The BIGGA Picture: Shaping golf's future

CEO Jim Croxton discusses BIGGA’s involvement with the Golf Forum, a crucial platform for the organisation’s advocacy efforts.

A fundamental part of my role is working behind the scenes to advocate for the profession and ensure greenkeepers are not overlooked in the governance of the game.

Our involvement with the Golf Forum demonstrates that very clearly, as we have a seat at the table alongside every major organisation in GB&I golf. This platform allows BIGGA to directly influence conversations that impact the wider golf industry, ensuring the interests of our members are represented.

In discussing the most pressing challenges facing the industry, two key areas have emerged as primary focus points: workforce development and sustainability.

On the workforce front, we are making significant strides. We’re developing a comprehensive website to promote jobs across the golf industry, creating opportunities for passionate individuals to discover careers in greenkeeping and beyond. Related to that, we’ve started to look at how we can take what’s great about our industry and translate that into a promotional campaign to attract people to the profession. At the same time, we’re working to ensure golf clubs understand the importance of being responsible employers who value their staff.

Sustainability has become another crucial conversation. The golf industry needs to demonstrate its environmental credentials and that relies on having the data to back it up, which is something all key stakeholders are working hard to achieve. I subscribe to the view that golf courses are generally far better for the environment than practically any other land use apart from nature reserves, but we need to do more to challenge the misconceptions of those who see it differently.

We were also out and about with England Golf and the GCMA for a five-date roadshow in February discussing the importance of strategic planning, with BIGGA again front and centre.

Finally, at our recent board meeting, aside from reviewing what was a hugely successful BTME, we discussed how to adapt our membership criteria and categories to become a more inclusive association. This is an ongoing conversation and one of the key pillars of our refined strategy, which itself is underpinned by our goal to improve the health of the profession and the lives of our members.

BIGGA works on behalf of our members for the betterment of the greenkeeping industry. We'd love to hear your thoughts, so get in touch with us on WhatsApp using 07933 203 645 or email us.