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Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience

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Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and The R&A have selected 10 ambitious and talented greenkeepers to provide tournament support during five of this year’s biggest championships.

Ten BIGGA members will join the home greenkeeping teams for the hosting of this summer’s R&A championships, including The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush and the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl. The greenkeepers will gain experience in elite championship preparation, working alongside the home greenkeeping teams and The R&A’s Championship Agronomy Team.

Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience

Greenkeepers selected for agronomy experience

The volunteers will be on site at:

  • The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush
  • The Senior Open at Sunningdale
  • The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl
  • The Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s and Royal Cinque Ports
  • The Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn

Each member is selected to participate at one of the championships, where they will be fully embedded into the home greenkeeping team. The entire group will also assemble at Royal Birkdale in April for an education session and will be invited to attend The Open at Royal Portrush, where they will learn about course preparation and the staging of a major championship.

The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme is the latest exclusive offering for members of BIGGA, building on the existing programme of exciting member initiatives, each intended to further the ability and skill of greenkeeping professionals.

The successful BIGGA members selected for 2025 are:

  • Ethan Walker, Enville Golf Club
  • Steven Connolly, Ansty Golf Centre
  • Duncan Sieling, The Richmond Golf Club
  • Kyle Gauld, Whitecraigs Golf Club
  • Geoffrey Seath, Broadstone Golf Club
  • Christopher Szoradi, The Manchester Golf Club
  • Adam Matthews, Minchinhampton Golf Club
  • Jack Hall, Kilworth Springs Golf Club
  • Dean Baily, Heswall Golf Club
  • Bradley Taylor, Beau Desert Golf Club

Adam Newton, Sustainable Championship Agronomy Lead at The R&A, said: “After an extensive application process, we have selected 10 impressive candidates who will gain a great insight into championship agronomy and greenkeeping at some of our most prestigious R&A Championships and a unique educational experience that will support them in their future careers.

“We look forward to developing the programme with BIGGA over future years and ensuring that it represents an aspirational learning experience for its members.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “BIGGA members have access to an incredible range of exclusive career-development opportunities and I’m convinced that the R&A Championship Agronomy Programme will soon be held among the upper echelons of those. Our collaboration with The R&A is a real vote of confidence that highlights how well thought-of our members are by the wider industry.

“My congratulations go to the 10 members selected to participate in this first cohort. The emphasis is now on them to make the most of the opportunity and represent our profession and association to the highest standard.

“My thanks also go to The R&A and greenkeeping teams at each of the host venues for the enthusiasm that has brought this programme to fruition.”

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

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A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

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A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia: STRI Australia, a leader in sports surface design, research, and consultancy services in Melbourne is transforming its brand to align with its globally dominant parent Group.

Established in 2013, STRI Australia has been committed to helping clients to enhance sports surfaces for a range of sports from grassroots to elite level.

A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

A new era for Melbourne’s STRI Australia

From golf to rugby, AFL, cricket and every sport in between, the services are underpinned by years of scientific research. As part of STRI Group, STRI Australia works on domestic and global projects and supports clients such as FIFA, UEFA, the R&A and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

Sam Myott, General Manager said, “It’s an exciting time for STRI Australia as we continue to grow and the rebrand reflects the developments of the past 12 years. It’s important for us to be recognised as a core part of the Group which offers end-to-end services in sports and environmental engineering.”

So, what’s new?

  • A new logo has been created with a bespoke identity for STRI Australia, and a direct visual connection to the Group
  • An enhanced website with new content – take a look here: https://striaustralia.com.au/

Sam Myott continued, “Our new logo is a fresh, modern take on our brand and the new updated website is consistent with our reputation and credibility.”

STRI Australia will continue to enhance pitches, facilities, courses, tournaments and events, and to lead world class research in Australia and across the world.  For more information about the services and how they can help, reach out on: info@striaustralia.com.au

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Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

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Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme: The Bernhard Academy has expanded its educational offering by becoming a training provider for the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) Advanced Management Programme.

As part of the Golf and Hospitality Operations section, the Academy will deliver the Golf Course Management for Golf Club Managers module, providing club managers with essential insights into the complexities of golf course maintenance.

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

Bernhard Academy to deliver new module for GCMA Programme

Taking place from April 29 – May 1 at the Bernhard Academy venue at Moortown Golf Club, the first of these three-day courses is designed to equip club managers and senior leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the practices, people, and planning that underpin successful golf course maintenance.

Sami Strutt, Education Director at the Bernhard Academy, commented: “The Bernhard Academy team are experts in agronomy, technical, mechanical, and leadership development. This programme will help club managers better understand greenkeeping practices and the strategic importance of supporting their turf teams.

“A strong relationship between the club manager and the course manager is vital – not only for course conditions, but for aligning business goals with playing performance and understanding what makes the on-course side of the business tick,” she added.

The course will explore key themes including principles of turf management, environmental sustainability, golf course strategy and planning, stakeholder communications, capital planning, and budgeting. Aimed at decision-makers such as general managers, operations directors, and heads of golf, the programme provides essential insight into the operational demands and financial realities of managing a golf course – the main asset of any golf facility.

This marks a significant development in the Bernhard Academy’s mission to diversify its educational offering beyond greenkeepers and technicians, now supporting those in leadership roles who shape the strategic direction of golf clubs.

For more details on the GCMA Advanced Management Programme and to secure a spot, visit: www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-amp-certificates

To find out more about the wide range of agronomy, technical, mechanical, and leadership programmes on offer at the Bernhard Academy, visit: www.bernhardacademy.co.uk

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Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

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Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity: A Kubota M4073 has been praised by Meldrum House Golf Club, providing high capacity and productivity on turf tyres, ensuring a sensitive footprint.

Delivered alongside an L2452 with loader by HRN Tractors in August 2024, the addition of the higher horsepower model has given the team the ability to tackle larger and more specialist tasks in-house, to the benefit of both the golf course and wider estate.

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Meldrum House was acquired by Apex Hotels in May 2024. As part of ongoing investment in the site, Golf Course and Grounds Manager Kenny Harper, was tasked with the replacement of the clubs tractor fleet – and he knew exactly where to turn, thanks to his longstanding relationship with local dealers HRN. “A major part of any equipment purchase for us is the back-up support we receive, and we know we have that in HRN” Kenny explains. “With that assured, we then needed to know that the machines themselves were up to task when HRN switched franchises to Kubota. They brought in demonstrator models and it wasn’t long before we decided that was spot on too.”

“Increasingly, we were finding implements were putting too much strain on the tractor, or the tractor itself didn’t have enough power or grip for some of the heavier tasks. The solution was to purchase two Kubota models – an L2452 which is a straight replacement for a similar size compact tractor we were using and the M4, which is a pretty sizeable step-up to give us greater scope and capacity.”

The M4 series from Kubota is a proven all-rounder, with an extremely spacious and comfortable cab and a reliable, efficient 4-cylinder Kubota diesel engine at its core. With 74hp, the M4073 model delivers maximum power and particularly strong rear hydraulics to provide full lifting power to suit all greenkeeping and estate management tasks.

“One feature the team and I particularly like on both tractors is the gear selection and constant speed controller which gives us pinpoint control over engine speed which is important for creeper tasks such as trenching or sandbanding.” He continues, “The pair have been pretty much non-stop since they arrived with winter aeration and renovation works and haven’t missed a beat.”

Another of the winter tasks the M4073 has taken in its stride is woodland management across the 18 parkland holes and hotel estate. Partnered with a new 8-tonne trailer, Kenny and the team now benefit from twice as much space and power than their previous set-up. “We had to hire-in equipment for large tree works and were dependent on what was available when we needed it. The Kubota and trailer now enable us to conduct the task in-house which, in itself, brings many benefits.” He concludes, “We’re yet to really find anything the M4 can’t do!”

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Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

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Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live: International Garden Designer Peter Donegan MSGLD MAPL is set to head the Grand Designs Live stage May 2025 at The ExCel London, the UK’s leading home design and garden exhibition has announced.

Fresh from hosting The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards for Britains greatest horticulture trade organisation at The Brewery on Chiswell Street, the title of his talk ‘working with a garden designer and how it could save you thousands of pounds’ leads Saturdays talks stage for the Kevin McCloud hosted Channel 4 television show live event and is billed as one of the not to miss highlights of The Home and Garden main stage according to organisers.

Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

Named in The Top 100 UK Garden Designers and Top 70 UK TV Presenters, Donegan designed the shows featured garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) winning Silver medal, The People’s Choice Award and The AIH International Horticulture Award, where he was also a garden judge at the show.

The year previous he became the first Irish landscape architect invited to design at MIFGS the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most prestigious flower show where he won Gold medal and The Australian Institute of Horticulture’s International Award of Excellence.

Of other historic builds internationally the Irish landscape architect was one of 14 designers selected globally and designed and realises the WW1 Centenary Peace Garden at Château de Péronne in 2018. Peter returned in 2022 and designed a 2nd inaugurated garden at the 13th Century castle known also as the Historial de la Grande Guerre, home to Europe’s largest war museum.

From 2019 to 2022, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) silver medallist assumed the role of series garden designer for Ireland’s most watched TV show, RTE’s DIY SOS The Big Build.

In 2001, aged 24, horticulturist Donegan began designing under his own name and swiftly won a host of awards for 17th & 18th century gardens designed & show gardens at national competition.

Peter Donegan MSGLD MAPL is a registered member of The Society of Garden Designers (UK) and a Designer Member of The APL (UK) has been a garden judge in London & Melbourne and, international speaker, master of ceremonies and garden design lecturer.

This summer 2025 the award winning garden designer will also speak at Limerick Garden Festival, D and M Garden Centre’s 40th anniversary celebrations, Tipperary Town Library’s Bealtaine Festival and the main stage at The Royal Horticultural Society’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

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