Tag Archive for: golf

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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BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

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BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards: BGL (Burhill Group Limited), one of the UK’s largest multi-club operating groups, has announced a new partnership with Carr Golf, a leading golf service provider, to deliver agronomic consultancy and greenkeeping support across its golf venues in England.

The collaboration brings together two family-owned businesses with deep roots in golf, combining BGL’s long-standing commitment to exceptional customer experiences with Carr Golf’s proven expertise in course maintenance, technical support, and data-driven agronomy.

BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

“Partnering with Carr Golf represents a major step forward for BGL as we continue to raise the standard of our golf courses and invest in our people,” said Guy Riggott, Chief Operating Officer of BGL’s Golf Division. “As environmental, technological, and financial pressures grow, we believe that working collaboratively with experts who share our values will help us meet these challenges head on and deliver an even better experience for our growing number of members and guests.”

Carr Golf will work closely with BGL’s course managers and greenkeeping teams to provide technical guidance, mechanical support, and detailed agronomic planning. The consultancy will also help BGL enhance sustainability reporting, leveraging data to track resource efficiency, support GEO recertifications, and inform long-term investment decisions.

“This partnership is not about wholesale change,” added Riggott. “It’s about applying best practice, mentoring and developing our talented teams, and embracing new ways of working that will ensure our venues continue to lead in course presentation and conditioning.”

Ed Pettit, Managing Director of Carr Golf’s Maintenance Division, said: “We’re delighted to partner with BGL and bring our agronomic expertise, technical support, and data-driven approach to their outstanding portfolio of venues. Our focus is on working hand-in-hand with course managers and greenkeeping teams. Supporting them with the tools, insight, and training they need to help raise standards, improve sustainability, and deliver an even better experience for golfers. This collaboration is built on shared values and a passion for continuous improvement, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Carr Golf has already begun integrating with clubs across the BGL portfolio, working closely with maintenance teams to implement best practices and develop new agronomic programmes. This process will continue throughout the remainder of the year and beyond, ensuring every venue is equipped to meet future challenges while consistently progressing in course quality and playing conditions.

To find out more about BGL Golf and all 10 venues located around the UK, visit: https://bglcompany.co.uk/golf/

To find out more about Carr Golf, visit: www.carrgolfmaintenance.com 

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Sharrocks Expands Golf & Sports Turf Offering

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Sharrocks Expands Golf & Sports Turf Offering: Sharrocks, a leading supplier of groundcare machinery, is proud to announce a new partnership with GKB Machinery, becoming the official dealer for Staffordshire and Shropshire.

GKB Machinery, renowned for its high-performance, Dutch-engineered turf equipment, offers an extensive portfolio of professional machines, including scarifiers, top dressers, aerators, and brushing systems. Trusted by turf professionals across Europe, GKB serves key sectors such as sports turf, golf, landscaping, and local authorities.

Sharrocks Expands Golf & Sports Turf Offering

Sharrocks Expands Golf & Sports Turf Offering

This new dealership agreement gives customers across the Midlands direct access to GKB’s full product range, supported by Sharrocks’ established reputation for expert advice, technical support, and dependable aftersales care. The collaboration further strengthens Sharrocks’ expanding portfolio of premium turf brands and reinforces its commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions for turf professionals.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with GKB Machinery,” said Adrian Dodd, Sales Director at Sharrocks. “Their innovative and reliable equipment aligns perfectly with the needs of our customers and our dedication to supplying robust, high-quality solutions for the professional groundcare sector.”

Founded in 1956, Sharrocks is a family-run business based in Wigan, known for delivering industry-leading groundcare equipment and support to contractors, sports clubs, estates, schools, and local authorities. With a strong heritage, deep technical knowledge, and a reputation for responsive customer service, Sharrocks remains a trusted partner in the UK groundcare market.

GKB Machinery continues to lead through precision engineering, sustainability, and performance, with machines designed in collaboration with turf professionals and built to the highest standards in the Netherlands.

For more information, visit www.sharrock.co.uk or call 01477 500700.

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Syngenta Docuseries: Sustainable Golf in the Desert

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Syngenta Docuseries: Sustainable Golf in the Desert: Syngenta Golf’s sustainability docuseries, The Green Report, heads to Arizona for its latest episode, to learn about sustainable use of water on desert courses. 

When faced with tough new water restrictions and hostile media coverage, golf course businesses joined forces under the Arizona Alliance for Golf to successfully engage the public and policy makers on why golf was good for people, the planet and prosperity.

Syngenta Docuseries: Sustainable Golf in the Desert

Syngenta Docuseries: Sustainable Golf in the Desert

In a new three-part episode, The Green Report visits Paradise Valley Country Club and Troon North Golf Club to find out how superintendents, naturalists, course owners and advocates are working together to communicate:

  • Golf only uses 2% of the state’s water
  • Golf generates a $6 billion economic impact and supports 66,000 jobs
  • How desert courses on the edge of urban areas can enhance biodiversity for native plants and wildlife.

Interviewees include course owner Gregg Tryhus and Katie Prendergast from the Arizona Alliance for Golf, as well as naturalist Bri Kenny of Troon Golf, who takes us on a sunset tour of Troon North Golf Club, spotting roadrunners and bobcats.

The episode begins with a course walk at Paradise Valley Country Club with Director of Greens and Grounds Rob Collins, who details the water conservation strategies in place and how he is helping share these practices with golf courses nationwide.

“Arizona shows how golf can turn challenges into opportunities,” said Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape at Syngenta. “Courses here are proving that data-driven water management and sustainability can go hand in hand with creating green spaces that benefit both people and wildlife.”

The new episode will be released at 12PM ET on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, and will be free-to-watch for all golf industry professionals and stakeholders on YouTube.

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DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

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DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression: Despite a year of challenging weather, Bristol Golf Club has seen a remarkable improvement in its playing surfaces and overall visitor experience thanks to innovative seed solutions from DLF.

The team, led by Course Manager Dave Taylor, introduced Johnsons J 4Turf 50 across all 27 tees in early 2025 which has gone on to demonstrate outstanding resilience and strong performance, coping with the pressures of a busy championship course.

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

With far reaching views across the Severn Estuary into Wales, Bristol Golf Club boasts an 18-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Par 3 and 18-bay driving range alongside a whole host of other practice facilities and corporate grounds. Seeking to deliver lasting improvements on and off the course for the last eight years is Dave Taylor who turned to DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett to tackle some particularly problematic areas prone to wear, disease and drought.

“We’re an incredibly busy site, with high levels of foot traffic on the tees which also don’t all have the benefit of full irrigation” Dave explains. “Because of this I spoke with Ian about a harder-wearing mix, that would germinate quickly and tolerate the challenges of footfall and less than ideal weather conditions.” The solution came in the form of J 4Turf 50 from the Johnsons Sports Seed range. The 50/50 blend of diploid perennial and tetraploid perennial ryegrass ensures rapid establishment even under low soil temperatures and creates a deep-rooting, disease-resistant sward.

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

DLF helps Bristol Golf Club create the right first impression

“Even in the extreme weather, the results we’ve seen have been outstanding” Dave says. “It germinated quickly and, what small amount of dormant seed we had, kicked straight into action as soon as the rain returned in early September. The recovery, density and wear tolerance on all of our tees has been exceptional.” He adds, “Not only have we not had to do any additional autumn overseeding on the tees, we’ve also not seen any Dollar Spot this year which means we’ve saved time and money by not having to apply any fungicides.”

Beyond course playability, Dave has also worked with DLF to create a strong first impression for members and visitors with the introduction of a new wildflower area at the club entrance. Created with Carnival from DLF’s Colour Boost collection, the vibrant display of bright and bold annuals in the spring became quite the talking point. “Because we host weddings and corporate events alongside the golf, these visual touches make a big difference.”

The return of the rain has meant new waves of colour are now emerging, with plans in place to expand the trial to new planting areas across the course in 2026. “The flowers don’t just deliver visual impact, they help us to enhance biodiversity – creating environments to encourage and support all types of insects and wildlife.”

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