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The delegates will represent the UK greenkeeping industry as they network with peers from around the globe and sample the education on offer at the world ’ s largest golf course management event .
Allan Duncan , head greenkeeper at Broomieknowe Golf Club , Edinburgh
Craig Haldane , golf course manager at The Gleneagles Hotel & Golf Courses , Perthshire
Colin Hopper , head greenkeeper at Elsham Golf Club , Lincolnshire
Matthew Houseman , head greenkeeper at Scarcroft Golf Club , West Yorkshire
Chris Low , head greenkeeper at Walsall Golf Club , West Midlands
Darren McLaughlan , course manager at North Berwick Golf Club , East Lothian
Scott McTaggart , course manager at Sandyhills Golf Club , Glasgow
Andrew Wilson , deputy course manager at Whitecraigs Golf Club , Glasgow
The BIGGA delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show is considered one of the leading opportunities available to greenkeepers and the experience can be truly career-defining .
For Allan Duncan , the head greenkeeper at Broomieknowe Golf Club , a place on the delegation is reward for nine years of investment in his own professional development . Allan had been a greenkeeper for 20 years but had never really attempted to progress his career , until he considered the future he could provide for his children .
Allan explained : “ I took stock of my career nine years ago . I had two young sons and I realised that in 10 years they would be learning to drive and going to university . The position I was in at the time wouldn ’ t have enabled me to support them , so I went to my boss and asked for a pay rise , but the club couldn ’ t afford it . I decided to go back to college and get myself the qualifications I needed to progress my career and since then I ’ ve done so many amazing things .
“ To say that I am excited is an understatement . I come from a smallish town in Scotland and I was in the same job for 20 years , just going through the motions . Now , a few years later , everything has changed and I am overwhelmed to have been selected for the delegation . I don ’ t think it ’ s ever too late if you apply yourself and I hope I can inspire others to do the same .”
Bernhard & Company Director Steven Nixon said : “ We are very proud to have been supporting the delegation for so many years . The quality of applicants is always incredible , making the selection process quite challenging . We are looking forward to taking our 200th delegate in 2022 and offering the 10 successful candidates a fantastic career opportunity .”
The BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference & Show is just one of countless exclusive opportunities that have been specifically tailored to help BIGGA members achieve their professional ambitions and fulfil our overarching ambition of raising standards of greenkeeping in the UK and creating a stronger and more dynamic
For more information about BIGGA , head to www . bigga . org . uk
GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | January 2022 11