Yet again we’ve secured two days of terrific golf at one of the country’s most prestigious courses. Following on from two glorious days at a sundrenched Irvine Bogside last year, we are heading south to Frilford Heath Golf Club in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

The two-day event will be held on the Red course, a classic heathland test. This was designed by five-times Open Champion JH Taylor, and hosts European Tour final qualifying the week before our visit. It’s an authentic challenge at 6,912 yards, with fast and true greens and fairways that demand accurate drives. The stretch between holes five and nine is particularly notable, featuring a memorable par three hitting over a pond. The round is completed with seven successive testing par fours.

The current holder of the BIGGA Challenge Trophy, with the best overall gross score, is Oly Browning (pictured above), Greenkeeper at Stocks Golf Club. This year, we’ve increased the prize fund so whoever takes Oly’s crown will scoop £500 worth of vouchers. Second place wins £350, third £250, fourth £150 and fifth £100 - all vouchers. The top three players in the nett competition will also receive vouchers for various amounts, with the winner being awarded the BIGGA Challenge Cup, and after each day there will also be prizes for winners of the handicap divisions. The BIGGA Regional Team Cup and prize will be calculated from the eight best nett scores over the first day's play, and there will also be various nearest the pin and longest drive competitions featuring prizes.

We’ve also cut the entry fee to just £90 which includes a round of golf on each day, plus lunch on both days and dinner on the Monday evening. Please note there is no accommodation provided.

To enter please fill in the application form on the events page http://www.bigga.org.uk/events/event1031/ or email your details to rachael@bigga.co.uk - ensure you receive confirmation of entry by return email.

This superb opportunity features the fantastic prize of an eight-week trip to America to study the latest turf management techniques, visit the Toro HQ and attend the GCSAA Golf Industry Show in Florida in February next year. Two runners-up will be invited to attend the 'Continue to Learn' programme at BTME.

Read April's Greenkeeper International to see how last year's winner Thomas Flavelle fared Stateside - and find out more by visitinghttp://www.bigga.org.uk/education/toro-student-greenkeeper-of-the-year-award/

The course is enduringly popular with visitors, who return regularly year after year. The well-balanced layout offers an interesting and challenging experience to golfers across the broad spectrum of enthusiasm and ability, with positional play rather than big hitting paying dividends.

If you would like to take part in this year's event then please visit the 'Events' section of this website where the entry form is attached, and complete the form along with your entry fee payment and return to John Young, Scottish Regional Administrator at 2/1, 19 Cardwell Road, Gourock, PA19 1UG. If you would like to pay electronically then please contact John via his email address of johnyoung@bigga.co.uk or call him on 07776 242120 for further details.

Our industry offers terrific opportunities for stunning photography across the year – and now is the time to send in the images many of you have captured from the autumn and winter. The forthcoming weeks also offer another chance for great spring and summer shots.

The competition is judged by a panel of experts including professional photographers Alan Birch and Eric Hepworth – and the winner will receive a framed image of their choice from Eric’s super selection of golf course photography (www.hepworthgolfphotography.com), as well as one of your own entry. Two runners-up will receive an unframed print, and the final 12 will all be featured in next year’s calendar.

To enter, please send your images to comps@bigga.co.uk - the closing date is the 31st July 2013.

Please write “BIGGA PHOTO COMP 2013” is the subject header of your email, and label your entries with your name, club/college currently at, membership number and a brief caption of the course.

Images need to be high resolution and landscape shape (at least 30cm wide at 300dpi) suitable for an A3 calendar. Please avoid reducing the file size as this will reduce the quality – we recommend one image per email if file size becomes an issue – or use a compression facility such as winzip or an ftp site such as www.mailbigfile.com

There is no limit to the amount of images you can send us, but please seek permission of the club before sending your entries – we are sure they will be delighted with the potential coverage.

Only BIGGA members are eligible to enter. Good to luck to all.

The winning entry shown above is Craig Boath's stunning early morning shot taken at the Carnoustie Golf Links

Every XC Nozzle promotional card - which will be delivered with this month's Greenkeeper International - contains a unique reference number, which can be entered on the website: www.xcgold.co.uk to check if it’s a winning combination. The lucky numbers have been selected entirely at random and pre-programmed into the website.

The Syngenta application pack includes a set of each of the innovative new 025, 04 and 08 XC Nozzles, plus a unique Calibration Checker System. The XC Nozzle range enables more accurate and consistently even application of all foliar or soil targeted treatments.

The Golden Nozzle promotion will also be run at Turf Science Live - with three lucky winners to be selected from attendees at this exciting practical turf management event organised by Everris, Jacobsen and Syngenta which will be held at Wentworth Golf Club in July this year.

This month's Greenkeeper International features a look at how Muirfield are preparing for The Open, plus the results of a Player Survey at St Mellion and the first part of an educational article looking at how to get your first Course Managers position.

The prestigious awards are managed and administered by STRI, the world’s leading sports turf consultancy. Each entry is independently judged, not on the scale of project or financial investment, but on what a golf course has achieved and how it has benefited the environment.

2013 sees the launch of a new format for the awards with three winning categories:

1. Environmental Golf Course of the Year - recognising and rewarding golf clubs that can demonstrate efficient management across each of the following four areas:

§ Nature Conservation Management

§ Turfgrass Management

§ Waste Management

§ Water Management

2. Conservation Greenkeeper Award - recognising and rewarding an outstanding individual contribution to the success of environmental and ecological management.

3. Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year - recognising and rewarding golf courses who have implemented a successful environmental project, with clear objectives and targets on how the project will directly contribute to a better environment.

The coveted awards are supported by a group of sponsors committed to supporting and promoting proven sustainable projects within golf clubs – Syngenta, County Turf, Ransomes Jacobsen, Farmura, Greenkeeping, Golf Monthly, Operation Pollinator, BIGGA and Greenkeeper International.

Also supporting the awards is winning Ryder Cup team member Justin Rose, who continues as the official ambassador of the awards for the fourth consecutive year.

Bob Taylor, STRI’s Head of Ecology, said “Golf has an exceptionally significant role to play in sustaining and improving local environments and these awards give us the opportunity to highlight the most effective environmental projects and solutions from all across the UK. The awards have now gained both recognition and momentum within the golf industry with more entries received each year and we encourage golf clubs to enter to show the real contribution golf is making to the environment.”

Ian Willett, Course Manager at Thorpeness Golf Club, the overall winning club for 2012, said: “Winning this award is beyond all our expectations. If you have done anything on your course that enhances the environment I would encourage you to have a go at entering the awards. Taking part will raise the profile of your club giving your Greenkeeping team and members great pride in their golf course.”

Entry to the 2013 STRI Golf Environment Awards is now open. Entry is free and details can be found on the website www.golfenvironmentawards.com

Asa (pictured left) and pal Greg Skinner (not pictured) ran the Brighton Marathon for charity last month, the fourth time Asa – Greenkeeper at Rothley Park Golf Club – has run the 26-mile course.

But disaster struck after 14 miles when he suddenly felt a searing pain in his left leg. However, determined not to let his chosen charity down, he insisted on finishing, and managed to drag himself across the finishing line in 3 hours 52 minutes. A scan later revealed a Grade Two muscle tear with doctors amazed he had managed to complete the course.

He said: “It was all going well and I thought I was on track to beat my personal best of 3 hours 23 minutes when I felt this really sharp pain out of nowhere. I’ve never suffered any injuries before so I thought I could just keep going.

“Bu it did become very hard work. I think the spectators must have thought I was suffering from Tourette’s because I was swearing constantly due to the pain!”

Asa had been training for months up to the big day, which was watched by crowds of up to 150,000 people on the South Coast. He will now be restricted to certain less intensive tasks at Rothley Park until the injury heals.

He added: “It’s frustrating, but these things happen. I won’t be able to exercise for a month but I’ll be back. There’s life in the old dog yet!”

Asa was running for ‘Miracles To Believe In’ – a charity for autistic children. To donate to this worthwhile cause please visit www.miraclestobelievein.moonfruit.com or contact Asa on 07790 574075.

We’re always on the lookout for stories involving BIGGA members. So if you’ve won a sporting trophy, achieved a qualification, you're raising money for charity or have a humorous story to tell contact Steve Castle at BIGGA HQ on steve.castle@bigga.co.uk and you may be featured in Greenkeeper International, or on this website.

Gavin, who is Deputy Course Manager on the New and Jubilee Courses at St Andrews Links, is fulfilling a lifelong ambition to visit Augusta National for the entire week of the tournament. However, Gavin’s visit is no holiday as he has joined the mammoth greenkeeping operation ensuring the first Major of the golf season is presented in the pristine, immaculate condition it is famed for.

“Ever since I was a young golfer watching on TV I always dreamt of one day visiting Augusta National,” he explained.

“When I started my career in greenkeeping I made it one of my main objectives, not just to visit but to work at the Masters. So when I was selected last year to work at this year’s tournament I didn't think twice about accepting.”

Gavin said his arrival at Augusta earlier this week had lived up to all his expectations.

“My first impressions of the course were that it was just picture perfect. It has been an overwhelming experience working in and around Amen Corner surrounded by its deep history and the azaleas in full bloom.

“You can’t really appreciate the landscape of the course until you get here, with the severity of the greens and surrounds and the undulating fairways that viewers simply can’t see on TV.”

However, there has been little time for Gavin, who started his greenkeeping career at hometown Tain Golf Club, to get caught up in the magnificence of his surroundings as he has a daily workload to contend with as part of the greenkeeping team working throughout the championship week.

“In the morning my task is caring for the fairways, which includes switching grass clippings and repairing divots. My afternoon task is being responsible for the 4th green, which involves hand blowing, switching the sand splash and leaves off the greens surface when needed.”

This is not the first Major championship Gavin has been fortunate enough to work at, having been part of the Links team at the 2005 and 2010 Open Championship at the Old Course. He said both The Open and The Masters shared similar commitments to high standards and presentation.

“The overall tournament set up is very similar to that of the Open Championship when it's at St Andrews, where course presentation and standards are at their highest,” he explained.

“But the attention to detail is raised to the highest level here at The Masters which makes it unbelievably special. Augusta National is renowned for being one of, if not the, most exclusive golf clubs in the world and it has been fascinating to see policies such as the performance of the greens, including their speed and other indicators which are kept top secret at all times.

“There is a huge emphasis placed on the overall experience the spectator receives from the moment they walk through the gates, ensuring they leave with an unforgettable experience with staff and volunteers going that extra mile to deliver first class customer service.”

Jane has worked dedicatedly for BIGGA for eight and a half years, joining us in November 2004 and has been a hugely valuable employee and we are sad to lose her.

Jane still intends on working within the golf industry on a more local level. Jane’s last day will be 31st May 2013 and we would like to wish her all the best in her new ventures.

Keep an eye out for April's Greenkeeper International, which includes a Q&A on how the team is selected. May's magazine will feature an in depth look at preparations at Muirfield with Course Manager Colin Irvine.

Paul Armour - Head Greenkeeper, Lochgelly Golf Club; Sam Bethell - Greenkeeper, The Richmond Golf Club; Ben Bouchier - Greenkeeper, Maxstoke Park Golf Club; Tom Brearley - Greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club; Jason Brooks - Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Torquay Golf Club; Stefan Carter - Greenkeeper, Forest Hill Golf & Country Club; David Cooper - Greenkeeper, Ladybank Golf Club; Stephen Dale - Head Greenkeeper, Withernsea Golf Club; Stuart Ferguson - Course Manager, Dundas Parks Golf Club; Jamie Finch -- First Assistant, Sheringham Golf Club; Kevan Glass - Head Greenkeeper, Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club; Tony Gooch - Head Greenkeeper, Torrington Golf Club; Jaey Goodchild - Head Greenkeeper, Bowood Golf & Country Club; Michael Gunn - Greenkeeper, Tyneside Golf Club; Steven Hemsley - Head Greenkeeper, Bolton Old Links Golf Club; Bruce Hicks - Head Greenkeeper, Boston Golf Club; Robert Hogarth - Course Manager, Remedy Oak Golf Club; Matthew Holden - Deputy Course Manager, Sickleholme Golf Club; Richard Holmes - Deputy Course Manager, Crosland Heath Golf Club; Sam Horner - Course Manager, Gloucester Golf Club; Neil Ivamy - Greenkeeper, Trevose Golf Club; Paul Jenkins - Course Manager, Westridge Golf Centre; Richard Jenkinson - Greenkeeper, Ochil Developments - G West; Mitchell Jordan - Greenkeeper, Willesley Park Golf Club; Michael Joyce - Greenkeeper, Moortown Golf Club; Michael Llong - Greenkeeper, Littlestone Golf Club; Steven Lloyd - Course Manager, Burghill Valley Golf Club; Ashley Marshall - Greenkeeper, Matfen Hall Golf Club; Steve Mason - Course Manager, Stocks Golf Club; Adam Matthews - First Assistant, Minchinhampton Golf Club; Daniel McGuckin - Greenkeeper, Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Club; Ronan McKeown - Superintendent, Montgomerie Links (Vietnam); Billy Merritt - Head Greenkeeper, Beacon Park Golf Club; Darren Moxham - Course Manager, Saltford Golf Club; Rhys Norville - Greenkeeper, Celtic Manor Resort; Jim Paton - Head Greenkeeper, West Kilbride Golf Club; George Pitts MG - Course Manager, Yelverton Golf Club; Jamie Reeves - Greenkeeper, Roehampton Club; John Ryan - Greenkeeper, Ballykisteen Golf Club; Gary Salisbury - Greenkeeper, Burghley Park Golf Club; Richard Saunders - Course Manager, Mowsbury Golf Club; Jack Sims - Greenkeeper, Ealing Golf Club; Andy Slingsby - Greenkeeper, Halifax West End Golf Club; Phillip Snellin - Greenkeeper, Donaghadee Golf Club; Sean Sullivan CGCS - Course Manager, Briarwood Golf Course (USA); Mark Tucker - Head Greenkeeper, Neath Golf Club; Andrew Unwin - Greenkeeper, Rotherham Golf Club; Bruce Watson - Head Greenkeeper, Cardrona Hotel Golf & Country Club; Richard Whyman - Course Manager, Burnham & Berrow Golf Club; David Wilkinson - Head Greenkeeper, Whitley Bay Golf Club; Myles Wood - Greenkeeper, Berkhamsted Golf Club; Daniel Woodcraft - Greenkeeper, Bradfield College Golf Club; Martin Woods - Course Manager, Bedlingtonshire Golf Club.

The Harrogate International Centre is sure to be bustling next January with the likes of John Deere, Toro and Ransomes Jacobsen joining Kubota, RECO and New Holland at BTME 2014.

Many of last year’s happy exhibitors are also returning with many increasing their stand space. After a surge of early bookings over 85% of stands are already reserved with eager companies determined to showcase their latest products. BIGGA are pleased to welcome a whole host of returning exhibitors including Baroness Mowers, Campey Turf Care Systems, Syngenta, Everris plus dozens more.

Jim Croxton, CEO of BIGGA, said: “We’re delighted that the exhibition will once again feature four halls. This will allow us to both increase the number of exhibitors and attract even more visitors from all corners of the turf management industry.

“I’m particularly encouraged by the number of exhibitors who have already rebooked after last year’s show. Many have also increased their stand space which is a reflection of how they see BTME as the place to meet potential customers and do business.”

Discussing the success of BTME 2013, Croxton continued: “This will be BTME’s 25th year and it’s becoming increasingly popular. The feedback we’ve received from exhibitors, buyers and guests has been extremely positive and we anticipate that returning to four halls next year will extend its appeal even further. It’s a very exciting time for everybody involved.”

Europe’s leading turf care exhibition – which next year begins on Tuesday 21 January at the Harrogate International Centre - showcases market leaders from all sectors of the turf industry, including artificial grass, course furniture, drainage, fertilisers and top of the range machinery, to name just a few of the highlights.

BTME 2014 will also boast a terrific educational programme, with the extremely popular Turf Managers’ Conference again returning to the week when the industry converges on Harrogate. There will also be more workshops and seminars through the superb ‘Continue to Learn’ programme with a terrific range of knowledgeable and passionate presenters – keep an eye out for the confirmed speakers over the coming months.

BIGGA is urging anyone looking to reserve a stand to call now to avoid disappointment. There is still limited space remaining and places are being taken quickly. For your opportunity to exhibit at next year’s BTME, contact Jill Rodham or Matt Wignall on 01347 833812 or 01347 833832.

You will begin to see subtle changes based on your responses from May's issue onwards - but in the meantime, if you haven't yet taken the survey please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GISurvey2013. It will only take five minutes and will provide us with valuable thoughts, suggestions and ideas on the magazine. Thank you.

Three handicapper David, who previously worked at Vale Royal Abbey Golf Club, turned up at nearby Woodside for a round, and ended up chatting to some of the family who own the course.

He then found out they were on the lookout for an Assistant Course Manager so he sent in an application. David takes up the story:

“I was keen to make the next step up in my career and make my own mark somewhere. I was chatting to them and thought I’d send in my CV for the Assistant’s role, but unbeknown to me the Head Greenkeeper had actually left so they interviewed me for that position.

“I was really pleased when they offered me my first Head Greenkeeper role here and it just goes to show where a conversation can lead you.”

The pay and play in Cranage offers a 5900 yard par 69 course, as well as a short par three course and driving range, and employs just two other greenkeepers as well as David.

He added: “I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a lunch break all my first week! There’s a lot to do, mainly presentation issues, and the par three course has been neglected so that needs an overhaul.

“There are only three of us, we’ve obviously got limited kit and a limited budget but I’m determined to really make an impression here.”

Everyone at BIGGA wishes David all the best in his new role.

He's been Course Manager at Tandridge Golf Club in Surrey for the last seven years and takes up his new post after working to bring Tandridge back to its original Harry Colt design roots.

He said: "My new position fulfils a career goal, and my main aim now is to help the club further enhance a very special golfing environment. With its history and private feel I couldn't turn down the chance to join this esteemed venue. With five years of Regional Open Qualifying to tackle as well as many projects to plan and manage, the future looks exciting and it's a great move for me and my family."

Little Aston is a predominantly parkland course and was recently included in the Rolex list of the world's top 1000 golf courses. A spokesman for the Club said: "We were very impressed with the professionalism of all the Course Managers we interviewed, however Neil was the clear choice. We are sure he will lead the greenkeeping team so that we continue to have an outstanding golf course enjoyed by members and visitors alike."

Everyone at BIGGA congratulates Neil on his new role and wishes him all the best for the future.

Twenty greenkeepers from across the UK are now looking forward to an intensive two days of seminars and workshops covering a range of subjects designed to equip them for success in their future careers. These include in-depth courses on communications, budgeting, organizational politics, CV writing and interview techniques plus breakout sessions looking at other key subjects.

BIGGA and Jacobsen faced a tough decision selecting 20 names from all the candidates who completed an application form designed to find out more about them and their aspirations. They are now preparing to head to Jacobsen’s Ipswich headquarters for two days in April for the sessions which complement BIGGA’s Assistants Development Programme that Jacobsen kindly agrees to sponsor.

One of the successful candidates was James Bledge, Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club in Kent. He said: ”I was delighted when I found out I’d got a place. I always try and further my education as much as possible, whether that be at BTME or at other BIGGA events, and these sessions cover exactly the sort of areas I’m looking to increase my knowledge in. I’ve got a plan to hopefully make the next step in my career in two or three years, and modules such as budgeting and CV writing will really help me so I’m looking forward to it.”

Lorna Sheldon and David Bancroft-Turner – who gave hugely successful presentations at the Turf Managers’ Conference at BTME – will be again passing on their extensive knowledge of professional communication techniques and dealing with golf club politics respectively. Delegates will also be given budget guidance by Lee Strutt MG - Course Manager at gWest – plus advice on further educational opportunities within BIGGA.

BIGGA’s Learning & Development Executive (Technical) Stuart Green added: “There has been an excellent response to the initiative, with 45 applications received. This made the process of selection all the more difficult as we felt that all the applicants would have benefited. However, this is not the end of the journey for the successful applicants but the beginning of the next phase in their future turf manager careers.”

Many thanks to all who applied. Here's the full list of the successful applicants:

Lewis Birch – Greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club
James Bledge – Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Sean Borrett – Greenkeeper, Ellesborough Golf Club
Lee Brady – First Assistant Greenkeeper, Muswell Hill Golf Club
Tom Brearley – Greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club
Paul Carella – Greenkeeper, The Richmond Golf Club
Robin Cheney – Deputy Course Manager, Farleigh Golf Club
Scott Davidson – Greenkeeper, Newmachar Golf Club
Tom Evans – First Assistant Greenkeeper, Harleyford Golf Club
Wes Lenihan – Greenkeeper, East Brighton Golf Club
John McLoughlin – Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Grange Park Golf Club
Adam Mitchell – First Assistant Greenkeeper, Tehidy Park Golf Club
Adam Moss – Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Blackwell Golf Club
Rhys Norville – Greenkeeper, Celtic Manor Resort
Ross Ovens – Deputy Course Manager, Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course
James Parker – Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Close House Golf Club
Leigh Powell – Deputy Course Manager, Hockley Golf Club
Daniel Scott – Greenkeeper, Woburn Golf & Country Club

Ben Scrivener - First Assistant Greenkeeper, Abridge Golf & Country Club

Tom Wood – Greenkeeper, Outlane Golf Club

To view it please visit http://btme.org.uk

We've attracted a terrific line-up of presenters including Chris Haspell from Castle Stuart, who will tell the story of the landslide recovery process during the 2011 Scottish Open and the success of the 2012 event. John Bambury from Trump International Links will also provide an account of how the course was put into operation in July 2012 - and Ronnie Malcolm from Malcolm International will also be exploring 'The Role of the Modern Head Greenkeeper'.

Registration begins at 8.45am. If you have any questions about the event please contact our Scottish Regional Administrator John Young on 07776 242120 or johnyoung@bigga.co.uk.

The article acknowledges that golfers are quick to criticise when they feel elements of the course are unsatisfactory, but slow to praise greenkeepers when the course looks good and plays great. So they contacted us and together we came up with the survey. Its aim was help golfers across the UK understand in more detail the skill and hard work that enables them to play on well maintained courses and show greater appreciation of the huge amount of work that goes into maintaining a golf course.

Thanks to everyone who responded – the results were very interesting – and all responses will remain anonymous. Today’s Golfer enjoys a large readership and BIGGA hopes that this survey will not only raise the profile of greenkeeping but educate golfers on the intricacies of the industry.

It’s clear that communication and education are the key words when it comes to increasing the respect golfers have for greenkeepers, and a lack of understanding of a greenkeepers’ role is a real bugbear. On a lighter note, some of the respondents revealed some hilarious and bizarre tales of strange behaviour from golfers such as a golfer with an injured leg playing a round of golf on a bicycle.

Keep an eye out for the March edition of Greenkeeper International where the survey will be reproduced with the kind permission of Today’s Golfer.

It also reveals the sport is responsible for nearly 80,000 jobs in Great Britain and Ireland and generates employee wages in excess of £1.5 billion.

The report, commissioned by The Professional Golfers Association and supported by leading British and European bodies including BIGGA and FEGGA was produced by Sports Marketing Surveys Inc and highlights the importance of the golf industry across the continent.

Key economic findings across the 27 European Union nations plus Norway and Switzerland, which represent a combined population of 510 million, show the sport is responsible for a minimum of 180,000 full time jobs and employee wages of €4.4 billion.

And based on models employed by the Australian Golf Industry Council (2010) and Golf2020 in the USA (2011), the results show total expenditure per golfer throughout Europe of €1,911 which is in line with Australia (€1,917) and America (€2,007) golfing counterparts.

While the well-documented economic downturn has hit popular European golf destinations such as Spain and Portugal, golf tourism still contributes €1.5 billion of the annual impact.

On the course, the strength of the game matches the economic impact with eight men in the top 20 end of year world rankings and nine women in the top 50 of the Asian dominated standings. International team success is exemplified with the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, Walker Cup and Curtis Cup all residing this side of the Atlantic.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones commented: "Golf plays a significant role both in its economic impact and also in delivering social, behavioural and sporting benefits with the PGA professional firmly at the centre of the golf industry.

"In addition golf is also a huge contributor to charitable causes in Europe and last year generated more than €85 million supporting a range of good causes."

BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton added: "Such a comprehensive report is of great value to all stakeholders in the golf industry. The largely unsung work of BIGGA members in maintaining and managing the nation's golf courses contributes hugely to a sport that is enjoyed by several million people and provides nearly 80,000 jobs in Great Britain and Ireland alone. We are grateful to the PGA for leading on this project and all the other stakeholders whose contribution has helped produce this important study."