South East

Welcome to the South East region

This region covers six sections: East Anglia, Essex, London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. We have over 1,400 members in our region and we run educational, golfing and networking events for our members. You can find local events on this page and all national and other regional events on the ‘What’s On’ section of the website. We love to hear from all our members so please don’t hesitate to make contact!

If you are interested in hosting an event at your club, please contact us.

Regional newsletter

Regional Contacts
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John Pearson

Membership Services Manager - South East

Contact John

With outstanding experience in the golf industry, including in his role as assistant manager at West Surrey Golf Club, John works on behalf of BIGGA members in the South East Region, helping to provide learning opportunities and other incredible initiatives.

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Antony Kirwan

Regional Director

Contact Antony

I’ve been greenkeeping for 32 years and am currently course manager at Romford GC. For the last 20 years I’ve been on various BIGGA committees within Essex and East Anglia and am currently on the national board of BIGGA, investing my time in growing greenkeeping as a professional occupation.

Upcoming events in the South East

National Events

 

 

Images from South East Region day at Jacobsen

Jobs Available in the South East

Greenkeeper

Greenkeeper

Greenkeeper

Course Manager

Section Contacts
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Ian Nichols

Essex

Contact Ian

Ian is the Deputy Course Manager at Orsett Golf Club and been there since 2013. Ian career in greenkeeping started relatively late after a 20 year career working in the City on the financial markets but that all changed after the financial crisis in 2009. Following redundancy Ian began his new career path and started a degree program, first gaining a FdSc in Sportsturf & Golf Course Management and then gaining a 1st in BSc (Hons) in Turfgrass Science. Whilst studying Ian worked at St Andrew Links Trust for two seasons and been on the FTMI program on both sides of the Atlantic. Within the Essex Section he has held the position of Education Officer, Social Media Officer and is now the current  Secretary. 

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Paul Boozer

Kent

Contact Paul

I started my greenkeeping career at West Malling GC as a summer casual in 1999. It was here that I completed my NVQ level 2.  

After 7 years I moved on to Wildernesse GC where I learned about tournament preparation including open qualifying. 

In 2013, I took the Deputy Head Greenkeeper position and completed my level 3. In 2014, I secured my first Head Greenkeeper position at Barnehurst GC before moving to my current role in January 2017.

I am currently undertaking my level 5 through Hadlow College, try to attend as many educational events and seminars as possible and I am active within the Kent Bigga section as chairperson. 

I am also a keen golfer that likes to compete in county and national events where possible.  

 

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George Morley

Sussex

Contact George

I was inspired to become a greenkeeper after a wet visit to the World Matchplay at Wentworth in the mid-90s.

After my apprenticeship on the chalkdowns at Pyecombe, I moved on to Rookwood a parkland course in Horsham, where we were national runners up in the BIGGA Environmental competition.

Next, I pursued some tournament experience, similar to that which I had witnessed at Wentworth.
Four years at Celtic Manor, and a very wet Ryder Cup later, I returned to Sussex. Two positions later, I’m back on the chalkdowns, and 25 years later, I am the1st Assistant/Mechanic at The Dyke Golf Club, Brighton

 

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Antony Kirwan

Regional Director

Contact Antony

I’ve been greenkeeping for 32 years and am currently course manager at Romford GC. For the last 20 years I’ve been on various BIGGA committees within Essex and East Anglia and am currently on the national board of BIGGA, investing my time in growing greenkeeping as a professional occupation.

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Sam Reid

London

Contact Sam

My career in Greenkeeping started in 2012 when I joined The Grove Hotel as a casual summer worker. I came in with no knowledge of the industry and just imagined I would be cutting grass all day.  From day one I became obsessed with the job and every aspect that comes with managing a high quality sports turf surface.

Over my time at the Grove, I have worked my way through the ranks to become Head Greenkeeper in 2021. I am a firm believer in education and learning within golf course management, Completing a HNC and HND with Elmwood College whilst also becoming a scholar for the R+A.

I am proud to become a member of the South East board and look forward to helping with the progression and promotion of the greenkeeping profession.  

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Stefan Carter

Surrey

Contact Stefan

I have been greenkeeping for 13 years and my career has really skyrocketed in the last 5 years. This was partly down to moving to Wentworth golf club where I was exposed to tournament greenkeeping first hand. From there my love for tournament greenkeeping grew and I travelled the world working at various tournament clubs. I am currently head greenkeeper on the West course at Wentworth Club, and I have just finished my FdSc in Sportsturf Management through Myerscough college.  

I am a proud R&A Scholar and even prouder to support the BIGGA South East region as a board person. 

 

 

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