The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), held in Harrogate this January, was a resounding success for The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service. Representatives from the UK, Europe, and Asia came together to engage with professionals across the greenkeeping industry, strengthening connections and driving important conversations about sustainability in golf.
2025 marked a significant new collaboration between The R&A and BIGGA, with new support for the Continue to Learn Conferences. Throughout the three-day event, The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service and the wider Sustainable Golf team played a key role in hosting a variety of well-attended seminars and conferences.
These sessions—part of the Continue to Learn Conferences, Classes, and Free Seminars—attracted a diverse audience, including course managers, greenkeepers and golf board members, all eager to deepen their understanding of sustainability and the future of golf course management. The team focused on highlighting the importance of future-proofing the sport, ensuring golf courses remain resilient and thriving for the next 50 years.
“BTME was a tremendous success for everyone involved with The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service,” said Alistair Beggs, Head of Sustainable Agronomy Services at The R&A. “It was fantastic to reconnect with industry professionals, forge new
relationships and share valuable knowledge and insights about the services we provide.”
The R&A’s stand at BTME was a focal point of activity, featuring digital screens that provided insights into the service’s offerings, along with a selection of informative booklets for attendees to take home. The stand saw a constant flow of visitors, with team members from each region engaging in meaningful discussions about the service’s role in supporting golf facilities worldwide, as well as the support available through Golf Course 2030 and R&A Greenkeeper Education.
A major highlight of the week was The R&A Scholars’ Dinner, an inspiring evening celebrating The R&A’s 20 years of support for the education and development of greenkeepers and golf industry professionals worldwide. Scholars and supporters of the programme, past and present, came together to share stories from a network of more than 450 Scholars globally, many of whom now lead course management at some of the world’s most prestigious golf clubs. BBC broadcaster and golf commentator Andrew Cotter hosted the event, adding to the evening’s prestige and excitement.
