Golf greenkeepers from across the globe joined together at the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s annual education programme and trade show to celebrate the career of a former head greenkeeper who spent 30 years building a network of turf professionals across Europe.
Dean Cleaver began his career at The Leicestershire Golf Club and later became head greenkeeper at Rugby Golf Club and then Stratford-upon-Avon Golf Club. He first joined the committee of a greenkeepers’ association aged just 17 and in 1996 became BIGGA’s youngest-ever chairperson, aged just 38.
In 1996 he led the formation of the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations and has acted as executive officer ever since, building a network of organisations to promote greenkeeping and enhance the support available to turf professionals, whether a country has thousands of golf courses or just one. Today FEGGA unites 23 associations around the world, including the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Turfgrass Managers Association of South Africa.
Dean will step down from his post when he retires later in 2024.
At the BIGGA Celebration sponsored by Jacobsen, hosted on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, Dean was presented with the Outstanding Contribution award sponsored by Jacobsen, in recognition of a half century of commitment to supporting his fellow greenkeepers.
BIGGA Chief Executive Jim Croxton said: “During a 50-year career, Dean Cleaver has shown an unwavering commitment to uniting greenkeepers, no matter their golf club’s location or standing in the game. Possessing a work ethic instilled in him at The Leicestershire by his mentor, Paddy McCarron, Dean spent decades supporting the activities of first the British Golf Greenkeepers Association and then BIGGA when it was formed in 1987.
“His commitment to a Europe-wide project led to the formation of FEGGA in 1996 and that has provided a network that links established associations such as ours with those in countries where golf is still an emerging sport.
“Dean’s legacy will be felt for decades to come and in this, the year of his retirement, BIGGA could not be prouder to present him with our most prestigious accolade, the Outstanding Contribution award sponsored by Jacobsen.”