Tag Archive for: Pride

Pride for award nominees

Pride for award nominees: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and co-founders and sponsors Toro and Reesink UK have revealed the finalists of their prestigious annual awards, which seek to uncover the UK’s leading student greenkeepers.

Each year the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards enable BIGGA, the UK’s only membership association for golf greenkeepers, to partner with turf maintenance equipment manufacturer Toro and distributor Reesink UK and celebrate the next generation of talented and dedicated greenkeepers.

Pride for award nominees

Pride for award nominees

The first stage of the awards saw candidates undertake an interview in front of a panel of judges comprising representatives of BIGGA and Reesink UK, with 54 nominees being narrowed down to the final 12. The finalists will now vie for the titles of Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year at Carden Park in Cheshire on 4-6 September.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Edoardo Fauro, deputy head greenkeeper at Walton Heath Golf Club and student at SRUC Elmwood
  2. Joe Garner, assistant greenkeeper at Wentworth Club and student at Myerscough College
  3. Tyler Holmes, assistant greenkeeper at Ganton Golf Club and student at Askham Bryan College
  4. Craig Jordan, apprentice at Ashley Wood Golf Club and student at Sparsholt College
  5. Shawn McBride, assistant greenkeeper at Hillside and student at Myerscough College
  6. Michael Russell, assistant greenkeeper at Ormskirk and student at Oldham College

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Daniel Martin, first assistant at Farleigh Golf Club and student at Hadlow College
  2. Ben Murchie, apprentice at Thorndon Park Golf Club and student at Berkshire College of Agriculture (Windsor Forest)
  3. Sam Norman, apprentice at Abbey Hill Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  4. Caleb Overhill, apprentice at High Post Golf Club and student at Myerscough College
  5. Jake Rose, apprentice at Moortown Golf Club and student at Askham Bryan College
  6. Sam Trott, apprentice at Weymouth Golf Club and student at Bridgwater & Taunton College

Following the announcement, several of the endorsers who nominated students for the awards have spoken about their pride in their students’ achievements.

Nick Lush is sports turf tutor at Myerscough College and nominated Caleb Overhill. He said: “Caleb’s dedication to his college work has been exceptional. The greenkeeping industry is in safe hands when we have young learners like him coming through.”

David Byron is course manager at Thorndon Park Golf Club and nominated Ben Murchie. He said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bits for Ben. He’s come a long way and I couldn’t be happier for him. This is the cherry on top that proves all the hard work was worth it.”

BIGGA Learning and Development Executive Deb Burnett was on the judging panel for the regional interviews and said: “The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year initiative is in its 34th year and yet the awards continue to grow in stature with each passing instalment. As colleges, golf clubs, BIGGA, the Greenkeepers Training Committee and partners like Reesink Turfcare collaborate to provide better and better learning opportunities for greenkeepers, we find that the standard of student greenkeepers across the UK continues to rise. That gives confidence that the future of the industry is in safe hands and we’re excited to welcome this year’s finalists to Carden Park in September for what stands to be another closely-contested competition. Congratulations to all the finalists!”

David Timms, national accounts manager at Reesink UK and Young award judge, said: “Not only did we have a record number of entries this year but the candidates were really strong, making the finalist selection difficult. It was especially pleasing to see applicants from all over the UK. We have a very strong group coming to the finals, where a challenging but invaluable couple of days awaits them.”

Further reaction from nominators and the finalists themselves can be viewed on the BIGGA website and the BIGGA YouTube channel.

Head to the BIGGA website for details of the incredible prizes on offer for the awards winners, runners-up and those who nominated candidates.

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Taking Pride In Your Work

Taking Pride In Your Work: “Taking pride in what you do.” This was the closing message in an address given to the UK Lawncare Network conference by Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum. He said ‘For too long the excellent work in our sector maintaining amenity surfaces has been under recognised. What is done every day keeps Britain moving, through weed control of our road and rail networks, our sports surfaces, our gardens and lawns and more. In many ways, Britain sets the standard and it is important that we shout about this a little more’. 

John was asked to give the opening address when he addressed the topic of ‘Policy change – promoting best practice, responding to the change and communicating the importance of what we do’

Taking Pride In Your Work

The Amenity Forum is once again running a series of free Updating Events at venues across the UK. This series of free Updating Events seeks to address topical issues of interest and relevance to all involved in the amenity sector and will comprise short presentations by speakers drawn from the Chemicals Regulation Division of HSE, BASIS Registration, the National Sprayer Testing Service, STRI, the various host organisations and from the Amenity Forum itself. They are timed to occupy half a day, normally mornings, and on dates between February and April 2018.

The series has been given the title of ‘Meeting the challenge’ and there will be adequate time for questions and discussion. Whilst the events are free, delegates are required to register in advance. There is sure to be a venue near you and so if you require further information, please email admin@amenityforum.net. These have proved extremely popular events in previous years and have been very well received.

Locations and dates confirmed are:

Belfast 8th February
Peterborough 15th February
Wales 20th February
Stoneleigh 6th March
Pontefract 1st March
London 14th March
Reading 21st March
Essex 22nd March
Edinburgh 10th April
Darlington 11th April
Devon 19th April

This year there will also be three events within the programme especially designed for grounds staff and greenkeepers and hosted by Forum members, IOG and BIGGA. Dates and venues are yet to be confirmed but will take place at locations in the North, Midlands and South. If you wish to register interest for these again contact admin@amenityforum.net

Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum, said ‘’We offer these events as a convenient way for those involved in, or with an interest in, amenity to keep updated on current issues. The locations are spread across the UK and we are especially grateful to member organisations for providing venues and our speakers and supporters which make it all possible’’

The Forum has also announced the date for its popular annual conference and exhibition. In 2018 it will be held once again at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, on Tuesday, October 11th. The conference will be entitled ‘Change, challenge and opportunity’

For more information, visit: www.amenityforum.co.uk

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