Tag Archive for: R&A

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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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership: Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, a flagship of Portuguese golf and a long-standing favourite among international players, has joined forces with The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service to further strengthen its commitment to deliver performance and conditioning in a sustainable way.

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and protected natural landscapes, Praia D’El Rey is uniquely positioned to champion the production of high-quality playing surfaces in an environmentally sustainably way. This forward-thinking partnership will bring The R&A’s renowned expertise and innovation in performance agronomy directly to Praia D’El Rey, with a tailored programme designed to enhance playing performance across all areas of course maintenance whilst protecting and enhancing the wider environment.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service partnership

Key objectives of the partnership include improving turf health through soil science, data-driven agronomy to inform maintenance operations, implementing effective water conservation practices and efficient water use, and advising on strategic investments in both machinery and infrastructure – all while maintaining the high-performance turf conditions the resort is renowned for in an environmentally responsible way.

António Ferreira da Silva, Golf Director at Praia D’El Rey, explained: “The guidance from The R&A on how to manage soil infiltration and physical conditioning on our greens is helping us improve year-round performance. Performance measurement, combined with lab analysis of organic matter and physical properties, have been extremely valuable in guiding our decision-making. The R&A has provided a structured and science-led approach that’s elevating the quality of our maintenance while optimizing environmental sustainability.”

Paul Woodham, Head of Agronomy Europe at The R&A, added: “The investments being made – particularly within the maintenance workshop, such as the new grinder, the Vibramaster for improved fairway infiltration, and the autonomous Husqvarna fairway mowers – represent a major step forward. These are the kinds of innovations that embody a sustainable and forward-thinking agronomic strategy.”

“By working with The R&A, we’re not only investing in the long-term health of our course, but also leading the way for what the future of golf in Portugal should look like”, added António Ferreira da Silva. Praia D’El Rey hopes this initiative will inspire clubs across Portugal and beyond to embrace innovation and responsibility in equal measure,  while raising standards in turf performance and environmental care.

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The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative

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The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative: Greenkeepers and golf club managers now have an opportunity to influence The R&A’s Golf Course 2030 programme, through a survey designed to identify drivers and needs for future sustainable turf management. 

Greenkeepers and golf course managers can take the five-minute survey here.

The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative

The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative

Golf Course 2030 aims to help golf courses to mitigate the impact of climate change, resource constraints and regulation on course condition and playability, according to The R&A GC2030 Project Manager, John Kemp. It promotes sustainable golf course management practices to ensure the best possible playing conditions for golfers.

“As part of the ongoing development of Golf Course 2030, we need views and feedback from industry stakeholders to assess the impact of what has been offered by the project so far and what is required for the future. That will ensure it continues to provide practical support to course mangers and clubs,” he says.

“Golf Course 2030 supports golf facilities, greenkeepers and industry advisors with essential information to make more informed everyday business decisions on how they manage their turf.

“It is essential that we identify how useful the guidance and resources provided by Golf Course 2030 have been, as well as their influence in helping golf courses and turf managers to make necessary changes in their practices and identifying future needs to inform business development.”

Find out more about The R&A Golf Course 2030 initiative

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BIGGA teams up with The R&A

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BIGGA teams up with The R&A: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) Continue to Learn education programme, which takes place each January, has received the support of The R&A as part of its commitment to a sustainable future for golf and golf courses.

Held in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Continue to Learn runs alongside the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), itself the leading trade show for golf course professionals in Europe. Continue to Learn provides more than 140 hours of learning opportunities for golf greenkeepers and groundspeople, making it among the most influential events in the golfing calendar.

BIGGA teams up with The R&A

BIGGA teams up with The R&A

The R&A is a long-time supporter of BIGGA and its members and in recent years has demonstrated its commitment to BTME and Continue to Learn by hosting presentations that offer guidance based on expert research and experience of staging major events. R&A representatives have been a mainstay on the Continue to Learn programme for many years, providing world-leading agronomic advice and hosting panel discussions in the context of historic championships held throughout the year. The Golf Course 2030 programme was launched at Continue to Learn in 2018 and research participants have returned each year to discuss their findings and proposals.

For the first time, in 2025 The R&A will be recognised as formally supporting the Continue to Learn Conference programme, which comprises of a major two-day learning event and a separate New Greenkeeper Conference. Additionally, R&A representatives will participate in various Classes and contribute towards cost-free learning opportunities such as the Seminars and the BTME Breakfast Session.

Next year (2025) will also mark the 20th anniversary of The R&A’s Greenkeeping Scholarship and events are anticipated to take place at BTME and Continue to Learn to mark the occasion. To date, over 500 greenkeepers from 30 countries have benefitted from this influential scholarship opportunity.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “As a governing body for golf, representing over 61 million golfers in 145 countries, we’re proud The R&A has recognised the pivotal role greenkeepers play in the success of the sport through this commitment to supporting the Continue to Learn Conference programme and wider education opportunities provided by our annual gathering, BTME.

“Creating our annual programme of learning experiences and hosting it within the context of a massive trade show takes significant effort and we’re proud that for many years The R&A has recognised just how valuable BTME and Continue to Learn have become to the entire golfing industry. We thank everyone at The R&A for investing in our members and the wider turf management industry in this way as it will only enhance the BTME experience for everyone involved and help ensure the game is still thriving in 50 years’ time.”

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

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The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe: The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has agreed a strategic partnership with SURTEC – a multi-disciplinary agronomy team offering consultancy across the maintenance and development of golf courses – to expand its operations in Europe, with Spain and Portugal regions now benefiting from its expertise.

The new partnership will offer knowledge and experience to facilities in the continental European market, providing support in relation to sustainable agronomic practices to golf clubs.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service expands into Europe

“The development of The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and Sustainable Championship Agronomy is supported by our Research and Education initiatives, which are the foundations of our work” said Daniel Lightfoot, Director – Sustainability at The R&A.

“The partnership with SURTEC allows us to expand our operation into Europe alongside a team which has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the market, our goals and golf course agronomy. We look forward to bringing our collective expertise and guidance to European golf clubs and resorts together with local insight to help educate, support, and encourage their commitment to a more sustainable future for the game of golf.”

SURTEC, based in Seville, consists of a team with over 15 years of independent experience within the industry in Spain, Portugal and further afield. Its team provides golf course agronomy consultancy to over 30 clubs, offering a broad range of services for golf courses covering consultancy, project engineering, irrigation, and project management.

Pablo Munoz, co-founder of SURTEC, commented, “Collaborating with The R&A undoubtedly represents our most significant step forward since the foundation of SURTEC. We believe that with the knowledge and support of The R&A’s qualified and experienced agronomists and with the help of the latest technology, we can reach more clubs and people within the industry, share our know-how, broadcast our message for sustainable agronomy widely, and truly fulfil our commitment to the golf industry in our region. This commitment is based on responsible use of resources and the conservation and enhancement of the environment.

“Our mission alongside The R&A, is to achieve the best playing surfaces with minimal labour and sustainable use of material and water resources.”

Whilst this partnership first sees the offering expand into Spanish and Portuguese territories, it marks the start of the continental European operation for The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service.

To find out more about the Sustainable Agronomy Service, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org or head to https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/agronomy

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