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BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

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BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and The R&A have selected 10 ambitious and talented greenkeepers to provide support during five of the biggest championships in 2026.

Following an extensive application process, the BIGGA members chosen as the second cohort for The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme will join the home greenkeeping teams for the hosting of next year’s Championships, including The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale and the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

BIGGA members chosen for R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

The greenkeepers, who hail from across the UK and beyond, will gain experience in elite championship preparation, working alongside the host teams and The R&A’s Championship Agronomy Team.

The volunteers will be on site at:

  • The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale
  • The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes
  • The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
  • The Women’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield
  • The Walker Cup at Lahinch

Each member is selected to participate at one of the championships, where they will be fully embedded in championship preparations. The entire group will also assemble at BTME in January, attend an education session at Royal Liverpool Golf Club and will be invited to attend The Open, where they will learn about course preparation and the staging of a major championship.

The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme is the latest opportunity for BIGGA members, building on a range of initiatives designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and professional development of greenkeepers.

Adam Newton, Sustainable Championship Agronomy Lead at The R&A, said: “Following on from the great success of the inaugural programme in 2025, we are delighted to welcome another fantastic cohort of delegates for 2026.

“They will gain a truly unique educational experience and a fascinating insight into championship agronomy and greenkeeping at the highest level and at some of the most historic and prestigious championships in the world.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “This year’s inaugural programme clearly demonstrated the incredible value of this initiative, both for those who took part and for the wider profession.

“I’d like to congratulate the 2026 cohort on being selected to continue that legacy. Their involvement represents an outstanding professional development opportunity and a chance to gain unique, first-hand experience at the very highest level of championship preparation.

“BIGGA’s partnership with The R&A reflects our shared commitment to education, collaboration and excellence in golf course management, and to ensuring that greenkeepers remain central to the future of the game.”

BIGGA members selected for 2026

  • Scott Allen, greenkeeper, The Mid Ocean Club — The 154th Open, Royal Birkdale
  • Brent Downs CGCS MG, director of agronomy, Otter Creek — The Amateur Championship, Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
  • Jonathan Fisher, head greenkeeper, Ruddington Grange — The AIG Women’s Open, Royal Lytham & St Annes
  • Paul Fowkes, course manager, Kilworth Springs — The Walker Cup, Lahinch
  • Scott Fraser, greenkeeper, Trump International — The 154th Open Royal Birkdale
  • Harry Glover, greenkeeper, Lee Park — The Amateur Championship, Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
  • Tom Jennings, course manager, Calcot Park — The Women’s Amateur Championship, Muirfield
  • Kate Stillwell, course manager, Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær — The AIG Women’s Open, Royal Lytham & St Annes
  • Jethro Wilson, head greenkeeper, Bradford Moor — The Women’s Amateur Championship, Muirfield
  • Dominic Wright, greenkeeper, Fulford — The 154th Open, Royal Birkdale

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STIHL expands PPE range for safe forestry work

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STIHL expands PPE range for safe forestry work: STIHL has introduced a range of new additions to its professional personal protective equipment, designed to deliver outstanding comfort, protection, and mobility for forestry workers and arborists. 

Spanning the FUNCTION, DYNAMIC and ADVANCE collections, the latest additions combine durable materials, ergonomic designs and high-visibility details to ensure users stay safe and comfortable in all conditions.

STIHL expands PPE range for safe forestry work

STIHL expands PPE range for safe forestry work

FUNCTION 

STIHL’s FUNCTION range introduces the CORE collection, a water-repellent jacket and chainsaw trousers, designed for occasional chainsaw users.

The new FUNCTION CORE Chainsaw Trousers feature Design A, Class 1 classification, protecting against chain speeds of up to 20m per second. They are available in a regular fit and two-way stretch material for maximum comfort.

The new FUNCTION CORE trousers pair with the FUNCTION CORE Jacket, which is new to the same range. Providing market-leading durability, the design offers a relaxed fit, with lightweight and tear-resistant polyester. Black stretch fabric adorns its elbow and side areas for maximum comfort.

The range is complemented by the new FUNCTION Active Chainsaw Boot, which also provides Class 1 cut protection and EN 20345 S3 certification.

DYNAMIC 

Available in three variations, the new DuroTEC Cut Protection Trousers can be purchased with Class 1 or 2 protection levels and in Design A and C offerings, providing a suitable option for professionals facing a range of working conditions.

All versions offer a regular fit and stretch zones, with a water-repellent finish and kidney protection for maximum comfort. They also feature waterproofing at the lower part of the leg and provide robust abrasion protection.

To match, the DYNAMIC DuroTEC Jacket is durable and flexible. Like the trousers, the garment boasts a water-repellent finish and features abrasion-resistant zones. For added comfort, the jacket also offers four-way stretch material and ventilation openings.

ADVANCE 

New to STIHL’s premium ADVANCE PPE range, designed for professionals who need high-performance protective clothing, are the ShellTEC Jacket and ADVANCE FlexTEC trousers.

Offering a slimmer fit compared to the DYNAMIC and FUNCTION ranges, the ADVANCE FlexTEC trousers are Class 1 certified and are available in Design A and Design C.

With tick protection around the ankles, plus robust, waterproof and thorn-resistant fabrics around the knees and lower legs, the designs offer an ergonomic fit and breathable comfort. All with advanced four-way stretch zones and kidney protection.

The perfectly matched ShellTEC Jacket is a lightweight and durable option, with wind and waterproofing in strategic places. Its ergonomic fit, integrated stretch zones, and ventilation openings combine to offer freedom of movement and maximum comfort.

All trousers across the new FUNCTION, DYNAMIC, and ADVANCE ranges offer multiple pockets, waistband loops for attachment to braces, and are made from recycled material. STIHL’s range of jackets feature Velcro at the cuffs and a smartphone pocket on the chest as standard.

For more information on STIHL’s PPE ranges, visit www.stihl.co.uk or contact your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.

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Committee for Golf Club Salaries – Statement for 2026

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Committee for Golf Club Salaries – Statement for 2026: Following yesterday’s announcement on our social media channels, the CGCS is pleased to share the full details of its latest recommendations on remuneration for key roles in golf.

Whilst our sport continues to thrive it is clear that challenges remain in finding and retaining the right people to maintain this momentum. There are also pressures on employers to meet increased overheads in the same way that employees are facing a continued squeeze on household finances. The CGCS takes both of these factors into account when arriving at a recommendation.

Committee for Golf Club Salaries – Statement for 2026

Committee for Golf Club Salaries – Statement for 2026

Inflationary measures since the last recommendations were published have been almost the inverse of the previous twelve months. Whilst not quite reaching the highs of September 2023, inflation has risen steadily with some signs that we may have reached a plateau. At the same time Regular Pay inflation is currently at its lowest for 24 months.

The Committee believes that the issue of highly qualified and experienced staff being caught up in terms of salary by those enjoying the rise in the NLW still remains a significant problem.

With these factors in mind the Committee is recommending an overall wage increase of 4.8% from January 1st, 2026. Employers will continue to take an approach to remuneration decisions that reflects their own business environment and we hope that this recommendation is given commensurate consideration at this point.

Further to this our deliberations have considered the value of factors in addition to pay awards. A growing number of employers are looking at how they can reward and motivate employees through a package of measures that include private health insurance, a defined proportion of budget ringfenced for professional development and also demonstrating a commitment to a robust governance structure. These factors all contribute to giving employees the sense that the business in which they work is genuinely committed to staff well-being.

With this in mind the CGCS is also recommending employers consider adding a further 2% to the overall package of key staff from January 1st, 2026. We believe that this reflects the growing practice amongst employers of considering staff remuneration in this way and will have a positive impact on staff retention.

Should any employer wish to seek advice on these or any other issues relating to staff development please feel free to contact the GCMA or BIGGA who are well-placed to provide advice and support.

Head to the CGCS website for more information and to explore the salary calculators, guidelines and principles of good pay.

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Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

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Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship: For the first time ever, the British TIMBERSPORTS® team will feature a female competitor when they travel to Milan for the biggest event of the logger sports season, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship later this month. Taking place in Milan, Italy, the 20th World Championship promises to have audiences on the edge of their seats at the Allianz Cloud Arena on 24th and 25th October. 

Following the British TIMBERSPORTS® Championship in June, a selection process took place to decide which athletes should represent Great Britain in the Team event. Glen Penlington secured his place early after winning his fourth British Championship in a row, with personal best times in two of the four team disciplines. But a surprise option for selection was Women’s Champion, Rachel Ferrington from Hay-on-Wye, after she delivered a blistering, new Women’s World Record in the Stock Saw discipline.  It took her just 8.82 seconds to cut two discs, or ‘cookies’, with a STIHL MS 661 chainsaw, which ended up being the fastest time of the whole Championship weekend, and secured her a deserved place on Team GB.

Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

Team GB travel to Milan for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship

Each nation can take five athletes, plus a rookie competitor, as part of their team, so with Penlington and Ferrington confirmed, four other spaces were available. Alongside 2025 Rookie Champion Rowan Luxton, the final names added to the team sheet were Team GB regulars Rob Chatley from Hanley Broadheath in Worcestershire, Graham Turner from Penicuik, Scotland and Tom Redmond from Bere Regis, Dorset.

In the Team event, the athletes complete four TIMBERSPORTS® disciplines in a relay; the Stock Saw, the Underhand Chop, the Single Buck and the Standing Block Chop. Each team competes in head-to-head heats against other national teams, with the slowest team knocked out and the fastest team moving on to the next round. All six competitors have been training hard in a series of training camps in the months prior to the Championship, in the hopes of improving on their 13th placed finish last year.

“Bringing Rachel into the team adds a fresh face and a new dynamic at the training camps. She is relatively new to the sport, but has trained really hard and has also competed in two other international TIMBERSPORTS® competitions already this year, which has given her valuable experience.” said Vicky Tween, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Team Manager.

Female athletes have competed in the Team World Championship before, but this will be the first time that a woman has been part of the British team. Ferrington is in good company though; three other national teams feature female competitors this year, and she’ll be hoping to make her mark on the world stage in Milan. Rookie athlete, Rowan Luxton, from Llandrindod Wells in Powys, will also be excited to join the British Team for the first time after his impressive win in the British Rookie Championship.

Penlington, Chatley, Turner and Redmond have all represented Great Britain at the World Championship before, but they know that there is always room for improvement, which is why the training camps are so useful for working on everything from the changeovers between disciplines to the team morale. Whilst they are all fierce rivals when competing against each other in the British Championship, they will need to come together in Milan if they want to deliver their best result.

If you want to see where Team GB place in the 2025 TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship, you can watch the full competition live on the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® YouTube channel from 7pm on Friday 24th October.

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Avant E727: Power for Professionals

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Avant E727: Power for Professionals: The new Avant e727 is an excellent machine for various lifting and transfer work in construction, farming, landscaping and more.

It features our new Autoshift system which is designed to optimize the energy efficiency of the driveline. Together, Autoshift and the combination of the variable displacement pump and the two-speed drive motors enable optimal energy efficiency and driving comfort.

Avant E727: Power for Professionals

Avant E727: Power for Professionals

Efficient powertrain & Autoshift

The Avant e727 is an excellent machine for various lifting and transfer work. The lift capacity of the loader is 1400 kg. Looking at the overall performance of the loader, especially from the perspective of power and usage, it is comparable to a similar size Avant diesel loader. The driving speed is also in the same range.

Avant e727 has a 27 kWh Avant OptiTemp® battery manufactured at the Avant Power battery factory – like the more compact Avant e527.

The operating time of the e727 is close to that of the Avant e527 due to the optimization in the powertrain. The new powertrain of the e727 includes only one electric motor, a variable displacement drive pump and two pumps for auxiliary hydraulics.

A totally new feature on the e727 is Autoshift which is designed to optimize the energy efficiency of the driveline. Together, Autoshift and the combination of the variable displacement pump and the two-speed drive motors enable optimal energy efficiency and driving comfort. The low noise level will also delight Avant users.

Avant e727

  • An excellent fully electric loader​​ for material handling and load & haul use. Made especially for construction, ​horse stables,​ farming​, landscaping, etc.
  • Affordable model, intended for running light to medium powered hydraulically rotating attachments. Ideal for sites where the working radius is less than 2 km.
  • Two-speed drive system with new Autoshift feature (automatic shifts between the low and high gear​).
  • 27 kwh battery – the same battery as in Avant e527.
  • 3 kW onboard charging as standard​; rapid charging as an option.
  • GT cab as an option.

Key Specs:

Loader model Avant e727
Operating time* 5,5 h
Charging time** 1 h 10 min
Electric motors 1
Hydraulic drive pumps 1
Auxiliary pumps 2
Hydraulic drive motors 4
Electric motors and controller cooling Liquid cooling
(electric motor + controller)
Battery capacity and voltage 27 kWh / 44 V
Lift capacity 1400 kg
Auxiliary hydraulics Max. 35 l/min / max. 200 bar​ (preliminary)
Drive modes Low / eco / high  (Autoshift)
Option: GT cab Available (with heating)
Availability Q4/2025

For more information, please visit www.avanttecno.com/uk

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