BIGGA Conference - Scotland

Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling, Airthrey Rd, Stirling FK9 4LA

8:15AM - 3:00PM, 15 Nov 2022

Why attend? the BIGGA Conferences bring members together from all corners of the association to access excellent education and networking opportunities.

Conference programme

Using R&A Golf Course 2030: actions and opportunities for greenkeepers

Presented by John Kemp, Project Manager for Golf Course 2030, R&A

This session will give an overview of the tools and resources developed in direct response to the outcomes from the project and how they provide opportunites for greenkeepers.

John Milne interview

Conference host, Alison Walker, will chat with John Milne, head greenkeeper at Garmouth & Kingston
Golf Club about the conservation work that he undertakes and him ambition to be carbon neutral.

Weather patterns and effect on golf course maintenance

Presented by Mark Hunt, Prodata weather systems.

In this session Mark will discuss the favourite topic of every greenkeeper - the weather!

RSPB work around the country

Presented by Dr Marie Athorn, Business Conservation Advisor to the R&A, RSPB.

In this session Marie will discuss the great conservation work that is happening on golf courses around the country.

BIGGA - what's happening? an update on key projects

Presented by Sami Strutt, Chief Operating Officer, BIGGA.

In this session Sami will highlight and discuss some of the new and ongoing projects and initiatives being undertaken by BIGGA to promote the profession and professionalism of greenkeepers.

Getting the best from your team

Presented by a leading course manager, this session will provide an oversight into how managers get the best from their team. Get an insight into their management style and how this benefits colleagues, members and visitors.

Conference Speakers

John Kemp

Project Manager - Golf Course 2030

John Kemp has worked in the golf industry for 18 years and holds a BA in Golf Management, a Professional Diploma for the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, CMDip from Club Managers Association of Europe and is an R&A Greenkeeping Scholar.

As Project Manager - Golf Course 2030 at The R&A he is responsible for leading the industry to develop practical solutions to the key sustainability priorities for golf courses globally.

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Dr Marie Athorn

Business Conservation Advisor to The R&A

Dr Marie Athorn joined the RSPB in January 2020 to undertake the role of Business Conservation Advisor to The R&A as part of the partnership between the RSPB and The R&A. Conservation and ecology have always been her passion and Marie has shaped her career in these fields. Marie has played golf her whole life and felt this role was a great opportunity to combine those two things and use her job to increase awareness and support for biodiversity conservation on golf courses.

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David Cole MG

Director of Golf Course and Estates

David began his greenkeeping career as an apprentice at Dumbarton Golf Club before joining Loch Lomond as First Assistant Greenkeeper in 1994. After spending 18 months travelling and working in America in 1997-98, he returned to Loch Lomond, becoming Assistant Superintendent in 1999 and then Superintendent in 2003. In 2008 he became Golf Course and Estates Manager, progressing to his current role of Director of Golf Course and Estates. David achieved his Master Greenkeeper Certificate in 2014.

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John Milne

Head Greenkeeper

John has worked in the industry from the age of 16. He has worked his way around Scotland let alone the world to gain experience and move forward in his career. John is passionate about the environment and is the current course manager at Garmouth and Kingston Golf Club.

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