Tag Archive for: BIGGA

Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

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Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2025 at a star-studded event on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME).

During the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, hosted by Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk, BIGGA revealed the winners of the annual BIGGA Awards, with a previously unheralded venue in South Wales among the big winners.

Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

Wales’s Morlais Castle and Parkstone in Poole collect BIGGA Awards

Merthyr Tydfil venue Morlais Castle Golf Club was revealed as the winner of the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year Award with Bernhard and Company. The judges selected the three-strong greenkeeping team as winners ahead of the other, more established, finalists from Woburn Golf Club and Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, due to their commitment to including the local community in the hosting of the event.

Morlais Castle was nominated following the successful hosting of the Welsh Team Championship and Head Greenkeeper Stewart Freeman collected the award alongside his wife, Tessa, who also helped with greenkeeping tasks during the championship.

Also picking up an award on the night was the greenkeeping team from Parkstone Golf Club, who was revealed as the winner of the Greenkeeping Project of the Year Award with Price Turfcare. It marks a second awards success for Grant Peters and his team, having previously won a BIGGA Award in 2020.

Parkstone’s greenkeepers overcame multiple setbacks to create an exciting opening tee shot and practice area at the Top 100 course, located on the south coast. They were chosen as winners ahead of outstanding entries from Cowdray Golf Club and Long Ashton Golf Club, with the judges praising the communication and innovation of all three nominees.

The final award of the evening was presented to Stephen Bernhard, founder of Bernhard and Company. Throughout Stephen’s distinguished career he has advocated for greenkeeper training and education, culminating in the launch of the Bernhard Academy in 2019. Through Stephen’s generosity, more than 200 BIGGA members have participated in the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and countless other greenkeepers owe their success to his support and investment in the turf management industry.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Congratulations to our outstanding BIGGA Awards winners. Their achievements extend far beyond the past year – for more than half a century in Stephen Bernhard’s case – and I’m delighted that we’re able to honour them in this way.

“To hear stories of how Stewart Freeman and everyone at Morlais Castle enlisted the local community to build a lasting legacy, or the ongoing success at Parkstone where Grant Peters continues to cement his reputation as one of our industry’s shining lights, it’s been a wonderful evening.

“My congratulations go to everyone who took part and I’d like to extend my thanks to our sponsors, Kress, Bernhard and Company and Price Turfcare, for their support of this year’s BIGGA Celebration.”

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) continues until Thursday 23 January at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.

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BIGGA thanks survey participants

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BIGGA thanks survey participants: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), has thanked the 1,141 individuals who participated in the association’s recent membership survey.

Responses were received from across the United Kingdom, with a further 7% of participants contributing from outside the UK. The survey attracted input from professionals at every level of the greenkeeping and turf management industry, with 44% of respondents identifying as course managers or head greenkeepers.

BIGGA thanks survey participants

BIGGA thanks survey participants

Notably, just under 30% of respondents indicated they were not currently members of BIGGA. Their feedback was of particular interest to the association as it seeks to gain a well-rounded understanding of BIGGA’s reputation within the industry and explores opportunities to enhance its membership offering.

Survey participants were given the chance to enter a prize draw to win a £500 Amazon voucher. Craig Denton, assistant greenkeeper at Lindrick Golf Club, was announced as the winner.

Craig said: “I was really surprised to win. I don’t usually enter anything, but I thought I had 10 minutes to spare, so why not? After completing the survey, I went into work and told the other lads to take part because it helps everyone – not just BIGGA but us greenkeepers as well.

“I think we all have to stick together and BIGGA tries very hard, especially with the education on offer at Harrogate. They need feedback from us members if they’re going to keep improving.”

This survey provided the biggest opportunity in a generation for those working in the turf industry to share their views on the future of BIGGA. Work is now underway to analyse the results and explore how the findings can be implemented.

Further discussions about the survey’s findings will take place at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January 2025, where Scott Reeves, BIGGA Head of Membership, will present the results to attendees of the annual trade show.

Scott said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey. We’re delighted with the strong response – 1,141 participants – which reinforces that BIGGA continues to play a vital role in the golfing industry. It’s also clear that greenkeepers are passionate about the association and the community it fosters. The hard work now begins as we analyse the results and consider how the findings can be adopted into the everyday practices of the association and our team.”

Greenkeepers and the wider turf management industry will have the opportunity to further discuss the survey’s findings at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, taking place in January 2025 at the Harrogate Convention Centre. More information and free registration are available at www.btme.org.uk

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Sarah Stirk to lead line-up for BIGGA Celebration

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Sarah Stirk to lead line-up for BIGGA Celebration: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is thrilled to announce that renowned TV presenter and journalist Sarah Stirk will host the BIGGA Celebration, held on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) in January.

Best known for her work with Sky Sports, where she has been a leading voice in golf coverage since 2012, Sarah will guide the evening’s festivities. The BIGGA Celebration highlights the incredible achievements of BIGGA members over the previous year, including the unveiling of the prestigious BIGGA Awards winners.

Sarah Stirk to lead line-up for BIGGA Celebration

Sarah Stirk to lead line-up for BIGGA Celebration

With a career spanning roles at Sky Sports, the BBC, Setanta and Sky News, Sarah has covered DP World Tour and PGA Tour events and interviewed some of the biggest names in golf. A 7-handicap golfer herself, Sarah also champions women in leadership roles within golf, having launched the Women’s Leadership Summit supported by The R&A.

Sarah said: “I’m delighted to be presenting the BIGGA Celebration at BTME in January. It’s an honour to celebrate the incredible work of BIGGA members and I look forward to a fantastic evening in Harrogate.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Sarah’s experience and passion for the game make her the perfect host for this landmark event. We’re excited to welcome her to BTME and encourage all attendees to join us for an unforgettable evening in Harrogate’s historic Royal Hall.”

BTME is one of the golf industry’s most influential events and runs for three days at the Harrogate Convention Centre, offering unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. Both BTME and the BIGGA Celebration are free to attend, with registration available at www.btme.org.uk

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BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

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BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is this week launching a survey that invites all greenkeepers – whether members of the association or otherwise – to share their opinions on the structure and role of the association itself.

The survey is intended to ensure that greenkeepers are at the heart of plans to develop the activities and structure of BIGGA and ensure it is well-placed to meet the challenges of future years.

BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

The survey is the first step in a consultation phase that is being undertaken in collaboration with Sporting Insights, the leading sports marketing research organisation. The survey can be completed here.

The questionnaire will give all greenkeepers the opportunity to have their say about BIGGA itself, whether positive or otherwise. Questions will cover the BIGGA membership offering, the value of benefits and initiatives that are currently available and how these might change. There will also be questions on membership categories, the role of volunteers and how BIGGA advocates for its members within the industry.

Those who complete the questionnaire will be entered into a draw to win £500 in Amazon vouchers.

Scott Reeves, BIGGA Head of Membership, said: “BIGGA has a proven history of advancing the profession of greenkeeping and providing its members with innovative benefits and opportunities. As the association approaches its 40th anniversary, we recognise that the industry is rapidly changing and if we are to remain an influential force within the golf and turf management industries, we must listen to all stakeholders, whether within membership or those who opt against joining BIGGA. This is a genuine opportunity for everyone in greenkeeping to influence the direction BIGGA takes over the coming years and we are committed to listening to all voices, whether supportive or otherwise.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “The greenkeeping industry never stands still. Greenkeepers are renowned for being self-critical and always wanting to improve their facilities and their own knowledge. At BIGGA we aim to have a similar mentality, which is why we are again seeking clear feedback to ensure our offering to our members and the wider industry is as fit for purpose as it can be.

“I’m proud of the strides BIGGA has made during its lifetime but we cannot rest on our laurels and I hope very many of our members and other stakeholders in the industry will help us to achieve even more in the next few years.”

Steve Lloyd, BIGGA Chairperson and The Worcestershire Golf Club Course Manager, said: “Participating in this survey gives each of us a voice in shaping the future of our association and, ultimately, our profession. As greenkeepers, our insights and experiences are invaluable in defining the direction and support we need from BIGGA.

“Completing this survey is a chance to make sure the structure and role of the association truly reflect what’s most important for our work and the industry. I encourage all greenkeepers to take part and contribute to this vision for the future.”

BIGGA has long been an association that has evolved to suit the ever-changing needs of its members. A desire to improve professionalism and knowledge led to the development of the Continue to Learn education programme and the implementation of an industry-first Continuing Professional Development system. In recent years, challenges with workforce recruitment and retention and increasing concern relating to mental health have led to the significant investment intended to support members in these areas.

Complete the survey here.

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BIGGA relaunches Your Course

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BIGGA relaunches Your Course: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has relaunched Your Course – the magazine that invites golfers to gain a deeper appreciation of what preparing and maintaining a golf course really involves.

Your Course is a twice-yearly print offering produced by BIGGA, the UK’s membership association for golf greenkeepers, in collaboration with 18 Players, the golf publishing specialists who also produce BIGGA’s monthly journal, Greenkeeper International.

BIGGA relaunches Your Course

BIGGA relaunches Your Course

With copies landing in golf clubs in spring and late summer each year, Your Course explores the most relevant topics relating to golf course management. In forthcoming issues, the maintenance of bunkers, greens and water hazards will be tackled alongside cutting-edge features on climate change, autonomous mowers, technology and legislative challenges.

This will create an ever-growing resource that informs golfers about what it takes to maintain a modern golf course and the challenges faced by the greenkeepers at their own facility.

Golfing venues of all shapes and sizes across the UK will be featured, with a clear message that every golf course is different but that well-supported greenkeepers have both the training and knowledge to present outstanding playing surfaces.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “Campaigning on our members’ behalf is one of BIGGA’s key mission statements and we found Your Course to be an extremely effective tool when it was introduced back in 2018. I am delighted that with the support of our publishing partners at 18 Players, we are now able to reintroduce Your Course to golf facilities across the UK. I hope the print product and growing online database again become a valuable resource for anyone interested in what goes on behind the scenes at a modern golf course.”

Dan Murphy, Director at 18Players, said: “We are proud to work with BIGGA and we relish the opportunity to work on Your Course again and help to share greenkeeping expertise in a way that resonates with golfers.”

The lead feature in the relaunch edition is a fascinating conversation with the Ryder Cup player turned television personality Ken Brown, who worked as a greenkeeper early in his career, and offers some fascinating and forthright insight from his lifetime in the game.

Alongside the print magazine, BIGGA is building a database of articles and other resources that are intended to be read by golfers and shared by those interested in the industry, as a means of raising awareness for the activities of greenkeepers. This content can be viewed under the Resources tab of the BIGGA website, www.bigga.org.uk. 18 Players will also share the content directly with a consumer audience via their flagship website www.nationalclubgolfer.com under the Club banner.

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