The R&A Championship Agronomy Programme Roll of Honour

Dean (33) is deputy course manager at Heswall Golf Club on the Wirrall but has travelled extensively throughout his career.

He previously worked at Gleneagles in Scotland, as a groundsperson at the All England Tennis and Croquet Club (Wimbledon) and abroad at Ingaro Golf Club in Sweden and Jacks Point Golf Club in New Zealand. He also spent over a year as an assistant groundsperson at Chelsea Football Club.

With 27 years’ worth of experience, Steven (46) is the course manager at Get Golfing Ansty Golf Club, where he has transformed the fortunes of the facility while also working towards his Master Greenkeeper certificate.

During his time on this programme, he will be able to draw upon significant experience having worked at the Spanish Open, British Masters and PGA European Seniors at The Belfry. Steven has also been course manager for major events including the National Schools Championship and English Amateur championships.

Kyle (22) is an assistant greenkeeper at Whitecraigs Golf Club near Glasgow.

Despite only working in the golf industry three years, Kyle has fully-embraced the opportunities it presents and under the tutelage of Course Manager Andy Wilson has completed an apprenticeship and gained several qualifications that are useful to his chosen career. In 2024 he also participated in BIGGA’s final Open Volunteer Support Team.

A keen golfer, Kyle previously worked at Mearns Castle Golf Academy, where he was responsible for maintaining the driving range area.

Jack (31) is senior greenkeeper at Kilworth Springs Golf Club, having previously worked at several golf clubs including Stratford Oaks, Northampton, Lutterworth and Cold Ashby.

He plays golf to a handicap of 3 and has a degree in tournament golf earned at the University of St Mark & St John in Plymouth. Jack has also gained tournament experience volunteering as part of the BMW PGA Volunteer Support Team at Wentworth Club in 2019 and 2022 among other elite professional championships.

Adam (39) has been a member of the greens team at Minchinhampton Golf Club for over 20 years. A former football referee, Adam also took charge of Championship matches and has visited more than 70 Premier League and Football League grounds across the UK.

Adam has spent his entire adult working life at Minchinhampton and following a five-year spell as golf courses manager, in 2024 Adam made the decision to step into the deputy courses manager role.

Splitting his career between Australia and England’s south coast, Geoffrey (39) is currently deputy head greenkeeper at Broadstone Golf Club. He has gained outstanding experience in the UK, having previously worked at The Wisley, Queenwood and Coombe Hill golf clubs in Surrey and prior to that he worked near Sydney at Twin Creeks Golf Club and in Sydney University’s sports department.

Geoffrey also sampled greenkeeping Stateside by participating in the Ohio State Program, where he worked at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and TPC Sawgrass for the 2018 Players Championship.

The deputy course manager at The Richmond Golf Club, Duncan (47) has over 25 years of experience ranging from private members’ clubs to championship resorts.

Playing to a handicap of 1, Duncan is a talented golfer who has already experienced working at championships in Ireland, Australia, Germany and the United States, where he joined the agronomy team for The Players Championship in 2013. He is also part of the matchday groundstaff at Luton Town FC.

A first assistant greenkeeper at Manchester Golf Club, Chris (24) is currently studying towards his Level 3 Advanced Golf Greenkeeping qualification at Askham Bryan College.

Chris is fortunate to have had some outstanding bosses, both in Jonny Roberts at Manchester and previously Michael Gibbons at Disley Golf Club, with both keen to develop their team and encouraging them to get involved with BIGGA’s career-development opportunities.

Another football referee, Bradley (27) serves in the United Counties League and as an assistant referee in the National League System. Since May 2024 he has worked as an assistant greenkeeper at Beau Desert Golf Club, following a successful spell at The Belfry.

He already has extensive tournament experience, having volunteered at the Betfred British Masters, HSBC Abu Dhabi Championships and the Cazoo Welsh Open and in 2025 participated in the ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship.

An assistant greenkeeper at Enville Golf Club since October 2024, Ethan (26) is another to have gained significant tournament experience while working at The Belfry.

He has already experience four British Masters, as well as joining the greenkeeping teams at the Genesis Scottish Open in 2022 and the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake.

'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.'

'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!'

'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.'

'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.'

'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.'

'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.'

‘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.’

‘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.’

‘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.’

‘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.’