LATEST NEWS
Best & Brightest
greenkeepers
Hazel Grove course manager receives standing ovation for
providing mental health support to colleagues at
turf industry’s annual celebration
he UK’s best and
brightest greenkeepers
were recognised at
a dazzling awards
ceremony hosted
by the British and International Golf
Greenkeepers Association on the
opening night of BTME 2020.
T
BTME is the UK’s leading exhibition
for those in the golf greenkeeping
and sportsturf industries, with more
than 5,000 BIGGA members, industry
leaders and influencers expected
through the doors of the Harrogate
Convention Centre for the duration of
the three-event.
The traditional curtain-raiser of the
exhibition is the BIGGA Welcome
Celebration, sponsored by Campey Turf
Care Systems and hosted by television
presenter Naga Munchetty.
At the event, a number of awards were
handed out to BIGGA members who have
done extraordinary things throughout
their careers, including one who
provides incredible support to those who
encounter difficulties with mental health
in their personal and professional lives.
Michael Davie, the course manager
at Hazel Grove Golf Club in Stockport,
10
has tirelessly supported many BIGGA
members and other greenkeepers.
Having overcome periods of depression
in his own life, Michael (59) established
the “Greenkeepers mental health
support group” on Facebook, where
turf industry professionals from all
over the country can come together to
support each other. In addition to this,
Michael also hosts a regular meet-up in
Manchester, where greenkeepers come
together to discuss issues and provide a
helping hand.
In recognition of the incredible effort
he has put in to supporting his fellow
greenkeepers, Michael was awarded
with the Outstanding Contribution of the
Year Award sponsored by Jacobsen.
The award is one of three BIGGA Awards
given out to members during the
event, in addition to the Championship
Greenkeeping Performance of the
Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor and
the Greenkeeping Project of the Year
sponsored by Baroness and Kubota.
Reacting to the news that he had won
a BIGGA Award, Michael Davie said:
“I’m exceptionally humbled to receive
this, it’s totally unexpected and really
amazing.
“I’m retiring from greenkeeping in a few
months and I hope the extra time that
gives me will allow me to develop the
mental health side of things, I’m looking
into how I can try and help as many
people as possible, so this is just the
start!”
The winner of the Championship
Greenkeeping Performance of the
Year Award was revealed to be Grant
Peters and the team at Parkstone Golf
Club in Poole following the successful
hosting of the Ladies’ European Amateur
Championshipin July 2019.
Also nominated in the same category
were Craig Haldane and the team at
Gleneagles for the hosting of The 2019
Solheim Cup and Graham and the team
at Ipswich Golf Club for the hosting
of the English Ladies’ Open Amateur
Championship.
The Greenkeeping Project of the Year
Award was won by Darren Anderson
MG and the team at Bromborough Golf
Club. The team replaced a 46-year-old
irrigation system, alongside rebuilding
greenside bunkers. Completing the
work in house, it is estimated that the
greenkeepers saved the club around
£150,000.
GroundskeepingJournal.co.uk | Sept/Oct 2019