The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme

BIGGA and the R&A are proud to present The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme - a once-in-a-life time opportunity to gain invaluable experience in elite championship preparation.

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1 of 3 R&A Championship Agronomy Programme - Royal St. George's

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2 of 3 R&A Championship Agronomy Programme - Royal Cinque Ports

3 of 3 R&A Championship Agronomy - AIG Women's Open

The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme is an exclusive opportunity for BIGGA members to gain invaluable, hands-on experience in championship grounds preparation - this includes first-rate examples of course presentation and turf management.

This initiative sees 10 talented members selected to attend one of various prestigious R&A events, where they will work alongside the venue's greenkeeping team and provide tournament support, developing their skills in championship preparation and agronomy.

With its inception in 2025, the programme promises to offer considerable insight into championship agronomy, and provide a completely unique educational experience that will be a solid foundation for our members' future careers in turf management.

This year, our cohort will attend one of the following events:

The 154^th Open at Royal Birkdale
The AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes
The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
The Women's Amateur Championship at Muirfield
The Walker Cup at Lahinch

Meet the new 2026 Cohort

Jethro Wilson

Head Greenkeeper at Bradford Moor Golf Club

'I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected for the R&A Championship Agronomy Programme — an incredible opportunity to challenge myself, learn, grow, and be part of something special.'

Harry Glover

Greenkeeper at Lee Park Golf Club

'It’s an honour to have been selected for the programme. It’s such an exciting opportunity for me and the rest of the team. Finding out the news gave me such a huge morale boost in a time of year where things can be grim for Greenkeepers and I can’t wait to get started!'

Brent Downs

Director of Agronomy at Otter Creek Golf Course

'I am beyond humbled/honoured to have been chosen. For me, it is exhilarating to see things from a fresh perspective, not just in agronomy, but in team-building and sustainable mindset as well. I am grateful for the opportunity.'

Dom Wright

Greenkeeper at Fulford Golf Club

'I’m over the moon to have been selected for the R&A Championship Agronomy Programme! It’s an incredible opportunity and such an honour to be placed at The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. I’m really grateful to be part of something that supports the future of our industry and can’t wait to learn, meet new people, and make the most of the experience.'

Scott Fraser

Assistant Greenkeeper at Trump International Aberdeen

'I'm honoured and energised — I joined this industry to be part of the golf world, and selection for this programme feels like a major milestone; I can’t wait to learn from the best and push my greenkeeping to a championship level.'

Jonathan Fisher

Head Greenkeeper at Ruddington Grange Golf Club

'I'm delighted to have been selected for the Championship Agronomy programme! It will be a real honour and a privilege to help deliver the Women' Open 2026.'

Kate Stillwell

Course Manager at Golf club of Kópavogur and Garðabær

‘I’m pleased to have been selected to take part in the programme supporting the R&A and BIGGA at the 2026 Women’s Open. It’s a valuable opportunity to gain hands experience in tournament preparation and agronomic management at a major championship level. Being involved in the planning stages and working alongside the main team during the event will be an excellent experience and chance to broaden my professional knowledge and skills. Transfering them to other courses around the world. I look forward to bringing that experience back to my team and club in Reykjavík to help continue developing the standards of our course.’

Paul Fowkes

Course Manager at Kilworth Springs Golf Club

‘I am deeply honoured to have been selected for the BIGGA Championship Agronomy Programme. As Course Manager at Kilworth Springs Golf Club in Leicestershire, this opportunity represents an exciting milestone in my professional journey. I look forward to learning from some of the most respected professionals in our industry and gaining invaluable experience as part of the team at the renowned Lahinch Golf Club in beautiful West Ireland.’

Scott Allen

Greenkeeper at The Mid Ocean Club

‘I'm truly honoured to have been selected for the R&A Championship Agronomy Programme 2026. Joining the team at Royal Birkdale, back in my home country, fills me with excitement. It's a dream opportunity to contribute to The Open Championship and to learn from some of the best in the industry on golf's biggest stage.’

Tom Jennings

Course Manager at Calcot Park Golf Club

‘I am really grateful for the opportunity to be part of the R&A Championship Agronomy team for 2026 , meeting the team and learning as much as I can from the experience and some of the best courses in the world.’

Hear from Last Years Cohort

Last year’s group took part in a series of educational events led by The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Team, receiving unparalleled insight and guidance from industry leaders.

All ten members were also invited to attend The Open at Royal Portrush, where they gained first-hand experience of the preparation required to stage a major championship, as well as the opportunity to network with professionals from across the industry.

The programme built on previous initiatives offered to members and reflected The R&A’s continued commitment to developing and enhancing its major and elite amateur championships.

Below are testimonials from the inaugural 2025 cohort:

"I think the experience definitely highlighted the importance of getting yourself out there and to network. The programme is a great platform to meet the leaders of our industry and to see the various job roles."

Duncan Sieling

Deputy Course Manager at Richmond Golf Club

"I've been able to gain a lot of experience on the programme, working with a variety of different grass surfaces and learning about different ways to maintain a golf course. It's a life-changing opportunity that will help progress my career!"

Kyle Gauld

Assistant Greenkeeper at Whitecraigs Golf Club

“Being selected for the 2025 R&A Agronomy Programme is a huge honour and career milestone. It offers invaluable learning in sustainable course management while engaging with industry leaders. Being able to learn, share, and grow through this programme means the world to me. I was hugely excited to be selected for the Women’s Open this summer as part of the initiative, where I learned from some of the best!”

Bradley Taylor

First Assistant Greenkeeper at Beau Desert Golf Club

“The networking has been excellent, and it has challenged me to go out of my comfort zone. It's an experience that will serve me well in my quest to become a Course Manager"

Jack Hall

Senior Greenkeeper at Kilworth Springs Golf Club

This is an exceptionally unique opportunity, open to anyone with aspirations for a career within championship preparation or agronomy.

Essential Information

Terms & Conditions

1. Applications are welcomed from Full, International and Student members of BIGGA.

2. If a video application is required, it must be a minimum two minutes and maximum three minutes in duration. This can be submitted via the WhatsApp number: 07933 203645.

3. If unable to submit a current Curriculum Vitae with your online application, one must be sent separately to: [email protected]

4. Members who have been a part of the previous Open Support Team may apply.

5. The deadline for video applications is Tuesday 30th September 2025.

6. Each application will be judged on its own merits, regardless of membership status, position or place of work. If multiple applications from one club are received only one member per club may be selected for the final interview.

7. Following review of the applications, a shortlist will be drawn up and successful applicants will be invited to take part in a virtual final interview (Dates TBC)

8. Applicants must be available for the duration of the one-week work placement.

The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
The Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes
The 131st Amateur Open at Royal Liverpool
The 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield
The Walker Cup at Lahinch

9. Applicants must include in their application if they are unavailable for a specific event.

10. Successful applicants will be notified of the event for which they have been selected as soon as possible prior to a full Team gathering and Education event (Location and Date TBC)

11. You will be responsible for any initial costs incurred, but travel expenses will be reimbursed as part of the programme.

12. Accommodation is included in the programme.

13. Please note that terms and conditions are subject to change.

Data Use

The data collected from your application will be used for administrating the current R&A Programme. Your details and information will be viewed by the event organisers and sponsors: BIGGA and the R&A. Relevant data will be shared with the Course Managers at the allocated placement.

Successful applicants will be added to a WhatsApp group with others in their cohort. This will be to contact the rest of their cohort and receive programme updates and information.

Your name and photograph will be published online and in promotional materials if you are selected to be a part of the Team.

If you are not successful in your application, your data will be disposed of after six months.

Become a member

Photo by Aiden Hare, Pine Ridge Operations

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