BIGGA Conference - South East

The Wentworth Club GU25 4LS
8:15AM - 3:00PM, 9 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.

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!

The importance of a good relationship between a club manager and course manager

Presented by Michael Sawicki, Managing Secretary, Royal Birkdale Golf Club.

 

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 host

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Phil Helmn MG

Conference Host

Phil has over 35 years experience in the greenkeeping industry. He has managed large teams on a wide range of soil types both in the U.K. and Europe and has used these experiences to fine tune his mentoring and common-sense management style. He is a regular presenter at Continue to Learn at BTME.

 

Conference speakers

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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 represents the partnership between the RSPB and The R&A. The partnership encourages and facilitates habitat creation and management for nature on golf courses.
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Sami Strutt

Chief Operating Officer, BIGGA

Contact Sami

With over 30 years experience in the greenkeeping industry working for BIGGA, Sami's role focuses on expanding educational and development opportunities for members. In 2022 she was appointed chief operating officer of the association.

 

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Mark Hunt

Weather Analytics

Mark has worked in the amenity market since 1989 and for 31 years he focussed on research & development in turfgrass plant nutrition and disease management. He specialised in non-pesticidal Microdochium management with Headland Amenity, leading to the development of the 20-20-30 tankmix, Mantle and PPT114. He also worked on disease prediction using Davis weather stations to provide validatory data for the model I developed. In February 2022 he joined Prodata weather systems working on sales, specification and software development for the popular Davis Vantage Pro weather stations.
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Michael Sawicki

Managing Secretary

Michael began his career as a greenkeeper in North Wales, London and Surrey before taking the post as Course Manager at Dulwich & Sydenham Hill Golf Club. After two years he was asked by the club to take on the role as General Manager.

He has since been the General Manager at West Surrey Golf Club and Parkstone Golf Club. In 2019 he was approached to become Managing Secretary at Royal Birkdale Golf club, an Open Championship venue, taking him back to his native Northwest.

Michael has always retained his links with BIGGA and served as an FTMI mentor for two years.

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Dan Clarke

Golf Courses Manager

 

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Notification

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