The ongoing Covid-19 crisis has led the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) to rethink how its members will access local and regional education in 2020 and has launched a new initiative known as the National Regional Conference.

The RSPB's Dr Marie Athorn will be speaking at the conference

Traditionally BIGGA’s five regions - Scotland and Northern Ireland, Northern, Central England, South West & South Wales and South East - host their own gatherings for members to meet up and hear talks from  industry figures. However, restrictions on social gatherings and the fact many greenkeeping teams are stretched to the limit due to busier courses and reduced staffing means that these in-person events aren’t able to take place through this autumn.

BIGGA has already announced its Continue to Learn education programme, usually held at BTME each January, will become an online event, and the regional conferences have now followed suit.

The National Regional Conference will take place on 10 November 2020 from 10am to 1.30pm and registration has now opened on the BIGGA website.

The programme of speakers is:

• Seven things I’ve learned about turf around the world
  Presented by Dr Micah Woods, chief scientist, Asian Turfgrass Center
• Simple steps to encourage wildlife on the golf course
  Presented by Dr Marie Athorn, Business Conservation Advisor (R&A), RSPB
• From Lockdown to the Rose Ladies Series
  With Callum Wark, golf course manager, JCB Country Club
• The renovation of Loch Lomond
  Presented by David Cole MG, director of golf course and estates, Loch Lomond Golf Club
• 2019 – Parkstone’s busiest season on and off the course
  Presented by Grant Peters, course manager, Parkstone Golf Club