Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey has won the ‘Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year’ Award at the BIGGA Celebration at BTME in Harrogate.
The award – which was handed over by award sponsor Bernhard and Company’s Commercial Director, Angelique Crosnier – was presented to Michael Mann and the entire maintenance team at Walton Heath for the exceptional conditions displayed when hosting the US Open Championship Final Qualifying in May and the 2023 AIG Women’s Open in August.
Following the news the club would be hosting the only UK-based women’s Major championship in 2023, a pest infestation and prolonged drought devastated turf quality at the historic Surrey venue, ultimately leading to the installation of a new irrigation system. Vandalism further damaged playing surfaces but the team worked extra hours – often working under floodlights – to repair the damage. Delays slowed progress but the greenkeepers stepped up and took on responsibility for reinstating turf on top of daily maintenance and other project work, eventually completing installation a full 12 months after the contractual end date.
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the team, both US Open Qualifying and the AIG Women’s Open were successfully staged, with the greenkeeping team receiving widespread plaudits for the immaculate presentation of the course despite all the challenges they had overcome.
Crosnier commented: “It’s an honour for us to again be title sponsor for this significant award as part of BIGGA’s annual celebration at BTME. The team at Walton Heath delivered incredibly impressive conditions this year for both the US Open Final Qualifying and one of the most significant events in the women’s game, the AIG Women’s Open. The team overcame a number of setbacks to present the course in great shape on both occasions.”
The award recognises that the success of any tournament depends upon the expertise and dedication of the greenkeeping team. From local club championships through to golf’s professional tours – all are only made possible due to the work of greenkeepers who go above and beyond to present the finest playing surfaces possible.
Also nominated for the award were Paisley Golf Club, led by Course Manager Jonathan Caldwell, for hosting the Scottish Golf Men’s Area Team Championship Finals in September; and Portlethen Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Neil Sadler, for hosting the Scottish Golf Boy’s U16 Open Championship in July.