Landscape & Amenity
November 2019 Setting new benchmarks in quality
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David Carpenter to chair IOG as major survey set to be released – and that’s the fact that not enough young people are taking up groundscare. “That’s something I really want to change. The Young IOG Board has been a fantastic initiative, but we need to continue to lift the image and profile of a career in this industry, and work hard to promote the sector, especially to the younger generation.
As David Carpenter takes over as chair of the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), he says his three-year tenure in the post will be a case of evolution not revolution.
continue to bang the drum for an industry that is highly-valued – in both annual turnover as well as in the worldwide reputations of those within it.”
“I see my role as being one of continuity and building on the excellent work of a great Board,” he says. “And one of the ways forward is by utilising every aspect of market intelligence possible so that the IOG can
With a pedigree of success in his former roles with the (as was) Sports Council and the Lottery Fund, David – who has been an IOG Board member for nine years - is certain he can make a difference.
He says that much of the ammunition for this campaign will come from the IOG’s most recent industry survey, ‘Groundsmanship – Sport’s Vital Profession’, the results of which will be released at SALTEX 2019. “The research not only reveals the value of the industry but, among other things, also highlights an important area that really needs to be championed
The su ccessful BIG G A members are: William Curran, greenkeeper, Beaverbrook Golf Club; Phil Worth, head greenkeeper, Macclesfield Golf Club; Thomas Tomlinson, assistant greenkeeper, Boldon Golf Club; Joe Lamb, assistant greenkeeper, West Herts Golf Club; and Melissa Winkworth, assistant greenkeeper, Goring and Streatley Golf Club.
The recipients of the scholarship, sponsored by ICL, will benefit from both attending great education and networking with their peers.” Ed Carter, ICL’s UK Sales and Development Manager, said: “The caliber of recipients each year has been outstanding and we’re delighted that these five ambitious BIGGA members will join our growing community of ICL Scholars.
“Each of the applicants were of a similarly high standard and the selection decision was extremely difficult, as always.” Continue to Learn at BTME 2020 will take place at Harrogate Convention Centre from Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22 January 2020. The extensive education programme will run alongside BTME. BTME
BIGGA’s Head of Member Development Sami Strutt said: “We received 75 completed applications for this fantastic member opportunity. Whittling them down to just five has been a real challenge!
“Today’s grounds professionals can justifiably be called turf scientists and their work is essential to the success of sport. That is a message that we must drum home again and again to the sports industry and to the general public.”
“I am adamant that this framework needs to be actively accepted by our partners, by sports clubs and especially by local authorities which in particular have been severely hit by a skills (and manpower) shortage. “We have to improve the skills and knowledge of everyone involved in turf care. And we have to continue to raise the profile of the IOG and cement its status as the ‘go-to’ organisation for everything to do with turf care and playing surfaces. It will be a five- to 10-year programme and I can’t wait to get started.”
Golf course managers and greenkeepers have the unique opportunity to determine the direction of an innovative new research programme led by STRI and in association with BIGGA. The Golf Research Enterprise (GREEN) is aimed at identifying and developing solutions to the problems facing turf management professionals now and in the future. The project is fully funded by STRI as part of its commitment to supporting the industry and the results will be made available to all. BIGGA chief executive officer, Jim Croxton, said: “STRI are making a significant investment and we are delighted to be working alongside them. We urge everyone in the turf industry to get involved in this initiative”. Crucially the decision as to what GREEN has to research
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE SINCE 1962
Natural Turf Management Creating the perfect surfaces
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IOG
New research shaped by industry
BIGGA members awarded ICL Scholarship The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association and ICL are pleased to announce the fi ve successful recipients of the fourth ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship.
“It is clear that job satisfaction is high – once people enter this sector they tend to stay in it – but we must do more to not only address salaries but, importantly, to also promote the high skill sets that are required to maintain our sports surfaces.
He continues: “One of my main roles will be to champion IOG initiatives like the Pitch Grading Framework (PGF), the programme that highlights the skills needed to maintain every level of natural sports turf surfaces, alongside the appropriate education and training pathways.
is down to you – the people who manage golf turf. What do you think are the most difficult turf management challenges, where a focused investigation could determine future best management practices?
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The challenges of golf turf management are varied; they could be UK wide or may be very localised. What keeps you awake at night? What turf issue do you Google most? These are the issues GREEN would like to identify, investigate and disseminate the resulting knowledge for the good of the golfing industry. All the responses will be prioritised and those of greatest concern will be presented and discussed at BTME 2020. The survey is open to all turf managers, you do not have to be a member of BIGGA to participate.
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STRI
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