A greenkeeper who spends his spare time supporting the homeless and another who saved the life of a golfer who suffered a heart attack on the course are among the finalists of the brand new BIGGA Awards 2019.
The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition returns from January 22-24, with more than 5,000 turf managers, greenkeepers, golf club owners and industry decision makers expected to visit the Harrogate Convention Centre to engage with the innovative new incarnation of Europe’s premier turf management event.
One of the highlights of the exhibition will be the BIGGA Welcome Celebration sponsored by Jacobsen, where the winners of the prestigious BIGGA Awards will be revealed. Hosted by Naga Munchetty and supported by some of the industry’s leading names, the awards recognise the year’s outstanding performances from association members.
The finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2019 are:
Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year (sponsored by Rigby Taylor)
- Stewart Duff and the team at Gullane Golf Club for preparing and maintaining the course during the Aberdeen Standard Investments Men’s and Ladies Scottish Opens 2018.
- Craig Earnshaw and the team at Harleyford Golf Club for preparing and maintaining the course during The Matchroom Sport Championship on the PGA EuroPro Tour.
- Matthew Wharton CGCS MG and the team at Carolina Golf Club for preparing and maintaining the course during the 2018 United States Mid-Amateur Championship just a week after the club was hit by Tropical Storm Florence.
Outstanding Contribution of the Year (sponsored by Jacobsen)
- Jack Percival, Chipstead Golf Club, for work with the homeless.
- Amanda Dorans, Dundonald Links, for volunteering in greenkeeping and ecology.
- Carl Flavell, Hickleton Golf Club, for his efforts in saving the life of a golfer who collapsed on the course.
Greenkeeping Project of the Year (sponsored by Baroness)
- Ian Brown and the team at Skipton Golf Club for the renovation of the course.
- Sean McLean and the team at Princes Golf Club for the renovation of the Himalaya course.
- Stuart Imeson of Dunstanburgh Castle for the Bunker Camp initiative while also stepping up to the manager role.
BIGGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “This year we’ve undertaken a complete restructure of BTME with new halls, new innovative ways to get involved with the exhibition and an expansion of Continue to Learn, our world class education programme. In addition to that, we’ve also refreshed our awards categories for the BIGGA Awards, which grow in popularity each year. We believe the new categories better provide more opportunities to recognise those BIGGA members who have done incredible work throughout the previous year.”
He added: “I’m delighted that we received an excellent set of nominations from all over the country and beyond. Each of the nine finalists would be extremely worthy winners of the awards. Congratulations to each of the nine finalists and I look forward to seeing them all at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration in Harrogate.”
BTME runs from January 22-24, 2019 and the expanded show will see an increase in available exhibition space of around 25% on 2018. There will be a range of new initiatives, such as Golf Course Construction Live, a New Products Area and a Member Wellbeing Area.
You can register online or visit www.btme.org.uk for more information.