Trailblazer Lucy wins inaugural national award

Wenvoe Castle head greenkeeper Lucy Sellick has been recognised for her incredible achievements, leading the way for female greenkeepers, with the Trailblazer Award at the first-ever Women in Golf Awards.

 

The first Women in Golf Awards took place on Wednesday 8 December at The Bramshaw and Bell Inn.  During a night of celebration that shone a spotlight on every corner of the industry a broad range of recipients received awards including a greenkeeper, WPGA members and industry legends. 80 women from across the industry attended the awards dinner, which was an evening unlike any other.

“This has been a phenomenal evening,” commented co-founder Nicole Wheatley. “I feel quite overwhelmed by the response from the room and thoroughly inspired by the people I have met tonight. 

"Our winners are all excelling in their respective areas of the industry, but most significantly every award winner we have heard from tonight is committed to making golf better for the women who play the sport, or the women who have chosen golf as a career.”

2022 Women in Golf Award winners

Venue of the Year: Highwood Golf Club

Women’s Initiative: The R&A Women’s Leadership Development Programme and Project Ukraine

Trailblazer: Lucy Sellick, Head Greenkeeper, Wenvoe Castle Golf Club

Brand of the Year: Surprizeshop

Unsung Hero: Emma Booth, Winchester Golf Academy

Inspirational Achievement: Vicky Cuming, VP Golf at The IMG Group

What made Lucy an award winner?

Throughout her career, Lucy has truly earned the title of 'trailblazer'. She was the first female head greenkeeper at any golf club in Wales and was the first female member of BIGGA to sit on the association's National Board.

 

In a career spanning more than 20 years, Lucy has broken countless boundaries.

She began her career in 1991 when her next door neighbour offered her some work – he was building Virginia Park Golf Club where she later became a greenkeeper, training at Pencoed College.

In 2000 she joined Celtic Manor Resort after attending a careers fair. Recalling her first conversation with the Celtic Manor representatives, she said: “They had no idea she’d already been in greenkeeping for 10 years and asked why on earth a woman would want to come into the industry!?”

She admitted that she had to work harder and smarter to get the acknowledgment she deserved, but went from strength to strength, joining Saltford Golf Club in Bristol as deputy course manager in 2008.

In 2018 she made history by becoming the first female head greenkeeper in Wales, joining Wenvoe Castle in Cardiff.  Speaking at the time, she said: “I realised when I was greenkeeping that I wasn’t just setting an example for other women who may want to be greenkeepers, but I was also setting an example to golf clubs who were thinking about employing a woman.”

In 2020 she became the first female BIGGA member to join the BIGGA delegation to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Conference and Trade Show with Bernhard and Company.  She has also worked at eight European Tour events and two golf course constructions.

She has volunteered at every level of BIGGA, serving as regional chairperson for the South West & South Wales before being appointed to represent the region on the BIGGA National Board.