BIGGA and better Harleyford bouncing back from bankruptcy

Harleyford’s greenkeeping team receiving the BIGGA 2019 Championship Performance of the Year Award at the Harrogate conference

THE greenkeeping team at Harleyford Golf Club has been recognised for its incredible performance in preparing the course for The Matchroom Sport Championship at a major industry awards ceremony.

The greenkeeping team at the Buckinghamshire club won the BIGGA Awards 2019 Championship Performance of the Year – just five years after the club was declared bankrupt.

Course manager Craig Earnshaw and members of the Harleyford team accepted the award at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate, last month.

Harleyford, which is the home course of European Tour star Tyrell Hatton, has a team of six greenkeepers whose office is one-and-a-half miles from the golf course – meaning a 15-minute drive from the maintenance facility to the first tee.

The team has not only been commended for its incredible work in preparing the course to a standard worthy of hosting a professional tournament, but the staging of the event didn’t go without incident.

When stormy conditions and heavy rain on the eve of the tournament completely washed out the club’s bunkers, the team worked through the night to replace the sand, with even Craig’s fiancée, Tracy Forth, being enlisted to cut rough and blow fairways.

The tireless efforts of the team paid off and Harleyford has been chosen to again host the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Matchroom Sport Championship once again in 2019.

Craig said: “This is mad, I can’t believe it to be honest. When you look at who I was up against, I am really just a little short for words.

“I didn’t think we would win. The guys on my team were amazing and they’re a real credit to the golf club.”

BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton said: “I’m delighted the team at Harleyford was nominated for this award.

“They are a fantastic example of what can be achieved with a talented and determined team led by an exceptional course manager, as Harleyford has in Craig Earnshaw.

“For the club to bounce back from bankruptcy to the hosting of the PGA EuroPro Tour is quite remarkable and to then overcome the stormy conditions that plagued the build-up to the tournament is exceptional.

“Congratulations to everyone at the club and good luck for 2019!

Harleyford was up against greenkeeping teams from Gullane and Carolina golf clubs.

“All are a credit to BIGGA and the greenkeeping industry as a whole,” Mr Croxton added.