More than 400 people, a record attendance, were at the IOG Awards and Conference which took place at the stadiummk  in Milton Keynes yesterday.

The Awards were preceded by a full day conference, hosted by TalkSport’s Mark Saggers featuring leading sportsman such as rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield and Phil Davies of the 1990’s Welsh Rugby team, as well those at the top of the turfcare profession.

Gleneagles' Steve Chappell spoke on the preparations for the 2013 Ryder Cup, Graham Barwell of Edgbaston and Stuart Kerrison of Essex on cricket, Twickenham’s Keith Kent on rugby and Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels with William Derry of York on racecourse management, were amongst an impressive line-up of speakers.

The IOG awards featured 19 categories with Tony Sinclair of Manchester United winning the Groundsman of the Year Award. Eddie Ainsworth of the 9-hole Avro Golf Club in Cheshire, where he is the sole greenkeeper, won the BIGGA Greenkeeping Achievement of the Year Award.

Derek Walder, most often referred to as ‘Mr Saltex’ was presented with the IOG Lifetime Achievement Award.

Guest speaker was Sir Ian McGeechan who was interviewed by Mark Saggers and described life on and off the field during Lions tours of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, as well as his celebrated coaching careers at Northhampton and Wasps.

Next year, the event will be combined with IOG SALTEX which moves to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre on 4-5 November 2015.

More details of the Award winners in our Turf Pro newsletter published on Monday.