Tag Archive for: BIGGA

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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BIGGA celebrates exceptional BTME

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BIGGA celebrates exceptional BTME: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) signed off from its annual education conference and trade show in Harrogate with news of a refined strategy that will shape the direction of the association for years to come.

A video of BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton, Head of Membership Scott Reeves and Chairperson Steve Lloyd discussing the strategy can be viewed online here.

BIGGA celebrates exceptional BTME

BIGGA celebrates exceptional BTME

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) saw turf professionals and some of the most influential figures behind the sport of golf gather at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire. Held alongside BIGGA’s Continue to Learn education programme, the best learning opportunity in Europe for golf greenkeepers, BTME is considered among the most important events in the golf industry due to the development opportunities and access to the latest technology and innovations afforded to golf greenkeepers and club officials.

Across three show days, 4,204 visitors walked through the doors of the convention centre, where 157 exhibitors provided a warm welcome. Visitors stayed for an average of 1.56 days and of those who came to Harrogate, 10% were from overseas.

The Continue to Learn programme was 99% sold out with 1,220 places pre-booked across the Classes and Conferences schedule. Accompanied by two outstanding free-to-attend seminar programmes throughout the show, the popularity of Continue to Learn solidifies its importance in the training and development of the greenkeeping and wider turf management community.

A large number of product launches and major industry announcements took place during BTME and you can find details of these in the Digital Media Centre on the BTME website.

A wide variety of events also took place during BTME, strengthening the festival feel of the entire week. Organisations such as The R&A, Bernhard and Company, ICL and others hosted events, while the Golf Environment Awards also took place. The BIGGA Celebration with Kress revealed the winners of this year’s BIGGA Awards and the Syngenta-sponsored Early Bird Run raised £810 for the Greenkeepers’ Benevolent Fund. The Monster Putt with Huxley Golf raised a further £957 for BIGGA’s charity, which supports members and their families in need.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “BTME 2025 has been a resounding success, not only in terms of attendance but also in the invaluable opportunities it has provided for learning, networking and innovation within our industry. With over 4,200 visitors and more exhibitors and educational opportunities than ever before, it’s clear that BTME remains a cornerstone of the golf and turf management calendar and we’re excited to welcome everyone back to Harrogate in January 2026 for what we are certain will be another exciting and vibrant BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition.”

At BTME, BIGGA also revealed a three-pronged strategy that will further advance the ambitions of the association in its role as a prominent figurehead within the golf industry. Informed by the recent membership survey undertaken by the association, alongside an extensive consultation period, the refocused strategy will ensure BIGGA remains a strong and influential voice, effectively representing its members on an international scale and supporting them in their professional ambitions.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “We had an absolutely fantastic response to our membership survey at the back end of 2024. Thank you so much to all the members and non-members who responded and gave their views on our association, membership, the initiatives we run and the work we’re doing to improve the greenkeeping industry. All the results of the survey are helping us refine our strategy.”

The key strategic pillars are:

  • Increasing membership numbers as a unified greenkeeping community is better able to positively influence the sport of golf.
  • Increasing engagement in BIGGA activity and evolving the membership offering to ensure all members, at every stage of their career, can get involved, become better educated and progress through their careers.
  • Advancing BIGGA’s advocacy efforts to positively influence the governance structure within golf facilities, ensuring greenkeepers are recognised as critical to the success of the sport.

These strategic pillars will inform BIGGA’s activities over the coming period and further updates will be revealed in due course.

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition and Continue to Learn education programme are hosted by BIGGA and take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire. The trade show will return on 20 to 22 January 2026, with Continue to Learn taking place from 18 to 21 January 2026.

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

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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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