Five BIGGA members who may have been unable to experience the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition in January are celebrating after securing a prestigious new scholarship.

BIGGA Partner ICL has invited the successful members, some of whom are going to BTME for the very first time, to take part in the BIGGA Continue to Learn Scholarship 2017 and will provide them with an expenses-paid learning experience worth approximately £500 each.


ICL at BTME 2016

The ICL Continue to Learn 2017 scholarship comprises three nights’ hotel education and a 15-hour education bundle.

Richard Sheldon, first assistant at Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club, is one of the successful candidates. He said, “I have never been to BTME or Continue to Learn and so I am really pleased to be going, especially with all that the scholarship includes.

“Education is so important in the development of a successful greenkeeping career, so thank you to BIGGA and ICL for supporting us members who would otherwise not be able to reap all the benefits that come from attending BTME and the Continue to Learn education programme.”

The other successful ICL Continue to Learn 2017 scholars are: Lyle Davidson, Deputy Head Greenkeeper at The Carrick; James Evans, Assistant Greenkeeper at Woburn Golf and Country Club; Darrell Crowley, Head Greenkeeper at Owston Hall Golf Club; and James Sergeant, Head Greenkeeper at Sudbrook Moor.

Sami Strutt, BIGGA’s Head of Member Development, said, “We are delighted to welcome the first five BIGGA members on to the ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship programme. We are looking forward to welcoming the scholars to Continue to Learn in January and our thanks go to ICL for supporting this fantastic initiative.”

Commenting on the sponsorship agreement, ICL’s Ed Carter, ICL Turf and Landscape, Sales and Development Manager, said, “We are delighted to be able to support this fantastic initiative that gives the five selected BIGGA members the opportunity to attend BTME and experience the Continue to Learn programme.”

Continue to Learn at BTME will comprise of more than 250 hours of education across two venues in January. The programme will feature presentations from some of the top names within the turf management industry and a range of career development experts. Among the highlights will be talks by five successive Ryder Cup course managers and Neil Cleverly, Course Manager at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio.

Continue to Learn at BTME 2017 will take place at Harrogate International Centre and The Crown Hotel from Sunday 15 – Wednesday 18 January 2017.

The extensive education programme will run alongside the BTME exhibition.