Revealing the finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2020
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.
Who will follow in the footsteps of 2019 BIGGA Award winner Jack Percival
The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition will be taking place once again at the Harrogate Convention Centre this January, with more than 5,000 turf managers, greenkeepers, golf club owners and decision makers expected to take part in the industry's premier exhibition and educational programme.
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 prestigious BIGGA Awards 2020.
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 finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2020 are:
Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor
- Craig Haldane and the team at The Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Courses for hosting The 2019 Solheim Cup
- Grant Peters and the team at Parkstone Golf Club for hosting the European Ladies Amateur Championship
- Graham Brumpton and the team at Ipswich Golf Club (Purdis Heath) for hosting the English Women's Stroke Play
Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Baroness and Kubota
- Darren Anderson and the team at Bromborough Golf Club
- Andrew Kerr MG and the team at Surbiton Golf Club
- Robert George and the team at Thorndon Park Golf Club
The winner of the Outstanding Contribution of the Year sponsored by Jacobsen will be revealed on the night.
BIGGA Chief Executive Officer 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 and 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 21 to Thursday 23 January 2020 with over 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.
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.
