Tag Archive for: claim

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

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Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2026, recognising outstanding achievement, innovation and commitment across the greenkeeping profession.

Harrogate’s Royal Hall hosted the BIGGA Celebration sponsored by Bernhard Academy on the opening night of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), with Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk announcing the winners.

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

Burnham & Berrow and Royal Aberdeen claim BIGGA Awards

The prize for Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard & Company was awarded to Burnham & Berrow, while the Greenkeeping Project of the Year award with Price Turfcare went to Royal Aberdeen on a memorable evening celebrating excellence across the profession.

Burnham & Berrow’s award recognised the team’s exceptional response to an unprecedented challenge ahead of Final Open Qualifying. With just eight weeks to act, the team delivered innovative solutions after deliberate chemical vandalism damaged multiple greens.

Working closely with The R&A agronomy team and industry partners, a tightly managed recovery programme culminated in full turf replacement, with independent testing confirming championship standards were achieved in time for the event.

“What a job the team did – not only my team, but the whole club,” said retired Course Manager Richard Whyman. “Twenty of the 27 greens were damaged and it was hard to see the grass dying in front of you.

“With it being my last tournament, it was difficult for me, but I pulled myself together and The R&A were incredibly supportive.”

Royal Aberdeen was recognised for a long-term project to safeguard the future of the historic Balgownie Links. Ongoing coastal erosion prompted a complex reconstruction programme, including new greens, tees and protective infrastructure.

Delivered largely in-house by a small team, the project demanded meticulous planning and adaptability amid challenging weather and tidal pressures, with judges praising the balance between preserving heritage and delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions.

“We know erosion is a big issue – not just for us, but right down the UK coastline – so we’re trying to implement measures to slow that erosion, with contingency plans in place,” said Course Manager Richard Johnstone.

“As for my team, they’re the real heroes in this – I just lead them. They’ve taken on a huge challenge, and I’m very grateful to the club for supporting us.”

The evening also saw BIGGA present its Outstanding Contribution award with Kress to John Millen in recognition of a career that has left a lasting impact on the association and the wider greenkeeping profession.

A highly respected figure within the industry, Millen has devoted decades to supporting education, professional development and the advancement of greenkeeping standards, earning widespread admiration from colleagues across the UK and beyond.

“I really can’t believe this,” said the 85-year-old, who is still working in education but has swapped playing golf for croquet. “Only a week ago I didn’t even know whether I’d be coming tonight – I’ve been here virtually every year. I just want to say thank you to everybody.

“Through greenkeeping, through our associations and through the game itself, for me it’s always been about people who are passionate about golf courses and about working for one another.”

The event also celebrated the incredible finale of an inspiring personal challenge, as Jack Percival bounded onto stage after completing his epic 300-mile run from Epsom. The senior greenkeeper at Royal Automobile Club undertook the run to raise awareness around mental health and funds for Percy’s Homeless Hub and the Greenkeepers Benevolent Fund.

The BIGGA Awards were established to recognise the exceptionally high standards, professionalism and dedication demonstrated by greenkeepers throughout the year. From major championship preparation to ambitious renovation projects and contributions that strengthen the profession, the awards highlight the vital role greenkeepers play in the success and sustainability of the game.

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The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards

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The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards: The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) announced the Grand, Special and Principal winners of the National Landscape Awards 2025, in a spectacular event held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on Friday 5 December.

Just over 1,000 BALI members and their guests saw Surrey-based The Outdoor Room capture the prestigious Grand Award for their standout project Hawthorn House, a scheme celebrated for its ambition, technical mastery, and exceptional craftsmanship.

The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards

The Outdoor Room claim top honour at BALI awards

The winning project impressed the judging panel with its elegant and expansive design, delivered despite stringent access restrictions, challenging weather conditions and frequent expansion of the project scope. Coordinating with multiple third-party contractors, The Outdoor Room produced a landscape described by judges as “full of visual beauty that belies the complex nature of the work that went into it.”

Presented by Headline Sponsor Origin Enterprises, via their Living Landscapes Division, the Grand Award recognises the company’s ability to balance high-level problem-solving with meticulous execution. The project team resolved significant drainage issues, delivered intricate hard-landscaping features, and installed a refined planting scheme, all while maintaining seamless workmanship throughout. The team brought to life a landscape the judges deemed exemplary in every respect.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive the Grand Award at the BALI National Landscape Awards,” said Mark Britton, Managing Director of The Outdoor Room. “These awards represent the highest level of recognition in our industry. To be acknowledged by such experienced and knowledgeable judges is an honour, and achievements like this inspire and motivate our whole team, especially our younger members.”

BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills praised the achievement, noting the exceptional standard of entries: “The standard this year was one of the best we’ve ever seen, so this is a hugely deserved win for Mark and his team. Every year I continue to be amazed by the creativity, innovation and expertise demonstrated by our members. The Awards remain the pinnacle of landscaping excellence because of their dedication and skill.”

It was double delight for The Outdoor Room, as Senior Foreman and Director James Sponder bagged a Special Award for individual professional achievement.

Alongside the announcement of the Grand Award winner and Principal winners, Water Gems (Alba) received a Special Award for their project “Maggie’s Forth Valley”, while John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance was presented with the Environmental Awareness Award for “Biodiversity Boost”.

Next year, the 2026 Awards will mark a milestone 50th Anniversary celebration, with Origin Enterprises confirmed to reprise their role as headline sponsor.

For the full list of winners, event photographs, and future entry information, visit baliawards.co.uk

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Cain Markings claim Aspen Fuel to be the perfect choice

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Cain Markings claim Aspen Fuel to be the perfect choice: After choosing Aspen Fuel to power their business just six months after opening in 2017, Cain Markings now claim to be firm believers of the product and the benefits it brings to the operator, their machinery and the surrounding environment.

Fuelling a range of 2 and 4-stroke equipment for sports maintenance and line marking, Owner Sam Cain explains how efficiency and reliability have improved saving the team time and reducing costly repair bills!

Cain Markings claim Aspen Fuel to be the perfect choice

Cain Markings claim Aspen Fuel to be the perfect choice

Young GMA Board Member Sam Cain founded Cain Markings alongside his parents six years ago, the three-strong team providing a range of contract services to commercial customers in Hertfordshire and across the South East. “We were undergoing training on some new equipment with High Five Training who asked us whether we’d considered using Aspen Fuel” explains Sam. “The first thing I thought was the advantage of Aspen 2 being pre-mixed which eliminates the risk of getting the ratios wrong but the more I read, the more benefits I discovered, and it quickly became a no-brainer. We’ve never looked back.”

Being virtually free from sulphur, benzene and other solvents means Aspen Alkylate Fuel burns cleaner, reducing harmful emissions – important for many businesses, but a necessity for Sam who delivers a large number of contracts in schools and other enclosed environments. “The reduction in pollution and smell is a major plus and makes for a much more pleasant environment for the operator and those in and around the worksite.”

“We’re using Aspen in all of our petrol equipment including blowers, strimmers, hedge cutters and some of our ride-on artificial turf equipment.” He continues, “The majority of our work is conducted between the spring and autumn which sometimes means our kit will spend periods of the year in storage. Because Aspen is ethanol-free, we find that we can get equipment out after being dormant for months and it will still start first-time.”

“That extends more generally to the overall health of our machines. We definitely see fewer engine-related issues and, when we do, as soon as we tell the mechanic we use Aspen they all-but eliminate it being a fuel problem.”

Sam purchases the Alkylate Fuel from Hertfordshire Garden Machinery, adding convenience and control to their supply. “We easily keep track of how much we’re using which helps us with budgeting etc.” He concludes, “We tell other contractors about the benefits and as soon as people try it, then see exactly what we mean… Even down to the can and automatic stopping nozzle which reduces spillages – it’s great!”

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Groundsman refutes Ben Stokes’ claim

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Groundsman refutes Ben Stokes’ claim: With the Ashes 2023 right around the corner, both England and Australia would be keen on staying at the top of their game for the much-anticipated Test series.

Read the full article from CricTracker here

Groundsman refutes Ben Stokes' claim

Groundsman refutes Ben Stokes’ claim

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Leading lawncare expert refutes Monty’s claim

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Leading lawncare expert refutes Monty’s claim: One of the UK’s leading lawncare experts has totally refuted the claim by TV gardener Monty Don in a national newspaper that mowing the grass “is about the most injurious thing you can do to wildlife.”

Richard Salmon, managing director of ProLawnCare UK Limited, dismisses the claim as “utter nonsense” and asks what is Monty’s evidence for making such a claim?

Leading lawncare expert refutes Monty’s claim

Leading lawncare expert refutes Monty’s claim

“Visit any garden where lawns are regularly mown and you will see all manner of birds and insects.   Badgers are particularly fond of such areas as it makes searching for insects that much easier than in long, wild grass,” he says.

“All golf courses are enjoyed by an abundance of wildlife – and they don’t restrict their visits to the rough.  The other factor he forgets is that leaving grass to grow wild and reducing the mowing frequency, means that when you come to mow, it will be more difficult as the grass will be long.  It will take several passes with the mower to reduce to the required height, using more fuel and energy.  Plus it will put additional stress on the grass by reducing its height too much in one mowing operation.

Grass mowed little and often produces more leaf because additional tillers (side shoots) are stimulated to grow.  The more leaf you encourage, the greater the Co2 absorbing capability of the turf is achieved.” 

Richard agrees that all gardens, regardless of size, should leave an area uncultivated but, he points out, many wild flowers cannot compete with rampant long grass, so set aside areas for wildlife and manage them accordingly and leave the lawn as a lawn.

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