BIGGA Excellence in Communications Awards

 

The BIGGA Excellence in Communications Awards

Sponsored by Campey Turf Care Systems
Where will your thoughts take you?

 

The BIGGA Excellence in Communication Awards sponsored by Campey Turf Care Systems seek to recognise those BIGGA members who have embraced communication as a vital tool available to the modern greenkeeper. 

Whether using digital and social media, community outreach or by producing an article for the monthly journal of BIGGA, Greenkeeper International, the awards recognise those greenkeepers who have embraced communication as a vital tool available to the modern turf professional, helping to improve understanding and appreciation of the greenkeeping industry among the public or sharing ideas and best practice for the turf management community.

Winners in 2022

Three awards categories were up for grabs and the winners received their prizes at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration on the opening night of BTME 2022,

The Innovation and Thought Leadership Award is given to the BIGGA member who has written the most thought-provoking article for Greenkeeper International in the previous calendar year. The judges selected as the winner a feature written by Prestonfield Golf Club’s course manager Shaun Cunningham. Included within the February 2021 edition of the magazine, Shaun discussed the topic of out-of-play areas and whether a golfer’s enjoyment of a golf course depended as much upon the wider environment and landscape as it did the playing surfaces.

Shaun Cunningham (left) was presented with the Innovation and Thought Leadership Award by Lee Morgado of Campey Turf Care Systems
Shaun Cunningham (left) was presented with the Innovation and Thought Leadership Award by Lee Morgado of Campey Turf Care Systems

 

The New Media Award is given to a BIGGA member who has embraced the possibilities of digital media to raise understanding of what goes on behind-the-scenes at a golf course. This year’s New Media Award winner is John Rowbottom, greenkeeper at Woolley Park Golf Club in Barnsley. John began using social media as a bit of fun but quickly gained a large following with his entertaining look at life at this West Yorkshire golf club, often joined out on the course by his ‘turf dogs’. One video of the greens team preparing a bunker was viewed over 23 million times.

John Rowbottom (left) was presented with the New Media Award by Lee Morgado of Campey Turf Care Systems
John Rowbottom (left) was presented with the New Media Award by Lee Morgado of Campey Turf Care Systems

 

The Outreach Award seeks to recognise those BIGGA members who have taken their message beyond the normal work boundaries. This can be to the local community, schools or environmental groups. The winner of this year’s award is John Milne, head greenkeeper at Garmouth & Kingston Golf Club. John has presented in schools and at careers events to raise awareness of life at the golf club. He also invites students to the golf course to show how golf facilities can be beneficial for the natural environment. Activities have included primary school pupils planting trees and taking part in an on course wildlife safari, the establishment of an ecology group and encouraging wildlife photographers to visit the site.

John Milne (left) was presented with the Outreach Award from Campey Turf Care System's Lee Morgado
John Milne (left) was presented with the Outreach Award from Campey Turf Care System's Lee Morgado

 

To enter The BIGGA Excellence in Communications Awards 2023;

All you have to do to enter is to put together a feature for BIGGA's monthly magazine, Greenkeeper International, that discusses your thoughts on an aspect of the greenkeeping industry today.

If your article is chosen as the best throughout the year, you’ll win an all-expenses-paid trip to Jacksonville courtesy of Campey Turf Care, where you’ll visit the Air2G2 factory, TPC Sawgrass, TIAA Bank Field – the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars – and Daytona International Speedway. There’s also a £750 cash prize for the winner!

There are no restrictions on the length of article you write and articles will be judged on content, rather than spelling or grammar ability (we’ll tidy that up for you!)

We’re looking for you to draw upon your own talent, experience and passion to produce articles that spark debate among fellow members and drive the industry forwards. Each month we’ll select an article for inclusion in the magazine, with the author winning £100 in Continue to Learn vouchers.

To submit an article, email [email protected]

Notification

Please confirm!