Advertise on podcast: The BIGGA Podcast

Rhett Evans is preparing to stand down as CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America after almost 18 years with the organisation. With the GCSAA celebrating its centenary, he joins us to reflect on his time at the association and the work to give greenkeepers a stronger voice within golf. We discuss its close relationship with BIGGA, the impact of First Green and why course managers deserve a seat at their clubs’ top table. Rhett also shares his remarkable experience of climbing Everest, how it changed his outlook on life and leadership, and what he hopes to do next.

Rob Phillips has experienced the greenkeeping industry from almost every angle. He began as a trainee greenkeeper at Porters Park Golf Club in 1986, spent 21 years as course manager at Sandy Lodge and later moved into apprenticeship training before becoming BIGGA's Education Director. Today, he oversees an education offer stretching from the entry-level BIGGA Kickstart programme through formal qualifications and continuing professional development to Master Greenkeeper. His work also includes the Professional Leadership Programme, created to help greenkeepers develop the communication and management skills required as their responsibilities grow. Rob joins us to discuss his own journey through the industry, the support available at every stage of a greenkeeping career and why professional recognition can help course managers earn a stronger voice within their clubs. He also reflects on what he misses about life on the golf course, although 4am alarms do not make the list.

Our guest on The BIGGA Podcast is one of the leading figures in golf course performance. From his early career as a mechanic and Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year, to his current role as Managing Director of Bernhard and Company, Steven Nixon has spent more than 20 years at the forefront of turf performance. More recently, he has been closely involved in bringing advanced soil data into mainstream turf management thanks to Bernhard’s partnership with Soil Scout – a technology that allows course managers to see in real time what is happening in their root zones. Steven joins us to discuss those innovations, how mowing and surface performance has evolved in club golf, as well as the role AI will play in greenkeeping – now and into the future.

We’ve seen record-breaking temperatures and drought conditions putting golf courses under enormous pressure. But the conditions we’ve seen in the UK this summer are starting to look less like extremes and more like the new normal. BIGGA Chief Executive Jim Croxton joins us to discuss how the association is supporting members, and how clubs can prepare for a changing climate. We also look forward to Thank A Greenkeeper Day and discuss the impact that messages of support given by golfers, celebrities, and the wider public can make to the greenkeeping profession. It’s been a huge year of initiatives for BIGGA and there are also updates on the Professional Leadership Programme, the Future Turf Management Initiative and Kickstart, as well as the revamped Golf Environment Awards, the upgraded Xtra Benefits healthcare offering, and much more.

Our guest this time on The BIGGA Podcast is a leading expert in turfgrass health and integrated disease management. Sean Loakes is Syngenta’s Technical Manager for Europe, bringing a background in biology, environmental science and decades of research into pesticide efficacy, biological controls, and best practice for turf and landscape management. So what is the role of ITM and how can clubs develop a proactive programme? How is climate change altering the disease landscape and is dollar spot the biggest threat right now on our golf courses?

How do we inspire the next generation to see golf courses as a place of opportunity and a rewarding career? Jenny Bledge, BIGGA’s Workforce and Careers Lead, is responsible for the First Green initiative that’s becoming a powerful tool for introducing young people into careers in the turf industry. With a background in education and information governance, she is helping to connect classrooms with golf courses and show people how STEM subjects come to live in the real world. Jenny is our guest on The BIGGA Podcast and she discusses the origins of First Green and the impact the programme is having on clubs, schools and on the wider turf industry. What does a typical First Green day look like at a golf course? How have new greenkeepers been inspired to join the profession because of First Green? And how can clubs and schools get involved?

For this episode, we are joined by a hugely respected greenkeeper – one of the few to be awarded the profession’s ultimate accolade: Master Greenkeeper status. From starting out straight from school at Nairn Dunbar, Richard Johnstone now leads the team as Course Manager at one of the world’s great links in Royal Aberdeen. His career has been built on learning, volunteering and a commitment to excellence, and we’ve seen all these qualities displayed in a huge project to preserve the Balgownie links from the threat of coastal erosion. Richard reveals the work that has been done at Royal Aberdeen, why continuing to learn is so important and why he always strives to develop and improve.

If you haven’t been to Royal Birkdale since Jordan Spieth’s back-9 heroics won The Open in 2017, you’ll be surprised how much has changed. Over the past couple of years, the Southport Links has been through a massive redevelopment project which has transformed the soon-to-be 11-time host of golf’s oldest major championship. Leading that work has been Royal Birkdale Course Manager Sean McLean, whose team has balanced the demands of construction with the day-to-day requirements of maintaining one of the world’s best golf courses. He joins us to give valuable insight into how to handle a significant renovation and construction project, and what it takes to prepare one of golf’s most iconic venues for one of the sport’s biggest events.

During this podcast we discuss ways in which you can progress your career, not only through your BIGGA membership, but also through industry networking opportunities. All of the panelists have been participated in the Future Turf Managers Initiative, either as a candidate or a mentor (or both) and will be chatting about how this experience has helped them to achieve some of their career goals.   Watch this relaxed and informative discussion and go away inspired to continue on your own career journey.   Panellists: Lee Strutt MG CGCS MS, Les Bordes GC; James Bledge, Royal Cinque Ports GC; Dave Stewart, Walmley GC (soon to be Great Barr GC) and Tim Brewster, Lewes GC.FTMIJacobsen and BIGGA recognise the importance of preparing greenkeepers to take on the role of Head Greenkeeper or Course Manager. The Future Turf Managers Initiative (FTMI) has been designed to provide practical tools and guidance, to help candidates to pursue their career aspirations through this professional development conference. Working with professional trainers, mentors, Jacobsen and BIGGA staff, the candidates will leave FTMI with a clear understanding of what the future holds and a realistic overview of the expectations that come with the role of Manager. FTMI will take place at Ransomes Jacobsen's headquarters in Ipswich during April 2021, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place and adhering to all the latest guidance and restrictions to ensure a safe event.Find out more and apply here.PodcastThe Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can also join the conversation on social media using @GreenRoomBIGGAon Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding they will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers. If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected] You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to our website.

BIGGA's Ecology and Sustainability guy, James Hutchinson and Dr Marie Athorn, Business Conservation Advisor (R&A) from the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) will be discussing all things Ecology on the golf course. Chatting about The R&A and RSPB partnership helping facilitate wildlife conservation on golf courses to a wider, mainstream, audience.PodcastThe Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can also join the conversation on social media using @GreenRoomBIGGA on Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding they will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers. If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected] You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to our website.

Join us for a behind the scenes discussion about delivering the European Tour UK Swing tournaments at The Belfry and Celtic Manor. Chatting with Eddie Adams, Angus Macleod and Jim McKenzie MBE about the efforts that went into preparing the courses for play, contending with lockdown, furlough as well as all the preparation that goes into delivering a professional golf tournament.   Panellists:    Angus Macleod - Director of Golf Course & Estates at The Belfry Resort   Angus is a 37-year veteran in greenkeeping. He began his career as a 15-year-old apprentice at Inverness golf club in the Highlands of Scotland before moving south to Wales in the 90's, serving 12 glorious years running Newport Golf Club, a private club in South Wales. He then headed east to run Belton woods, a hotel resort complex in Lincolnshire, where he stayed for seven years prior to taking up his current post as director of golf courses & estates at The Belfry Resort.   Eddie Adams – Director of Agronomy at The European Tour   Born and raised in the Home of Golf, Adams started his career at St Andrews in 1985, under the watchful eye of the legendary Walter Woods. He worked his way through the ranks until taking on the prestigious role of head greenkeeper on the Old Course in 1993 where he remained for 12 years, delivering both the 1995 and 2000 Open Championships before joining the European Tour in 2004 as a greenkeeping advisor.     He became director of agronomy in 2018, managing the Tour’s Agronomy Department and providing agronomical support to over 50 professional tournaments on the European, Challenge and Staysure Tours, including the Rolex Series and golf’s highest profile event, The Ryder Cup.   Jim McKenzie MBE - Director of Golf Courses & Estates Management at The Celtic Manor Collection   Jim has been in greenkeeping for over 40 years, starting as an apprentice at Haggs Castle in Glasgow, progressing his career at both Cawder and Renfew Golf Clubs. In 1990 he moved to Wentworth to look after its famous West Course before moving on to Celtic Manor in 1993.  No stranger to managing tournaments, he was instrumental in delivering the infamous 2010 Ryder Cup when the rain would not abate. Rallying his team and a band of volunteer greenkeepers, they managed to get the course in a condition where play could resume, albeit with the tournament having to extend into Monday. Jim’s outstanding effort was rewarded with an MBE for services to sport.PodcastThe Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can also join the conversation on social media using @GreenRoomBIGGA on Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding they will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers. If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected] You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to our website.

The golf course can be a dangerous place and the equipment used by greenkeepers can cause serious harm. Despite the best intentions and the most stringent safety procedures, accidents can still happen. This was the case for Stuart Griffiths, the course manager at Blair Atholl and Pitlochry, who was airlifted to hospital after the mower he was using slipped down an embankment, rolling on top of him and crushing him beneath. Stuart’s now recovering at home from this accident and he joined BIGGA’s John Young for a conversation with Greenkeeper International. He explained have been much worse and gave thanks those who have offered him support in the months since.PodcastThe Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can also join the conversation on social media using @GreenRoomBIGGAon Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding they will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers. If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected] You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to our website.

How will greenkeeping be affected over coming decades by the impacts of climate change, resource constraints and regulation? Golf Course 2030 is The R&A driven industry initiative that aims to mitigate the challenges we face in building resilience and adaptability into the preparation of our golf courses, their condition and playability.   Coping with extremes of weather, a changing toolkit of resources and more testing regulation will demand much of our greenkeeping workforce.  The 14 current Golf Course 2030 projects address some of the key issues such as water management and sustainable options for disease, pest and weed management, which will support our greenkeeping teams as they face the challenges. The role of the greenkeeper is going to be key to safeguarding our golf courses, but adaptation to change is going to be an essential skill. SRUC has been given the task of considering how this may happen, how education needs to reflect the challenges and how the industry can better support and recognise the greenkeeping profession.Presenters:  Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability, The R&A and Dr Paul Miller, Senior Lecturer – Golf Course Management, SRUCDr Paul Miller Paul has been a lecturer in Greenkeeping and Golf Course Management since 1993. Paul is qualified in the plant sciences and has previously worked in a USGA accredited soil laboratory. He is a regular presenter at Continue to Learn and contributor of articles for Greenkeeper International. He has a keen interest in golf history. Away from work Paul is an average golfer, a keen cyclist and sings in a community choir in Cupar.Steve Isaac Steve has an Honours Degree in Applied Biology. Prior to joining The R&A in 2003, he was an agronomist at STRI for 18 years. The R&A is the organiser of The Open, golf's oldest and most international major championship. Steve is responsible for The R&A's advocacy of sustainability and for the operation of its sustainability initiatives. These include Golf Course 2030, GreenLinks (The Open's sustainability programme) and support for greenkeeper education. The R&A works in collaboration with many organisations, including national governing bodies, greenkeeper, club manager and architect associations, and the GEO Foundation. Steve has taken The R&A's advocacy of sustainability across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the USA.PodcastThe Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can also join the conversation on social media using @GreenRoomBIGGAon Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding they will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers. If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected] You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to our website.

This week’s edition of the podcast was recorded at BTME 2020, where Curtis Tyrrell CGCS MG spoke to Tony Hanson and Addison Barden about water usage on golf courses and the challenges turf managers will face in future about resource availability.   Curtis Tyrrell CGCS MG was course superintendent for the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. He’s now director of agronomy at Desert Highlands in Arizona and is the host of the Course Reports podcast.    Tony Hanson is managing director of Environmental Solutions International and has been involved in leisure facility management and commercial property for over 30 years. Tony Spent many years as Property and Environmental manager at The Facilities Management Group, working with clients on commercial property, environmental reviews and project implementation for individual properties and portfolios.    Addison Barden is an agronomist in the USGA Green Section’s Southeast Region based in the Peachtree City, Ga., office. Most recently, he was golf course superintendent of the West Course at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y. He has additional experience at North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, N.J., and at golf courses in the Southeast. During graduate school, he was a graduate teaching assistant at Auburn University while he obtained his master’s degree in entomology. His Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and soils, with an emphasis in turfgrass management, also is from Auburn University. ICL Continue to Learn ScholarshipBIGGA in conjunction with ICL have developed a scholarship opportunity for BIGGA Members. The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship offers five BIGGA members the opportunity to attend the Continue to Learn at BTME education programme. The scholarship, worth approximately £500, comprises three nights hotel accommodation and 15 hours of education. Applications for the ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship 2021 are now open.BIGGA Annual Photographic CompetitionThe theme for this year’s annual photographic competition is you, the greenkeeper. We’re looking for photographs that showcase the very best of what it means to work on a golf course.Find out more and enter the competition here.PodcastThe Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can also join the conversation on social media using @GreenRoomBIGGA on Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding they will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers. If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected] You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to our website.

Craig Tracey MP is the co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Golf. All-Party Groups comprise Members of both Houses and all political parties who support specific interests.  In the case of the Golf Group, Members have decided on the deliberately broad but simple remit “to support the game of golf”. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Craig has worked closely with BIGGA and the governing bodies of golf. Working with advice from the industry, he was actively involved in advising the Government on behalf of the golf industry and advised upon the reopening of golf. BIGGA has been at the forefront of the discussion, offering help and advice at every stage on behalf of the greenkeeping industry. BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton spoke to Craig about everything that has taken place during the coronavirus crisis and discusses the challenges ahead for the golf industry.ICL Continue to Learn ScholarshipBIGGA in conjunction with ICL have developed a scholarship opportunity for BIGGA Members. The ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship offers five BIGGA members the opportunity to attend the Continue to Learn at BTME education programme. The scholarship, worth approximately £500, comprises three nights hotel accommodation and 15 hours of education. Applications for the ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship 2021 are now open.BIGGA Annual Photographic CompetitionThe theme for this year’s annual photographic competition is you, the greenkeeper. We’re looking for photographs that showcase the very best of what it means to work on a golf course.Find out more and enter the competition here.PodcastThe Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]. You can also join the conversation on social media using @GreenRoomBIGGA on Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding they will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers. If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected] You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to our website.