Ransomes supports greenkeeper awards

PGA Official Supplier Ransomes Jacobsen has shown its support for the industry by sponsoring the BIGGA categories at the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) annual Industry Awards.

The event was staged in partnership with British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) at Milton Keynes’ stadiummk.

It was attended by more than 400 of the UK’s and Europe’s leading groundscare experts, as well as dignitaries from the governing bodies of sport and influential sports administrators.

Edward Ainsworth (above left with Ransome's Nick Brown) from Avro Golf Club, Stockport won the BIGGA Ransomes Jacobsen Greenkeeping Achievement of the Year.

Ainsworth is leading the way in environmentally sustainable course management, promoting diverse wildlife through creating several new wildflower areas.

This has helped encourage a huge variety of species on to the site. As a qualified beekeeper, he has established hives on the course and trained other course managers in this area.

The other winners of the three golf categories were: Stuart Imeson from Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club, Northumberland -   BIGGA BASF/Sherriff Amenity Young Greenkeeper of the Year and Ian Kinley and team at Royal Porthcawl – BIGGA Baroness Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year.

The IOG annual Industry Awards, in partnership with BIGGA, recognise leadership, innovation and outstanding achievement across every aspect of groundscare – from grassroots pitches to professional stadia from both the professional and volunteer sector.

The awards also celebrate the quality standards of groundscare achieved in public and private sports venues, and highlighted the progress of young/student grounds professionals as well as entrants’ innovative developments. This year, for the first time, three golf greenkeeping categories have been added.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton commented: “BIGGA was thrilled to be invited by the IOG to be part of the Awards evening. The opportunity to celebrate greenkeeping achievements is always welcome and to do so at such an august occasion was a huge plus.

“The three winners in the BIGGA categories demonstrated great skill, huge passion and extraordinary commitment to providing excellent surfaces for golfers of all levels.

“The range of facilities nominated also vividly showed the incredibly diverse nature of the greenkeeping industry. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees in all the categories.”