Tag Archive for: Finals

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

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Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up: A former IT recruiter, a hotel doorman, a county cricketer and a heavy metal guitarist are just some of the finalists of the most prestigious awards event in the student greenkeeping calendar.

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and co-founders and sponsors Toro and Reesink UK have revealed the line-up for the 2024 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. Now in its 35th year, the awards have helped unearth some of the brightest talents within the turf management industry and laid the foundations for decades of professional success.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals line-up

Held at Oulton Hall in Leeds on 2-4 September, the finalists will compete in a series of challenges that are designed to test their technical knowledge and passion for the greenkeeping profession. Winners will then be crowned in the categories of Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.

BIGGA Learning and Development Manager Deb Burnett said: “Whether joining the industry fresh from full-time education or opting to switch after a career elsewhere, our finalists are a diverse group, but they demonstrate the extraordinary talent that is present in today’s golf greenkeeping industry. The degree of knowledge they possess is testament to the quality of training they receive, both at work and with their training providers, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them all to the finals in Leeds in September for what stands to be an exciting couple of days.”

David Timms, National Accounts Manager at Reesink UK and Young award category judge, said: “We are very much looking forward to again welcoming this year’s finalists to the long list of student greenkeepers who have made it to this stage previously. The interviews this year were all of a high calibre and showcased how positive the future of the industry is. On behalf of everyone at Reesink UK and Toro, we wish all the finalists good look and will see them in September for the next part of their journey.”

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Patrick Brown, greenkeeper at Wentworth Club and student at Berkshire College of Agriculture
  2. Jack Chapman, apprentice greenkeeper at The Grove and student at Capel Manor College
  3. Matt McCreadie, greenkeeper at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  4. Jack Vowell, greenkeeper at Farrington Park Golf Club and student at Bridgwater & Taunton College
  5. Jack Wellings, greenkeeper at JCB Golf & Country Club and student at Myerscough College

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Morgan Bowen, greenkeeper at Nevill Golf Club and student at North Kent College
  2. Alex Fox, apprentice greenkeeper at Woodhall Spa Golf Club and student at Bishop Burton College
  3. William Moore, apprentice greenkeeper at Kilworth Springs Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  4. Daniel Parker, greenkeeper at Knighton Heath Golf Club and Sparsholt College
  5. Cameron Redden, apprentice greenkeeper at Strathmore Golf Centre and SRUC Elmwood College

To be eligible for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must have been a greenkeeper for a minimum of 12 months and be studying towards the Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper or Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeper qualifications.

To be eligible for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category, candidates must be aged 21 or under and studying towards the Level 2 award at the time of application.

More information about the finalists can be found on the BIGGA website, where you can also find information about the incredible prizes on offer for the awards winners and their endorsers and the runners-up in each category, including a 10-week placement on one of the industry’s most influential training courses.

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Hadlow College hosts horticulture regional finals

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Hadlow College hosts horticulture regional finals: Excitement blossomed at Hadlow College recently as green-fingered enthusiasts from across the South-East battled it out to advance to the national finals of a prestigious competition.

The College hosted the regional finals of the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition. Run by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, the competition offers a platform for budding horticulturalists to showcase their expertise and connect with fellow enthusiasts from the UK and Ireland

Hadlow College hosts horticulture regional finals

Hadlow College hosts horticulture regional finals

The South-East Regional Final is the second stage of the competition. The eight competitors taking part had already made it through the first heat, an online test with 40 questions on topics covering areas such as plant identification, soils, plant maintenance, turf, propagation and garden history.

The Regional Final saw the competitors being asked questions by an adjudication panel, before a plant identification and pest round took place with the fastest person to buzz in getting the chance to answer and score points.

The winning contestant went through to the Grand Final, which is being held in May. Here the overall winner receives the £2,500 Percy Thrower Travel Bursary, provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society & the Percy Thrower Trust, to fund a horticultural trip anywhere in the world. Second place goes home with £950, third place with £550 and the rest of the runners up all receive £200.

Each of the finalists is also awarded membership to the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.

Previous winners have visited Borneo, China, New Zealand, South Africa, the Himalayas, and the Galapagos Islands to name just a few!

During the event the College’s cutting-edge glasshouse, where a tomato crop is being grown in partnership with Thanet Earth, was showcased. The crop is fully installed for the season ahead and contestants and supporters on the night were able to learn more about the growing requirements, hydroponics, nutrient feeds as well as light levels and biosecurity.

Hadlow College Senior Horticulture Skills Trainer Gareth Batts, who was on the adjudication panel, was delighted with how the evening went, saying: “I am pleased that Hadlow were able to support this competition in holding the regional finals. We were due to hold it in 2020 but due to COVID this had to be postponed. During the event it was great to showcase the horticulture opportunities that we offer at Hadlow and to give tours to the wider industry showing the collaborative projects that we are undertaking. The gardens were open for visitors to explore and discussions regarding our new orchard took place.

As a trainer I was able to showcase what our horticulture students do at Hadlow and I was able to network and create further links with the industry to benefit the students, visits to other gardens and speakers to the college are in the pipeline because of the event.”

“The apprenticeship students were involved with the setting up of the event as well as creating information posters for the visitors to see. It has helped build their industry knowledge, team working and communication skills, all essential parts of the apprenticeship. We look forward to having the opportunity again in the future to hold this event and hopefully next year a Hadlow student will make it through to the regionals.”

Hadlow College offers a number of horticulture courses, with students benefitting from first class facilities such as the glasshouses and also a ‘robotic orchard and vineyard’ which demonstrates the latest technology including automated AI management systems, a state-of-the-art irrigation, fertigation and frost protection system and automated fruit picking.

If you are interested in studying the subject at Hadlow College, visit the Horticulture subject page of the College website.

You can find out more about the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition on the Chartered Institute of Horticulture website.

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Agrigem reaches finals of FSB awards 2022

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Agrigem reaches finals of FSB awards 2022: Agrigem is pleased to announce that it has been nominated and shortlisted for the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2022 in the category of High Growth Business of the Year.

After many years of continuous but sustainable growth, Agrigem is pleased that the FSB has recognised and finalised the company. The final is due to be held on 6th April 2022. Agrigem’s Managing Director, Kieran Would said “It’s a pleasure to see everyone’s at Agrigem hard working being recognised”.

Agrigem reaches finals of FSB awards 2022

Agrigem reaches finals of FSB awards 2022

The FSB has been helping small businesses and the self‐employed achieve their ambitions for over 45 years. As a non‐profit organisation and the UK’s leading business campaigner, they’re making real change happen for their members and the wider small business community. FSB members benefit from market‐leading services and support to help them run their business, including local networking events, legal advice, insurance protection and more.

The Federation of Small Businesses celebrates the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self‐employed across the UK. As the largest event of its kind in the small business  calendar, the high‐profile FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are free to enter and open to all.

Winners from each category securing a spot at the prestigious UK final and a chance to be crowned the UK Small Business of the Year. Entrants will be judged by a panel of leading business experts with a wealth of experience in their industry.

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AGS Reach Business Award Finals

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AGS Reach Business Award Finals: Advance Grass Solutions Ltd is proud to announce that they have been successful in reaching the finals of two National Awards.

SME NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 in the “BEST NEW BUSINESS” category.

AGS Reach Business Award Finals

UKBA –UK BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 in the “BEST NEW BUSINESS” category.

“Being recognised as a finalist in these National Awards reflects the success of the business over the past two years and is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the whole AGS team” says CEO Jamie Bennett.  “Over 2500 companies applied for these awards and to be shortlisted to the final is incredible”

Sam Honeyborne concluded ‘’It’s great to see our industry being recognised in this way and we’re very proud of our achievements in a relatively short period of time. We hope this will be the first of many accolades, as our specialist team continues to grow in the coming years.’’

The Awards ceremonies are to be held at the Park Plaza London on the 8th November 2019 and at Wembley Stadium on the 6th December 2019.

For more information on AGS or to enquire about ongoing opportunities to join the team  please call 01183-914540 or email info@advancegrass.com.

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