The 10 successful BIGGA members who will jet off to Orlando, Florida next year as part of the BIGGA Delegation sponsored by Bernhard and Company have been revealed.

BIGGA’s golf course managers and greenkeepers will enjoy a to the Golf Industry Show, one of the major events in the industry calendar.


Golf Industry Show

America’s equivalent of BTME, the GCSAA-organised educational conference takes place in Orlando from 4-11 February 2017.

A place on the Bernhard Delegation, as it is commonly known in the industry, gives access not only to the GIS, but the delegates will also meet industry experts, enjoy field trips to top US golf courses and take part in the educational conference, building a global network of contacts.

The delegates for 2017 are:

• Sam Bethell, Course Manager, Chipstead Golf Club
• Lewis Birch, Greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club
• Jamie Blake, Head Greenkeeper, Broadway Golf Club
• Jason Brooks, Course Manager, Torquay Golf Club
• Paul Brown, Course Manager, Ham Manor Golf Club
• Jack Hetherington, Head Greenkeeper, Alnwick Castle Golf Club
• Ben Kebby, Course Manager, Temple Golf Club
• Jon Methven, Greenkeeper, St Andrews Links Trust
• Matthew Nutter, Course Manager, East Berkshire Golf Club
• Scott Roberts, Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Basingstoke Golf Club

Each of the delegates completed an application form before being invited to a second application stage, consisting of interviews with representatives from BIGGA and Bernhard and Company.

The 10 BIGGA members will travel together to America for the GIS, where they will enjoy fantastic networking opportunities and hands-on access to world-leading golf course and facility management solutions. The delegates will also attend some of the GIS’s superb educational seminars, presentations and workshops.

In addition to visiting the exhibition, the delegates will act as ambassadors for BIGGA and Bernhard by manning the BIGGA booth at the show.

Steve Nixon, Global Director of Sales for Bernhard and Company, said: “As always, the standard of applicants was extremely high, showing what an immense amount of talent we have in the industry.

“Each year it is more and more difficult to select just 10 delegates from all of the talented BIGGA members who apply. I’d like to personally congratulate the successful team and look forward to spending time with you at GIS Orlando.”

Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA, said: “We’re fortunate at BIGGA that we are able to offer every full BIGGA member the chance to apply for such incredible career development opportunities, which often also provide unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences."

Applications for the 2018 Bernhard Delegation will be launched in July - keep an eye out for updates in Greenkeeper International and online at the BIGGA website.