BIGGA reveals identities of ICL Continue to Learn Scholars 2023

26 September 2022 Announcement

BIGGA reveals identity of five members who have been granted career-defining access to golf’s largest learning experience

ICL Scholars 2022-22.jpg 1
The ICL Scholars receive incredible access to Continue to Learn and BTME

 

BIGGA and the association's Premium Partner ICL have revealed the five participants of the seventh ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship.

The five BIGGA members, drawn from golf clubs across the United Kingdom, have been invited to attend the Continue to Learn education programme, considered the largest learning experience for those in sports turf management outside the United States. Continue to Learn is held each January and coincides with the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), hosted by BIGGA at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.

The 2023 ICL Continue to Learn Scholars are:

Patrick Brown.jpg
Patrick Brown

Assistant greenkeeper, Wentworth Club

Continue to Learn opens you up to other ways of working, management, tools, methods and education, let alone networking and meeting others you would otherwise never get to meet.

Continue to Learn will help me educate myself further and provide skills that I can use to further my career. I'm a big believer in sharing information and knowledge and everything I would learn from attending Continue to Learn at BTME, I would share with the other staff at the club. Whenever we go away for events or courses, we normally give a small presentation to the rest of the team upon returning and so all that I learn at Continue to Learn, I will pass onto others at work and in my network.

 

Jarno Ruscoe.jpg
Jarno Ruscoe

Greenkeeper, Ingestre Park Golf Club

It's a simple fact that knowledge is power! All head greenkeepers and course managers have stood the trials and battles of the uneducated. Attending classes allows people to hear previous triumphs of those who we aspire to be. Not only do we get to hear what they achieved, but we learn how they did it!

I attended a class directed by Kevin Fish at BTME 2022 called Step-by-step: Writing a strategic plan and I realised that without shared experiences, triumphs and failures, there can be no progression. Continue to Learn allows those of us who have a passion for the job to gain valuable knowledge and advice so we can brace ourselves for the time when we ‘take the reins’.

Allan Spalding.jpg
Allan Spalding

Assistant Greenkeeper, Lundin Golf Club

Coming into greenkeeper later in my working life, I am keen to educate myself slowly but surely to the highest possible levels so that I can propel my career.

What I have discovered so far is that greenkeeping can be quite a solitary existence and I think it is vital for occasions such as BTME and Continue to Learn to act as vehicles to bring colleagues together to promote camaraderie as well as pushing the concept of continuing professional development to the fore of our thinking.

As greenkeepers, if we all keep learning then the whole industry benefits as the paying public will be attracted to better quality and cared for golf courses.

Michael Sparke.jpg
Michael Sparke

Deputy course manager, Kings Hill Golf Club

Continue to Learn is very important to the industry as it is a place to learn and grow as a greenkeeper. It plays host to so many different things such as seminars, workshops, shows and award ceremonies for many categories like FTMI, Master Greenkeepers and environmental awards, to name a few. 

The knowledge and experience gained from going is second to none and everyone throughout the industry knows it is our biggest calendar event. BTME and Continue to Learn are a chance to meet new people and see what exciting new things are coming for the industry, with all companies present to represent themselves.

Nicholas Thorley.jpg
Nicholas Thorley

Deputy head greenkeeper, Saunton Golf Club

Continue to Learn and BTME is an extremely important cog in our industry. I love that each year we are supplied with an amazing trade show with informative and educational classes, many of which are free of charge. I feel this is where our industry differs from others. It is not just all about purchasing from one of the many vendors and I feel BIGGA cares for us as individuals and clearly wants us to enjoy our time at the show and most importantly progress our careers forward.

Having been in this industry for a number of years, I see BTME as a way for greenkeepers to get away from their clubs for a few days, making them feel appreciated for all their hard work and dedication during the past year.

As we all know, greenkeeping is normally quite a guarded subject between clubs. However, over a four-day period during January this all changes. Friends sit and speak about matters over a pint or two and new friendships are formed. The moods are happy, mental health struggles are shared and there is an excited buzz in the atmosphere, for the rapidly approaching season.

 

BIGGA Chief Operating Officer Sami Strutt said: “BIGGA appreciates that budgets are tight at the moment and that’s why we are providing more opportunities than ever before to access the learning we provide for our members in new and more cost-effective ways. That includes the latest Continue to Learn timetable, to be published early in October and featuring more free education opportunities than ever before.

“Thanks to ICL, five BIGGA members will also enjoy the countless hours of personal and professional development that come with attending BTME and Continue to Learn. Our sincere thanks are extended to ICL for their continued support of BIGGA and its members, particularly through the tough economic climate we are all currently navigating.”

Phil Collinson speaking to the ICL Scholars.jpg
ICL's Phil Collinson with a demonstration on the ICL stand at BTME

 

To earn an ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship, BIGGA members must demonstrate a commitment to developing their own professional abilities by engaging with BIGGA’s Continuing Professional Development scheme. Whether through in-person learning, reading the association’s magazine, Greenkeeper International, or by accessing resources on the association’s website, BIGGA members have access to thousands of learning opportunities, all aimed at helping improve their professional abilities.

The ICL Continue to Learn Scholars will receive three nights’ hotel accommodation and 15 hours of training and personal development opportunities.

Continue to Learn at BTME 2023 will take place in various venues including the Harrogate Convention Centre from 22 to 25 January 2023. For further information about BTME and Continue to Learn, visit www.btme.org.uk

Through the Turf Rewards loyalty scheme from ICL and Syngenta, BIGGA members are able to claim Continue to Learn education vouchers. Points are gained by purchasing products for use on the golf course. For further information visit www.turfrewards.com

Author

Staff Photos 2020-14.JPG
Karl Hansell
BIGGA | Head of Marketing and Communications

Karl has been head of communications for BIGGA since March 2016. His duties include editing the monthly Greenkeeper International magazine, in addition to other communications activities for the association.

Notification

Please confirm!