Following agreement by all parties, the BIGGA Golf Environment Competition has been restructured and will be re-launched as the Golf Course Environment Awards.
The new Award Scheme will be administered by STRI’s Ecology & Environment Unit with sponsorship from Syngenta, Ransomes Jacobsen, Scotts and ‘Golf Monthly’.
The Golf Course Environment Awards will focus specifically on the management of the golf course and maintenance compound, i.e. those areas under the jurisdiction of the course manager or head greenkeeper.
The main changes will include the provision of a special ‘Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year Award’. This will be presented to a greenkeeper (student through to course manager) who has demonstrated a particular aptitude and dedication towards conservation and landscape best practice management.
This represents a fantastic opportunity for the progressive and career-minded greenkeepers to enhance their CV portfolio. Prizes will be awarded across a range of categories, with greater emphasis on biodiversity enhancement, waste and water management, chemicals handling, pollution control and energy efficiency.
Applicants will be assessed by an initial desktop screening exercise followed by site visits and a course walk. Details of what the judges will be looking for will be available on a new interactive website www.golfenvironmentawards.com
The website will be updated regularly with features and case studies which greenkeepers can build upon. Full listings of the assessment criteria, sponsors’ news and details of all prize categories will be made available. The website will go live from 13th April 2009.
In the meantime, for specific enquiries or sponsorship opportunities please contact Lee Penrose at info@golfenvironmentawards.com