OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD ANNOUNCED

BIGGA has announced the finalists of their 2025 Awards, while also revealing that a lifelong supporter of greenkeeping is set to receive the association’s Outstanding Contribution Award with Kress.
 
The Awards will be presented at the BIGGA Celebration with Kress, which takes place on the opening evening of BTME in Harrogate.
 
At the evening, Bernhard and Company founder Stephen Bernhard (pictured above) will be presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award. The association says, with an unwavering commitment to education and professional development, Stephen has provided countless opportunities for greenkeepers to achieve new heights, not least through his support of the BIGGA Delegation to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and the establishment of the Bernhard Academy in 2019.
 
Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said, “Stephen Bernhard has been an inspirational character in our industry for decades and via his generous support - in particular of the BIGGA Delegation to the United States - he has made positive contributions to countless careers in greenkeeping. His enthusiasm for greenkeeping and the wider sports turf and horticultural sectors have been undimmed with the passing of time.
 
“He has always sought to innovate and challenge were appropriate and time spent with Stephen is always thought-provoking. I’m thrilled that we are able to recognise his outstanding commitment to our industry in this way.”
  
Also to be presented at the Celebration are the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year and the Greenkeeping Project of the Year awards. In both cases, the innovative thinking and creativity of BIGGA members are celebrated, with nominations being received throughout 2024. The finalists are:
 
Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year with Bernhard and Company

• Burnham & Berrow Golf Club for the hosting of Final Qualifying for The 152nd Open in July.
• Morlais Castle Golf Club for hosting the Men’s Welsh Team Championship in August.
• Woburn Golf Club for hosting The G4D Open in May.

Greenkeeping Project of the Year with Price Turfcare

• Cowdray Golf Club
• Long Ashton Golf Club
• Parkstone Golf Club

The Celebration  will be hosted by Sky Sports’s Sarah Stirk and is a free, informal event that will be held in the Harrogate Convention Centre’s Royal Hall on Tuesday 21 January 2025. All attendees to BTME are welcome to attend.