Meet BIGGA's life membership recipients 2024

Seven longstanding BIGGA members have been honoured with life membership of the association.

 

At the BIGGA annual general meeting in January, seven BIGGA members received the association's highest honour - that of life membership.

Then, just a week later, the life members joined The Jazzy Golfer and BIGGA President John Keenaghan on stage at the BIGGA Celebration on the opening evening of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), where their careers and commitment were recognised by their fellow members.

Potential life members are proposed by their Regional Board with proposals voted upon at the BIGGA AGM. Candidates are full members whose contribution to the association or greenkeeping profession has merited such recognition.

Former BIGGA Scotland & Northern Ireland regional chairperson John Geddes

John retired from McDonald Golf Club after a lifetime in greenkeeping. He first joined the Scottish & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (SIGGA) in 1966 and was involved in committee work, beginning with the formation of the North Scotland Section.

He was chair of the Scottish Region from 2008 to 2010 and remains involved with the Scottish Legacy Club to this day.

This nominations was proposed by the North of Scotland Section and unanimously seconded by the Scotland & Northern Ireland Region Board.

David Hannam, Master Greenkeeper number 19

David began his greenkeeping career nearly 60 years ago and was heavily involved with the British Golf Greenkeepers Association (BGGA) before the formation of BIGGA.

He held senior roles in the BGGA and was regional administrator during the 1980s. David was an early participant of the Master Greenkeeper programme, receiving the award in 1998.

This nomination was proposed by a member and unanimously seconded by the Northern Region Board.

Former BIGGA President Gordon Moir

Gordon is a famous figure in the industry, having held arguably the most famous position in the whole sport as director of greenkeeping for St Andrews Links Trust. He began his career in his native Fraserburgh before travelling south to work with Walter Woods at St Andrews, eventually taking over from Walter upon his retirement.

Gordon presided over numerous major tournaments including Open Championships, while always having significant involvement with associations. He held key roles in the Central Section and Scottish & Northern Ireland Region, was a director on the board of management and association president in 2022.

Former BIGGA Scotland & Northern Ireland President Ronnie Myles

Ronnie recently retired from his role as course manager at Buchanan Castle but remains involved in greenkeeping, helping various colleagues and friends where he can.

A stalwart of the West of Scotland Section for over 20 years, Ronnie acted as chair and secretary over the years. He was also vice-chair of the Scotland & Northern Ireland Region, region president last year and remains involved with the Legacy Club.

This nomination was proposed by the West of Scotland Section and unanimously seconded by the Scotland & Northern Ireland Region Board.

Former BIGGA Scotland & Northern Ireland regional chairperson Robert Patterson

Robert began his greenkeeping career in his native Dornoch, where he rose to the role of course manager before moving to a similar role at Royal Aberdeen.

He has been both treasurer and chair of the North of Scotland Section as well as chair of the Scotland & Northern Ireland Region.

This nomination was proposed by the North of Scotland Section and unanimously seconded by the Scotland & Northern Ireland Region Board.

Former BIGGA President Colin Webber

Colin came to greenkeeping late after making the decision to convert the family farm into a golf facility. From small beginnings, Portmore Golf Park became a thriving business encompassing 27 holes, a driving range and busy clubhouse.

Throughout his time in golf Colin has been a huge supporter of BIGGA at Section, Region and national level, culminating in his time as BIGGA President during the COVID pandemic.

This nomination was proposed by the Devon & Cornwall Section and unanimously seconded by the South West & South Wales Region Board.

John Wells, Master Greenkeeper number 10

John recently retired from his role as course manager at South Herts GC, but remains active in greenkeeping.

He has served as both treasurer and chair of the Mid-Anglia Section as well as chair of the South East Region. He has been heavily involved over the years in BIGGA's learning and development activity and is a Master Greenkeeper.

This nomination was proposed by the London Section and unanimously seconded by the South East Region Board.