About

BIGGA is Europe's largest membership organisation for golf greenkeepers.

But we're so much more than that.

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Community

With more than 5,500 members drawn from across the United Kingdom, Europe and further afield, BIGGA is the largest community of golf greenkeepers outside the United States. Together our members share ideas, discuss best practice and collaborate in ways to support each other and the wider industry.

Support

Through conversations with fellow members, BIGGA staff and our network of volunteers, the association is on hand to support those working in sports turf. BIGGA members also have access to a wide range of resources that can help you navigate life's challenges, with the cost often included within your membership subscription.

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Opportunity

BIGGA provides outstanding career-defining opportunities for our members that you will find nowhere else. The chance to gain skills and experience that propel your career to the next level is available to every member, no matter what stage of your professional journey you are on.

The BIGGA team plays a crucial role in supporting and advancing the interests of its members and the wider golf course management industry.

If you have any questions about membership or would like to get to know more about a specific area of the associations activities, please get in touch.

Our staff is on hand to help BIGGA members achieve their ambitions and ensure they get the most out of membership of the association.

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Education and training

BIGGA provides a range of education and training opportunities to help greenkeepers and other golf course professionals improve their skills and knowledge. This includes formal qualifications and certificates as well as workshops, seminars and online training.

Networking

BIGGA helps members connect with each other through events, conferences and online communities. This enables members to share best practices, discuss industry trends and build relationships with other professionals in the golf course management industry.

Advocacy

BIGGA advocates for the interests of its members by working with government agencies, industry groups and other stakeholders. This includes lobbying for regulatory changes, promoting sustainable golf course management practices and raising awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of golf courses.

Resources

BIGGA provides a wide variety of resources to its members, including publications, research and industry data. These resources help members stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in golf course management.


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"Sadly, the golf club culture can be a difficult one. Very often it is easier to criticise the course you play every day, rather than see the 12-month journey that a course has to go through to stay playable."

Graeme McDowell

2010 US Open Champion

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"When you have 700 members you cannot please everyone. Here at Long Ashton we have five or six on the greenkeeping staff - some 18-hole courses have to manage with even less!"

Chris Wood

Four-time European Tour winner

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"May I send my thanks to all the greenkeepers who do such a great job on golf courses all around the world. Thank you."

Martin Slumbers

Chief executive, The R&A


A membership to suit you

Membership of BIGGA provides golf greenkeepers with practical help whenever they need it. Members can use their membership to benefit from a range of comprehensive services and products that provide the tools to develop as a greenkeeper and a leader and make an impact on their organisation.

Find out more and sign up for membership today here.


Why should your greenkeepers be members of BIGGA?

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Developing capabilities

Access to professional development opportunities to help staff develop their skills and knowledge, stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies and learn from other professionals in the industry

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Creating a better product

BIGGA membership demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and expertise in the field of turf management. This can be particularly important for golf clubs that are looking to attract and retain members and visitors who value high quality course conditions

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Reward success

BIGGA provides its members with access to a wide range of career-defining initiatives that reward hard work and commitment to the industry and that can inspire high performance and loyalty among greenkeeping staff for decades

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Access to help and support

A wealth of support opportunities is available that can assist staff through difficult times, both professionally and personally, with a value for money proposition that far outstrips the annual membership subscription

Discuss BIGGA membership with our team by calling (+44) 01347 833 800, email [email protected] or send us a message on WhatsApp on 07933 203 645.


Vision, Mission and Values

Our 2020 Mission

An association committed to the continual professional development of its members, working with the leading bodies in golf for the good of the game.

Our Vision

To be recognised as leaders in golf course management. To have our members acknowledged as educated professionals, valued by the sport and for BIGGA to become a must join association.

Our Values

Education   |   Leadership  |   Togetherness   |   Accountability

Our Strategic Pillars

Supporting our Members   |   Providing Leadership   |   A Stronger Sport   |   Excellent Organisation

Our History

In January 1987 the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) was created due to an amalgamation of the British Golf Greenkeepers Association, The English and International Golf Greenkeepers Association and The Scottish and International Golf Greenkeepers Association with Walter Woods BEM as its first Chairman. These days we’re best known simply as BIGGA.

BIGGA has since established itself as a significant body within the game of golf and a key element in the lives of those working in the fine turf industry.

Today, BIGGA has around 5,500 greenkeepers and turf professionals as members and membership is on an annual basis.

History of BIGGA Chairpeople and Presidents

Chairpeople of BIGGA

1987 Walter Woods BEM
1988 Jack McMillan MBE
1989 Patrick McCarron
1990 Ivor Scoones
1991 George Malcolm
1992 Roy Kates
1993 John Crawford
1994 John Millen
1995 Barry Heaney
1996 Dean Cleaver
1997 Patrick Murphy
1998 Gordon Child
1999 Gordon Child
2000 Elliott Small
2001 Clive Osgood
2002 Richard Barker
2003 George Brown
2004 Andy Campbell MG CGCS CCM
2005 Kerran Daly
2006 Richard Whyman
2007 W McMillan
2008 Kenny Mackay
2009 Peter Todd
2010 Paul Worster
2011 Andrew Mellon
2012 Andrew Mellon/Tony Smith*
2013 Tony Smith
2014 Chris Sealey
2015 Les Howkins MG

*Tony Smith became Chairperson on 19 July 2012
Following amendments to the Articles of Association, adopted by special resolution at the AGM on 21 January 2015, Les Howkins MG was appointed Chairperson of the Association for a term of three years.

2016 - 2018 Les Howkins MG
2018-2022 Scott Reeves
2022-present Steven Lloyd

Presidents of BIGGA

1988-1998 The Rt Hon The Viscount Whitelaw KT CH MC
1999-2015 Sir Michael Bonallack OBE
2016 Iain Macleod
2017 Sidney Arrowsmith MG
2018 Chris Kennedy
2019 Chris Sheehan
2020-21 Colin Webber
2022 Gordon Moir
2023 Andrew Smith

 

Annual General Meeting

The BIGGA AGM is held as soon as practicable after the first day in January each year, with two months’ notice of such a meeting given to each member.

Fifteen members are required to be present at the AGM in order to constitute a quorum. This may be in person or online.

Notice of resolutions to be proposed are to be sent to the Chief Executive Officer not less than 40 days before the date of the AGM and these shall be circulated to the membership not less than 28 days prior to the AGM.

The AGM shall be chaired by the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson if the Chairperson is unable to attend.  

The BIGGA Articles of Association are available for download.
The BIGGA: Strategy, Structure & Member Code of Ethics is available for download.

 

Notification

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