Staff WriterBIGGA and The R&A have teamed up to launch a first-of-its-kind championship agronomy experience, giving ten rising greenkeepers a front-row seat to the elite stages of golf.
With BIGGA’s backing, these volunteers will work shoulder-to-shoulder with the course crews at five of 2025’s most storied tournaments, soaking up wisdom and turf-taming tips that money simply can’t buy.
From Application to Apron: The Selection Process
After an extensive application drive, BIGGA and The R&A narrowed the field to ten shining candidates.
They hail from clubs as varied as Enville, Ansty, Whitecraigs and beyond—each bringing their own style, smarts and a shared hunger to learn.
Before teeing off this summer, the cohort will converge at Royal Birkdale in April for an intensive education session.
There, The R&A’s Championship Agronomy Team will unveil the secrets of rolling, cutting heights and moisture management, setting the stage for hands-on immersion at the tournaments themselves.
A Tour of Tournaments
Each greenkeeper will be fully embedded in a host venue’s team, contributing to course preparation, maintenance and on‐the‐spot problem solving. Their assignments include:
- The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush
- The Senior Open at Sunningdale
- The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl
- The Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s & Royal Cinque Ports
- The Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn
This unprecedented access offers an insider’s view of agronomy on life-and-death turf—where a single rainstorm or rogue divot can make or break a championship.
Meet the Trailblazers
The ten BIGGA members selected for 2025 are:
- Ethan Walker, Enville Golf Club
- Steven Connolly, Ansty Golf Centre
- Duncan Sieling, The Richmond Golf Club
- Kyle Gauld, Whitecraigs Golf Club
- Geoffrey Seath, Broadstone Golf Club
- Christopher Szoradi, The Manchester Golf Club
- Adam Matthews, Minchinhampton Golf Club
- Jack Hall, Kilworth Springs Golf Club
- Dean Baily, Heswall Golf Club
- Bradley Taylor, Beau Desert Golf Club
Each name represents not just a person, but a story of early mornings, relentless practice and a passion for turf that borders on obsession.
What the Experts Say
Adam Newton, Sustainable Championship Agronomy Lead at The R&A, underlined the programme’s value: “After an extensive application process, we have selected 10 impressive candidates who will gain a great insight into championship agronomy and greenkeeping at some of our most prestigious R&A Championships and a unique educational experience that will support them in their future careers.”
His words capture the blend of rigour and camaraderie that defines top-flight course management.
Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, echoed the sentiment: “BIGGA members have access to an incredible range of exclusive career-development opportunities and I’m convinced that the R&A Championship Agronomy Programme will soon be held among the upper echelons of those.
Our collaboration with The R&A is a real vote of confidence that highlights how well thought-of our members are by the wider industry.
My congratulations go to the 10 members selected to participate in this first cohort. The emphasis is now on them to make the most of the opportunity and represent our profession and association to the highest standard.
My thanks also go to The R&A and greenkeeping teams at each of the host venues for the enthusiasm that has brought this programme to fruition.”
Their endorsements speak volumes about BIGGA’s dedication to raising the bar for course care.
Why It Matters
Think the leaderboard’s brutal? Try wrestling wind, rain and blazing sun while coaxing a five-footer to drop.
It’s the unseen craft of agronomy that sets the greens’ pace—dictating whether they’re lightning-fast or silk-smooth, rock-steady or feather-light—and it’s this alchemy that turns 18 holes into pure theatre.
By backing the next generation of turf maestros, BIGGA and The R&A are locking in the meticulous standards that keep major championships as thrilling as ever.
For greenkeepers dreaming of rolling pins and perfect bermudagrass lies, this initiative is a fairway clear to professional growth.
Keep an eye on Royal Portrush, Porthcawl and beyond—you’ll see tomorrow’s agronomy stars in action.
For more on BIGGA and how to join their thriving community, tee up your browser at www.bigga.org.uk.
