BIGGA Awards shortlist for 2020 includes Gleneagles, Purdis Heath and Parkstone

BIGGA Award winner Jack Percival from Chipstead Golf Club
Last year’s award winner Jack Percival from Chipstead Golf Club – who will scoop the 2020 prize when the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition is held in Harrogate from January 21-23?

FROM England’s south coast to the Perthshire hills, the finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2020 have once again shown what talented and passionate greenkeeping teams can achieve, when supported by the clubs where they work.

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition will be taking place once again at the Harrogate Convention Centre later this month.

More than 5,000 turf managers, greenkeepers, golf club owners and decision makers are expected to take part in the industry’s premier exhibition and educational programme.

The finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2020 are:–

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor

  • Craig Haldane and his team at Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Courses for hosting the 2019 Solheim Cup in September.
  • Grant Peters and his team at Parkstone Golf Club for hosting the European Ladies Amateur Championship, at the Dorset Club, in July
  • Graham Brumpton and his team at Ipswich Golf Club (Purdis Heath) for hosting the 2019 English Women’s Strokeplay, in Suffolk.

Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Baroness and Kubota

  • Darren Anderson and his team at Cheshire’s Bromborough Golf Club
  • Master Greenkeeper Andrew Kerr and his team at Surrey’s Surbiton Golf Club
  • Robert George and his team at Essex’s Thorndon Park Golf Club.

The winner of the Outstanding Contribution of the Year – sponsored by Jacobsen – will be revealed on the night.

One of the highlights each year is the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, sponsored for the first time in 2020 by Campey Turf Care Systems.

Taking place on the opening night of BTME – and hosted by respected journalist and golf enthusiast Naga Munchetty – the Welcome Celebration will reveal the winners of the prestigiouJs BIGGA Awards 2020.

Surrey greenkeeper Jack Percival was awarded the Outstanding Contribution of the Year for his work helping homeless in his borough.

Jack’s homeless initiative scoops prize at 2019 BIGGA Awards show

BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton said: “Last year’s refreshed BIGGA Awards were an incredible success, with the story of our member Jack Percival – and his efforts to support the homeless in his home town – leading to a standing ovation, and bringing a fitting end to the Welcome Celebration.

“We thought it may be a tough act to follow. But I’m delighted that throughout the past year BIGGA members have once again redefined what it’s possible to achieve out on the course – and what it means to be part of the greenkeeping community.

“The nominations we received this year were of an incredibly high standard, and it’s testament to everyone who got involved that the judges had such a difficult decision in determining the finalists.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a BIGGA member or team of greenkeepers this year.

“I look forward to seeing each of the finalists at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, in Harrogate, for what promises to be a fantastic opening to our annual exhibition.”

BTME runs from Tuesday, January 21 to Thursday, January 23, with more than 150 exhibitors taking part.

There will be a range of new initiatives, such as the STRI Innovation Zone and the Green Room Podcast Live stage.

This year saw a record number of nominations, with teams recognised for their efforts by golf club managers, championship hosts and even representatives of the professional golf tours, in addition to their fellow BIGGA members.

The BTME smartphone app is the comprehensive guide to the exhibition and is available to download now through the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can register online now for BTME or head to www.btme.org.uk for more information.

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