ryan Gall, Greenkeeper, Loch Lomond Golf Club
  • Stuart Fergusson, Deputy Course Manager, Trump Turnberry

Head to the BIGGA website to find out more about each of the delegates.

Michael Sage is Head Greenkeeper at Knowle Golf Club. Reacting to being selected, he said: “I’m really grateful to have been chosen for the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from industry leaders, see how things are done on an international stage, and bring back new ideas that can help us at Knowle to keep improving. My goal is to gain fresh perspectives, especially around sustainability and course presentation, and share anything useful with my team”.

Ryan Gall, a greenkeeper at Loch Lomond Golf Club, expressed his pride at being chosen to join the BIGGA Delegation, representing UK greenkeeping on the global stage. He added: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected to be part of the Delegation. To be chosen is a massive career achievement for me and I feel incredibly proud to be part of such a prestigious group. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the event first-hand, meeting greenkeepers and industry leaders from around the world, and seeing the very latest innovations in turf management. I’ve no doubt it will be a hugely valuable learning experience and I’m excited to bring back new knowledge and ideas. Huge thanks to BIGGA and Bernhard for making this possible”.

The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show runs from 2 – 5 February 2026. As part of their duties, the delegates will attend the BIGGA stand during the conference, speaking to visitors about the association and UK greenkeeping.

For more information about the exclusive career development opportunities available to BIGGA members, head to the BIGGA website.

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BIGGA announces the FTMI Class of 2025

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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

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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BIGGA announces ICL Continue to Learn Scholars 2026

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BIGGA announces ICL Continue to Learn Scholars 2026: Each year, Premium Partner ICL invites five BIGGA members to attend the education programme at BTME, with the latest cohort representing golf clubs across the UK – from the west of England to the east of Scotland. 

The two organisations recognise that the valuable career-development opportunities provided by the multi-day event are not available to every greenkeeper, with the cost of education, travel and accommodation proving an obstacle. The scholarship seeks to provide a level playing field for ambitious members who would otherwise miss out.

BIGGA announces ICL Continue to Learn Scholars 2026

BIGGA announces ICL Continue to Learn Scholars 2026

“We’re pleased to continue supporting greenkeepers with the Continue to Learn Scholarship,” said Ed Carter, Business Manager UK for ICL Turf & Landscape. “Access to education is key to raising standards across the industry, and we want to help more BIGGA members develop their skills and progress in their careers.”

Adam Mitchell, of Tehidy Park Golf Club, was delighted to be selected and is eager to make the most of the opportunity.

” I am looking to use the courses available to improve my management techniques of both turf and of staff, which in turn should allow me to perform my role as Course Manager with more efficiency.  I look forward to learning from some well respected industry figures and making new friendships and connections with like-minded people”.

The scholarship provides the five candidates with three nights in a hotel and a comprehensive education package worth approximately £500.

To earn an ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship, BIGGA members must demonstrate a commitment to developing their own professional abilities by engaging with BIGGA’s Continuing Professional Development scheme.

Whether through in-person learning, reading this magazine, or by accessing resources on the association’s website, BIGGA members can enjoy thousands of learning opportunities, all aimed at improving their professional abilities.

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BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

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BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), organisers of BTME, and GroundsFest are proud to announce a new collaboration aimed at strengthening both events while bringing together professionals from across the grounds care, landscaping, and golf sectors.

The partnership will see BIGGA and GroundsFest working closely on joint initiatives throughout the year, including attending and supporting each other’s events, hosting tailored educational content, and working together on joint marketing campaigns.At the heart of the collaboration is a shared desire to encourage crossover between both event communities – helping professionals discover the value that each show offers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for community-building and cross-sector engagement. From greenkeepers and grounds managers to landscapers and contractors, the partnership aims to unite the wider industry.

BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

The complementary nature of the two events makes them natural partners: BTME is a long-established, much-loved winter event held in January in the scenic surroundings of Harrogate, while GroundsFest offers a vibrant, hands-on summer experience where visitors can see live equipment demonstrations in action.

Quote from Jim Croxton, CEO, BIGGA:

“We at BIGGA are hugely proud of our flagship event, BTME, and the positive impact it has, particularly on the golf greenkeeping industry on an annual basis and at a perfect time of the year to give turf managers a much needed boost, be that to their morale, their industry knowledge or their skill set. However it is our ambition to engage with our members and the wider industry far more than just once a year. GroundsFest provides us with a brilliant opportunity to do so at a different time of year and in a very different environment. We are looking forward to engaging with many greenkeepers at Stoneleigh Park this September and to working closely with GroundsFest on a number of initiatives to move our industry forward.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Christopher Bassett, GroundsFest’s Event Director, said:

“The two shows complement one another brilliantly – both in format and timing. BTME is a long-standing and special event, while GroundsFest delivers a dynamic, summer-based event where people can get hands-on with the latest kit. We’re proud to be working with BIGGA, a fantastic association, and we believe this collaboration will bring real value to the industry. We very much see this as a long- term partnership – action-driven and focused on delivering real benefits to the sectors we serve.”

Outside of the two events, BIGGA and GroundsFest are also exploring further educational opportunities. BIGGA is widely recognised for its exceptional training and professional development programmes, and with the recent launch of the GroundsFest Academy, there is clear potential to co-develop training content that supports professionals across the entire industry – from golf greenkeeping to wider grounds and landscape management.

As both events continue to grow, this partnership sets the tone for a more collaborative future for everyone working in grounds care, landscaping, and golf. More updates will be shared soon.

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