BIGGA Conference - Central England

The largest educational event in Central England, with a day's worth of networking and learning and high class speakers in a famous venue.

Each November, the five regions of BIGGA host an annual conference, providing members with the opportunity to network with their peers in their locality. The conferences are held in a high quality setting, with leading speakers ensuring an extremely worthwhile day.

Who is it for? All BIGGA members are invited to attend. BIGGA members receive a discount on tickets. Non-members are also invited to attend and get an insight into the learning opportunities offered to BIGGA members.

Host

Phil Helmn MG

Programme Leader – Agronomy / Leadership & Management

Phil joined the Bernhard Academy in April 2024. With more than 35 years of experience in the turf management industry, he has worked for some of the biggest names in the business. Managing teams and golf courses including course construction, multiple golf courses and sites with turf grass surfaces including airfields and racecourses.

Phil is a Master Greenkeeper, one of only a few worldwide. He diversified his skills becoming an experienced trainer and author, supporting the leadership and management development of others within the industry. He is a regular speaker at BIGGA’s annual Continue to Learn education programme and the GCSAA’s Conference in the USA. He has been involved with many industry initiatives. His book, ‘The Power of People’ is recognised as a valuable guide to leading the modern-day team.

Conference Programme

Preparing for climate change - Copt Heath Golf Club

Climate change is going to affect the way that we manage our turf, and with change in legislation soon Copt Heath Golf Club are preparing now. With a focus on sustainable greenkeeping across all surfaces coupled with a water resource/storage project. This session will discuss how and why they are making these preparations.

Tom Flavelle

Course Manager, Copt Heath Golf Club

Thomas has worked in the turf industry since 2007, winning the prestigious Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year award in 2012. He has worked at both parkland and heathland course and prepared for regional Open qualifying. Having spent 7 years as Head Greenkeeper at Cosby Golf Club in Leicestershire, he is now Course Manager at Copt Heath Golf Club, West Midlands, where the focus is to maintain the course to high standard while preparing for climate and legislation changes.

 

The future of autonomous mowing

Jake Gray

Product Manager, Husqvarna

 

Future proofing water use, from sourcing to reusing

Owen James

Sustainability Manager

Owen is the Sustainability Officer working at England Golf. Having found a golf club in a hedge as an 11 year old, his love for the game developed into working both with the the greenkeeping team and hospitality team at his golf club. Owen then went to university to pursue his passion for environmental management, before amalgamating his loves for golf and the environment for the role at England Golf, starting in January 2022. Owen enjoys all sports, and is keen to develop a deeper understanding of how sport and the environment can benefit each other.

 

Educating golf clubs to understand the relationship between strategic and operational roles in club operations

Matt Draper

Club, County and Membership Director, England Golf

Matt is responsible for club, county and facility relationships, heading up the national club and county support team and offer. Matt joined England Golf in September 2019, having previously been general manager at Tadmarton Heath in Oxfordshire. 

 

Introducing First Green

Find out how you can help turn your golf course into a classroom and become involved in a STEM learning opportunity to enhance your club's engagement with the local community.

Jenny Bledge

Workforce Project Manager

Contact Jenny

Jenny joined BIGGA in 2023 to lead on the workforce project to deliver First Green into the UK market and other initiatives to promote the greenkeeping profession.  With a background in education and in the NHS, Jenny's knowledge and skills are perfectly suited to the role.

 

From Brew Room to Board Room

Having changed his role within a classic golf club structure Scott Reeves offers some observations and lessons he has learned about how to navigate the challenges of a changing situation and remain personally fulfilled in working life.

 

The five regions of BIGGA are: Scotland & Northern Ireland; Northern; Central England; South West & South Wales; and South East.