Dear <<First Name>>
The BIGGA Exhibition 2023
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Back row seated: Brian Ward (Club Captain), Alan Percival (Greens Chairman), Sam Copeland, Nick Byrom, Jack Stagg, Richard Royle, Front: Andy Brougham (Head Greenkeeper)
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This was the first time that your scribe had been to a Bigga Exhibition. The place where if you are anybody in the greenkeeping world you need to be seen. Viewing the latest state of the art equipment on the stands is just one part of this greenkeeping extravaganza. Networking with your contemporaries is another and it was pleasing to note how well known the Astbury Team is. For me the most amazing and previously unknown part of the event was the promotion of personal education.
Most of us of a certain age have an image of greens staff who turned up on a morning, jumped on a bit of machinery and cut grass, and back in the day this was certainly true. In 2023 it is a completely different role, Yes, they continue to cut grass but it is now with the specialist knowledge that enables them to evaluate the needs of the grasses that they work with.
Astbury Golf Club is reaping the benefits of this positive educational program. Our green staff are now scientists, conservationists, naturalists and administrators, thankfully they still jump on bits of machinery and cut grass.
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Pictured with Jasmine better known as the Jazzy Golfer are Brian Ward (Club Captain), Jack Stagg, Richard Royle, Nick Byrom, Andy Brougham Head Greenkeeper). Sam Copeland andAlan Percival (Greens Chairman).
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The pictured Greens Team were at the exhibition in force hoping to collect the project of the year award for greenkeeping. Listed against two excellent Scottish courses, Prestwick, birthplace for the first Open Championship in 1860 and Strathaven Golf Club that has hosted numerous County and National events in its 113 year history, the club was mixing it up with the elite of British Golf clubs. Any of the three clubs clearly deserved to win the award and despite our personal hopes the prize was collected by Strathaven Golf Club.
The team whilst disappointed were able to delight in the fact that they were there. Top Three out of 2800 clubs is still pretty awesome.
The excellent Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the Jazzy Golfer.
Jasmine is a Presenter, Social Media Influencer and Women's Golf Advocate. a very well known golf enthusiast, with many thousands of followers on most of the media platforms, when asked was delighted to brighten up the group picture.
DMcA
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