Tag Archive for: Finalists

Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity

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Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity: The Bernhard Academy is pleased to reveal the three finalists for its sponsorship programme, offering one lucky equipment technician the chance to travel to Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, USA to volunteer as part of the 125th US Open support team.

The finalists are:

James Breeze – Huddersfield Golf Club

Paul Spencer – Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Paul Colebatch – The Worcestershire Golf Club

Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity

Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity

Each has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to their chosen career as equipment technicians. To select the eventual winner, the Bernhard Academy team will visit each of the finalists at their clubs in early January to conduct the final interview phase.

The winner will be announced on Monday, 20th January 2025, as part of the Bernhard Academy’s Reception evening at BTME, BIGGA’s annual turf management exhibition in Harrogate. This marks the conclusion of a rigorous selection process to identify the best candidate for this unique career-development opportunity.

Sami Strutt, Education Director for the Bernhard Academy, said: “We’re proud to announce James, Paul, and Paul as our finalists. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for equipment technicians based in the UK, and highlights the work the Academy is doing to promote the crucial role of technicians, and offer opportunities for them to further develop their skills.”

The winner will join Oakmont Country Club’s volunteer team for the third major of the year in the men’s game, the US Open. There, they will work with industry professionals and the Oakmont team to prepare the course for the world’s best players to compete. They will also attend a preparatory training workshop at a Bernhard Academy venue before their visit.

In partnership with the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (T.E.T.O), this sponsorship underscores the Bernhard Academy’s dedication to recognising and advancing the role of equipment technicians, fostering skill development, and driving innovation in the sports turf industry.

For further information about the competition, please visit: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/tournamentvolunteer/

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award: Congratulations to the brilliant finalists of the Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award, announced at this year’s Amenity Forum Conference in October.

Selected from the biggest ever entry to the prestigious competition to find the UK’s best sprayer operators across the industry, the finalists through to the next round of judging are:

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Award is organised by the Amenity Forum, with the support and sponsorship of ICL and Syngenta.

Announcing the finalists, Ian Graham, Amenity Forum Chairman said: “Being named a finalist is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and expertise in amenity spraying.”

He also commended all the entrants to the Awards for their hard work and dedication to the amenity industry, which does not go unnoticed. “We would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your participation.

“We strongly encourage you to apply again next year, as each entry helps to raise the standards and recognise the excellence in our industry.”

The next stage of the competition will involve individual interviews for the finalists with the judging panel. The overall winner will be announced at the BIGGA Industry Awards during the BTME event in Harrogate in January 2025.

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BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists

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BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists: An innovative project to restore the historic links that hosted the first Open Championship, a club that hosted its first ever professional golf event and a team that battled Scottish snowfall to construct a new hole have been revealed as the finalists of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) Awards 2023.

Each year BIGGA invites nominations from across the golfing industry to recognise the achievements of its members, who play a vital role in the ongoing success of the sport.

BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists

BIGGA reveals greenkeeping awards finalists

The BIGGA Awards are divided into three categories, with the winners revealed at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration with Origin Amenity Solutions, taking place on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) in January 2023.

BTME is the largest annual gathering of greenkeeping professionals outside America and is held at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire alongside the Continue to Learn education programme. Together the events are considered among the most influential in the golfing calendar given the professional development opportunities presented to golf greenkeepers, helping them produce fantastic playing surfaces at every level of the sport.

With incredible prizes up for grabs, the BIGGA Awards recognise that high standards of quality and dedication are vital to the success of any golf course or championship. They reward the innovation of BIGGA members who are at the cutting edge of the profession and any BIGGA member within the UK, regardless of their golf facility’s size, age or reputation, can enter. The awards provide golf clubs with an opportunity to showcase their greenkeeping team’s talents and celebrate their achievements.

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Bernhard and Company

This award isn’t just restricted to those clubs who host majors or DP World Tour events. A team may have done incredible work to get the course fit for professional or amateur events, including national or important local championships.

The finalists in this category for 2023 are:

  • Abridge Golf Club in Essex for hosting the club’s first EuroPro Tour event, the PDC Championship, from 29 June to 1 July 2022
  • Minchinhampton Golf Club in Gloucestershire for hosting South West Week and Open Championship – Regional Qualifying in June 2022
  • St Annes Old Links for the hosting of Open Championship – Final Qualifying and The R&A’s Amateur Championship in June 2022

Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Sports Turf Data Solutions

This award recognises those greenkeeping teams who have undertaken a specific project, completed within the past year. However, projects can be long term and include course construction, renovation or rebuild – the possibilities are endless.

The finalists in this category for 2023 are:

  • Astbury Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Andy Brougham, for their bunker renovation project
  • Prestwick Golf Club, led by Golf Course Superintendent David Edmondson, for the recreation of the original 12-hole Open layout used for the first Open Championship
  • Strathaven Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Stephen Hunter, for the redesign and reshaping of two holes to fit in with safety concerns

Outstanding Contribution of the Year sponsored by Baroness

This award is presented to a BIGGA member or members who has made an outstanding contribution above and beyond their normal working life. This can be for charity, for the betterment of the greenkeeping profession or association or generally for society. The winner of this award will be revealed at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration at BTME 2023.

More information about each of the finalists can be found on the BTME website.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “Around Christmas each year I get the tremendous pleasure of revealing which of our incredible members have been selected as finalists of the BIGGA Awards, with the winners to be announced at our fantastic BIGGA Welcome Celebration at BTME. I never fail to be impressed by what our members are able to achieve, despite the sometimes immense challenges put in front of them. Whether it be a project to improve their facility or preparing for and delivering an important championship at their venue, their skill, talent and commitment knows no bounds.

“Congratulations to our finalists and thanks as always to our wonderful sponsors for supporting BIGGA members every step of the way.” 

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Finalists of GEA awards announced

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Finalists of GEA awards announced: Since STRI Group launched the Golf Environment Awards (GEAs) in 1995, the aim has been to recognise, reward and promote outstanding individuals and golf courses, no matter how big or small, for the time and effort they put into protecting and preserving their unique surroundings.

With the ever-increasing spotlight on environmental matters, it is fundamentally important for golf courses worldwide to assess what they can do to achieve environmental sustainability, protecting and encouraging habitats and biodiversity, while continuing to maximise the enjoyment of golf.

Finalists of GEA awards announced

Finalists of GEA awards announced

Following a recent judging day, the finalists and winners for the GEAs were decided. The judging panel were given a list of anonymous applications and an accompanying list of positive environmental practices from the clubs, which were then given a numerical score across a range of categories. The judges were representatives from STRI Ltd, The R&A, Aquatrols, BIGGA, Syngenta, Tillers Turf, and Textron.

The categories, criteria and finalists are as follows:

Operation Pollinator Award

Golf clubs who consistently deliver outstanding ecological habitat creation and management for pollinators.

  • Huntercombe
  • Goring and Streatley
  • Corhampton
  • Bamburgh Castle

Ecological Project of the Year

Golf clubs who have implemented a successful ecological project, with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a better environment, and are making sound progress in fulfilling the goals of the project.

  • Cirencester
  • Clitheroe
  • Pannal
  • Andrews

Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year

Outstanding individuals who make significant contributions to the success of environmental and ecological management making a positive impact on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity.

  • Garmouth and Kingston
  • Newquay
  • Sleaford
  • Warren (Devon)

Sustainable Project of the Year

Golf clubs who have implemented a successful sustainable project with clear objectives and targets that contribute to a more sustainable environment.

  • Hever Castle
  • Pannal
  • Royal Mid-Surrey
  • Andrews

International Environmental Golf Course

Golf clubs outside of the UK that brilliantly demonstrate efficient management across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.

  • AFRIYEA (Uganda)
  • Al Mouj (Oman)
  • Finca Cortesin (Spain)
  • Sentosa (Singapore)

UK Environmental Golf Course of the Year

Golf clubs in the UK that are leading the way in sustainability across nature conservation, turfgrass, waste and water.

  • Anne’s Old Links
  • Nairn Dunbar
  • Gog Magog
  • Elmwood

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Harrogate on 25 January 2023. All winners are rewarded with a grant to help fund further ecological and environmental projects at their clubs and entry to the Foundation Award in Amenity Horticulture Course.

Entry to the awards is completely free with the aim of encouraging every eco-conscious golf club to have their efforts rewarded, and also to educate the industry on simple practices that can have a hugely positive impact.

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Finalists for BIGGA Awards revealed

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Finalists for BIGGA Awards revealed: From Loch Lomond in Scotland to England’s south coast, the finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2022 showcase ingenuity, innovation and determination in the face of global turmoil and the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is proud to reveal the incredible greenkeeping teams who have been shortlisted for an award, to be presented at BTME 2022 later this month.

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) will be taking place this March for the first time in its history, with a two-month delay caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of turf managers, greenkeepers, golf club owners and key industry decision makers are expected to take part in the industry’s premier exhibition and educational programme.

Finalists for BIGGA Awards revealed

Finalists for BIGGA Awards revealed

One of the highlights of BTME each year is the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, sponsored for the first time in 2022 by AMS Robotics. Taking place on the opening night of BTME and hosted by television broadcaster and golf enthusiast Naga Munchetty, the BIGGA Welcome Celebration feature the presentation of the prestigious BIGGA Awards 2022.

With incredible prizes up for grabs, the BIGGA Awards recognise that high standards of quality and dedication are vital to the success of any golf course or championship. They reward the innovation of BIGGA members who are at the cutting edge of their profession and any BIGGA member within the UK, regards of their golf facility’s size, age or reputation, can enter. The BIGGA Awards provide golf clubs with an opportunity to showcase a greenkeeping team’s success and celebrate their achievements.

The finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2022 are:

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions

  • Richard Ponsford and the team at Clevedon Golf Club for hosting the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Wright-Morgan Championship
  • Simon Olver and the team at Ganton Golf Club for hosting The R&A Senior Amateur Championship and England Golf’s Brabazon Trophy
  • Stuart Hogg MG and the team at The West Lancashire Golf Club for hosting The Rose Ladies Series and Regional and Final Qualifying for The Open

Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Baroness

  • Darren Anderson MG and the team at Bromborough Golf Club for the ‘Leverhulme Project’ that saw the reconstruction of the 17th hole and various other course improvements
  • David Cole MG and the team at Loch Lomond Golf Club for the complete reconstruction of the course, often described as the largest course redevelopment in UK golf history
  • Matt Plested and the team at Stoneham Golf Club for the construction of the Stoneham Academy and various other course improvements

The winner of the Outstanding Contribution of the Year sponsored by Bernhard and Company will be revealed on the night.

More information about each of the finalists can be found on the BTME website at https://www.btme.org.uk/attendees/what-s-on/the-bigga-awards.html

BIGGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “Much has happened since we last met in Harrogate at BTME 2020 and revealed the winners of the BIGGA Awards that year. Society has changed and together we have overcome some of the most difficult challenges any of us will face in our lifetime. Yet there have been bright moments along the way and I’m incredibly proud that BIGGA is today able to reveal the finalists of our annual awards, with six outstanding greenkeeping teams in with a shout of taking home the top prizes. It was incredibly difficult to narrow it down to these finalists and everyone who was nominated should be very proud of their efforts.

“When BTME returns this month, we’ll be kicking things off at Tuesday’s BIGGA Welcome Celebration and I can’t wait to unveil the winners of these awards. I look forward to seeing our friends and colleagues from across the industry in Harrogate for what promises to be a wonderful opening to our annual exhibition.”

BTME runs from Tuesday 22 March to Thursday 24 March 2022 with over 120 exhibitors taking part.

You can register online now for BTME or head to www.btme.org.uk for more information.

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