As a major sign of the co-operation between the British and International Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Institute of Groundsmanship, BIGGA is for the first time staging a day-long series of education presentations at this year’s IOG SALTEX open space management show at Windsor.
The free-to-attend BIGGA Golf Education Day on Wednesday September 7 will provide turf professionals with an exclusive insight into the art of golf greenkeeping research, technique and experience.
A trio of sessions are being presented by three leading names from the industry on both sides of the Atlantic – Cale Bigelow PhD, Associate Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, North America; Les Howkins MG, Course Manager of The Richmond Golf Club; and Jim McKenzie MBE, Director of Golf Course and Estates Management at the Celtic Manor Resort.
The ‘Putting Green Potpourri: Managing Water, Firmness and Growth’ presentation by Cale Bigelow will illustrate Cale’s research on localised dry spot and hydrophobic soil conditions on closely cut cool season grasses grown on sand-based rootzones. He will discuss the outcomes as well as looking at plant growth regulators and their effects on water use.
Then Les Howkins will discuss ‘Bunker Reconstruction at The Richmond’, presenting an overview of the reconstruction of 25 bunkers including the processes involved and the methods used.
Completing the line up will be ‘The Ryder Cup Experience’ by Jim McKenzie, who will reflect on events that made the 2010 Ryder Cup a memorable experience for all those involved with the greenkeeping support team. He will also discuss how the 2010 course has been repaired following the damage that occurred during the event.
Geoff Webb, IOG Chief Executive, comments: “Establishing the programme for this special BIGGA Golf Education Day is not only a reflection of the ongoing dialogue and co-operation between the IOG and BIGGA, but it also highlights how IOG SALTEX continues to evolve to meet the demands of our audience.
“The show has always attracted suppliers with products for golf, and by collaborating with BIGGA we now have an exceptional programme of education sessions covering most aspects of turf care and open space management.”
BIGGA Chief Executive, Jim Croxton, added: “BIGGA is delighted to have been invited by the IOG to present our inaugural seminar programme at IOG SALTEX. The list of speakers we have put together is first class and we firmly believe the seminars will be of interest to a wide range of delegates.”
Visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for full details.