GREENKEEPER FINALISTS REVEALED

An innovative project to restore the historic links that hosted the first Open Championship, a club that hosted its first ever professional golf event and a team that battled Scottish snowfall to construct a new hole have been revealed as the finalists of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association’s (BIGGA) Awards 2023.
 
Each year BIGGA invites nominations from across the golfing industry to recognise the achievements of its members, who play a vital role in the ongoing success of the sport.
 
The BIGGA Awards are divided into three categories, with the winners revealed at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration with Origin Amenity Solutions, taking place on the opening evening of BTME this month.
 
The Association say their awards recognise that high standards of quality and dedication are vital to the success of any golf course or championship. They reward the innovation of their members who are at the cutting edge of the profession and any member within the UK, regardless of their golf facility’s size, age or reputation, can enter.
 
Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Bernhard and Company
 
This award isn’t just restricted to those clubs who host majors or DP World Tour events. A team may have done incredible work to get the course fit for professional or amateur events, including national or important local championships.
 
The finalists in this category for 2023 are:

• Abridge Golf Club in Essex for hosting the club’s first EuroPro Tour event, the PDC Championship, from 29 June to 1 July 2022
• Minchinhampton Golf Club in Gloucestershire for hosting South West Week and Open Championship – Regional Qualifying in June 2022
• St Annes Old Links for the hosting of Open Championship – Final Qualifying and The R&A’s Amateur Championship in June 2022

Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Sports Turf Data Solutions
 
This award recognises those greenkeeping teams who have undertaken a specific project, completed within the past year. However, projects can be long term and include course construction, renovation or rebuild – the possibilities are endless.
 
The finalists in this category for 2023 are:

• Astbury Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Andy Brougham, for their bunker renovation project
• Prestwick Golf Club, led by Golf Course Superintendent David Edmondson, for the recreation of the original 12-hole Open layout used for the first Open Championship
• Strathaven Golf Club, led by Head Greenkeeper Stephen Hunter, for the redesign and reshaping of two holes to fit in with safety concerns

Outstanding Contribution of the Year sponsored by Baroness
 
This award is presented to a BIGGA member or members who has made an outstanding contribution above and beyond their normal working life. This can be for charity, for the betterment of the greenkeeping profession or association or generally for society. The winner of this award will be revealed at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration at BTME 2023.
 
More information about each of the finalists can be found on the BTME website.
 
BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said, “I never fail to be impressed by what our members are able to achieve, despite the sometimes immense challenges put in front of them. Whether it be a project to improve their facility or preparing for and delivering an important championship at their venue, their skill, talent and commitment knows no bounds.
 
“Congratulations to our finalists and thanks as always to our wonderful sponsors for supporting BIGGA members every step of the way.”