Tag Archive for: Work

One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf

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One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has issued the results of a major industry survey, with some of the findings representing a stark warning to the golfing industry.

More than 1,300 members of BIGGA, representing golf clubs across the United Kingdom, responded to the survey, which asked them to provide details of working conditions at their facilities, in addition to commenting on their job satisfaction.

One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf

One-in-three greenkeepers looking for work outside of golf

With talk of difficulties regarding the recruitment and retention of staff common, BIGGA undertook the survey to gain solid evidence of the challenges at UK golf clubs, and the results have raised a number of concerns.

Although 56% of respondents said they were happy working within the greenkeeping profession, 35% admitted they were currently looking for opportunities outside the industry.

With regard to issues of recruitment, 53% are running with teams at less than full strength, while 83.5% said they struggle to recruit new staff.

The boom in golf that followed the coronavirus lockdowns in the past two years has translated to a general increase in staffing numbers, with golf clubs having on average one extra full time greenkeeper compared to the previous poll in 2019.

However, investment in staff welfare facilities hasn’t materialised, with, for example, only one in five facilities offering single sex changing facilities and toilets for female team members. Despite increased reliance on technology, nearly half of clubs don’t provide internet connectivity within the greenkeeping facility.

Further details and a results breakdown is available on the BIGGA website at: https://www.bigga.org.uk/news-listing/greenkeepers-bigga-workforce-survey.html

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “I’m pleased to be able to present robust data to the wider golfing industry that lays bare some fairly frightening statistics on the challenges that exist within our profession.

“We know anecdotally that there are major challenges regarding the recruitment and retention of staff and also that pay, conditions and welfare are major contributors, but to see in black and white that nearly 35% of greenkeepers are looking for work outside the industry is truly a concern.

“Equally, finding out that only one in five facilities are equipped for female staff members shows that the sport’s laudable ambitions to improve equality and diversity are not translating into our side of the game.

“But the key question is what does the game of golf does with this information? It is widely known that there is currently a general challenge in recruiting and retaining staff across society. In order to continue functioning, many sectors have responded with significant pay increases and improvement in working conditions. Golf requires an integrated approach by the entire sport to overcome the challenges laid out by this survey. This approach will need to clearly lay out the challenges, create targets and devise plans to achieve our ambitions.”

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Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

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Campey begin reintroduction to work plan: Campey Turf Care Systems is putting plans in place to safely reintroduce the team over the next few weeks that will still strictly adhere to government social distancing guidelines.

As an industry that contains essential workers, meeting the needs of customers has been vital. At Campey this has been carried out with the safety of staff, customers and any potential people they may come into contact with as a priority and is the primary consideration of the reintroduction plan.

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

Like many other companies, Campey has been operating with a skeleton staff at the main office to provide customers with key parts and tines and has stopped all demos because transporting machines to various sites cannot be classed as essential travel. During this time the understanding from customers that orders may be slightly delayed has been fantastic as has the understanding that demos aren’t necessary at this time, with any future demos requested set to be fulfilled when it is safe to do so.

Where customers have deemed it essential, machinery has been available for collection at the main office using a well thought out routine that eliminates the need for personal contact. Using this as a basis, Campey is confident that as the government guidelines are changed, they will be ready without delay.

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

Campey begin reintroduction to work plan

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Greenkeepers work fury

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Greenkeepers work fury: Greenkeepers at Caird Park Golf Club in Dundee are said to be fuming they are being forced to continue going in to work despite two of their colleagues testing positive for coronavirus, according to the region’s Evening Telegraph.

A report from BIGGA last week claimed that it was in their understanding that greenkeepers are able to keep “essential maintenance” of golf courses should they wish to, despite the UK lockdown for COVID-19 so that golfers would still have courses to play when the health crisis is over.

Union bosses are said to be backing the call for greenkeepers at the club to be off work due to two members of staff testing positive for COVID-19, with one other self-isolating due to having symptoms.

A decision to remove staff workers from the course is now being strongly backed by union bosses representing the club.

“Following the confirmation of the cases the remaining staff feel they shouldn’t be asked to go into work,” said Dundee branch secretary of the GMB, Jim Cunningham.

“The union is backing this call and we are demanding that our members should not have to go to work in the meantime. We have asked that the remaining workforce is currently removed from such  hazardous duties.”

He added: “We have been told that golf courses must be maintained so that when the current crisis is over they can immediately come back into use.

“However, we don’t believe that the greenkeepers and groundsman are essential staff currently. City council gardeners are not working at the moment and we don’t think our members should have to either.”

It is also claimed in the report that members of staff were not being supplied with the correct level of protective equipment with which to go about doing thejr jobs on the course.

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Greenkeepers still able to work

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Greenkeepers still able to work: Following the Prime Minister’s curbs to fight coronavirus, greenkeepers can still attend work for ‘security and essential maintenance purposes’

But all work “must be carried out in accordance with government guidelines on social distancing”, and the association that represents the profession is seeking further guidance on what that means.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on Monday evening imposed strict new curbs on movement in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

The restrictions insisted people must stay at home except for medical needs, daily exercise, shopping for basic necessities and travel to and from essential work. He added that police would be given the powers to enforce those rules.

That announcement led to England Golf instructing all clubs, courses and facilities to close, while Scottish Golf asked all golfers to “refrain from playing” until further notice.

The body which represents greenkeepers, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), subsequently sought government clarification on whether it was appropriate for “limited and cautious maintenance of golf courses to take place”.

England Golf issued a brief statement, which said: “In order to provide clarification for golf clubs following on from the Prime Minister’s statement of 23 March, we are able to inform you of the following: For security and essential maintenance purposes, greenkeeping staff can still attend work.”

And in an email to members, BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton said the association was now seeking “further clarification urgently” on what essential maintenance would entail.

He wrote: “Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday evening that the country is effectively in ‘lockdown’, we have been working hard to obtain clarification as to what that means in practice for our members, many of whom are looking for reassurances with regards their careers and income.

“It is an unprecedented time for us all and firstly I want to reaffirm the message that our members’ health and that of their families come first.

“Today we have received the following information from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS): ‘For security and essential maintenance reasons greens staff can still attend work.’

“This is, I believe, only partial clarification. It permits greenkeepers to work on essential maintenance but does not clarify what that means. We are naturally seeking further clarification urgently.

“At this moment BIGGA is working tirelessly for our members; we’re working closely with our golf industry partners to get further clarification from government and also to support all those people in the golf industry that are affected by the crisis.”

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Make Light Work Of Big Spaces

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Make Light Work Of Big Spaces: Versatile and strong, the STIGA Tornado robust side discharge tractors can handle a variety of terrain, from private playing fields, paddocks, vineyards, orchards to undulating lawns in any season.

With hydrostatic transmission as standard and powered by Briggs & Stratton or Kawasaki high performance engines these mowers provide superior cutting with top mulching performance. Side discharge comes into its own in longer grass conditions and leaves a uniform finish where the grass has grown too long to mulch.  The mulching plug can easily be fitted allowing efficient recycling of grass clippings returning valuable nutrients into the soil

Make Light Work Of Big Spaces

Top of the range is the Tornado Pro 9118 XWS, featuring 4 wheel drive and is powered by a twin cylinder Kawaskai FS691V engine; built to tackle heavy duty tasks and challenging terrain.  The cast iron front axle and large heavy duty 121cm cutting deck with three untimed blades is driven using premium quality pulleys and a Kevlar reinforced belt that has been designed for intensive use.  The fully floating deck is constructed from steel that is 25% thicker than usual along with lateral structural reinforcements and 6 anti-scalp wheels.

The large 15 litre rear mounted fuel tanks give the freedom to operate for long periods without the need to refuel.  The selection of seasonal implements ranging from poly rollers, carts, sweepers and snow blades make these tractors extremely versatile; making light work of big spaces

For more information about the STIGA Tornado range please visit our website www.stigalawnmowers.co.uk or visit your local STIGA dealer.

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